by Gareth Browne Agence France-Presse RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories (AFP) — Ahead of Joe Biden’s first visit to Jerusalem as US president, Washington’s ambassador said his team will “pound tables” to press Israeli officials into making concessions to the Palestinians. But ambassador Thomas Nides was talking about ensuring Palestinians have access to economic benefits such as 4G internet, not throwing American diplomatic muscle into reviving a peace process moribund since 2014. Biden’s first Middle East tour […]
Tag: Biden
Biden says G7, NATO must ‘stay together’ against Russia’s war
ELMAU CASTLE, Germany (AFP) — US President Joe Biden on Sunday praised Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his leadership in the wake of Russia’s war against Ukraine and urged the West to stay united. “We have to stay together,” Biden told Scholz at a meeting ahead of the G7 summit in the German Alps. Russian President Vladimir Putin had been hoping “that somehow NATO and the G7 would splinter,” Biden said. “But we haven’t […]
Anthony Fauci, Biden’s top Covid advisor, tests positive
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Top scientist Anthony Fauci, the face of America’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, tested positive Wednesday for the virus on a rapid antigen test but is continuing to work from home while he recovers, the National Institutes of Health said. “He is currently experiencing mild symptoms,” the NIH said, adding the 81-year-old, who is fully vaccinated and double boosted, had not been in recent close contact with President Joe […]
Biden sees unity on ‘substantive matters’ after summit criticism
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden insisted Thursday there was unity at an Americas summit, after the leaders of Argentina and Belize openly criticized him for excluding three leftist leaders. “Notwithstanding some of the disagreements relating to participation, on the substantive matters, what I heard was almost unity and uniformity,” Biden said. He said that he saw “almost total agreement” on issues such as managing migration and fighting climate change, and […]
Mexico snub throws Americas’ summit into disarray
by Shaun Tandon Agence France-Presse LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — President Joe Biden’s plan to reboot US engagement with Latin America — especially on critical topics like migration — took a hit after key partner Mexico snubbed a regional summit opening Monday in Los Angeles to protest Washington’s exclusion of three far-left countries. What was meant to be a week-long showcase of cooperation risks becoming a display of division, underlining diminishing US clout over […]
At least 10 killed in four weekend shootings across US
by Kriston Jae Bethel Agence France Presse PHILADELPHIA, United States (AFP) — At least 10 people were killed and more than two dozen wounded in four shootings across the United States this weekend, as lawmakers struggle to respond to the country’s long-running epidemic of gun violence. The shootings came after a spate of mass killings that have sparked renewed calls for reform of the nation’s gun laws. An eruption of violence in Chattanooga, Tennessee […]
Biden makes emotional appeal for action on gun violence
by Sebastian Smith Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden on Thursday made a fervent appeal for lawmakers to pass tougher gun control laws, including a ban on assault weapons, to curb a scourge of mass shootings turning American communities into “killing fields.” Biden made the 17-minute address — his latest call for tougher firearms measures — with 56 lighted candles arrayed along a long corridor behind him, representing US states and […]
K-pop supergroup BTS ‘devastated’ by US hate crimes
by Sebastian Smith Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — South Korean K-pop sensations BTS didn’t sing a word but in a White House visit Tuesday to meet President Joe Biden the supergroup’s message against anti-Asian racism came loud and clear. The seven stars, dressed in matching dark suits and ties, with white shirts, joined White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at the briefing room podium — a tiny, but powerful stage. The […]
US to send Ukraine advanced weapons, as battle for east rages
by David Stout Agence France Presse President Joe Biden has said the United States will send more advanced rocket systems to Ukraine, as Russian troops press their ferocious bid to complete the capture of a key eastern city. The battle for Severodonetsk has grown in intensity in recent days, with heavy casualties on both the Ukrainian and Russian sides. “The Russians are storming, consolidating in the centre of Severodonetsk, while continuing to destroy infrastructure […]
Biden says US to send Ukraine ‘advanced rocket systems’ to hit ‘key targets’
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday confirmed the United States will send more advanced rocket systems to Ukraine with ability to strike what he called “key targets” of Russia’s invasion force. “We will provide the Ukrainians with more advanced rocket systems and munitions that will enable them to more precisely strike key targets on the battlefield in Ukraine,” Biden wrote in The New York Times. A US official told reporters that […]
Biden rules out sending rocket systems ‘that can strike into Russia’ to Ukraine
US President Joe Biden said Monday he would not send rocket systems to Ukraine that could hit targets well inside Russian territory, despite urgent requests from Kyiv for long-range weapons. “We are not going to send to Ukraine rocket systems that can strike into Russia,” Biden told reporters in Washington. Pro-Western Ukraine has received extensive US military aid since Russia invaded its neighbor in late February, but says it needs long-range rockets equivalent to what […]
US unveils Asia-Pacific trade framework
https://youtu.be/9bx5onRYzx0 US President Joe Biden launched a new Asia-Pacific trade initiative Monday in Tokyo, with 13 countries including India and Japan signed up. Biden formally unveiled the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, or IPEF, on his second day in Japan, where he held talks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ahead of a regional Quad summit on Tuesday. Unlike traditional trade blocs, there is no plan for IPEF members to negotiate tariffs and ease market […]





