US cuts water supply for some states, Mexico as drought bites
Water supplies to some US states and Mexico will be cut to avoid “catastrophic collapse” of the Colorado River, Washington officials said Tuesday, as a historic drought bites.
Browsing Tag
US
Evansville house explosion victims died of trauma, asphyxia
Preliminary autopsy results released Monday for the three victims of a house explosion in a southern Indiana neighborhood show they died of blunt force trauma and compression asphyxia.
FBI agents retrieve 11 sets of classified documents from Mar-a-Lago
FBI agents removed 11 sets of classified documents from former US President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, including some marked "Top Secret," according to court records unsealed
Indiana officials approve abortion ban
Indiana has turned into the primary state in the country to pass new regulation confining admittance to fetus removals since the U.S. High Court's decision in June that upset Roe v. Swim.
Flash floods bury cars and strand tourists in Death Valley
Flash flooding at Death Valley national park closed all roads into the park, buried cars and stranded about 1,000 people on Friday.
China Announces Sanctions on Nancy Pelosi Over Taiwan Trip
China reported sanctions on US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over her milestone outing to Taiwan this week, making her the most noteworthy positioning US official assigned for punishments by Beijing.
Monkeypox Declared a Public Health Emergency in US as Outbreak Spreads
US President Joe Biden's government on Thursday declared monkeypox a public health emergency, a move that should free up new funds, assist in data gathering, and allow the deployment of additional personnel in the fight against the disease.
China says Pelosi changes status quo of Taiwan Straits with provocative visit
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived on Taiwan island and promoted the US' purported obligation to the island, her very foolish and perilous move quickly provoked a progression of countermeasures from China, going from the military to…
Taiwan as Pelosi arrives; China puts military on guard circumstance
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan for her provocative visit that disregards the US commitment to contradicting "Taiwan freedom" secessionism, sent off enormous military drills around the island of Taiwan
US forces in Syria, region a ‘destabilizing factor’: Iranian president
United, independent Syria free of foreign presence will restore peace and contribute to stability and security of its neighbors, says Ebrahim Raisi
Putin’s Iran trip shows how isolated Russia has become – White House
Russian President Vladimir Putin's trip to Iran this week shows how Russia has become isolated in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine, John Kirby, the White House's chief National Security Council spokesman, told reporters on Tuesday.
Political Crisis in the US Partners Nation
Currently, the world is going through political instability and Ukraine crisis. The Ukraine crisis has been going on for five months. On the one hand, while the world is standing at one pole with the Ukraine crisis, Russia is standing at…
Biden meets Palestinian leader ahead of Saudi visit
US President Joe Biden met Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas in the occupied West Bank today for talks expected to focus on economic measures without striking any major diplomatic breakthrough.
China-US five-hour meeting in Bali thoroughly communicated; ‘frequent dialogues help solve…
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a "comprehensive, in-depth, candid and efficient conversation" with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, to which the two sides attached great importance, after attending the G20…
Nepal Army says there is no agreement on SPP
US Embassy in Kathmandu stated that it had received two proposals from Nepal for the State Partnership Program (SPP) between the Nepal Army and the US National Guard, the Nepal Army issued a statement denying it.
U.S. may let Tajikistan hold on to fleeing Afghan aircraft
United States may let Tajikistan hold on to Afghan military aircraft donated by the U.S. that sought shelter in the Central Asian country following the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul last August, a U.S. military commander said.
Global refugee population hits 100m amid regional conflicts sown by West
On the 22nd World Refugee Day on Monday, a report released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) showed that the number of refugees has surpassed 100 million, bringing renewed attention to the refugee crisis in…
Apple store workers vote to form their first US union
A majority of employees at a US Apple store have voted to form a union, a first for the tech giant, which has so far tried to discourage unionising attempts.
UK allows WikiLeaks founder Assange to be extradited to US
British interior minister Priti Patel on Friday approved the extradition of WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange to the United States to face criminal charges, bringing his long-running legal saga closer to a conclusion.
China-Russia ties in focus on growth momentum at key economic forum amid US hegemony
With the 25th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), hailed as the "Russian Davos", beginning on Wednesday, Russia-China cooperation under the theme "New opportunities in a new world" came under the spotlight, as the Kremlin's…
US Fed announces biggest interest rate hike since 1994
The Federal Reserve announced the most aggressive interest rate increase in nearly 30 years, raising the benchmark borrowing rate by 0.75 percentage points on Wednesday as it battles against surging inflation.
Greek lawmaker accuses government of ‘turning country into huge US base’
Greek lawmaker Kleon Grigoriadis has accused the government of turning the country into a "huge US base."
Japan, Australia agree to work for ‘free, open Indo-Pacific’ region
The defense chiefs of Japan and Australia on Wednesday vowed to continue their “close” bilateral coordination in what Tokyo called “regional engagement.”
China will keep backing Russia on ‘sovereignty, security,’ Xi tells Putin
President Xi Jinping on Wednesday said China will keep supporting Russia on “sovereignty and security,” a welcome boost for an increasingly isolated and ostracized Moscow.
Europe stocks up, Asia mixed ahead of Fed rate hike decision
Asian stock markets were mixed while Europe opened higher Wednesday ahead of a Federal Reserve decision on how sharply to raise interest rates to cool U.S. inflation.
China calls for joint efforts with US for stability in Asia-Pacific
China has urged the US for “joint efforts” to ensure the stability of the Asia-Pacific region as the two sides agreed to keep communication channels open to “manage differences.”
US annual inflation hits 8.6% in May, highest since 1981
Energy prices rose 34.6% on an annual basis, the most since September of 2005, and food costs soared 10.1%, the first increase of 10% or more since the period ending March 1981.
Iran vows ‘firm, proportionate response’ to IAEA resolution
Iran's Foreign Ministry in a statement late Wednesday termed the adoption of a resolution at the UN nuclear watchdog's board of governors meeting in Vienna, Austria as "political, incorrect and unconstructive.”
Japan, US conduct joint drill after North Korea missile tests
Japan and the US carried out a joint air patrol in the Asia-Pacific region in response to recent missile launches by North Korea, Japan's Defense Ministry
The World’s Most Expensive And The Cheapest City For Expats
Higher prices and a stronger currency over the past year have kept Hong Kong at the top of the most expensive list.
US slaps new sanctions on Russia targeting officials, oligarchs, Putin yachts
The US announced sweeping new sanctions against Russia on Thursday, targeting a broad array of individuals and entities, including four yachts with ties to President Vladimir Putin.
John Hinckley, who shot & wounded Reagan in 1981, granted full freedom
A federal judge on Wednesday granted John Hinckley, the man who shot and wounded President Ronald Reagan and three others in a 1981 assassination attempt, unconditional release from the remaining restrictions he faced, US media reported.
Moscow accused of war crimes as Ukraine atrocities mount
Bloody new attacks on civilians fuelled accusations Thursday that Russia is committing war crimes in Ukraine, as the United States warned
Time to admit Ukraine cannot become NATO member, says Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday said that it is time to admit that Ukraine will not become a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member
Germany to buy F-35 stealth fighter jets
German government wants to equip their air force with F-35 stealth jets in a modernization program worth billions
‘Russia interested in Ukraine talks’
US is putting "enormous pressure" on Russia for humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to escape, an official says
Russia intensifies assault, warns U.S. weapons sent to Ukraine are ‘legitimate targets’
Russian forces kept up their bombardment of cities across Ukraine on Saturday, capturing the eastern outskirts of a key southern port
US Army to award production contract for light tank this summer
U.S. Army is comfortable with the way its light tank competition is progressing and plans to award a production contract this summer
US hits Russian billionaire, Putin spokesman’s family with fresh sanctions
United States imposed sanctions Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg, three family members President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson lawmakers
Why even a “limited” no-fly zone is a bad idea
Russia’s war on Ukraine, calls for a NATO-imposed no-fly zone over Ukraine have been hampered by one big problem: Enforcing a no-fly zone
Boris Johnson could broker oil deal after Saudi Arabia refuses Joe Biden’s phone call
Boris Johnson is facing calls to intervene to urge Saudi Arabia to release oil country’s crown prince refused call Joe Biden, US president.
Ukrainian no-fly zone would end war quicker, says Polish ambassador
no-fly zone over Ukraine would help bring the conflict there to a faster conclusion and save lives, the Polish ambassador to Kyiv said
Russian airstrike ravages children’s hospital; House passes massive spending bill with Ukraine…
Russian airstrike devastated a maternity and children's hospital complex besieged southern Ukrainian city Mariupol, burying women children
U.S. military increases surveillance, missile defences after N.Korea launches
U.S. military has increased surveillance and reconnaissance collection in the Yellow Sea and heightened its ballistic missile defence
US warns of potential for Russia to use chemical weapons in Ukraine
Washington denies Russian claims, saying Moscow has 'a long and well-documented track record' of using chemical weapons
Oil jumps after UAE says it is committed to OPEC+ supply pact
Oil prices rebounded on Thursday after the United Arab Emirates said it is committed to major producers' pact to add 400,000 barrels
‘Send us planes’: Zelensky loses patience with White House as they block Poland offer for jets
Volodymyr Zelensky criticised the White House for its refusal to help Poland send jets to the country as Russia continues its assault
Dual citizen charged with acting as Russian agent in U.S.
Federal prosecutors charged a dual U.S.-Russian citizen Tuesday with illegally acting as an agent of the Russian government in the U.S.
Two Army Patriot missile batteries dispatched to Poland
Pentagon is sending two Patriot surface-to-air missile batteries to Poland - a move U.S. European Command said would “proactively” counter “
How the brutal WWII siege of Leningrad explains Putin’s thinking on Ukraine
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Russia’s war in Ukraine, citing in particular the siege of Mariupol, a port city on the Sea
U.S. calls Poland’s surprise public offer to route MiG-29s to Ukraine through a U.S. airbase…
Ukraine wants more fighter jets to help its outmatched air force battle Russian invaders, and the U.S. and Europe want Ukraine to have dozens of donated MiG-29s
Russia demands U.S. explain biological programme in Ukraine
Russia demanded on Wednesday that the United States explain to the world why it had supported what Moscow cast as a military
Ukraine war at 2-week mark: Russians slowed but not stopped
Ukraine, Russia has achieved less and struggled more than anticipated at the outset of the biggest land conflict in Europe since World War II.
‘Surprise move’: U.S. stunned by Poland’s fighter jet offer
Polish government stunned Washington on Tuesday by announcing it was ready to transfer its 28 MiG-29 fighter planes to the U.S.
Saudi Arabia and UAE leaders ‘decline calls with Biden’ amid fears of oil price spike
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have declined to arrange calls with US president Joe Biden in recent weeks as the US and it allies
US officials reverse course on pesticide’s harm to wildlife
U.S. wildlife officials reversed their previous finding that a widely highly toxic pesticide could jeopardize dozens of plants and animals
‘Putin is angry’: U.S. intel chiefs warn that Russia may escalate attacks
Putin may seek an exit from Ukraine if his war effort continues to stall, but that escalation of the conflict is likely to happen before
U.S. Congress nears deal on Ukraine aid, gov’t funding bill
U.S. Congress on Tuesday appeared to be within hours of releasing legislation to provide billions of dollars in emergency aid to Ukraine
Why Poland hasn’t given Ukraine its MiG-29 fighter jets to combat Russia despite U.S.…
Ukraine has been asking NATO members Poland, Bulgaria, and Slovakia to donate their Soviet-era MiG-29 and Su fighter aircraft to Ukraine
U.S. intel agencies: Russia does not want to engage directly with U.S. military
U.S. intelligence agencies assessed that Russia does not want to engage directly with the U.S. military in worldwide threats
Putin isn’t insane and won’t use nuclear weapons, says ex-Russian foreign minister
Vladimir Putin isn't insane and will not intentionally use nuclear weapons against the West. Andrei Kozyrev, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Satellite images show activity at North Korean nuclear site
satellite images suggest a resumption construction activity at North Korea’s nuclear testing ground nearly four years after leader Kim Jong Un
Blinken wraps up Baltic assurance tour as Ukraine war rages
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped short tour three Baltic states aimed reassuring former Soviet republics NATO will guarantee
Proposed plan to send fighter jets to Ukraine hits logistical snag
Ukraine with Soviet-era fighter jets via Poland is struggling to gain traction in the Biden administration, and the U.S. is reviewing
Asian spider could spread to much of East Coast
large spider native to East Asia that proliferated in Georgia last year could spread to much of the East Coast.
Biden criticized over report of planned Saudi trip to discuss global oil supply
Joe Biden attracted criticism from both progressives and Republicans after a report indicated the White House was planning
Foreign fighters now on battlefield helping battle Russia: Ukraine
foreign fighters have arrived in Ukraine amid heavy Russian bombardment and are on the battlefield, Ukraine military
U.S. says it may become harder to transport arms to Ukraine in the coming days
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said on Monday it may become harder to transport arms to Ukraine in the coming days.
Russia sets cease-fire for evacuations but battles continue
Russia announced yet another cease-fire and a handful of humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to flee Ukraine starting
Is the world at the start of a new Cold War?
Cold War, the two sides of the conflict for global power were unmistakably clear, with American-led democracies wrangling with the U.S.S.R
What is the US doing to help Ukraine refugees?
Ukraine has set off the largest mass migration in Europe in decades, with more than 1.5 million people having crossed from Ukraine
How the West Marshaled a Stunning Show of Unity Against Russia
Russian tanks and troops poured across the Ukrainian border on Feb. 24, NATO leaders received a deeply frightening message.
American Veterans Join the Fight in Ukraine
U.S. Marine, then got out, got a pension and a civilian job, and thought he was done with military service.
US Troops Are Accumulating in Europe as the Pentagon Eyes Putin’s Ukraine War
Russia marches on its warpath, encircling Ukrainian cities and bombing civilian buildings, the Pentagon has deployed some 12,000 troops NATO
White House weighs three-way deal to get fighter jets to Ukraine
U.S. remains in discussions with Poland to potentially backfill their fleet of fighter planes if Warsaw decides to transfer
New York protest, thousands call for Western intervention in Ukraine
Times Square in New York in support of Ukraine, demanding the United States, NATO or the European Union intervene to stop the unfolding war.
The fighting is in Ukraine, but risk of World War III is real
Conflict could easily escalate into a direct confrontation between Russia and the West, officials and analysts warn.
North Korea fires ‘unidentified projectile’, says South’s military
North Korea fired at least one “unidentified projectile” today, South Korea’s military said, the nuclear-armed country’s ninth
US, Russian militaries set up ‘deconfliction line’, says Pentagon
US and Russian armed forces have set up a direct phone line to reduce the risks of “miscalculation” amid the war in Ukraine
Treating China as a strategic rival will hurt US’ own interests
Washington's attempt to take China as a strategic rival will eventually hurt its own interests. the 13th National People's Congress
NATO ‘ready’ if conflict comes, says Anthony Blinken
NATO would prefer to avoid confrontation with Russia but stands ready if "the conflict comes to us," US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken
Son testifies against father in US Capitol attack trial
US Capitol delivered emotional testimony against his father on Thursday at the first trial stemming from the January 6 attack
Trump responds to conspiracy filing with more bogus vote claims
Donald Trump defended the 2021 storming of the US Capitol and repeated his bogus claims of voter lawmakers accused him
White House asks Congress for $10 billion in aid for Ukraine
$10 billion in US aid Thursday to help Ukraine with humanitarian efforts. ‘I urge the Congress to address these critical and urgent needs,
US government agencies start dropping mask requirements
Washington-area facilities said following the latest Covid-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
SWIFT sanctions on Russia: Magic bullet or paper tiger?
Russia from the SWIFT payment system could cripple its ability to trade with most of the world.
US follows Canada, Europe on Russian aircraft ban
US will follow the European Union and Canada in banning Russian flights from its airspace,
Putin will pay ‘over the long run’ for Ukraine invasion in State of the Union speech,…
Putin will pay over the long run even if he makes gains on the battlefield in Ukraine
Abortion rights bill fails to pass procedural vote, dies in US Senate
US died in the Senate yesterday after it failed to garner enough Republican support to pass a procedural vote.
US expels 12 Russian UN staff for ‘espionage activities’
US said that it was expelling 12 members of Russia’s UN mission from America for being “intelligence operatives,” prompting a furious response
Russia says US expulsion of UN staff a ‘hostile’ act
Russia’s ambassador described the US expulsion of 12 UN staff as a “hostile move”.
Ukraine calls for no-fly zone to stop Russian bombardment
Russian aircraft over Ukraine yesterday after Moscow bombarded the country’s second-largest city, drawing new sanctions by the United States and its allies.
Iran says key issues still unresolved in nuclear talks
Iran identified the remaining issues as the extent to which sanctions would be rolled back, providing guarantees that the United States
Caught between crises, Biden to urge optimism in State of the Union
US-Russia crisis since the Cold War, President Joe Biden will take on a no less difficult domestic challenge during his State of the Union address: restoring Americans’ optimism.
US downplays Putin’s nuclear mobilisation
US officials played down the threat of Russia’s “dangerous” nuclear mobilisation yesterday as the war in Ukraine
Russian forces appear to shift to siege warfare in Ukraine, says US official
Vladimir Putin raises the risk of a catastrophic miscalculation by putting nuclear forces on heightened alert
Biden approves US$350 million in military aid for Ukraine
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Biden directed that US$350 million allocated through the Foreign Assistance Act be designated for Ukraine’s defense.
Progress on Iran nuclear deal, but tough issues remain, says US
Iran’s lead negotiator would return in the coming days to Vienna, where the talks are taking place, “with a positive view”
South Korea says no plan to join any military move in Ukraine
Seoul will soon announce measures against Russia in line with international community, says foreign minister
MCC: Gift from US or Strategy to Countering China
Nepal losing diplomatic balance as the US has given priority to our strategic space and China has its concerns about it.
Russia plans to ‘decapitate’ Ukraine government, says US defence official
United States believes Russia's invasion of Ukraine is designed to decapitate Ukraine's government and one of the three main axes
Biden takes veiled swipe at China in condemning Russia backers on Ukraine
Biden said Putin's action “betrays a sinister vision for a future of our world; one where nations take what they want by force.
Biden hits Russia with tough export curbs, slashing access to global tech
Biden administration announced sweeping export restrictions against Russia on Thursday, hammering its access to global exports
Biden meets with G7, addresses US on response to Russia
U.S. President Joe Biden met with his counterparts from the Group of Seven allies on Thursday morning to map out more severe measures
Russia-Ukraine Conflict: No ordinary geopolitical issue
No ordinary geopolitical issue. Ukrainian crisis is a symptom of a new reality, the formation of new international relations
US believes Russia could invade Ukraine before night is over
Ukraine latest as US says Russia could invade today; military convoys seen heading to Ukrainian city from border; Biden-Putin meeting called
Russia says US sanctions will meet ‘strong response’, says ministry
Russia said Wednesday that new US sanctions will meet a "strong response" after US President Joe Biden announced fresh penalties against
China accuses US of raising tensions on Ukraine issue
China lashed out at Washington over the sanctions on Wednesday and said it was raising tensions by sending weapons to Ukraine.
‘Speak plainly’: Putin snaps at Russian spy chief during Ukraine discussion
Putin's move to recognise the two regions and deploy Russian troops on a "peace-keeping" mission to Donetsk and Luhansk has been condemned by the international community.
“Who In Lord’s Name Does Putin Think…?” Biden Announces New Sanctions
This comes after President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of breakaway regions Donetsk and Luhansk and ordered Russian troops there.
Munich front in Ukrainian crisis
Almost full squad arrived in Munich to show US administration's support for Ukraine
US stock futures drop as Putin recognises Ukraine rebel regions
markets are going to react and if Russia pushes to invade then all the threats that have been made, like the sanctions, go into effect.
US slams Russian peacekeepers in Ukraine as ‘nonsense’
NEW YORK
The deployment of what Russia called a peacekeeping operation in eastern Ukraine is “nonsense” and Moscow’s recognition of breakaway regions as independent is part of its pretext for war, the United States told the UN Security…
9 Points: US Plans “New Sanctions” As Russia Backs Ukraine Rebel Regions
Russia-Ukraine crisis: Tensions spiked in recent days after an outbreak of heavy shellfire on Ukraine's eastern frontline with the separatists.
US Orders Sanctions On Russia-Backed Ukraine Regions, Says Open To Talks
Russia-Ukraine Crisis: President Joe Biden imposed sanctions on the two Russian-backed areas in eastern Ukraine's Donbass region.
Bond between China and Russia alarms US and Europe amid Ukraine crisis
Current and former US and European officials say they are alarmed over what is effectively a non-aggression pact between China and Russia, that could amount to a realignment of the world order.
Putin oversees nuclear drills, US says Russian forces ‘poised to strike’ Ukraine
With Western fears of war rising, the White House said US President Joe Biden's national security team told him they still believed Russia could launch an attack in Ukraine "at any time".
Elon Musk feels SEC probe in the US is limiting his free speech
Tesla's CEO Elon Musk has accused the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of harassing him with “endless” and “unrelenting” investigations, which he feels is limiting his free speech.
US says 40pc of Russian forces on Ukraine border in attack position
United States, which estimates that Russia has placed more than 150,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders, has observed significant movements
What is Israel’s Strategy in Middle East?
Middle East has emboldened Iran, which is posing a growing threat to Israel and other nations throughout the region. For Jerusalem, this new reality holds large perils but also significant promise.
US State Department: Russia expels US’s second highest official at embassy in Moscow
WASHINGTON
Russia has expelled the US deputy chief of mission to Russia, Bart Gorman, a State Department spokesperson said today, warning of a US response amid heightened fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Russia’s action…
Mexican authorities intercept more than 1,000 migrants in one day
MEXICO CITY
Mexican authorities yesterday said they intercepted more than 1,000 migrants in the last 24 hours as the government tried to curb entry of undocumented travellers seeking to make their way to the United States.
The…
US and NATO see no immediate sign of a Russian pullback in Ukraine
Andrew E. Kramer and Anton Troianovski
The march to war in Ukraine slowed a bit Wednesday, as Russia announced further troop withdrawals and, with Ukraine, signalled a willingness to explore diplomatic solutions to the crisis, including…
Migrants sew their mouths shut in quest for Mexico passage to US border
TAPACHULA (Mexico)
A dozen undocumented migrants on Mexico’s southern border sewed their mouths shut yesterday in a bid to convince the country’s immigration authority to grant them passage toward the US border.
The migrants, mostly…
Saudi Arabia backs US efforts to stop Iran getting nuclear weapons
RIYADH
Saudi Arabia’s government expressed today its support for “US efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon,” state news agency SPA reported.
The government also thanked the US for supporting the kingdom defending its…
US pulls out most staff from Ukraine embassy over fears of Russian invasion
KYIV
The United States said on Saturday (Feb 12) it was ordering most staff at its embassy in Kyiv to leave Ukraine immediately due to the threat of an invasion by Russia.
An updated travel advisory said the State Department had…
Biden warns US citizens in Ukraine to ‘leave now’
WASHINGTON
US President Joe Biden yesterday urged American citizens to leave Ukraine immediately, and warned about potential major conflict with Moscow should US and Russian troops engage each other on the ground.
“American citizens…
Putin’s superyacht abruptly left Germany amid sanction warnings over Russia-Ukraine tensions,…
Vladimir Putin's yacht Graceful left Hamburg before finishing repairs, German media reported.
It is speculated Graceful made an abrupt exit to avoid Western sanctions if Russia invaded Ukraine.
The luxury superyacht is said to be…
North Korea boasts of ‘shaking the world’ by testing missiles that can strike U.S
North Korea boasted on Tuesday that it is one of only a handful of countries in the world to field nuclear weapons and advanced missiles and the only one standing up to the United States by "shaking the world" with missile tests.…
US embassy warns of possible strike over Abu Dhabi amid reports of gas tank explosion
WASHINGTON
The US Mission in the United Arab Emirates issued an alert warning Americans in the country about reports of a possible new missile or drone attack that may have occurred in Abu Dhabi.
"There are reports of a possible…
Samsung discontinues Galaxy S21 Ultra
South Korean tech giant Samsung has discontinued selling its Galaxy S21 Ultra in anticipation of the upcoming Galaxy S22 Ultra.
GSM Arena confirmed the news that Samsung has decided to discontinue selling the Galaxy S21 Ultra on its…
Bipartisan bill would create push alert for active shooter incidents
A new bill proposed this week would develop a federal alert system for active shooter situations, which have increased by over 1200% between 2000 and 2020.
The FBI defines an active shooter as "an individual actively engaged in killing…
‘End game’: Iran nuclear talks nearing resolution or nuclear crisis, US warns
While President Joe Biden works to address the crisis over Russia menacing Ukraine, there is another critical one looming, with a senior State Department official telling reporters the "end game" is just weeks away.
Iran nuclear talks…
Russia delivers written response to US over Ukraine-related proposal
Russia has delivered a written response to the U.S.'s proposal for deescalating tensions at the Ukrainian border.
"We can confirm we received a written follow-up from Russia," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement on…
Georgia prosecutor asks for FBI protection after Trump rails against probe
he Georgia prosecutor looking into former President Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results is asking the FBI for protection after Trump called for protests of the “racist prosecutors” investigating him.
Fulton…
US hitting Myanmar with new sanctions one year after coup
The U.S. government is imposing a new round of sanctions against Myanmar military officials, judges and businessmen on the one-year anniversary of the military coup that overthrew the country's democratically elected government and plunged…
$426 million Mega Millions lottery ticket sold in California
LOS ANGELES
A single ticket sold in Southern California matched all six numbers and was the lucky winner of the $426 million Mega Millions jackpot prize.
The winning numbers drawn Friday night were 3, 16, 25, 44 and 55. The Mega ball…
US orders departure of Ukraine embassy staff family members
The United States on Sunday ordered the departure of family members of staff at its embassy in Ukraine, citing the continuing threat of military action from Russia.
The US State Department also authorized the voluntary departure of US…
A year of Biden
Joe Biden’s first year as US president included two major historic accomplishments and a series of (often bitter) disappointments that has his party headed toward likely defeat in November’s midterm elections. Biden’s own political future…
US, Russia meet in Geneva on soaring Ukraine tensions
GENEVA
The top diplomats of Russia and the United States were to meet in Switzerland today to discuss soaring tensions over Ukraine after a flurry of meetings between officials on both sides in the last week produced no breakthroughs.…
Biden says ‘not there yet’ on lifting China tariffs
WASHINGTON
President Joe Biden said his administration is working on removing tariffs on Chinese goods imposed by his predecessor, but Beijing will have to do more to meet its trade commitments.
“We're not there yet,” Biden told…
US and China should create direct communication channel to avert conflict over Taiwan
The United States and China should negotiate "guard rails" and create a direct and open communication channel so its leaders can contact each other quickly over Taiwan to avert conflict, said Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong on…
Russia calls security talks with US ‘difficult’ but ‘professional’
MOSCOW
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov called Russian-US talks held Monday in Geneva on security guarantees "difficult, deep, professional and concrete," with the two sides not trying to soften or circumvent thorny issues.…
US, other countries condemn North Korea’s ballistic missile launch
The US and five other countries urged North Korea on Monday to end its nuclear program and ballistic missile tests.
The US, UK, France, Ireland, Albania and Japan issued a joint statement ahead of a UN Security Council session that…
US blacklists Chinese biotech firms over rights abuses
WASHINGTON
The United States on Thursday blacklisted over 30 Chinese biotechnology companies and organisations which it said are involved in using technologies for military applications and human rights abuses.
In a statement, US…
US agency releases John F. Kennedy assassination documents
WASHINGTON
US President Joe Biden released secret documents Wednesday concerning the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy.
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) published nearly 1,500 confidential…
Washington, DC sues to recover millions of dollars from Jan. 6 rioters
CHICAGO
The Attorney General for the District of Columbia filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday demanding restitution from far-right extremist groups including the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys for their Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol.…
Biden, Putin to talk next week as tensions grow over Ukraine
MOSCOW
President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin will speak in a video call Tuesday as tensions between the U.S. and Russia escalate over a Russian troop buildup on the Ukrainian border seen as a sign of a potential…
India’s balancing act between Russia, US
Iftikhar Gilani
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi on Dec. 6, which also marks the arrival of the first batch of the S-400 Triumf long-range air defense system, will test India’s diplomatic skills in balancing ties…
Russia : ‘The Afghan money must be unblocked from western banks, primarily US’
MOSCOW
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, has called for unblocking and unfreezing of assets of Afghans in western banks, to curb the humanitarian crisis.
"It is necessary to help the Afghan people, at least the money must be…
Black Friday, Cyber Monday online sales to set records in US
Online sales in the US are expected to hit record high levels on Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year despite high inflation, according to data compiled.
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, that marks the beginning of Christmas…
U.S. asks Japan, China, others to consider tapping oil reserves
WASHINGTON
The Biden administration has asked some of the world's largest oil consuming nations - including China, India and Japan - to consider releasing crude stockpiles in a coordinated effort to lower global energy prices, according…
Nine-year-old succumbs; death toll from Houston concert stampede rises to 10
HOUSTON
An attorney for the family of a nine-year-old boy who was trampled at a Travis Scott concert in Houston and was on life support for a week said that the child had died from his injuries on Sunday.
The death of Ezra Blount…
US says Syria airstrike ‘legitimate’
WASHINGTON
The US Central Command said Sunday that a 2019 airstrike that killed civilians in Syria was "legitimate," after a New York Times investigation said the military had concealed the death of dozens of non-combatants.
The…
US warns China over pressure on Taiwan ahead of Biden-Xi summit
WASHINGTON
The United States has warned China over its pressure on Taiwan, the State Department said yesterday as the two powers gird for a hotly awaited summit.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Foreign Minister Wang Yi…
United States bans China Telecom
WASHINGTON
US regulators on Tuesday terminated the authorization for China Telecom's American subsidiary to behavior enterprise in the United States, citing "significant" national security risks.
The Federal Communications Commission…
US to begin UK appeal against Assange extradition block
London
Washington said after the decision in January that it was "extremely disappointed" by District Judge Vanessa Baraitser's decision, which was made on the grounds of Assange being a suicide risk.
It is seeking to overturn that…
US bans Malaysian firm’s gloves over forced labour
The United States has barred imports from a Malaysian latex glove maker over alleged labour abuses, the latest firm from the country to face such a ban.
The relatively affluent Southeast Asian nation is home to millions of migrant…
China tested new space capability with hypersonic missile
WASHINGTON
China has tested a new space capability with a hypersonic missile, the Financial Times reported yesterday.
The report, citing multiple sources familiar with the test, said Beijing in August launched a nuclear-capable…
US calls Cambodia opaque over Chinese activity at navy base
PHNOM PENH
The United States today accused Cambodia of lacking transparency about Chinese construction activities at its biggest naval base, and urged the government to disclose to its people the full scope of Beijing’s military…
US couple arrested for allegedly selling nuclear warship
WASHINGTON
A US couple has been arrested in the state of West Virginia for allegedly selling statistics on nuclear warships to what they believed used to be a foreign state, the Justice Department said Sunday.
Jonathan Toebbe, who…
US officials decline to prosecute police officer who injured African-American man in Wisconsin last…
WASHINGTON
US authorities said yesterday they will not bring federal criminal charges against a white police officer who shot a Black man in the back several times in an incident that rekindled anti-racism anger in America.
On August…
US hold first in-person talks with Taliban since Afghan withdrawal
WASHINGTON
The United States and the Taliban will hold their first in-person talks because of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan starting today, the State Department said.
The US delegation will meet today and tomorrow in the Qatari…
US troops rotating into Taiwan for training
WASHINGTON
The US special operations forces have been rotating into Taiwan on a brief basis to carry out training of Taiwanese forces, two sources acquainted with the matter said today, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The…
French ambassador says Australia ‘childish’ to keep US subs pact secret
CANBERRA
Australia’s assertion that it could not inform France of its top-secret talks with the United States and Britain to build nuclear submarines is “childish”, the French envoy to Canberra said today.
Australia walked away from a…
Iran- South Korea row worsens over oil billions frozen by US sanctions
TEHRAN
A row between Iran and South Korea is intensifying, with Tehran threatening legal action unless Seoul releases more than US$7 billion (RM29 billion) in funds for oil shipments frozen because of US sanctions.
The Islamic…
Return of French ambassador to aid repair of bilateral relationship, Australia says
CANBERRA
Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Thursday the return of France’s ambassador to Canberra will help restore relations between the two nations which have been damaged when Australia canceled a US$40 billion (RM167…
US envoy Sullivan to meet China’s top diplomat Yang amid Taiwan tensions
BEIJING
US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser will hold talks with China’s top diplomat in Switzerland today and tomorrow, the South China Morning Post said, at a time of rising tension over several issues including Taiwan.…
Biden promised Japan to defend disputed islands, says Japan PM Fumio Kishida
TOKYO
New Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said today that he received a “strong” message from President Joe Biden about the United States' commitment to defending the disputed East China Sea islets known as the Senkaku Islands in…
US called on China to halt its “provocative” pressure on Taiwan
WASHINGTON
The US called on China to halt its "provocative" pressure on Taiwan after a report number of each day incursions via Chinese warplanes, saying the military moves are destabilising and risk leading to "miscalculations".
"The…
India, US reaffirm commitment to free, open Indo-Pacific
Washington
US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin on Sunday that it was once an honour to meet India's Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat during his recent US visit, throughout which they reaffirmed India-US enduring dedication to a…
China today thinks it’s safer to be feared than to be loved
Beijing
The france-based research body has described how "Machiavellian" China has built a tentacular network to exert its influence worldwide, a media report said.
The Strategic Research Institute of France's renowned Military…
China backs North Korean call to revive nuclear talks
China has backed North Korea’s calls for the US to revise its sanctions to break the stalemate in denuclearisation talks.
Pyongyang continued its missile tests last month after a six-month break, the latest being a new hypersonic missile…
Philippines defence chief said was urged by China to drop review of US pact
Manila
China has opposed a Philippines-led push for a review of its 70-year-old defense treaty with the US, Manila’s defense minister said on Thursday, concerned that it can be seen in Beijing as an effort to contain its rise.
The…
Kim Jong Un offers to restore inter-Korean hotline, slams US ‘hostile policy’
SEOUL
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he's willing to revive severed inter-Korean hotlines next month, but accused the US of proposing talks without changing its "hostile policy" to the country, state media KCNA reported on Thursday…
US Air Force chief focuses on China’s growing challenge over West Pacific, Japan and Taiwan
Washington
US Air Force chief General Charles Brown is very focused on the growing challenge and assertiveness of China's military airpower over the Western Pacific and toward Japan and Taiwan, Sputnik reported.
General Charles Brown…
Quad coordinate diplomatic, economic, human-rights policies towards Afghanistan
Washington
The first-ever in-person Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) Summit, leaders of the Quad nations during a joint statement said they're going to closely coordinate diplomatic, economic, and human-rights policies towards…
Venezuela demands end to US-imposed sanctions
BOGOTA, Colombia
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro delivered his address to the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations on Wednesday, where he involved the lifting of sanctions imposed by the US.
"We ratify our…
France upset about a new security pact between US, UK, and Australia
France isn’t the only country upset about a new security pact between the US, UK, and Australia: Some Southeast Asian nations also are worried the partnership could provoke China and spur a regional race.
The so-called AUKUS partnership,…
New Zealand’s policy on nuclear arms remains unchanged, Says Prime Minister
Wellington
New Zealand won't change its policy on prohibition of nuclear-powered submarines, the country’s prime minister said on Thursday, as Australia joined the US and UK during a security pact to accumulate nuclear submarines.…
Australia upgrade to nuclear-powered submarines in new security partnership with Britain, US
WASHINGTON
In the most important move between the three countries in decades, and a pointy signal that defence in Asia and therefore the Indo-Pacific is being beefed up against what's seen because of the threat of a rising China,…
President Biden has ‘complete confidence’ in Milley, says White House
WASHINGTON
President Biden has "complete confidence" in Gen. Mark Milley to hold on as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff after a forthcoming book reported extraordinary measures Milley took at the top of the Trump administration to…
US top general secretly called China over fears Trump could spark war
WASHINGTON
The US top general secretly called his Chinese counterpart twice last year over concerns then-president Donald Trump could spark a war with China as his potential election loss loomed and in its aftermath, The Washington Post…
Japan, U.S., South Korea affirm efforts to denuclearize North Korea
TOKYO
Senior diplomats from Japan, US, and South Korea agreed Tuesday to continue their efforts toward the denuclearization of North Korea through "dialogue and sanctions," a Japanese foreign ministry official said.
Their meeting in…
20 years after Sept.11: How satellites tracking disasters have changed
As the 20th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, satellite images show the devastation caused by the fear attacks that day and therefore the evolution of disaster monitoring from space.
The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, involved four…
Newly released FBI memo hints at Saudi involvment with 9/11 hijackers
WASHINGTON
The Biden administration declassified an FBI memo Saturday that fortified suspicions of official Saudi involvement with the hijackers within the Sept 11, 2001 attacks, but it fell well in need of proof that victims' families…
Bangladesh couple sentenced for conspiring to help Islamic State: US Justice Department
Washington
A US federal decide in Philadelphia has sentenced a Bangladesh husband and wife to prison phrases for plotting to offer aid to the Daish, the Justice Department stated.
United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams…
China eyes Bagram airfield to expand influence, embarrass US, report says
Kabul
China is eyeing the former US airbase of Bagram in Afghanistan in order to expand its influence in the region and embarrass America.
Paul D Shinkman, writing in US News said that China has secured friendly relations with the new…
Biden says US’ recognition of Taliban ‘a long way off’
WASHINGTON
President Joe Biden said late Monday that the US is a long way from recognizing the Taliban after the group took over the Afghan capital Kabul in mid-August following the US pullout.
"That's a long way off," Biden told…
Age thresholds for certain health screenings are getting younger
Americans are being approached to get evaluated for specific earlier in their lives as emerging evidence proof shows they are at expanding risk for diseases historically seen in older adults.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on…
Afghan refugees displaced kept in miserable conditions at US offices in Qatar
Staff at the US embassy in Kabul have dispatched a scorching assault over the treatment of Afghan refugees at American-run offices in Qatar, according to a State Department diplomatic cable obtained
As indicated by the cable, staff…
Biden: US expanded Kabul airport access to aid in departures
US force has extended their perimeter around Kabul air terminal as a feature of their endeavors to speed up departures of American residents, weak Afghans, and residents of US partners, President Joe Biden said on Sunday.
Biden told…
Biden focuses on evacuating Americans, Afghan partners
President Biden on Friday said his organization was thinking about "each chance and each signify" to get Americans and Afghan partners through Taliban designated spots and into the Kabul air terminal.
Biden said Taliban aggressors are…
Afghan reality awakening
In the midst of the disarray of Taliban-held Afghanistan, part of the global media, a few intellectuals, and the Biden organization are pushing stories that build up their own self-serving sees, yet regularly don't mirror the truth on the…
What is Biden doing when we can’t see him?
Three distinctive and preposterous instances of America's continuous emergency of government skill.
America's Emergency of Capability, Section One
Chris Cillizza of CNN composed Monday, "Seven months into his initial term, in any…
Kabul air terminal open to regular citizen flights, says US
KABUL, Afghanistan
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday that Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan's capital is currently clear, secure, and open to non military personnel air traffic working under visual flight…
US withdraws from Afghanistan all eyes are on Pakistan
As the US withdrawal from Afghanistan is now well underway, all eyes have turned to a country at the heart of the decades-long struggle for dominance there… Pakistan, where the effects of 20 years of Afghan war have been felt acutely.…
US trade deficit widens in May, but narrows with China
Ovunc Kutlu |
The US' goods and services trade deficit increased to $71.2 billion in May, according to figures released by the Commerce Department on Friday.
It represents a rise of $2.1 billion, or 3%, from $69.1 billion in April,…
Germany wants Libyan people to determine country’s future: Merkel
Erbil Başay | BERLIN
Germany said Wednesday that it wants to see the people of Libya determine their future.
Chancellor Angela Merkel made the remarks after receiving US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who arrived in Berlin to…
Pakistan premier says ‘absolutely not’ to US bases
Aamir Latif | KARACHI, Pakistan
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has reiterated that his country will not allow the US to carry out counter-terrorism operations following the latter's scheduled pullout from neighboring Afghanistan,…
TikTok Is China’s Trojan Horse
More than one in three Americans believe that Joe Biden is weak on China. With the president recently opting to revoke a Trump-era attempt to ban Chinese-owned apps, their beliefs appear to be valid.
TikTok, one of the apps Biden decided…
What To Expect From Putin-Biden Meeting In Geneva
MOSCOW
If Russian and US presidents manage to agree on issues of arms control, strategic stability, some points of regional conflicts, and stop "the war of embassies," the meeting can be considered successful, a Russian expert said.…
How China keeps US-UK relationship special
Joe Biden and Boris Johnson met for the first time on Thursday ahead of the G7 summit, after much media discourse highlighted the White House’s concerns over Northern Ireland and the president’s scorn for the PM in the past. But as Biden’s…
Increase Security In Light Of US fuel Pipeline Cyberattack
The cyberattack that temporarily shut down the Colonial Pipeline this month serves as a stark reminder that all industries are prone to security threats. A single attack brought the nation to a crawl. Just think of the damage one could…
US calls reports of migrant children kept overnight in buses ‘unacceptable’
Reports of unaccompanied migrant children being forced to stay overnight in parked buses at the Dallas convention center are “completely unacceptable” if true, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said Friday.
Dr. Amy…
Diplomatic efforts under way to de-escalate outbreak of violence in the Middle East
The US spearheaded diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the violence in the Middle East on Wednesday, with President Joe Biden speaking to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling Palestinian…
Middle East Quartet calls on Israel to exercise restraint
BRUSSELS
The Middle East Quartet -- EU, US, Russia, and the UN --urged Israeli authorities to exercise restraint following attacks by Israeli police on Palestinians at Al-Aqsa in East Jerusalem.
The group demanded that Israel avoid…
10 years after his death, Bin Laden still haunts Pakistan
Abbottabad,Pakistan
Children play cricket in a patch of scorched grass and scattered rubble in Abbottabad -- all that remains of the final lair of the man who was once the most wanted person on the planet.
It was in this Pakistani…
China conducts landform survey of disputed islands in East China Sea
BEIJING
The Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources on Monday issued a landform survey report on the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, which are controlled by Japan but claimed by the Communist-led government.
The ministry said the…
Turkey summons US ambassador over genocide announcement
ISTANBUL
Turkey’s foreign ministry has summoned the U.S. ambassador in Ankara to protest the U.S. decision to mark the deportation and killing of Armenians during the Ottoman Empire as “genocide.”
Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal…
The legal war between the Saudis and their former spymaster
DUBAI
The family of a former top Saudi intelligence official who is living in exile and locked in an international feud with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman say they have become pawns in the kingdom’s efforts to bring the spy chief…
U.S. deepens emissions target at climate summit, goal called ‘game changing’
The Biden administration on Thursday pledged at a U.S. climate summit attended by world leaders to slash U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, a target it hopes will spur other big countries to raise their ambition to combat global…
Russia expels 10 US diplomats
MOSCOW
Russia announced on Wednesday that it was expelling 10 US diplomats.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said a diplomatic note with the list of the diplomats declared persona non grata had been handed to the deputy head of…
Chauvin guilty of murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s death
MINNEAPOLIS
Former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted Tuesday of murder and manslaughter for pinning George Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the Black man’s neck in a case that triggered worldwide protests, violence…
Biden says evidence ‘overwhelming’ in tense George Floyd trial
Minneapolis
President Joe Biden on Tuesday called for the "right" verdict in the racially charged trial of an ex-policeman accused of murdering George Floyd and described the case now before a Minneapolis jury as "overwhelming."…
China’s Xi raps U.S., says “new Cold War” would hurt global economy
BEIJING
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday took a jab at a U.S. attempt to dilute the regional and global influence of the Asian power, emphasizing a "new Cold War" would hurt the interests of the world economy.
An artificial…
Biden’s first 100 days
Each Spring in April we fund our national priorities. This year, as the last, we face an altered reality as we continue to grapple with a global pandemic that has taken the lives of over 560,000 Americans and almost three million people…
Saudi Arabia, Iran hold talks to ease tensions: report
Riyadh
Saudi and Iranian officials held direct talks this month in a bid to ease tensions between the two countries, a senior Iranian official and two regional sources said, as Washington works to revive a 2015 nuclear pact with Tehran…
US city’s first Muslim mayor faced ballot Islamophobia
The first Muslim mayor of Irvine, California recently reflected on her difficult journey to get to the city’s top office, one laced with "a lot of Islamophobia.”
Farrah Khan was elected on Nov. 3 and assumed the post on Dec. 8 in the…
NATO to begin withdrawing all forces from Afghanistan
WASHINGTON
NATO will begin to withdraw all member state forces from Afghanistan by May 1, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday.
The "orderly, coordinated and deliberate" drawdown will be completed "within a few…
US envoy Kerry starts climate talks in China
Shanghai
US climate envoy John Kerry met with his Chinese counterparts in Shanghai on Thursday, in the first visit to China by an official from a Biden administration seeking to re-establish America's leadership on the environment.…
Iranian foreign ministry claims Israel behind nuclear site attack
TEHRAN
Iranian foreign ministry alleged on Monday that Israel was behind an attack on the Natanz uranium enrichment plant that took place a day earlier and vowed vengeance.
"Of course the Zionist regime, with this action, tried to…
US focuses on Myanmar issues; lauds Bangladesh’s extraordinary generosity
Dhaka
The US remains very focused on helping all concerned in finding a solution to the Rohingya crisis and restoring democracy in Myanmar, John Kerry, the US special presidential envoy for climate, said on Friday.
He appreciated…
Iran details plan to verify US lifting of sanctions
Tehran
Iran plans to verify whether the US is actually lifting sanctions through oil exports and via international banking transactions, a member of Tehran's negotiating team said in an interview published Friday.
The team has been…
Muslim civil rights group sues Facebook over hate speech
A civil rights group is suing Facebook and its executives, saying CEO Mark Zuckerberg made “false and deceptive” statements to Congress when he said the giant social network removes hate speech and other material that violates its rules.…
Vietnam’s pandemic response leader sworn in as president
Hanoi
The man behind Vietnam's successful handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, was formally sworn in as president in Hanoi on Monday.
Phuc, 66, was Vietnam's prime minister for the last five years, a period in which…
Iran: No talks with US during Vienna meeting
TEHRAN, Iran
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sayed Abbas Araghchi on Sunday ruled out any direct or indirect talks with the US one day before heading to Vienna for much-anticipated talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal.
Araghchi told…
AstraZeneca says vaccine 76% effective in updated US trial data
Washington
British-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca on Wednesday revised down by three percentage points the effectiveness of its Covid vaccine after American authorities raised concerns that results reported from its US trial were…
‘So bad for you’: doctors flee crisis-hit Lebanon
Beirut
US-trained emergency doctor Nour al-Jalbout wanted desperately to serve her fellow Lebanese, but less than two years after returning home she says the country's catastrophes are forcing her to leave.
"I gave everything I had to…
U.S. began reaching out to North Korea in Feb., no response so far
WASHINGTON
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden started reaching out to the North Korean government from mid-February but has received no response so far, a senior government official said Sunday.
The U.S. move, conducted…
Netanyahu blames Iran for boat attack, says ‘striking’ back
Jerusalem
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused arch-foe Iran on Monday of a recent attack on an Israeli-owned ship, noting his country was "striking back" the morning after a raid on Syria.
The latest escalation between the…
Saudi Arabia says Huthi missile attack on Riyadh thwarted
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Loud explosions shook Riyadh on Saturday as a Saudi-led military coalition said it thwarted a missile attack launched by Yemen's Huthi rebels, which sent debris raining down on civilian homes.
The Iran-backed…
US approves first one-dose coronavirus vaccine
Washington
The US drug regulator on Saturday granted emergency use authorization for Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus vaccine, the third such vaccine it has approved and the first to offer protection with just one shot.
The vaccine…
EU medicines regulator approves Regeneron’s Covid-19 synthetic antibody therapy
Regeneron's synthetic antibody treatment was used to treat former US President Donald Trump after he contracted coronavirus last year.
The European Medicines Agency said preliminary results showed treatment with REGN-COV2 reduced the…
UN: Latest climate pledges very far from Paris goals
Renewed promises to slash greenhouse gas emissions from countries as part of the Paris climate deal are "very far" from what is required to avert catastrophic global warming, the United Nations said on Friday.
In its assessment of the…
US in delicate balancing act as Saudi prince spared sanctions
Riyadh
US President Joe Biden's decision not to sanction Saudi Arabia's crown prince over journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder has frustrated campaigners, underscoring Washington's delicate balancing act as it seeks to avoid a diplomatic…
Huawei, controversial in the West, is going strong in the Gulf
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Chinese telecoms giant Huawei is enjoying an extended honeymoon with oil-rich Gulf nations, despite being criticised in the United States and Europe as a potential security threat.
Arab Gulf countries --…
India steps up clampdown on US social media giants
New Delhi, India
India imposed tough new rules on social media platforms Thursday as it accused US tech giants of "double standards" in taking down disputed content.
The regulations take effect in three months and will force social…
China denies using Covid-19 anal swabs on US diplomats
Beijing
China on Thursday said it had never asked US diplomats to undergo Covid-19 anal swabs, following American media reports that State Department personnel had complained of being subjected to the intrusive test.
China -- which…
US destroyer sails in South China Sea in “freedom of navigation” operation
Tokyo, Japan
A US Navy destroyer sailed near the China-claimed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea on Wednesday in a "freedom of navigation" operation, the 7th Fleet said.
The operation involving the guided missile destroyer…
Biden has to be firm against Myanmar for strategic benefits
Clementine Bizot and Phar Kim Beng
In light of Joe Biden's clear intention to hold the Democracy Summit, upon his victory on Nov. 3 2020, which would be modelled on the Nuclear Security Summit of the Obama administration, Biden is not…
Blinken presses China on Uighurs, Hong Kong in first call
Washington
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed Beijing on its treatment of Uighurs, Tibetans and Hong Kong while China defended its policies in the first conversation between top officials of the two powers since President Joe…
Taiwan condemns ‘evil’ China after Guyana scraps trade office
TAIPEI
Taiwan on Friday accused Beijing of pressuring Guyana into terminating a deal with the island to set up a trade office, saying it highlighted the Chinese government's "evil nature".
Less than a day after Taiwanese officials…
US should extend May Afghan withdrawal deadline: report
WASHINGTON
The Biden administration should work to extend a May 1 deadline for the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, a report to lawmakers said Wednesday.
The Afghanistan Study Group said in its final report to Congress that…
First US warship transits Taiwan Strait since Biden inauguration
Taipei, Taiwan
A US warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, the American navy said, in the first such voyage since the inauguration of President Joe Biden.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer conducted a…
Pausing UAE military sales won’t harm normalization: Netanyahu
JERUSALEM
US President Joe Biden's decision to freeze the sale of F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates will not affect the normalization agreements signed last year between Tel Aviv and Arab countries, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin…
UN chief receives first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine Thursday.
"I was fortunate and grateful to get the first dose of my #COVID19 vaccine today," Guterres said on Twitter.
"We must get to work to make…
SpaceX launches record 143 satellites on one rocket
US aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company SpaceX successfully launched 143 small satellites into space Sunday, a new record for a single rocket.
The Transporter-1 mission, delayed on Saturday due to adverse…
Israel concerned over Biden’s stance on Iran, Palestine
JERUSALEM
Israeli officials expressed concern Thursday over the new US administration’s plan to revive a nuclear deal with Iran as well as reengaging in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, Israeli dailies reported.
This follows the…
US to seek extension of nuclear arms treaty with Russia
WASHINGTON
The US intends to seek a five-year extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, the last remaining arms control agreement between Washington and Moscow.
The New START deal is set to expire on Feb. 5.
"This…
Biden warns dark days ahead as he outlines COVID plan
WASHINGTON
US President Joe Biden rolled out his national strategy Thursday to bring America out of the nadir of its grim coronavirus pandemic, warning that even with his efforts the worst is yet to come.
Biden inherited a pandemic…
Trump, Pompeo relegated to dustbin of history: Iran
Iran’s foreign minister welcomed the departure of US President Donald Trump and his administration Wednesday while suggesting that newly elected President Joe Biden should abandon his predecessor’s policies.
"Trump, Pompeo & Co. are…
EU calls for new ties with US in Biden era
BRUSSELS
Under soon-to-be President Joe Biden, the US and the EU should build a new alliance, a key leader of the bloc proposed on Wednesday.
“On the first day of his mandate, I address a solemn proposal to the new US president. Let's…
Who are the ordinary folks trying to join inauguration?
WASHINGTON
On a crisp, sunny, blustery afternoon, the scene outside the north side of the US Capitol is one of TV news reporters and cameras looking for any locals to interview along with big military-style trucks and camouflage-clad…
US asks Australia to scrap proposed social media law
The United States has asked Australia to step back from its proposed law against Facebook and Google, local media reported on Tuesday.
In a letter from the Executive Office of the US President, Washington expressed concern over…
Supporters of Yemen’s Houthis protest outside US embassy
SANAA, Yemen
Hundreds of supporters of Yemen’s Houthi rebels staged a demonstration Monday in front of the US embassy in the capital Sana’a against Washington’s decision to designate the group as a foreign terrorist organization.
The…
US officials to get sanctioned for ‘nasty behaviour’ over Taiwan: China
BEIJING
After Washington lifted curbs on exchanges between US and Taiwanese officials, China’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday said that US officials who have engaged in “nasty behaviour” over Chinese-claimed Taiwan will be slapped with…
Venezuela denounces US court ruling over Citgo
CARACAS, Venezuela
The Venezuelan government on Sunday rejected a decision by a US federal court in a legal dispute over Citgo Petroleum Corp., calling it a “hostile” judicial process.
The court approved the sale of the shares of…
Venezuela condemns US policy of seizing fuel shipments
CARACAS, Venezuela
Venezuela accused America’s top diplomat Tuesday of boasting about stealing millions of dollars belonging to its people, alluding to the Trump administration’s policy of seizing fuel shipments destined for the country…
US military confirms Biden as 46th commander-in-chief
WASHINGTON
The US Joint Chiefs of Staff issued a message Tuesday to the military saying a “violent riot” at the Capitol building was a “direct assault” on Congress and the Constitution and confirming President-elect Joe Biden will become…
US: Pence rejects invoking 25th Amendment to oust Trump
WASHINGTON
US Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday rejected invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump over last week's violence on Capitol Hill.
In a letter to House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Pence…
House votes on bill for Pence to invoke 25th Amendment
WASHINGTON
The US House of Representatives voted late Tuesday on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to oust President Donald Trump over last week’s violent Capitol riot.
The bill, which was…
US: Facebook removing all ‘stop the steal’ content
WASHINGTON
Social media mainstay Facebook announced Monday it is removing all content from its platform that bears the phrase "stop the steal," a popular refrain among US President Donald Trump's supporters that falsely alleges…
EU urges Iran to fulfill obligations of nuclear deal
BRUSSELS
The European Union called on Iran on Monday to abandon its efforts to enrich uranium up to 20% and fulfill the obligations of the nuclear deal it signed in 2015.
In a statement, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the…
Iraq slams US blacklisting of Hashd al-Shaabi leader
BAGHDAD, Iraq
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry on Saturday slammed a US decision to backlist Falih al-Fayyad, the leader of the powerful Hashd Shaabi militia, or the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF).
“This decision came as an unacceptable…
Boeing slapped with $2.5B penalty in 737 Max settlement
WASHINGTON
US airline manufacturer Boeing has agreed to pay more than $2.5 billion to settle a criminal charge related to the 737 Max scandal, the Justice Department announced Thursday.
The airplane was grounded worldwide for nearly…
White House condemns Capitol riot, flees questions
WASHINGTON
The White House on Thursday condemned "in the strongest possible terms" a violent riot of US President Donald Trump's supporters at the Capitol, but then quickly exited the briefing room, refusing shouted questions from…
UN rights chief ‘deeply troubled’ by US Capitol attack
GENEVA
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said Thursday her office is "deeply troubled" by the attack the day before on the US Capitol triggered by "incitement to violence and hatred by political leaders" when rioters stormed the…
Taiwan test-fires surface-to-surface ‘infinity’ missile
Taipei
Taiwan on Thursday successfully tested surface-to-surface missiles with the highest trajectory altitude of "infinity," according to the state-owned arms developer.
The test of missile, said to be Hsiung Feng IIE, with the…
Former US presidents slam storming of Congress
WASHINGTON
Former American presidents on Wednesday condemned the storming of the US Capitol by supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump as Congress met to certify Electoral College votes.
The 43rd president, George W. Bush, in a…
US Congress reconvenes to count Electoral College votes
WASHINGTON
The US Congress reconvened Wednesday evening to count Electoral College votes after pro-President Donald Trump rioters derailed the final step before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn-in to office later in January.…
US clears $1bln of Sudan’s arrears to World Bank
KHARTOUM
Sudan and the US signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to clear $1 billion of Sudan’s arrears to the World Bank.
The signing came during a brief visit by US Secretary of Treasury Steven Munich to Khartoum, the…
Afghan peace talks may suffer from Trump’s departure
KABUL, Afghanistan
Already shaken by a fresh flare-up of violence, the fragile Afghan peace process may face “problems” following the departure of US President Donald Trump on Jan. 20, experts believe.
They also argue that incoming…
US welcomes Saudi-Qatari deal to reopen borders
WASHINGTON
The US on Monday welcomed a much-sought rapprochement between Qatar and Saudi Arabia as they reopened their airspace and borders.
"A resolution of the wider three-year dispute between the Quartet and Qatar is in the…
Trump insists US presidential election was rigged
WASHINGTON
US President Donald Trump repeated his claim that the Nov. 3 presidential election was rigged as he spoke during a rally in Georgia a day before the southern state's Senate runoff.
"There's no way we lost Georgia. There's…
Assange cannot be extradited to US, British court rules
LONDON
WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange will not be extradited to the US, a British court ruled Monday after a months-long case.
The Central Criminal Court or otherwise known as the Old Bailey delivered its judgement and said…
US House OKs $2,000 stimulus payments to most Americans
WASHINGTON
The Democratic-held House of Representatives voted Monday to increase COVID stimulus payments to most Americans to $2,000, though the measure's fate remains uncertain.
The 275-134 vote sends the proposal to more than triple…
Bahrain rejects Qatar’s claim of airspace violation
MANAMA
Bahrain on Thursday rejected a letter sent by Qatar to the UN Security Council on an alleged violation of its airspace by four Bahraini fighter jets.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain affirms that the…
Global stocks mixed after weak US data add to global gloom
BEIJING
Global stocks were mixed Thursday after unexpectedly weak U.S. retail and other data added to gloom about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Frankfurt and Shanghai gained while Tokyo and Hong Kong declined. London was…
China’s U.S. envoy says trade deal being implemented, hopes for coordinated response
SHANGHAI
China is still implementing the first phase of a Sino-U.S. trade pact, its ambassador to the United States said, but hoped the two could work together to assess the changing situation and coordinate their response, the Global…
Trump urges Congress to pass $251B small business fund
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday called on Congress to approve a $251 billion small business fund to help the coronavirus-hit economy.
Stressing that the U.S. had "the biggest" stock market increase since 1974 in only four days this…
Africa supports WHO against US’ ‘China-centric’ comment
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia
The African Union Commission chairman said he was surprised to learn about a campaign launched by the U.S. president against the World Health Organization (WHO).
On Tuesday, the U.S. President Donald Trump…
In its first, US designates Russian far-right group as foreign terrorist organisation
Washington
The United States on Monday (local time) designated a Russian far-right group as a foreign terrorist organisation, the first time when the country has targeted white supremacists considering the threat of these sinister…
Some states receive masks with dry rot, broken ventilators
MONTGOMERY, Ala.
Some states and cities that have been shipped masks, gloves, ventilators and other essential equipment from the nation’s medical stockpile to fight the coronavirus have gotten an unwelcome surprise: the material is…
US urges masks as dramatic steps to combat virus roll out
NEW YORK
The Trump administration urged Americans to cover their faces in public and limited exports of medical supplies Friday as New York’s governor took his own dramatic step to fight the coronavirus — vowing to seize unused ventilators…
California homeless advocate: ‘We’re moving way too slowly’
SAN FRANCISCO
Since the beginning of an international pandemic, experts have known one population is particularly vulnerable to contracting and spreading the coronavirus: the homeless.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other elected…
Small business relief program launches, hits snags
NEW YORK
The federal government’s $349 billion relief program for small businesses got off to a rocky start Friday as hundreds of thousands tried to apply for desperately needed loans.
Many small business owners ran into bureaucratic or…
Trump’s contradictory views on China shift as crisis grows
WASHINGTON
President Donald Trump has held an unequivocal position about China and the coronavirus — several of them.
Trump initially praised China, then excoriated Beijing after it made unsubstantiated claims that the virus originated in…
Fractures grow among Iraq militias, spell political retreat
BAGHDAD
In February, an Iraqi militia commander trained by Iran took over the empty office of his slain superior, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, killed weeks before alongside Iranian military mastermind Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike.…
CNN’s Cuomo, with coronavirus, completes show from basement
NEW YORK
A bleary-eyed Chris Cuomo, saying he wanted to be a cautionary tale for his audience, anchored his CNN show from his basement Tuesday after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Via remote link, he interviewed Illinois Gov. J.B.…
Watchdog finds new problems with FBI wiretap applications
WASHINGTON
The Justice Department inspector general has found additional failures in the FBI’s handling of a secretive surveillance program that came under scrutiny after the Russia investigation, identifying problems with dozens of…
Pompeo says Afghan negotiating team looks ‘pretty inclusive’
WASHINGTON
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday praised an Afghan government negotiating team identified to hold talks with the Taliban as appearing to be fairly broad and inclusive.
“We have seen a team identified. It looks…
US outlines plan for Venezuela transition, sanctions relief
MIAMI
The Trump administration is prepared to lift sanctions on Venezuela in support of a new proposal to form a transitional government representing allies of both Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido, U.S. officials said.…
Locked up: No masks, sanitizer as virus spreads behind bars
Something was wrong. The chow hall line at New York’s Rikers Island jail had halted. For three hours, the men stood and waited, without food, until a correctional officer quietly delivered the news: A civilian chef was among those who…
States impose new restrictions on travelers from New York
BOSTON
States are pulling back the welcome mat for travelers from the New York area, which is the epicenter of the country’s coronavirus outbreak, but some say at least one state’s measures are unconstitutional.
Governors in Texas,…
Taiwan foreign minister invites U.S. reporters expelled by China
Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu extended a personal invitation on Saturday for three major U.S. newspapers to station on the island their China-based journalists whose expulsion Beijing has announced.
Half-million infected worldwide as economic toll rises
The human and economic toll of the lockdowns against the coronavirus mounted Thursday as India struggled to feed the multitudes, Italy shut down most of its industry, and a record-shattering 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment…
US deaths top 1,000 as $2.2 trillion in virus aid approved
NEW YORK
U.S. deaths from the coronavirus pandemic topped 1,000 in another grim milestone for a global outbreak that is taking lives and wreaking havoc on economies and the established routines of ordinary life.
In a recognition of the…
Asian shares jump after Dow sees biggest gain since 1933
Shares opened sharply higher in Asia on Wednesday after the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged to its best day since 1933 with Congress and the White House nearing a deal on injecting nearly $2 trillion of aid into an economy ravaged by…
In global fight vs. virus, over 1.5 billion told: Stay home
With masks, ventilators and political goodwill in desperately short supply, more than one-fifth of the world’s population was ordered or urged to stay in their homes Monday at the start of what could be a pivotal week in the battle to…
Trump deploys National Guard to 3 states over COVID-19
WASHINGTON
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he has activated the National Guard to help New York, California and Washington state in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, where more than 240 people alone have died…
NY airports, hospitals feel pressure as virus alarms grow
NEW YORK
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state is scouring the globe for medical supplies and scouting temporary hospital locations as the coronavirus crisis grows. Flights to New York City-area airports were briefly suspended after an…
Imports of medical supplies plummet as demand in US soars
The critical shortage of medical supplies across the U.S., including testing swabs, protective masks, surgical gowns and hand sanitizer, can be tied to a sudden drop in imports, mostly from China, The Associated Press has found.
Trade data…
Europe’s south strains under pandemic; 10,000 die globally
PARIS
Southern Europe buckled under the strain of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, with gasping patients filling the wards of hospitals in Spain and Italy as the global death toll surpassed 10,000 people worldwide.
In the U.S.,…
Trump focuses attention on possible coronavirus treatments
President Donald Trump focused attention on possible treatments for the new coronavirus on Thursday, citing potential use of a drug long used to treat malaria and some other approaches still in testing.
At a White House news conference,…
Wuhan reports no new cases of virus infection
The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 215,000 people and killed more than 8,700. The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate symptoms in most people, but severe symptoms are more likely in the elderly or…
American attitudes make virus response a hard sell
When Americans are summoned to deal with an attack or defy overwhelming odds, the response typically goes something like this: Fight. Hold the line. Stand together. This won’t stop us. Keep on living your life. We will prevail.
Some of the…
Uber suspends pooled rides in U.S., Canada to limit coronavirus spread
Uber Technologies Inc on Tuesday began suspending shared rides on its ride-hailing platform in the United States and Canada to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
The pooled option, which allows riders to book trips at lower prices by…
U.S. Health Department hit by a cyberattack: Bloomberg
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a key part of the federal response to the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak, was hit by a cyberattack on Sunday night, a Bloomberg reporter said on Twitter.…
Pompeo, Jaishankar hold telephonic conversation, discuss COVID-19 developments
Washington
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo held a 'productive' conversation with India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar over the phone to discuss ways the two countries can cooperate to address the challenges arising due to…
World powers call on Syrian regime to end killings
WASHINGTON
As the conflict in Syria entered its 10th year Sunday, France, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S. called on the Syrian regime to end its killings and engage in a political settlement on the basis of a UN resolution.
In a joint…
US moves nearer to shutdown amid coronavirus fears
CHICAGO
Officials across the country curtailed many elements of American life to fight the coronavirus outbreak on Sunday, with health officials recommending that groups of 50 or more don’t get together and a government expert saying a…
Medical marijuana bills challenge Bible Belt politics
FRANKFORT, Ky.
Facing a potentially historic vote on whether to legalize medical marijuana in Kentucky, Republican lawmaker John Schickel is conflicted.
A retired law enforcement officer, Schickel once steadfastly opposed medical…
Lawyer: Man killed by officer was asleep when police fired
SILVER SPRING, Md.
A Maryland man who was shot and killed by a police officer was asleep in his bedroom when police opened fire from outside his house, an attorney for the 21-year-old man’s family said Friday. The man’s girlfriend was also…
Impact of pandemic stretches from schools to world’s leaders
NEW YORK
Schools shut down across much of Europe. Gatherings were canceled or banned from California to Germany. And the coronavirus reached directly into the world’s centers of power Thursday, with politicians in Canada, Brazil, Spain and…
Asian shares plunge after Wall Street’s worst day since ’87
NEW YORK
Shares have plunged in Asia, with Japan’s benchmark sinking 10% after Wall Street suffered its biggest drop since the Black Monday crash of 1987.
Markets worldwide have retreated as fears of economic fallout from the coronavirus…
With unease, Americans lurch into coronavirus era
So this is where we are:
Major League Baseball’s opening day postponed. Broadway and Hollywood grinding to a halt, and March Madness canceled. Universities from Harvard to UCLA telling students to stay away. Most travelers from Europe…
US officials say US troops killed, injured in Iraq attack
WASHINGTON
Three service members were killed, including two Americans, and a dozen more were injured when a barrage of rockets were fired at a military base in Iraq, U.S. officials said Wednesday.
One of the officials said five service…
WHO declares virus crisis a pandemic, U.S. stocks plunge
GENEVA
The World Health Organization declared Wednesday that the global coronavirus crisis is now a pandemic as U.S. stocks plunged into bear market territory and several American cities joined European counterparts in banning large…
Weinstein sentenced to 23 years for sexual assaults
NEW YORK
Harvey Weinstein was sentenced Wednesday to 23 years in prison for rape and sexual assault, a sight the disgraced Hollywood mogul’s multitude of accusers thought they would never see.
Weinstein, who has been accused of violating…
Paterson: 3rd US city greenlights Muslim call to prayer
NEW JERSEY
The third-largest city in the U.S. state of New Jersey has greenlighted mosques making the call to prayer over loudspeakers.
The city council of the city of Paterson made the move in a 5-4 vote late Tuesday, with the support of…
Coronavirus clusters swell on both sides of the US
Alarming clusters of the coronavirus swelled on both coasts of the U.S. on Tuesday, with more than 70 cases now tied to a biotech conference in Boston and infections turning up at 10 nursing homes in the hard-hit Seattle area.
Presidential…
Trump, Saudi crown prince talk amid oil price war
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman on Monday amid a global oil price war started by the oil-rich Kingdom last weekend.
"The President and the Crown Prince discussed global energy markets and other…
Trump has not been tested for coronavirus-White House
WASHINGTON
U.S. President Donald Trump has not been tested for the coronavirus, the White House said on Monday, though at least two lawmakers with whom he has recently come into contact have announced they were self-quarantining after…
Civil rights: The road to Bloody Sunday began 30 miles away
MARION, Ala.
Della Simpson Maynor remembers the mounted police officer cracking her elbow with a baton. She recalls the panicked marchers unable to escape the onslaught, and the scuffle between officers and a young church deacon who was…
Cruise ships no place for a coronavirus quarantine
Cruise ships hit by coronavirus outbreaks have quickly found themselves with no ports for thousands of passengers as countries on four continents have quarantined vessels or kept them at sea for days.
Keeping all the passengers on board…
US prisons, jails on alert for spread of coronavirus
PHILADELPHIA
The nation’s jails and prisons are on high alert, stepping up inmate screenings, sanitizing jail cells and urging lawyers to scale back in-person visits to prevent the new coronavirus from spreading through their vast inmate…
In Afghanistan, another Great Game set to unfold
An unease in India, jubilation in Pakistan, and cautious optimism on the streets of Afghanistan sum up the varied moods in South Asia after the signing of the U.S.-Taliban peace deal.
While the deal offers a glimmer of hope that peace may…
Saudi ambassador to US shrugs off Biden, Sanders criticism
HEYENNE, Wyo.
Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the U.S. dismissed the top two Democratic presidential contenders’ criticisms of her country, saying Thursday that candidates’ opinions tend to change once they become president.
Princess Reema…
Alabama executes inmate convicted in killing of 3 officers
ATMORE, Ala.
A man convicted in the 2004 killings of three police officers in Alabama who were shot by another man was executed Thursday evening.
Inmate Nathaniel Woods, 43, was pronounced dead at 9:01 p.m. CST Thursday following a lethal…
Report: Russian social accounts sow election discord-again
Four years after Russia-linked groups stoked divisions in the U.S. presidential election on social media platforms, a new report shows that Moscow’s campaign hasn’t let up and has become harder to detect.
The report from University of…
FDA bans shock device used on mentally disabled patients
WASHINGTON
Federal officials on Wednesday banned electrical shock devices used to discourage aggressive, self-harming behavior in patients with mental disabilities.
The announcement from the Food and Drug Administration follows years of…
US senators demand intel body release Khashoggi info
WASHINGTON
The bipartisan leaders of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee are demanding that the Trump administration disclose information about the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
In a letter addressed to acting Director of…
U.S. carries out airstrike on Taliban fighters for first time since Doha deal-spokesman
KABUL
The United States conducted an airstrike on Wednesday against Taliban fighters in Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province, a U.S. forces spokesman said, the first strike since a troop withdrawal agreement was signed between the two…
JPMorgan to maintain key growth targets from last year at investor day
NEW YORK
JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) executives are unlikely to provide new financial targets at the bank’s annual investor day on Tuesday, and instead will use the forum to showcase a clean-energy initiative, said.
JPMorgan, the…
Trump at India rally: US has a ‘very good’ relation with Pakistan, hopes for reduced…
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) India
United States President Donald Trump on Monday said that the US had a very good relationship with Pakistan and that Washington was working with Islamabad in a very positive way.
Trump made the comments while…
PM Modi, Donald Trump share at least 6 hugs during Ahmedabad events
New Delhi,India
The chemistry between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump was evident once again on Monday as the two leaders shared hugs at least six times through the course of engagements in Ahmedabad.…
Skeptic of world being round dies in California rocket crash
BARSTOW, Calif.
A California man who said he wanted to fly to the edge of outer space to see if the world is round has died after his home-built rocket blasted off into the desert sky and plunged back to earth.
“Mad” Mike Hughes was…
U.S. President Donald Trump in India.See Best Pics
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they arrived in Ahmedabad this afternoon for a 36-hour visit to India.
President Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared…
President Trump with PM Modi visit Sabarmati Ashram
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) India
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on Monday reached Sabarmati Ashram for a brief stopover on their way to Motera Stadium from the Ahmedabad Airport.
The first couple of US was accompanied by…
Trump, wife Melania land in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) India
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump landed in Ahmedabad in Gujarat on Monday, shortly before 12 pm.
The US President will participate in the 'Namaste Trump' event at Motera Stadium in a short…
Crowds gather to greet Trump hours before he lands in India
AHMEDABAD, India
Crowds were lining up outside a giant stadium in western India on Monday ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s first visit to the country during which t
Trump lands in Ahmedabad, the largest city in Indian Prime Minister…
China suspends more penalties on US goods after trade truce
BEIJING
China on Friday suspended more punitive tariffs on imports of U.S. industrial goods in response to a truce in its trade war with Washington that threatened global economic growth.
Financial markets have welcomed announcements by…
U.S. targets five Iranians in latest sanctions action
WASHINGTON
The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on five Iranians in its latest action targeting Tehran, according to a notice posted Thursday on the U.S. Treasury Department’s website.
The Treasury said it sanctioned Ahmad…
Trump’s India visit: Are Ahmedabad’s paan shops giving Modi a headache?
New Delhi,India
As India gears up to host US President Donald Trump on his visit to the country, Ahmedabad's paan shops may be giving Modi headaches.
It's not everyday that the American president comes to India. This is Trump's first ever…
Shares fall in Asia as virus outbreak hits profits, events
BANGKOK
Shares slipped in Asia on Tuesday as the impact from the virus outbreak that began in China deepened, with Apple saying it would fail to meet its profit target and China moving to postpone or cancel major events including the…
GM plans to pull out of Australia, New Zealand and Thailand
DETROIT
General Motors decision to pull out of Australia, New Zealand and Thailand as part of a strategy to exit markets that don’t produce adequate returns on investments raised dismay Monday from officials concerned over job losses.
The…
Iran’s president: Trump doesn’t want war ahead of 2020 vote
TEHRAN, Iran
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Sunday that he doesn’t believe the U.S. will pursue war with his country, because it will harm President Donald Trump’s 2020 reelection bid.
Rouhani said that Trump knows that war with…
US agency to pay for 11,000 miles of fuel breaks in 6 states
PORTLAND, Ore.
The Bureau of Land Management has announced plans to fund 11,000 miles (17,703 kilometers) of strategic fuel breaks in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada and Utah in an effort to help control wildfires.
The fuel…
Trump: I’m number 1 on Facebook, Modi number 2
United States President Donald Trump on Saturday expressed happiness over the fact that he has more followers than any other political leader on Facebook, followed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trump made the remark in a tweet…
US, Taliban reach agreement to seven-day reduction in violence
The United States and Taliban have reached a deal for a seven-day reduction of violence in Afghanistan, a senior American official said, unveiling details of the agreement Washington hopes will lead to a full peace accord.
The weeklong…
US seizes Iranian weapons cache in Arabian Sea
WASHINGTON
The U.S. said Thursday it seized a cache of suspected Iranian-origin anti-tank weapons and other munitions in the Arabian Sea.
The USS Normandy intercepted and boarded a dhow, a traditional sail boat used in the region, when it…
US senators request assessment on Kashmir issue
WASHINGTON
Four U.S. senators asked the State Department on Wednesday to provide assessments on India's crackdown in Kashmir, weeks before President Donald Trump's visit to New Delhi.
In a letter addressed to Secretary of State Mike…
US, Taliban close to ‘reduction in violence’ agreement
ISLAMABAD
The Taliban have issued an ultimatum to Washington after weeks of talks with a U.S. peace envoy, demanding a reply on their offer of a seven-day reduction of violence in Afghanistan, or they would walk away from the negotiating…
New virus has infected more than 43,000 people globally
A viral outbreak that began in China has infected more than 43,000 people globally.
The latest figures reported by global health authorities as of Tuesday in Beijing:
China: 1,016 deaths among 42,638 confirmed cases on the mainland. In…
Coronavirus fears continue to pressure global stock exchanges
NEW YORK
Major US stock indices finished at fresh records Monday, shrugging off worries about the coronavirus that pressured other equity markets and drove oil prices lower.
As the outbreak continued, Chinese President Xi Jinping donned a…
Solar Orbiter blasts off to capture 1st look at sun’s poles
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.
Europe and NASA’s Solar Orbiter rocketed into space Sunday night on an unprecedented mission to capture the first pictures of the sun’s elusive poles.
“We’re on the way to the sun. Go Solar Orbiter!” said Cesar Garcia…
Maryland man held in bus shooting that killed 1, injured 5
LOS ANGELES
A gunman who killed a woman and wounded five others on a Greyhound bus in Southern California was cursing and muttering incoherently before the attack, passengers and authorities said.
Investigators are trying to determine a…
Amid peace talks, US dropped 7,423 bombs on Afghanistan in 2019
New US air force statistics show the US dropped more bombs on Afghanistan last year than any year since 2013, even as Washington’s peace envoy sought to boost regional support for a reduction in violence ahead of a final deal to end…
Japan sends destroyer to Middle East amid Iran-US tensions
TOKYO
In a rare move, Japan on Sunday sent a naval destroyer to the Middle East to ensure the safety of its ships amid on going tensions between Iran and the US.
The vessel left the Yokosuka naval base, south of Tokyo, for an information…
Churches for Middle East Peace warns on US plan
Jose Kalathil
NEW DELHI
The plan presented on Wednesday by US President Donald Trump and further fleshed out by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is nothing less than a recipe for endless oppression and injustice, said Katie…
What’s in Trump’s Middle East plan
More than two years after he first proposed a plan to revive the long-moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace process, US President Donald Trump released details on Tuesday of his proposal to solve a conflict that has frustrated peacemakers for…
‘Deal of Century’ and the plan to relocate Palestinians
The Israeli authorities have made it a tradition to bomb Gaza at least once a month. Most recently, their F-16 jets have bombed the south of Gaza under the pretense of retaliation. On the other hand, it goes without saying that Israel…
Pilot of Bryant helicopter tried to avoid heavy fog
CALABASAS, Calif.
A veteran pilot who plunged into a Los Angeles-area hillside, killing Kobe Bryant and eight others, had tried to avoid fog so heavy that it had grounded police choppers, authorities said.
But even experienced pilots may…
Trump on lifting Iran sanctions: ‘No thanks!’
NEW YORK
U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Iran's proposal to lift sanctions against Tehran Saturday.
"Iranian Foreign Minister says Iran wants to negotiate with The United States, but wants sanctions removed. No Thanks!," Trump wrote…
Thousands converge for anti-US rally in Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Thousands of Iraqis gathered in the Baghdad city center on Friday at a rally against the presence of U.S. troops in the country.
The demonstrators responded to a call by Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr who called for a…
Trump invites Netanyahu, rival as peace plan expected
WASHINGTON
U.S. President Donald Trump invited Israel's Premier Benjamin Netanyahu and his chief political rival to Washington next week, the White House said Thursday amid reports that Trump's peace plan would soon be revealed.
Trump…
US may release Mideast peace plan before Tuesday: Trump
WASHINGTON
The U.S. may release its long-awaited Middle East peace plan ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit next week, President Donald Trump said Thursday.
"Sometime prior to that. Probably we’ll release it a…
Trump: US ready to ‘help’ in India-Pakistan Kashmir dispute
President Donald Trump said the United States was watching developments between India and Pakistan over Kashmir "very closely" and was prepared to help if necessary, but did not say how.
Speaking ahead of talks with Pakistan Prime Minister…
4.5 magnitude earthquake shakes southern Kansas
HUTCHINSON, Kan.
A small earthquake was reported in southern Kansas on Sunday. The U.S. Geological Survey said a magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck about 2 miles (3 kilometers) southwest of Hutchinson shortly after 1 p.m.
The service had…
Homes burn after shooter kills 2 Honolulu officers
HONOLULU
A man shot and killed two police officers Sunday as they responded to a home in a leafy neighborhood beneath the rim of a famed volcanic crater near Waikiki Beach, authorities said.
The officers were responding to a call from a…
New great game in the Middle East
The old Great Game, a set of military-diplomatic confrontations, was played out between the British Empire and the Russian Empire in lower Central Asia and Afghanistan, primarily in the 19th century.
The Russian Bear was suspected to be…
Dems strain for civility, contrasts burst through
WASHINGTON
Electability questions persist. Anxieties about gender and sexism are resurgent. And three leading candidates are about to get yanked off the campaign trail for President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.
Those deep…
Standoff in the Middle East
Cynics expressed that the latest salvo from President Trump that led to stealth assassination of an Iranian military leader in Baghdad was designed to divert attention from his impending impeachment trial in the US Senate.
This usually is…
“Act of Divine Intervention:” ISIS Celebrates Death of Iran’s
In 2017, former secretary of state and potential war criminal Henry Kissinger warned the world that defeating ISIS would lead to an “Iranian radical empire.” As far as he was concerned, the radical terror group was basically keeping Iran in…
South Korea could pursue projects with North Korea despite sanctions: Moon
SEOUL
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said that it was too early to be pessimistic about stalled denuclearization dialogue between the United States and North Korea, and that inter-Korean cooperation could help ease the way for…
Federal government blasts PG&E’s deal with fire victims
SAN FRANCISCO
Tensions between the U.S. government and Pacific Gas & Electric are boiling over as the two sides battle over whether a taxpayer-funded agency should be allowed to stake a claim on a $13.5 billion settlement covering most…
Judge refuses to second-guess family separations at border
SAN DIEGO
A U.S. judge ruled Monday that the Trump administration is operating within its authority when separating families stopped at the Mexico border, rejecting arguments that it was quietly returning to widespread practices that drew…
Russians hacked company key to Ukraine scandal: researchers
BOSTON
A U.S. cybersecurity company says Russian military agents successfully hacked the Ukrainian gas company at the center of the scandal that led to President Donald Trump’s impeachment.
Russian agents launched a phishing campaign in…
Stocks rise on optimism ahead of US-China trade deal
NEW YORK
U.S. stocks rose in early trading Monday as investors looked ahead to the signing of an initial trade deal with China and the potential for future talks.
The world’s largest economies are expected to sign the “Phase 1” trade…
PDVSA’s partners act as traders of Venezuelan oil amid sanctions – documents
CARACAS/PUNTO FIJO, Venezuela
Venezuela, its oil exports decimated by U.S. sanctions, is testing a new method of getting its crude to market: allocating cargoes to joint-venture partners including Chevron Corp (CVX.N), which in turn market…
Stretched tech stocks leave some investors seeking off-ramp
NEW YORK
As the bull market in U.S. stocks hits new highs, some investors are searching for ways to pare their exposure to the small group of technology and communications stocks that has fueled market gains for years.
The market’s most…
‘Green is good.’ Is Wall Street’s new motto sustainable?
NEW YORK
If you have gone to Goldman Sachs Group Inc’s internet home page since mid-December, it would be reasonable to wonder if you had stumbled into some kind of parallel universe.
Visitors are met with a background of lush greenery,…
Iran dismisses Trump’s tweeted support for Iranians: state media
LONDON
Iran’s government spokesman dismissed on Monday tweets by U.S. President Donald Trump voicing support for Iranians, saying the Iranian people would remember he killed a top general and was the reason many were facing economic…
Cellphones Banned for Anyone Under Age 21
A senator from Vermont recently proposed a total ban on cellphone use for anyone under 21-years-old. Democratic Sen. John Rodgers says that he is sponsoring the bill because “cellphones are just as dangerous as guns.”
While Rodgers says…
Asian stocks rise ahead of US-China trade pact
BEIJING
Asian stock markets rose Monday ahead of the signing of a U.S.-Chinese trade pact as investors shrugged off weaker-than-expected American jobs data.
Benchmarks in Shanghai, Hong Kong and South Korea advanced. Japanese markets were…
US presence in region cause tension: Iran’s Rouhani
Tehran
Iranian president held a phone conversation with Sweden’s premier and extended condolences over the loss of lives of several Swedish nationals in the Ukrainian plane crash, a statement said.
A statement by Iran’s Presidential…
Storms sweep southern US, Midwest as death toll rises to 11
HOUSTON
Severe storms sweeping across southern portions of the U.S. and up into the Midwest were blamed Saturday in the deaths of at least 11 people, including two first responders, as high winds, tornadoes and unrelenting rain battered…
How a debunked Ukraine theory endures against all evidence
The theory took root in vague form well before Donald Trump laid claim to the White House in 2016. The candidate’s close confidant tweeted about it. His campaign chairman apparently spoke about it with people close to him.
What if, the…
U.S., China agree to have semi-annual talks aimed a reforms, resolving disputes: WSJ
The United States and China have agreed to having semi-annual talks aimed at pushing for reforms in both countries and resolving disputes, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.
The negotiations will be announced on Jan. 15 as part…
Iran tensions: Hitting the breaks or here to stay?
Neither the U.S. nor Iran have any intention to escalate the conflict between them following a U.S. drone strike last week killing a top Iranian general in Iraq, a Turkish expert said, while another argued that increased tension and…
What is at stake in Taiwan’s election
TAIPEI
Taiwan votes in presidential and parliamentary elections on Saturday, which will set the course for the democratic island’s ties with its giant and autocratic neighbor China, which claims Taiwan as its territory.
Here is what is at…
Trump sends North Korea’s Kim birthday wishes
SEOUL
U.S. President Donald Trump sent a happy birthday message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, South Korea’s national security adviser Chung Eui-Yong said on Friday.
Chung, who met Trump in Washington this week, told reporters that…
Crash may be grim echo of US downing of Iran flight in 1988
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
The Western allegation that Iran shot down a Ukrainian jetliner and killed 176 people offers a grim echo for the Islamic Republic, which found itself the victim of an accidental shootdown by American forces over…
Boeing papers show employees slid 737 Max problems past FAA
Boeing employees knew about problems with flight simulators for the now-grounded 737 Max and apparently tried to hide them from federal regulators, according to documents released Thursday.
In internal messages, Boeing employees talked…
Asian shares rise after US stocks set records as fears fade
TOKYO
Asian shares rose Friday as worries receded the United States and Iran might be stepping closer to the edge of war, and U.S. indexes hit records.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 edged up 0.2% in morning trading to 23,776.09.…
As wildfires get worse, smoke spreads, stokes health worries
PARADISE, Calif.
First came the flames, a raging firestorm propelled by 50 mph (80 kph) wind gusts that incinerated Kelsey Norton’s house and killed 85 people in her community.
Then came the smoke — not just from the forest but also from…
Asian stocks, oil prices rebound as Iran anxiety eases
BEIJING
Asian stock markets rebounded Thursday as anxiety over potential U.S.-Iranian conflict eased.
Tokyo’s benchmark gained more than 2%. Shanghai, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia markets also advanced.
Markets sank after Tehran…
China’s economy czar going to Washington to sign trade deal
BEIJING
China’s government says its economy czar will go to Washington next week for the signing of an interim trade deal.
The Commerce Ministry announcement Thursday was the first official confirmation that Vice Premier Liu He would…
UK PM Johnson calls suggestions he is soft on Trump ‘absolute fiction’
LONDON
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson shrugged off suggestions on Wednesday that he would fall into line with the United States over its Middle East policy because he wanted a trade deal after Brexit.
“This is absolute fiction,” he…
US military presence in Iraq in spotlight
After Iran launched missile attacks early Wednesday on military bases in Iraq where U.S. forces are stationed, the spotlight is on the U.S. and foreign military presence in the country.
The attacks came in retaliation for last week’s U.S.…
Trump Threatens “Very Big Sanctions” on Iraq “Like They’ve Never Seen”
Following a vote by the Iraqi parliament to remove foreign troops from the nation, the US president threatened to destroy Iraq’s economy in retaliation and to refuse to leave unless an expensive military base worth billions of dollars was…
NASA mission finds its first exoplanet
The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced Tuesday that its Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission uncovered its first exoplanet with two stars.
“Our @NASAExoplanets mission @NASA_TESS has found…
Oil up, stocks down after Iran missile attack on US troops
BEIJING
Oil prices rose and Asian stock markets fell Wednesday after Iran fired missiles at U.S. bases in Iraq in retaliation for the killing of an Iranian general.
Brent crude futures, the benchmark for international oils, spiked more…
Oil price spike clouds corporate profit outlook, putting investors on edge
NEW YORK
The spike in oil prices due to the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran is causing investors to worry that U.S. corporate earnings will be crimped by rising energy costs.
While the energy sector would benefit…
US B-52s head to Indian Ocean amid Iran tension
The U.S. is planning to deploy six B-52 strategic bomber aircraft to a base in the Indian Ocean amid heightened tension with Iran, according to a media report.
Citing a U.S. official, CNN claimed Monday that the B-52s will be available for…
Israel should not be dragged into US-Iran conflict: Netanyahu
Jerusalem:
Israel should not be dragged into the conflict between the U.S. and Iran, local media quoted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying Monday.
While chairing a security cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said the killing of top…
MCA-Nepal completing public hearings on the construction
Kathmandu:
udos to Millennium Challenge Account Nepal (MCA-Nepal) for completing public hearings on the construction of approximately 300 kilometers of 400 kV transmission lines and three new substations.
These hearings were held in 30…
US prepares for possible Iranian reprisal after drone strike
WASHINGTON
U.S. officials braced for Iran to respond to the killing of its most powerful general, noting heightened military readiness in the country and preparing for a possible “tit-for-tat” attempt on the life of an American military…
Trump warns Iraq of sanctions if US forces expelled
If the Iraqi government forces the removal of U.S. forces, Baghdad will face “sanctions like they’ve never seen before,” President Donald Trump said Sunday.
Trump said the prospective economic penalties would far outweigh the crippling…
Denmark suspends training of Iraqi soldiers
COPENHAGEN
Denmark suspended training of Iraqi forces amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran for the assassination of a top Iranian general by an American airstrike, according to a statement Saturday from the Danish Army.
The…
White House gives lawmakers formal notice of Iraq strike amid complaints from Democrats
WASHINGTON
The White House sent to Congress on Saturday formal notification of Friday’s U.S. drone strike that killed a top Iranian general, amid complaints from Democrats that President Donald Trump did not notify lawmakers or seek…
Sierra skeleton ID’d as ‘ghost of Manzanar’
LOS ANGELES:
A skeleton found by hikers this fall near California’s second-highest peak was identified Friday as a Japanese American artist who had left the Manzanar internment camp to paint in the mountains in the waning days of World War…