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World

Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 bill wins final approval in House

The U.S. House of Representatives gave final approval on Wednesday to one of the largest economic stimulus measures in American history, a sweeping $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill that gives President Joe Biden his first major victory in office.
The measure provides $400 billion for $1,400 direct payments to most Americans, $350 billion in aid to state and local governments, an expansion of the child tax credit and increased funding for vaccine distribution.

Published 11 Mar, 2021 12:32pm

World

Top U.S., China diplomats to hold first in-person talks of Biden presidency

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with top Chinese officials on March 18 in Alaska, the White House said on Wednesday, the first high-level in-person contact between the two sparring countries under the Biden administration.
President Joe Biden’s administration has committed to reviewing elements of U.S. policies toward China, as the world’s two largest economies navigate frosty relations that sank to their lowest depths in decades during Donald Trump’s presidency.

Updated 11 Mar, 2021 12:29pm

World

US senators introduce bipartisan oil and gas leasing reform bill

The bill, authored by Senators Jacky Rosen, a Democrat from Nevada, and Chuck Grassley, a senior Republican from Iowa, would increase the minimum bid price per acre during lease auctions and raise the royalty rate companies must pay on oil and gas produced from the leases.
The legislation's backing by Grassley could be critical to winning support for the reforms in the closely-divided Senate. Similar bills introduced in the House last week did not include any Republican sponsors.

Published 10 Mar, 2021 06:30pm

World

Ambassador Khalilzad visits Pakistan, stresses the need to "accelerate" Afghan peace process

On Monday, the United States' Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, visited Islamabad.
Ambassador Khalilzad stressed the need to accelerate progress towards a just and durable peace in Afghanistan.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 04:11pm

World

Yellen says Biden COVID bill to fuel ‘very strong’ US recovery

This is a bill that will really provide Americans the relief they need to get to the other side of the pandemic, and we expect the resources here to really fuel a very strong economic recovery.
"If it turns out to be inflationary, there are tools to deal with that, and we'll monitor that closely," Yellen said of the bill's measures.

Published 08 Mar, 2021 08:06pm

World

Iran casts long shadow over Pentagon nominee's Senate hearing

President Joe Biden’s nominee to become the Pentagon’s top policy adviser faced relentless Republican criticism on Thursday over his support for the Iran nuclear deal, in a confirmation hearing that could foreshadow bigger fights over Biden’s national security agenda.

Published 08 Mar, 2021 07:53pm

World

South Korea to boost funding for US troops under new accord

The agreement reflects the Biden administration's "commitment to reinvigorating.

Published 08 Mar, 2021 11:11am

World

Secretary Blinken reveals roadmap for Afghan peace negotiations

In a letter to President Ashraf Ghani, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken made four key suggestions for the Afghan Peace Process - which has remained in limbo over the past months.
Blinken articulated that the United States has not ruled out any option regarding Afghanistan, adding that "We are considering the full withdrawal of our forces by May 1, as we consider other options".

Updated 08 Mar, 2021 11:08am

Business & Finance

Oil industry lobby weighs support of carbon pricing

The American Petroleum Institute, which includes most of the world's biggest oil companies, is considering endorsing carbon pricing "among other policy solutions to reduce emissions and reach the ambitions of the Paris Agreement,"
A draft statement of the policy shift reviewed by the Wall Street Journal said the group does not endorse a specific carbon pricing tool such as a tax on carbon emissions or emissions trading scheme.

Published 02 Mar, 2021 08:46pm

World

Biden Administration to reportedly initiate dialogue with Taliban

The Biden Administration's Afghanistan negotiator has begun a diplomatic trip, which will reportedly include the first meeting of the new administration with the Taliban.
The State Department did not immediately provide comment on the agenda Zalmay Khalilzad is bringing to the Taliban, which belatedly resumed peace talks with the U.S. client Afghan government last week.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 07:18pm

World

IPRI hosts distinguished lecture series on Afghan Peace Process

On Friday, the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) hosted the distinguished lecture series on the "Afghan Peace Process: The Contours, Implementation, and Contemporary Status” by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Mansoor Ahmad Khan.
While discussing the dynamics of the Afghan Peace Process, Ambassador Mansoor Ahmad Khan noted that there are three parties to ensure a durable peace process in Afghanistan, which include the United States, the Taliban and the Afghan Republic.

Updated 26 Feb, 2021 05:07pm

World

Pakistan mending ties with Arab bloc, after diplomatic rift in 2020

Pakistan has found itself in a fruitful position, having mended relations with the Saudi-led bloc of Arab nations, while also maintaining ties with an alternate alliance challenging for a leadership role in the wider Muslim world.

Updated 23 Feb, 2021 05:09pm

Print

US should consult Taliban on any Afghan pullout delay: Pakistan

WASHINGTON: The United States should consult the Taliban on any extension of a May 1 deadline for a full US troop...

Updated 20 Feb, 2021 06:26pm

World

President Biden to focus on COVID-19, China, at his first G7 summit

In his upcoming meeting with world leaders from the G-7, President Joe Biden plans to focus on the global response to the pandemic, according to the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Thursday.
The Trump Administration held a volatile relationship with China, placing tariffs on Chinese goods and blocking supplies to Chinese telecommunications companies; while Biden as repeatedly taken aim at China for its treatment of the minority Uyghur community.

Updated 19 Feb, 2021 01:26pm

World

Blinken, Quad ministers discuss COVID, climate, security issues: State Dept.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed Myanmar, COVID-19, climate and Indo-Pacific territorial and navigation issues with his counterparts from India, Japan and Australia on Thursday, the State Department said.

Published 18 Feb, 2021 11:52pm

World

NATO says will not withdraw forces from Afghanistan ‘before time is right’

According to Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO, the multilateral military alliance will not withdraw its forces from Afghanistan "before the time is right", after nearly two decades of involvement in the country's fight against terrorism.
The NATO Chief made these comments ahead of a virtual conference this week, which will signify the alliance's highest-level talks with the Biden Administration, after four years of tense relations under President Trump.

Updated 16 Feb, 2021 02:34pm

World

Iran says it will end snap IAEA inspections if nuclear deal terms not met

Iran said on Monday it will block snap inspections by the U.N. nuclear watchdog this month if other parties to the 2015 nuclear deal fail to fulfil their obligations, a challenge to U.S. President Joe Biden’s hope of reviving the accord.
The Biden administration aims to return the United States to the nuclear deal, which then-President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018. Under the deal, Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 03:56pm

World

Biden administration launches review aimed at closing Guantanamo prison: White House

Aides involved in internal discussions are considering an executive action to be signed by President Joe Biden in coming weeks or months.
The NSC will work closely with the Departments of Defense, State, and Justice to make progress toward closing the GTMO facility, and also in close consultation with Congress.

Published 12 Feb, 2021 08:56pm

World

Plans afoot for Biden to join virtual Munich Security Conference: source

U.S. President Joe Biden has been invited to address a virtual edition of the annual Munich Security Conference on Feb. 19 and plans are being made for him to do so, a diplomatic source told Reuters on Thursday.

Updated 11 Feb, 2021 09:24pm

World

Biden administration would like to rebuild relationship with Pakistan, make it more productive

James M. Lindsay, a senior vice president at the Council for Foreign Relations said that the Biden administration is hopeful of finding ways to improve relations with Pakistan.

Published 10 Feb, 2021 11:39am

World

White House says it aims to strengthen ties with Brazil, but will speak out on concerns

The Trump administration had sought to boost ties with Brazil, the largest economy in Latin America, and provide a counterweight to China, which has become Brazil's largest trading partner.

Published 09 Feb, 2021 12:51pm

World

President Biden will not lift sanctions on Iran to bring them to the negotiating table

President Joe Biden has stated that the United States will not lift economic sanctions on Iran, in order to bring Tehran back to the negotiating table for the revival of the Iran Nuclear Deal.
While Biden has said that he will seek to revive the deal, he insisted that Iran must first reverse its uranium enrichment, creating a tight contest between the two nations.

Updated 08 Feb, 2021 11:41am

World

Iran must stop enriching uranium beyond nuclear deal's limits - U.S. official

U.S. President Joe Biden meant to convey that Iran needs to stop enriching uranium beyond the limits permitted under the Iran nuclear deal in a television interview broadcast on Sunday, a senior Biden administration official said.

Published 08 Feb, 2021 09:39am

World

Biden to raise current U.S. refugee cap from historic lows

U.S. President Joe Biden plans to raise the refugee cap for the current fiscal year to 62,500, a sharp increase from the 15,000 set by former President Donald Trump, two people familiar with the move told Reuters on Friday.
The allocations will create spots for 22,000 refugees from Africa, 6,000 from East Asia, 4,000 from Europe and Central Asia, 5,000 from Latin America and the Caribbean, and 13,000 from South Asia.

Published 06 Feb, 2021 07:12pm

World

Beijing warns off US warship from South China Sea islands

BEIJING: China on Friday warned off a US warship sailing near contested islands in the South China Sea, Beijing ...

Published 06 Feb, 2021 04:06am

Pakistan

China, Pakistan have an understanding on protecting interests in Afghanistan: US report

Report acknowledges Pakistan’s role in taking forward the Afghan peace process, asking the Biden administration to work with Pakistan to end decades of war and destruction in Afghanistan
Pakistan has influence over the Taliban and it should actively use this influence to make the peace process successful: Report

Published 05 Feb, 2021 03:39pm

Business & Finance

Ford says will nearly double electric auto investment

"Right now, estimates from suppliers could suggest losing 10 to 20 percent of our planned first-quarter production."

Published 05 Feb, 2021 10:16am

World

US Senate Democrats prepare to push through Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 package

Senate Democrats need to pass a budget resolution to unlock a legislative tool called reconciliation.
Most legislation must get at least 60 votes in the 100-seat Senate to pass. But the chamber is divided 50-50 and Republicans oppose the Democratic president's proposal.

Published 04 Feb, 2021 09:16pm

Business & Finance

US Treasury says more time needed to decide on Trump tax returns

House Democrats have been examining whether Trump's business dealings involved money laundering or left him vulnerable to foreign influence.

Published 04 Feb, 2021 10:55am

World

Blinken weighs possible sanctions North Korea as Russia, Iran loom

In an interview with NBC News, taped on Sunday, Blinken did not commit to specific sanctions against Moscow as it reviewed the ongoing situation involving jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Published 01 Feb, 2021 06:03pm