Tag: Biden

Trump brands Biden ‘enemy of the state’ at Pennsylvania rally

  Wilkes-Barre, United States (AFP) by Anne LEBRETON with Peter HUTCHISON in New York Donald Trump branded Joe Biden an “enemy of the state” Saturday as he hit back at the US president’s assertion that the Republican and his supporters are undermining American democracy, and slammed last month’s FBI raid of his Florida home. Making his first public appearance since the August 8 raid, Trump told a rally in Pennsylvania that the search was a […]

Biden slams Trump ‘extremist’ assault on democracy

by Jim WATSON / with Aurelia END in Washington Agence France-Presse PHILADELPHIA, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden took fierce aim Thursday at Donald Trump and his “extremist” supporters, labeling them enemies of American democracy in a prime-time address that sought to fire up voters ahead of key midterm elections. Speaking in Philadelphia, the cradle of US democracy, the president launched an extraordinary assault on those Republicans who embrace Trump’s “Make America Great […]

Biden talks crime, guns in key election battleground

by Jim Watson with Frankie Taggart in Washington Agence France-Presse WILKES-BARRE, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden touted his plans to curb gun crime and framed Trumpist Republicans as a threat to the rule of law Tuesday on the first of multiple visits to the key swing state of Pennsylvania. The Keystone State — which is hosting Biden three times over the coming days, including for a rare prime-time address to the nation […]

Biden signs major climate change, health care law

by Sebastian Smith Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed into law a big climate change and health care spending bill, giving Democrats another boost ahead of midterm elections in which Republicans are suddenly less certain of their predicted crushing victory. The law, dubbed the Inflation Reduction Act, was touted by the White House as the biggest commitment to mitigating climate change in US history, as well as targeting […]

Biden signs ratification of Finland, Sweden NATO bids

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed US ratification of bids by Finland and Sweden to enter NATO, taking expansion of the Western alliance in response to Russia’s Ukraine invasion one step closer. Biden said the two northern European countries would become “strong, reliable highly capable new allies” by making the “sacred commitment” to mutual defense in the US-led transatlantic alliance. Earlier this month, the Senate voted 95-1 in favor of […]

US president welcomes Gaza truce: statement

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden on Sunday welcomed a truce between Israel and Islamic Jihad militants aimed at ending days of deadly conflict in Gaza, urging all parties to implement it fully. The president said in a statement that Washington had worked with officials from the Jewish state, the Palestinian Authority and various countries in the region to “encourage a swift resolution to the conflict” over the previous three days. […]

Biden out of isolation after testing negative for Covid

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden was out of isolation on Sunday, after testing negative for Covid for a second day in a row, the first time he was able to leave the White House since July 20. Biden, 79, had tested positive for Covid and returned to isolation on July 30, in a result doctors attributed to “rebound” positivity from his earlier bout of the illness. “I’m feeling good,” the […]

Analyst weighs in on Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan and its impact on ASEAN

Foreign policy & security analyst Lucio Blanco Pitlo weighs in on the recent visit of US Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan and its impact on ASEAN, specifically the Philippines.   Factors like the Philippines’ proximity to Taiwan, our large OFW population, our trade & investment relations with China, our mutual defense agreements with the US entangle us in this potential diplomatic & geopolitical powderkeg.

Zawahiri killing boosts Biden on Afghan exit anniversary

by Sebastian Smith Agence France Presse Weeks before the first anniversary of a retreat from Afghanistan that critics said exposed President Joe Biden’s weakness, he shrugged off both Covid and detractors to announce the killing in Kabul of Al-Qaeda’s leader — an operation the Democrat says shows the US remains as strong as ever. “When I ended our military mission in Afghanistan almost a year ago, I made the decision that after 20 years of […]

Biden, Xi agree to hold face-to-face summit

by Sebastian Smith Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed to schedule their first in-person summit during a sometimes tense phone call Thursday where Xi warned the United States not to “play with fire” in Taiwan. Although this was their fifth phone or video call since Biden took office a year and a half ago, the summit would be their first in-person meeting as leaders. […]

Biden undecided on China tariffs ahead of Xi call: W.House

by Sebastian Smith Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Joe Biden has still not decided whether to end some trade tariffs on China ahead of a phone call expected this week with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, a senior official said Tuesday. John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, said the administration believes the tariffs imposed during a trade war under former president Donald Trump are not working, but that Biden has […]

JUST IN: Saudi opens airspace to ‘all carriers’ in gesture to Israel

  by Robbie COREY-BOULET Agence France Presse Saudi Arabia announced Friday it was lifting restrictions on “all carriers” using its airspace, an apparent gesture of openness towards Israel ahead of US President Joe Biden’s arrival. It was the latest conciliatory move by Riyadh concerning the Jewish state, which it has refused to recognise despite intensive efforts by the Israelis to establish ties with Arab countries. The Saudi civil aviation authority “announces the decision to open […]