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☆ Putin meets 'dear friend' Xi in Kremlin as Ukraine war grinds on
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/5] Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 20, 2023. Putin and Xi greeted one another as "dear friend" when they met in the Kremlin on Monday, and Russian state news agencies later reported they held informal talks for nearly 4-1/2 hours, with more official talks scheduled for Tuesday. In televised comments, Putin told Xi he viewed China's proposals for resolution of the Ukraine conflict with respect. Xi, for his part, praised Putin and predicted Russians would re-elect him next year. Putin signed a "no limits" partnership with Xi last year shortly before the Kremlin leader ordered the invasion of Ukraine.

☆ US House Republicans launch investigation of Manhattan DA in Trump probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( David Morgan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

His fellow Republicans including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have accused Bragg, a Democrat, of abuse of power and using his office to pursue a political agenda. McCarthy had also said he would direct House committees to determine whether federal funds have been used in the district attorney's probe. The letter was signed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil. "Congress has no jurisdiction to investigate the Manhattan DA, which receives no federal funding nor has any other federal nexus," added Goldman, who was lead counsel in a 2019 House impeachment of Trump. Trump, who is seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has said he would continue campaigning even if charged with a crime.

WASHINGTON, March 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. banking system remains sound and Americans can feel confident that their deposits are safe, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Thursday, but she denied that emergency actions after two large bank failures mean that a blanket government guarantee now existed for all deposits. "I can reassure the members of the committee that our banking system is sound, and that Americans can feel confident that their deposits will be there when they need them," Yellen said. More than $9.2 trillion of U.S. bank deposits were uninsured at the end of last year, accounting for more than 40% of all deposits, according to U.S. central bank data. Those uninsured deposits are not distributed evenly across the country, FDIC data shows. She also noted the high level of uninsured deposits at Silicon Valley as an aggravating factor.

☆ Republican senator to Yellen in hearing: 'That's a lie'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Senator Bill Cassidy repeatedly told Yellen during a Senate Finance Committee hearing that Biden has not been willing to meet with a bipartisan group of senators to address problems with Social Security. Cassidy replied he wasn't accusing the Treasury secretary of lying and understood she was repeating what she had been told. Later, another Republican senator, Ron Johnson, exhibited impatience with Yellen. Johnson asked Yellen how much the total deficits were over the 10-year period covered in Biden's budget. When Yellen paused to look at some documents, Johnson quipped, "You don't know that off the top of your head?"

☆ U.S. drone may not be recovered from Black Sea after Russian interception -White House
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Doina Chiacu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In the first such incident since the Ukraine war began, Russian Su-27 jets struck the propeller of the unmanned drone and made it inoperable, the Pentagon said. Russia's defense ministry blamed "sharp maneuvering" of the drone for the crash and said that its jets did not make contact. The State Department on Tuesday summoned Russia's ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, to express U.S. concerns over the encounter. Antonov after the meeting said that the drone "deliberately and provocatively was moving toward Russian territory with transponders turned off." American officials have stressed that the United States would continue to fly over international waters in the area.

WASHINGTON, March 15 (Reuters) - A U.S. surveillance drone brought down over the Black Sea after a Russian military intercept probably broke apart and would be difficult to recover given the depth of the water in the area, the top U.S. general said on Wednesday. Russia's defense ministry blamed "sharp maneuvering" by the drone for the crash and said its jet did not make contact. Milley said the United States had already taken measures to guard against a loss of sensitive intelligence if the drone were to be recovered by Russia. The State Department on Tuesday summoned Russia's ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, to express U.S. concerns over the encounter. Antonov after the meeting said the drone "deliberately and provocatively was moving toward Russian territory with transponders turned off."

WASHINGTON, March 14 (Reuters) - The White House on Tuesday welcomed the "landmark" deal between Saudi Arabia and the Boeing Co (BA.N), saying it will support U.S. jobs and marked a milestone in cooperation between Saudi Arabia and American industry. Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun said in an interview the planemaker got "support from the Biden administration and from key members of Congress every step of the way... The Biden Administration has done a terrific job in moving the ball forward and was instrumental in landing this purchase." A U.S. official said the Saudi contract was a "white whale" for Boeing, something the planemaker pursued for several years. Senior U.S. officials have been in regular engagement with the Saudis over the deal, but Biden did not have any direct talks with Saudi leaders.

☆ Warren urges Powell to recuse from SVB probe, demands answers of ex-bank CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Pete Schroeder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Senator Elizabeth Warren on Tuesday called on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to recuse himself from an internal review of recent bank failures, saying his actions "directly contributed" to them. The Federal Reserve said on Monday it is reviewing its oversight of the bank in the wake of its abrupt failure Friday. Warren argued that Powell's prior support for easing bank rules indicates he should not participate in the review. For the Fed’s inquiry to have credibility, Powell must recuse himself from this internal review," she said in a Twitter post. Reporting by Doina Chiacu and Pete Schroeder; Editing by Susan Heavey and Chizu NomiyamaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Biden issues executive order to expand background checks for gun purchases
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, March 14 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday issued an executive order aimed at expanding background checks for gun purchases to bring down mass shootings in the country. Biden also asked Congress to take additional action to reduce gun violence and urged the Federal Trade Commission to issue a public report analyzing how gun manufacturers market firearms to minors, according to the order released by the White HouseReporting by Kanishka Singh and Rami Ayyub in Washington, Editing by Doina ChiacuOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

WASHINGTON, March 14 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden was briefed on Tuesday about an incident over the Black Sea in which a Russian Su-27 fighter jet struck the propeller of a U.S. military "Reaper" surveillance drone, White House spokesman John Kirby said. While there have been other such intercepts, Kirby said, this one was noteworthy because it was "unsafe and unprofessional" and caused the downing of a U.S. aircraft. "So it's unique in that regard," Kirby said. "The State Department will be speaking directly with their Russian counterparts, and expressing our concerns over this unsafe and unprofessional intercept," he said. Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Franklin Paul; Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China's Xi to speak with Ukraine's Zelenskiy -WSJ
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, March 13 (Reuters) - Chinese leader Xi Jinping plans to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the first time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. The newspaper, citing people familiar with the matter, said the call was likely to take place after Xi's visit to Moscow next week to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Susan HeaveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Saudis kept U.S. informed on talks with Iran - White House
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, March 10 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia kept Washington informed of its talks with Iran to restore diplomatic relations but the United States was not directly involved, White House spokesman John Kirby said on Friday. The White House believes that internal and external pressure, including effective Saudi deterrence against attacks from Iran or its proxies, ultimately brought Iran to the table, Kirby said. "We support any efforts to de-escalate tensions there and in the region. We think it's in our interests, and it's something that we worked on through our own effective combination of deterrence and diplomacy." Reporting by Doina Chiacu and Steve Holland; Editing by Kevin LiffeyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

WASHINGTON, March 8 (Reuters) - China will maintain its cooperation with Russia to continue trying to challenge the United States despite international concerns about the invasion of Ukraine, U.S. intelligence agencies said on Wednesday. "Despite global backlash over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, China will maintain its diplomatic, defense, economic, and technology cooperation with Russia to continue trying to challenge the United States, even as it will limit public support," they said in a report released as the Senate Intelligence Committee held its annual hearing on worldwide threats to U.S. security. "The next few years are critical as strategic competition with China and Russia intensifies in particular how the world will evolve, and whether the rise of authoritarianism can be checked and reversed," Haines added. Haines described "a grinding, attritional war" in Ukraine and said U.S. intelligence does not foresee the Russian military recovering enough this year to make major territorial gains. Reporting by Patricia Zengerle, Jonathan Landay, Michael Martina; Editing by Doina Chiacu;Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Biden to host S.Korea's Yoon for state visit April 26 -White House
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, March 7 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will host South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for a state visit on April 26, the White House said on Tuesday. "The upcoming visit celebrates the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-ROK alliance, which is critical to advancing peace, stability, and prosperity for our two countries, the Indo-Pacific, and around the world," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. The visit will highlight the United States' "unwavering commitment" to South Korea, she said. The state visit is the second of Biden's administration, she said. Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Doina ChiacuOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ White House says it sees no change in US-China relations
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, March 7 (Reuters) - The White House on Tuesday brushed off bellicose rhetoric from China that the United States risked a confrontation with Beijing, saying Washington was not seeking a conflict and saw no change in U.S.-Chinese relations. John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, responded to China's foreign minister's warning to Washington to change its "distorted" attitude or risk conflict. We do not seek conflict," Kirby told reporters. Kirby said the United States respected the "one-China policy" and did not want to see a change to the status quo pertaining to Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province. Kirby also urged China not to provide military assistance to Russia in support of its war with Ukraine.

☆ White House says it sees no change in U.S.-China relations
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CHICAGO/WASHINGTON, March 6 (Reuters) - The United States has requested formal trade consultations with Mexico over U.S. objections to its southern neighbor's plans to limit imports of genetically modified corn and other agricultural biotechnology products. "We hope these consultations will be productive as we continue to work with Mexico to address these issues." The United States has previously threatened to take the issue to a trade dispute panel under the trilateral agreement with Mexico and Canada over the plan, which would ban genetically modified corn for human consumption. A USTR official said the talks would cover Mexico's planned rejection of GMO corn and other agricultural biotechnology products that have been shown to be safe in the United States and other countries for decades. Corn for food use comprises about 21% of Mexican corn imports from the U.S., a representative from the National Corn Growers Association said, citing U.S. Grains Council data.

☆ U.S. to ask Mexico for formal talks over GMO corn dispute -industry sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON/CHICAGO, March 6 (Reuters) - The United States plans to request formal talks under its free trade agreement with Mexico over Mexican plans to limit imports of genetically modified corn, two U.S. industry sources said on Monday. The United States has previously threatened to take the issue to a trade dispute panel under the trilateral agreement with Mexico and Canada over the plan, which would ban genetically modified corn for human consumption. The U.S. agriculture secretary, Tom Vilsack, had said that a trade dispute panel under free trade agreement would be the next step if talks were not successful. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai held talks with Mexican Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro over the issue late last month. Corn for food use comprises about 21% of Mexican corn imports from the U.S., according to a representative from the National Corn Growers Association, citing U.S. Grains Council data.

☆ 'Havana syndrome' not caused by foreign adversary, U.S. intel finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Jonathan Landay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The mysterious syndrome, first reported by U.S. officials in the Cuban capital Havana in 2016, has afflicted U.S. diplomats, intelligence officers and other U.S. personnel worldwide. The investigation also did not find common medical explanations for all of the different symptoms reported or common circumstances, according to intelligence officials. The declassified assessment said the seven U.S intelligence agencies that conducted the investigation had varying levels of confidence in the judgments. "We cannot tie a foreign adversary to any incident," said one of two U.S. intelligence officials who briefed reporters on the investigation. U.S intelligence agencies found confusion among foreign foes over the issue, according to the briefing.

☆ U.S. State Dept okays potential Javelin anti-tank missile sales to UK -Pentagon
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of anti-tank Javelin missiles to the United Kingdom for an estimated $125 million, the Pentagon said on Tuesday. The potential sale package authorized by the State Department would include 600 Javelins technical assistance, and logistics support, the Pentagon said. The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale on Tuesday. Despite approval by the State Department, the notification does not indicate that a contract has been signed or that negotiations have concluded. Reporting Rami Ayyub; writing by Paul Grant and Mike Stone; Editing by Doina Chiacu and David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine focused on Bakhmut
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Leonardo Benassatto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/5] Ukrainian service members are seen next an infantry fighting vehicle near the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine February 25, 2023. Apart from Bakhmut itself, six nearby Donetsk settlements came under Russian shelling, it said. Russia is trying to encircle Bakhmut, forcing Ukraine to pull out its garrison. Her boss, President Joe Biden, went there a week ago to mark the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine's military forces have mostly focused on holding defensive positions in recent weeks, but are expected to attempt a counter-offensive later this year using new weapons pledged by the West.

☆ Trump, other Republicans will have to pledge loyalty to 2024 presidential nominee, party chief says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - The Republican Party plans to ask 2024 presidential candidates to pledge support for the eventual nominee, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said on Sunday, espousing an idea so far not embraced by former President Donald Trump. Candidates who do not sign the pledge will not be allowed to participate in party-sponsored debates during the state-by-state presidential nominating contests, McDaniel said. Trump, who remains popular in the Republican Party but is already facing challenges in his next White House bid from former supporters including Nikki Haley, has so far refused to commit to supporting the eventual Republican nominee. "We're saying you're not going to get on the debate stage unless you make this pledge. Trump did not immediately react publicly to her comments but a campaign spokesperson told Reuters, "President Trump will support the Republican nominee because it will be him."

"Beijing will have to make its own decisions about how it proceeds, whether it provides military assistance - but if it goes down that road it will come at real costs to China," Sullivan told CNN's "State of the Union" program. The United States and its NATO allies in recent days have been scrambling to dissuade China from such a move, making public comments on their belief that China is considering providing lethal equipment to Russia. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday said China has been providing nonlethal assistance to Russia through its companies. Putin has alluded to a Xi visit but the timing has not been confirmed by Russia or China. Russia and China signed a "no limits" partnership in February 2022 shortly before Russian forces invaded Ukraine.

"Beijing will have to make its own decisions about how it proceeds, whether it provides military assistance - but if it goes down that road it will come at real costs to China," Sullivan told CNN's "State of the Union" program. The United States and its NATO allies in recent days have been scrambling to dissuade China from such a move, making public comments on their belief that China is considering providing lethal equipment to Russia. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday said China has been providing nonlethal assistance to Russia through its companies. The United States has been by far the largest supplier of military assistance to help Ukraine repel better-equipped Russian forces. Russia and China signed a "no limits" partnership in February 2022 shortly before Russian forces invaded Ukraine.

☆ U.S. hits Chinese, Russian firms for aiding Russian military
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The Biden administration on Friday added Chinese and Russian companies, including Russia's no. 2 mobile phone operator, to a trade blacklist for allegedly supporting the Russian military, deepening its crackdown on Moscow on the first anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine. The moves show President Joe Biden's administration is broadening its efforts to thwart Russia's military, targeting companies globally for helping Moscow evade export restrictions and access key technologies. The U.S. Commerce Department added Public Joint Stock Company Megafon, Russia's second largest mobile phone operator, to its entity list for allegedly "acquiring and attempting to acquire" U.S. technology to support Russia's military. Of the scores of new additions to its trade restriction list, 79 were Russia-based, five are listed under China, and two are based in Canada.

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