Page 10 - Joe Biden

US-Canada alliance is stronger because of him: Biden praises Trudeau

His statement comes a day after Trudeau announced that he will be stepping down as Canada's PM and Liberal Party leader

US shifts over $100 mn in military aid from Israel and Egypt to Lebanon

The Biden administration in its final days is shifting more than $100 million in military aid from Israel and Egypt to Lebanon as it tries to bolster a ceasefire agreement it helped mediate between Israel and Hezbollah. In separate notices sent to Congress, the State Department said it was moving $95 million in military assistance intended for Egypt and $7.5 million for Israel toward supporting the Lebanese army and its government. The notices were dated Jan 3 and obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday. Most of the money will go to the Lebanese Armed Forces, which have a critical role in standing up the ceasefire that was agreed to in November following an all-out war that battered much of southern and eastern Lebanon for two months. It is intended to help the LAF deploy in the south of the country and supplement the role of the UN peacekeeping mission patrolling the so-called Blue Line, which has separated Israel and Lebanon since the end of a 2006 war between Israel and the .

President-elect Trump vows to undo new Biden ban on offshore drilling

President-elect Donald Trump complained on Tuesday that President Joe Biden was undermining his transition to power a day after the incumbent moved to ban offshore energy drilling in most federal waters. Biden, whose term expires in two weeks, used his authority under the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to protect offshore areas along the East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico and portions of Alaska's Northern Bering Sea from future oil and natural gas leasing. All told, about 625 million acres of federal waters were withdrawn from energy exploration by Biden in a move that may require an act of Congress to undo. I'm going to put it back on day one," Trump told reporters at his private club in Florida. He pledged to take it to the courts if we need to." Trump said Biden's effort part of a series of final actions in office by the Democrat's administration was undermining his plans for once he's in office. You know, they told me that, we're going to do everythin

Biden administration negotiating with Taliban to exchange detainees: Report

Biden's administration is seeking the return of three Americans seized in 2022 - Ryan Corbett, George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi - in exchange for Muhammad Rahim al-Afghani

Nuclear deal, space, defence: Key points from US NSA Sullivan's India trip

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan visited India from January 5-6 for his final overseas trip before leaving office

Biden tells New Orleans mourners they are not alone; honours victims

President Joe Biden told mourners in New Orleans on Monday that they are not alone as he paid tribute to victims of the deadly New Year's attack and channelled the pain felt by their loved ones. Biden made the remarks at St. Louis Cathedral in the city's historic French Quarter. not far from the area where an Army veteran drove a truck into revellers last week, killing 14 and injuring 30 more. Biden praised so many that ran toward the chaos, trying to help save others," including first responders. He noted the city's enduring strength and resilience amid tragedy, invoking past devastation like Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The city's people get back up," Biden said. "That's the spirit of America as well. Biden met privately with grieving families, survivors and first responders before the prayer service. He also stopped at a makeshift memorial where the attack had begun to unfold. It is being investigated as an act of terrorism inspired by the Islamic State group. Biden has made doze

Biden 'doing everything possible' to make transition difficult: Trump

US President-elect Donald Trump has accused Joe Biden of making the presidential transition difficult, citing recent executive orders on climate and other official acts being taken by him in his last weeks as president. Trump, 78, is slated to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20. He replaces Biden as the new occupant of the White House, the official residence of the US President. Biden is doing everything possible to make the TRANSITION as difficult as possible, from Lawfare such as has never been seen before, to costly and ridiculous Executive Orders on the Green New Scam and other money wasting Hoaxes, Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Fear not, these Orders will all be terminated shortly, and we will become a Nation of Common Sense and Strength. MAGA!!! said the president-elect. Trump issued the statement shortly before Congress certified his victory in the Electoral College and after Biden, 82, banned drilling for oil and natural gas off mo

PM Modi appreciates letter from President Biden handed over by NSA Sullivan

During the meeting, PM Modi recalled his meetings with Biden, including during his visit to the US for Quad Leaders' Summit in September last year

India-US ties have reached new heights in tech, defence, AI, says PM Modi

The India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership has scaled new heights, including in areas of technology and defence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday after US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met him. Sullivan is on a visit to India two weeks ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration as the 47th President of the US. "It was a pleasure to meet the US National Security Advisor @JakeSullivan46," Modi said on 'X'. "The India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership has scaled new heights, including in the areas of technology, defence, space, biotechnology and Artificial Intelligence," he said. "Look forward to building upon this momentum in ties between our two democracies for the benefit of our people and global good," Modi added. Sullivan held wide-ranging talks with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The implementation of the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology or iCET figured in the two ...

US Steel, Nippon move court against Biden blocking $14.9 billion deal

Second lawsuit is against Cleveland-Cliffs, its CEO Lourenco Goncalves, and USW union President David McCall "for their illegal and coordinated actions" aimed at preventing the deal

Americans shouldn't forget Capitol attack, but it won't repeat: Biden

President Joe Biden is decrying what he calls an unrelenting effort to downplay a mob of Donald Trump supporters overrunning the US Capitol in an attempt to block certification of the 2020 election seeking to contrast that day's chaos with what he promises will be an orderly transition returning Trump to power for a second term. In an opinion piece published Sunday in The Washington Post, Biden recalled Jan. 6, 2021, writing that violent insurrectionists attacked the Capitol. We should be proud that our democracy withstood this assault," Biden wrote. "And we should be glad we will not see such a shameful attack again this year. Congress will convene amid snow in Washington on Monday to certify Trump's victory in November's election in a session presided over by the candidate he defeated, Vice President Kamala Harris. No violence, or even procedural objections, are expected this time, marking a return to a US tradition that launches the peaceful transfer of presidential power. Tha

President Biden inks Social Security bill in rare public signing ceremony

Social Security Fairness Act will boost Social Security payments to more than 2.5 million retirees - some by as much as $550 a month- by changing formulas used to reduce benefits for certain beneficia

Biden's move to block Nippon Steel takeover sparks uncertainty for workers

By blocking a Japanese company's takeover of US Steel, President Joe Biden said he was protecting good jobs in the American heartland. He may be putting them at risk instead. In making its nearly USD 15 billion bid for the storied Pittsburgh-based steelmaker, Nippon Steel had promised to invest USD 2.7 billion in U.S. Steel's aging blast furnace operations in Gary, Indiana, and Pennsylvania's Mon Valley. It also vowed not to reduce production capacity in the United States over the next decade without first getting US government approval. They were going to invest in the Valley,' said Jason Zugai, an operating technician and vice president of the United Steelworkers union local at a U.S. Steel plant in the Mon Valley. They committed to 10 years of no layoffs. We won't have those commitments from anybody.' Zugai and some other Mon Valley steelworkers supported the Nippon deal in defiance of the union's national leadership, which pressured the Biden administration to kill it. Losing t

Why was George Soros awarded Medal of Freedom by Biden administration?

With around two weeks left in the Biden administration before Donald Trump takes office, the awards sparked controversy, particularly with recipients such as Hillary Clinton and George Soros

Biden signs law to increase Social Security benefits for public employees

President Joe Biden on Sunday plans to sign into law a measure that boosts Social Security payments for current and former public employees, affecting nearly 3 million people who receive pensions from their time as teachers, firefighters, police officers and in other public service jobs. Advocates say the Social Security Fairness Act rights a decades-old disparity, though it will also put strain on Social Security Trust Funds, which face a looming insolvency crisis. The bill rescinds two provisions the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset that limit Social Security benefits for recipients if they get retirement payments from other sources, including public retirement programmes from a state or local government. The Congressional Research Service estimated that in December 2023, there were 745,679 people, about 1 per cent of all Social Security beneficiaries, who had their benefits reduced by the Government Pension Offset. About 2.1 million people, or .

Biden honours Hillary, George Soros with Presidential Medal of Freedom

Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Saturday presented US' highest civilian award to former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, controversial philanthropist George Soros, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, scientist Bill Nye, and actor Denzel Washington along with 14 others with the country's highest civilian award the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Due to scheduling conflict, Argentinian football star Lionel Messi could not be present in person at the White House to receive the award from the US president. For the final time as President, I have the honour of bestowing the Medal of Freedom on our nation's highest civilian honour on a group of extraordinary, truly extraordinary people who gave their sacred effort, their sacred effort, to shape the culture and the cause of America, Biden said at a glittering function in the East Room of the White House. Former president Bill Clinton, several of his Cabinet members including Defense Secretary Loyd Austin along with several celebritie

Biden govt informs Congress of planned $8 bn weapons sale to Israel

The State Department has informed Congress of a planned USD 8 billion weapons sale to Israel, US officials say, as the American ally presses forward with its war against Hamas in Gaza. Some of the arms in the package could be sent through current US stocks but the majority would take a year or several years to deliver, according to two US officials Saturday who spoke on condition of anonymity because the notification to Congress hasn't been formally sent. The sale includes medium-range air-to-air missiles to help Israel defend against airborne threats, 155 mm projectile artillery shells for long-range targeting, Hellfire AGM-114 missiles, 500-pound bombs and more. The weapons package would add to a record of at least USD 17.9 billion in military aid that the US has provided Israel since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, launched the war. The Biden administration has faced criticism over mounting deaths of Palestinian civilians. There have been demonstrations on college campuses

Biden to present Presidential Medal of Freedom to Clinton, Soros, Messi

US President Joe Biden has named former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, football superstar Lionel Messi, former Defence Secretary late Ashton Carter, and controversial investor George Soros, along with 14 others for the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the Nation's highest civilian honour, would be presented to the awardees at a White House ceremony by Biden Saturday afternoon. The prestigious award is presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavours, the White House said Saturday. Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else. These nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made America and the world a better place. They are great leaders because they are good people who have made ...

NSA Sullivan to visit India to finalise important initiatives: White House

Outgoing US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will travel to India January 5 and 6 to meet his counterpart Ajit K Doval and other top government officials for a final round of talks with them on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues and to finalise some ongoing initiatives that were important priorities for them to wrap up, the White House said on Friday. Sullivan, 48, the youngest national security advisor when President Joe Bident appointed him on January 20, 2021, would also deliver a major India-centric foreign policy speech at IIT, New Delhi during his last trip to India before leaving office. He would be succeeded by Congressman Michael Waltz on January 20, when Donald J Trump would be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. While there, the main purpose will be a capstone engagement and dialogue with his counterpart, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, a senior administration official told reporters during a conference call Friday ...

Biden to ban more offshore oil and gas drilling before Trump arrives

Biden is set within days to issue the executive order barring the sale of new drilling rights in portions of the country's outer continental shelf