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There is a sense of momentum by Ukrainian forces against Russia, says US

The White House has said that there is a sense of momentum by Ukrainian forces against Russia but cautioned that the ongoing war in Ukraine remains "unpredictable". We've been watching closely. The events in the north are more dramatic than what we've seen in the south. I would let President Volodymyr Zelenskyy determine and decide whether he feels militarily they've reached a turning point. But clearly, at least in the Donbas, there's a sense of momentum here by the Ukrainian armed forces, said John Kirby, the Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House on Tuesday. Responding to questions, Kirby said that in the north they have seen Russians evacuate, withdraw, and retreat from their defensive positions, particularly there in and around the Kharkiv oblast. They have left fighting positions. They've left supplies, he said. They are calling it a repositioning, but it's certain they have withdrawn in the face of Ukrainian armed forces .

Biden announces creation of new agency ARPA-H to reduce cancer deaths in US

US President Joe Biden has announced an ambitious plan to reduce cancer deaths in the United States, which is the second most cause of death in the country after heart disease. Despite the progress of lives extended, and lives saved, cancer is still the number two cause of death in America, second only to heart disease. For too many cancer patients and their families, instead of hope, there's bewilderment, the feeling of being on your own, Biden said. In a major policy speech in Boston, the president announced the creation of a new agency ARPA-H, Advanced Research Projects Agencies for Health. ARPA-H will have a singular purpose, to drive breakthroughs to prevent, detect, and treat diseases including cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and other diseases and enable us to live healthier lives, he said. Imagine the possibilities, Biden said noting that ARPA-H is based on DARPA, the Defence Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency, which has helped lead to breakthroughs in technologi

US vows to support Ukrainians fighting hard to defend their country

The US has vowed to continue to give support to Ukraine as the Ukrainians are fighting hard to defend their country and take back territory seized by Russia. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, but Ukrainian forces retook large areas around Kyiv in early April after Russia abandoned its push towards the capital. "We're not going to speak for Ukrainians. We'll leave it to Ukrainians to describe their operations. But it's clear they are fighting hard to defend their country and take back territory, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday. We're going to continue to give them the support they need to succeed on the battlefield, she said. The US has announced two significant security assistance packages last week, brought more than 50 countries together to coordinate its support, and has worked to fulfil the Ukrainian requests for what they need to be successful on the battlefield, the official noted. After Ukraine seized Balakliya last Thursday, .

Joe Biden pays tributes to 9/11 victims on tragedy's 21st anniversary

US President Joe Biden attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, saying "What was destroyed, we have repaired"

Space must be protected for the benefit of all people: Kamala Harris

Space remains a place of undiscovered and unrealised opportunity and it is our responsibility to work together to guide humanity forward into this new frontier the US Vice President said.

Mosquito Fire in California's Sacramento spreads to almost 30,000 acres

The explosive Mosquito Fire burning in the foothills east of Sacramento, capital city of the western US' California, grew to 29,585 acres (119.7 square km) on Friday noon

Judge restores oil lease on land sacred to Native Americans in US, Canada

A federal judge ordered the Biden administration to reinstate a drilling lease that has been in dispute for decades on land near the Blackfeet Indian Reservation that is considered sacred to Native American tribes in the US and Canada. The 10-square-mile (25-square-kilometer) oil and gas lease in the Badger-Two Medicine area of northwestern Montana was first issued in 1982. It was cancelled in 2016 under then-US Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, at the request of the Blackfoot tribes and conservation groups. There have been efforts to declare the area a national monument or make it a cultural heritage area, and tribal leaders have bitterly opposed drilling in recent decades. But US District Judge Richard Leon on Friday said Jewell lacked the authority to withdraw the lease so many years after it was sold and after several prior studies examined the environmental and other impacts of drilling in the area. He ordered Interior Department officials to reinstate the lease and a issue a .

Burger King to invest $ 400 mn in US revamp over next 2 yrs to boost sales

Burger King plans to invest USD 400 million in its US restaurants over the next two years to update its stores and boost flagging sales. The burger chain said on Friday the investment includes USD 250 million to revamp stores and update technology and kitchen equipment and USD 120 million for heavier advertising. Burger King also plans to spend USD 30 million upgrading its app to offer smoother ordering and personalized deals. The moves come after several years of disappointing sales at Burger King's 7,058 US stores. In 2019, Burger King's same-store sales or sales at stores open at least a year rose less than 2 per cent. By comparison, market leader McDonald's US same-store sales were up 5 per cent. Burger King's US sales plunged during the pandemic, then recovered in 2021, rising 5 per cent. But that was still slower growth than McDonald's, which saw US same-store sales jump 14 per cent in 2021. Wendy's overtook Burger King as the No. 2 US fast food chain by sales in 2020 and

Biden, First lady sign condolence book at Embassy following Queen's demise

US President Joe Biden and the First Lady drove down to the British Embassy here to sign the condolence book and pay their respect after the death of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. We mourn for all of you. She was a great lady, I'm so delighted I got to meet her, Biden said on Thursday as he walked over to the embassy staff. According to a White House pool report, Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were greeted by the British ambassador and her husband. Biden walked over to the condolence book and asked if he could write a message, taking a card with notes out of his jacket pocket. The ambassador said, If you would like to, Sir. He wrote for a few minutes, while the First Lady watched over and the ambassador stood to the side, behind him. The First Lady then sat down in the chair and appeared to sign her name. Our hearts are with you, she said. As my mother would say, God love you, Biden said, and thanked the staff. He then walked out of the room, holding hands with the F

US Justice Dept appeals for special master to review Mar-a-Lago documents

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has appealed a ruling to appoint a special master to review documents FBI agents seized from former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence on August 8

India, US to soon hold trade policy forum meet to promote trade, investment

India and the US will "very soon" hold the next ministerial-level meeting of the Trade Policy Forum (TPF) in America to discuss ways for promoting trade and investment between the countries. India and the US held the 12th TPF in New Delhi on November 23 last year. The forum is an inter-agency collaboration led by the US Trade Representative (USTR). It is the principal trade dialogue between the two countries. It has five focus groups: Agriculture, Investment, Innovation and Creativity (intellectual property rights), Services, and Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers. "We will be having the next trade policy forum very soon in the US and in the TPF we are hoping to add further deliverables and newer areas of engagement being discussed, for which both teams have been tasked to start engaging with each other," Goyal told reporters here. The minister held a bilateral meeting here with USTR Katherine Tai and US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. When asked about restoring the trade benefits

Trump's Save America fundraising group under US govt investigation: Report

A US federal grand jury is investigating former President Donald Trump's Save America fundraising group, a media report said, citing subpoenas

Greece signs deal to recover 161 ancient artifacts from US billionaire

Greece has ratified a complex deal for the return, over coming decades, of 161 striking ancient Greek artifacts from a US billionaire's collection after Athens conceded it had no evidence they'd been illegally excavated and exported. The mostly marble works date from 5300-2200 BC, and the bulk of them are from the Early Bronze Age Cycladic civilisation whose elegantly abstract but enigmatic marble figurines inspired artists from Pablo Picasso to Constantin Brancusi. Such pieces are highly prized by collectors and museums, which has spawned a wave of illegal excavations in Greece and countless forgeries. Greece's parliament on Thursday approved the agreement with New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, a top Athens museum and a Delaware-based cultural institution to which they are being transferred. The works will return to Greece gradually from 2033-2048, after being displayed at the Met from 2023-2048. Culture Minister Lina Mendoni described them as masterpieces ... of unique ...

US announces sanctions against Iranian firms for selling drones to Russia

The US Treasury Department has announced that it is levying sanctions against four Iranian companies that it says were involved in sending drones to Russia last month for use in Moscow's war against Ukraine. Tehran-based Safiran Airport Services, Paravar Pars Company, Design and Manufacturing of Aircraft Engines, and Baharestan Kish Company were all hit with the new sanctions. Russia is making increasingly desperate choices to continue its unprovoked war against Ukraine, particularly in the face of our unprecedented sanctions and export controls, said Brian Nelson, under secretary of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence on Thursday. The United States is committed to strictly enforcing our sanctions against both Russia and Iran and holding accountable Iran and those supporting Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine." Safiran coordinates Russian military flights between Iran and Russia, including those that US intelligence officials say transported Iranian unmann

Biden surpasses Trump in head-to-head 'poll 2024 rematch' with 6 point lead

US President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump are head to head in a hypothetical 2024 presidential rerun of 2020 with the former gaining a six point lead among registered voters

Cuba says US is being unfair for keeping it on sponsors of terrorism list

Cuba's deputy foreign minister accused the Biden administration of acting immorally, illegitimately and unfairly by keeping Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, claiming it has been a victim of state-sponsored terrorism by the United States for more than 60 years. Carlos Fernandez de Cossio said in an interview with The Associated Press that maintaining Cuba on the State Department blacklist with North Korea, Iran and Syria is an easy way to punish Cuba with the overall aim of trying to make Cuba what it is not to make Cuba a failed state. The U.S. unfortunately pays no price for doing something that is illegitimate, unsustainable and immoral, he said. And even though, speaking with government officials, they find no reason why Cuba should be in the list, they claim that it is politically difficult for them. The United States imposed an economic embargo on Cuba in 1960 following the revolution led by Fidel Castro and the nationalisation of properties belonging to U.S.

Piyush Goyal pitches for higher engagements with US to create opportunities

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Wednesday pitched for increasing engagements with the US that will provide new opportunities to India for combating challenges in supply chains

Biden administration approves $450 mn F-16 fleet programme to Pakistan

Reversing the decision of its predecessor, the Biden Administration has approved a whooping USD 450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme to Pakistan. As a notification to the US Congress, the State Department has made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale of F-16 case for sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 450 million, arguing that this will sustain Islamabad's capability to meet current and future counterterrorism threats by maintaining its F-16 fleet, The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Wednesday. This is the first major security assistance to Pakistan after Trump in 2018 had announced to stop all defense and security assistance to Pakistan alleging that Islamabad was not a partner in its fight against terrorism. The United States Government has notified Congress of a proposed Foreign Military Sales case to sustain the Pakistan Air

US Assistant Secretary Lu's India visit to deepen strategic ties: Official

The ongoing India visit of Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu is to deepen strategic partnership with India, the State Department said has Wednesday. Lu is leading a US delegation to India from September 5th to 8th. This is to deepen the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. This delegation will meet with Indian officials. They will discuss ways in which the US and India can expand our cooperation to support a free, open, connected, prosperous, and resilient Indo-Pacific, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters at a news conference. We also understand that Assistant Secretary Lu will engage in roundtable discussions with senior business executives about how India can realize its full economic potential over the next 25 years and became a central hub in global supply chains as well, he said in response to a question.

Vladimir Putin is weaponising energy, alleges US after export cut threats

Russian President Vladimir Putin is weaponising energy, the White House has alleged, a day after he threatened to cut off all energy exports to the West if the US proceeded with its gas cap. Putin on Wednesday threatened to completely cut energy supplies to the West if it tries to cap prices of Russian exports. He also vowed to press on with Moscow's military action in Ukraine until it achieves its goals. This shows that Putin is, again, weaponising energy, by his very words, also by his actions. But the President (Joe Biden) and our partners in Europe predicted this playbook. We saw this coming, and we have been preparing for months. We have talked through the different processes of how this price cap could look, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday during her daily news conference. The US and European Union, she said, have set up a task force to work on ways to increase alternate sources of natural gas to Europe and help reduce Europe's demand for Russi