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☆ Exclusive: Google to run internet cables to Pacific islands in Australia-US deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Alphabet's Google (GOOGL.O) will run undersea cables powering internet access to at least eight far-flung Pacific Ocean nations under a joint U.S.-Australian deal set to be announced on Wednesday, according to a U.S. official. The deal will expand an existing commercial project by Google in the region to the nations of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Set to be announced during an official White House visit by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the previously unreported deal involves contributions from both governments. Google is currently working on a fiber-optic cable that links Taiwan, the self-ruled island claimed by China, with the Philippines and the United States. As part of the Pacific islands project, the United States will work with the countries on cybersecurity resilience, helping them back up key information to global cloud networks, according to the official.

Persons: Gonzalo Fuentes, White, Anthony Albanese, Joe Biden, Trevor Hunnicutt, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Google, Viva Technology, Porte de, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Australian, Thomson Locations: Porte, Paris, France, U.S, Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor, Leste, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Canberra, Washington, China, United States, Taiwan, Philippines

WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday the Israel-Gaza crisis should have "a path to peace" including independent states for the Israelis and Palestinians and integrating Israel among its Arab neighbors. "Israelis and Palestinians equally deserve to live side by side in safety, dignity and in peace," said Biden. Biden said he believed one reason Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,400 people on Oct. 7, was to prevent normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Biden said he had "no notion" that the Palestinians were telling the truth about how many had been killed. Biden, a self-described "Zionist", has strongly supported Israel following Hamas' Oct. 7 attack while cautioning the country to abide by democratic principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Anthony Albanese, They're, Albanese, Leah Millis, Jeff Mason, Trevor Hunnicutt, Steve Holland, Susan Heavey, Tom Hogue, Heather Timmons, Josie Kao Organizations: Australian, Reuters, West Bank, AUSTRALIA, Albanese, White, REUTERS, U.S, Russia's, Pacific, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Washington , U.S, Sydney, Washington, PHILIPPINES, China, Philippines, United States, U.S, Beijing, American, Taiwan, South China, Canberra, Japan

☆ No 'Love Shack' at White House - B-52s won't play Aussie dinner
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A preview of the menu and place settings for the state dinner in honor of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 24, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 24 (Reuters) - At the White House, the dinner is on but the band is out. The B-52s' planned performance at U.S. President Joe Biden's state dinner for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday was scrapped as the event takes on a more somber tone due to the Middle East crisis. Biden welcomed Albanese to the White House on Tuesday evening and will host a lavish dinner party after the two allied leaders discuss rare earths and cyber security Wednesday. First lady Jill Biden said Tuesday the B-52s will attend the dinner as guests instead.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, Sarah Silbiger, Joe Biden's, Biden, Albanese, Jill Biden, Trevor Hunnicutt, Heather Timmons, Rod Nickel Organizations: Australian, White, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Hamas, Biden, Thomson Locations: Washington ,, U.S, U.S ., Georgia, Israel, Gaza

☆ Biden, Australian PM to announce tech innovation cooperation - White House
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden participates in a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Navy Gateway Inns and Suites, in San Diego, California U.S., March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 24 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will announce a plan to cooperate on technological innovations, including artificial intelligence, clean energy, and critical minerals, during their meeting in Washington this week, the White House said on Tuesday. "They are going to be announcing new advanced technology cooperation, particularly on artificial intelligence," White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters. "We'll also be highlighting a new space agreement that will allow U.S. companies to launch into space from Australia." Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Writing by Ismail ShakilOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Anthony Albanese, Leah Millis, John Kirby, We'll, Trevor Hunnicutt, Ismail Shakil Organizations: Australian, Gateway Inns, San Diego , California U.S, REUTERS, Rights, House, Thomson Locations: San Diego , California, Washington, Australia

After Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and killed some 1,400 people, the United States stood by its ally and stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself. The priority is on working to get the hostages out step-by-step," said a source briefed on the hostage negotiations. The first U.S. official said that along with the hostage negotiations, advising Israel to hold off on its invasion could also give more time for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza. U.S. officials have urged Israel to follow the laws of war in any invasion of Gaza, which is home to 2.3 million people. Israel would have a difficult time fighting a war on two fronts simultaneously if Hezbollah launches a full-scale fight in the north, U.S. officials say.

Persons: Israel, Joe Biden, John Kirby, Lloyd Austin, Washington Eliav Benjamin, Lebanon's, Antony Blinken, Yoav Gallant, Washington, Matt Spetalnick Steve Holland, Humeyra Pamuk, Dan Williams, Andrew Mills, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Trevor Hunnicutt, Simon Lewis, Michelle Nichols, Grant McCool Organizations: United, Palestinian, Washington, House, Pentagon, State Department, Friday, U.S, United Nations, White House, Israel's Army, Hamas, NBC, Sunday, Sunday . Washington, Hezbollah, Thomson Locations: United States, Gaza, Qatar, Israel, U.S, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Egypt, White, Washington, Iran, Sunday ., Jerusalem, Doha

☆ US Advises Israel Hold off on Gaza Invasion, Keeps Hamas Mediator Qatar in Loop -Sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

After Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and killed some 1,400 people, the United States stood by its ally and stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself. The priority is on working to get the hostages out step-by-step," said a source briefed on the hostage negotiations. The first U.S. official said that along with the hostage negotiations, advising Israel to hold off on its invasion could also give more time for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza. U.S. officials have urged Israel to follow the laws of war in any invasion of Gaza, which is home to 2.3 million people. US DEFENSEIsraeli officials have increasingly signaled in public that a Gaza invasion could be imminent.

Persons: Matt Spetalnick, Steve Holland, Humeyra Pamuk, Israel, Joe Biden, John Kirby, Lloyd Austin, Washington Eliav Benjamin, Lebanon's, Antony Blinken, Yoav Gallant, Washington, Matt Spetalnick Steve Holland, Dan Williams, Andrew Mills, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Trevor Hunnicutt, Simon Lewis, Michelle Nichols, Grant McCool Organizations: United, Palestinian, Washington, House, Pentagon, State Department, Friday, U.S, United Nations, White House, Israel's Army, Hamas, NBC, Sunday, Sunday . Washington, Hezbollah Locations: Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON, United States, Gaza, Qatar, Israel, U.S, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Egypt, White, Washington, Iran, Sunday ., Jerusalem, Doha

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks as he visits Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 18, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 20 (Reuters) - The White House on Friday asked Congress for nearly $106 billion to fund ambitious plans for Ukraine, Israel and U.S. border security, but offered no strategy for securing the money from a broken Congress. Biden also wants more than $9 billion for humanitarian relief, including for Israel and Gaza, where the population faces a worsening humanitarian crisis. Funding will also support the Pacific "AUKUS" security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The war with Russia is 20 months old, and Biden has vowed to support Ukraine indefinitely.

Persons: Joe Biden, Evelyn Hockstein, Joe Biden's, Shalanda Young, Patrick McHenry, Young, Israel, Jim Jordan, Donald Trump, Jordan, Biden, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Trevor Hunnicutt, Jarrett Renshaw, Doina Chiacu, Andy Sullivan, Chizu Nomiyama, Alistair Bell, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Representatives, Republicans, Republican, Ukraine, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, Ukraine, U.S, Gaza, China, Russia, Caribbean, Asia, Australia, United Kingdom, United States, Europe, Washington, America

REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - The 2024 presidential election promises to be like no other modern U.S. election. He will be 81 when the election is held in November 2024, making him the oldest American to win a presidential election should he secure a second term. Republican presidential candidates are split between those saying abortion laws should be left to the states and those supporting a national ban. Republican candidates, including Trump, have blamed Biden for reversing more restrictive Trump-era policies, and have pledged to step up border security. Other Republican candidates, such as Pence and Haley, say the United States must continue to back Ukraine.

Persons: Joe Biden, Evelyn Hockstein, Donald Trump, Democrat Joe Biden, Biden, Trump, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Mike Pence, Chris Christie, Trump’s, Vivek Ramaswamy, DeSantis, Kamala Harris, Marianne Williamson, Robert F, Kennedy, Jr, Cornel West, Roe, Wade, Pence, Haley, Israel, James Oliphant, Ted Hesson, Heather Timmons, Ross Colvin, Kieran Murray, Jonathan Oatis, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Moffett Federal, REUTERS, Rights, Republican, Democrat, Democratic, WHO, U.S, United, New, Trump, Biden, Democrats unenthused, Progressive, Supreme, Reuters, White, Republicans, Thomson Locations: Mountain View , California, U.S, American, Florida, New Jersey, America, Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada , South Carolina, Michigan, South Carolina, California, Texas, Milwaukee , Wisconsin, Chicago, Mexico, New York, China, Ukraine, Russia, United States, Gaza, Israel, Midwest, Michigan , Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, . Arizona , Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Southern

☆ Biden speech aims to sell US on funding Ukraine, Israel wars
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The White House has said Biden would unveil his additional funding request this week. The administration is considering $60 billion for Ukraine and $10 billion for Israel, according to a source familiar with the matter. The package is also expected to include tens of billions in funding for priorities from Asia to U.S. border security. Republicans in the House are also divided over whether to back more aid, with some far-right conservatives particularly opposed to money for Ukraine. Biden returned overnight from his brief Israel trip aimed at offering U.S. support following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israeli villages and military bases.

Persons: Joe Biden, Ken Cedeno, Biden, Jon, Conservative Jim Jordan, Donald Trump, Republican Patrick McHenry, Biden's, Mount, Trevor Hunnicutt, Susan Heavey, Doina, Idrees Ali, Mike Stone, Jason Lange, Chizu Nomiyama, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Human, Washington Convention Center, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . House, West Bank, U.S, MSNBC, Senate, Conservative, Republican, Reuters, U.S ., U.S . Navy, Department of Defense, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Israel, Ukraine, Gaza, U.S, Asia, Tel Aviv, McHenry, Washington, Jordan

☆ Trip to Israel Ties Biden and US to Any Gaza Offensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Biden is wagering that consoling, negotiating with and aiding Israel give him the most influence shaping their actions, he said. His plans to quickly push billions of dollars more in aid for Israel through Congress is likely to fuel debates on U.S. taxpayer funds. Biden said the U.S. would provide $100 million in new funding for humanitarian aid in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Already, the White House acknowledges it needs to better explain Biden's Israel policy at home. Biden will give a prime time White House address on Thursday, to "discuss our response to Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel and Russia’s ongoing brutal war against Ukraine," the White House said on Wednesday.

Persons: Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Biden, Jon B, Alterman, Israel, Abdel Fattah al, Ezra Cohen, Cohen, Trevor Hunnicutt, Steve Holland, Jarrett Renshaw, Nidal al Mughrabi, Heather Timmons, Howard Goller Organizations: Israel's, Center for Strategic, International Studies, West Bank, The United, Ukraine, White, Air Force, Biden, Hudson Institute, Republicans, Reuters Locations: Tel Aviv, Gaza City, Gaza, Israel, U.S, The United States, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Tehran, Moscow, Beijing, Iran, Philadelphia

☆ Trip to Israel ties Biden and US to any Gaza offensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. President Joe Biden pauses during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. Biden is wagering that consoling, negotiating with and aiding Israel give him the most influence shaping their actions, he said. Biden said the U.S. would provide $100 million in new funding for humanitarian aid in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Already, the White House acknowledges it needs to better explain Biden's Israel policy at home. Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Additional reporting by Steve Holland in Tel Aviv, Jarrett Renshaw in Philadelphia and Nidal al Mughrabi in Gaza.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Miriam Alster, Biden, Jon B, Alterman, Israel, Abdel Fattah al, Ezra Cohen, Cohen, Trevor Hunnicutt, Steve Holland, Jarrett Renshaw, Nidal al Mughrabi, Heather Timmons, Howard Goller Organizations: Israeli, Hamas, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Israel's, Center for Strategic, International Studies, West Bank, The United, Ukraine, White, Air Force, Biden, Hudson Institute, Republicans, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, Gaza City, Gaza, U.S, The United States, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Tehran, Moscow, Beijing, Iran, Philadelphia

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden may consider a supplemental request of about $100 billion that would include defense aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, multiple sources familiar with the request told Reuters on Tuesday. Two of the sources said the request was for a full year of funding, explaining the large size. Bloomberg first reported that Biden was considering making a $100 billion request. Senator Mitch McConnell, the chamber's top Republican, said he expected the request to include assistance for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, and said Republicans want it to include "something serious" for the border. Top Biden administration officials will hold a classified briefing on Wednesday for the Senate on the situation in Israel and Gaza.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Biden, Ben Cardin, Cardin, " Cardin, ISRAEL, Kevin McCarthy, Israel, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Schumer, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Trevor Hunnicutt, David Ljunggren, Dan Whitcomb, Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio Our Organizations: White, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Tel, Israel, Senate, Democratic, Senate Foreign Relations, Republicans, Republican, Hamas, Bloomberg, Biden, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, Washington, Tel Aviv, Amman, Jordan, Egypt, Gaza, U.S, Iran, United States

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON/TEL AVIV, Oct 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's White House is wrestling with thorny security and political challenges as officials consider a potential trip to Israel that may hold longer-term diplomatic advantages for Biden. A visit would, however, grant Biden fresh leverage to influence events on the ground and bolster his image at home. Highlighting the unique security risks facing a Biden trip, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in Israel for meetings, was forced to take shelter in a bunker for five minutes with Netanyahu when sirens went off in Tel Aviv during their meeting. Forty-one percent of respondents said they agreed with a statement that "the U.S. should support Israel" in its conflict with Hamas, while just 2% said the U.S. should support the Palestinians. Biden has visited Israel 10 times, first as a senator in 1973, before the Yom Kippur War involving Israel, Egypt and Syria.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Kevin Lamarque, Joe Biden's, Biden, Adrienne Watson, Netanyahu, Kirsten Fontenrose, Antony Blinken, Olaf Scholz, Jon Alterman, Alterman, Mahmoud Abbas, Alon Pinkas, Ehud Barak, Richard Nixon, Trevor Hunnicutt, Jarrett Renshaw, Humeyra Pamuk, Steve Holland, Matt Spetalnick, Heather Timmons, Howard Goller, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Israeli, General Assembly, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, Biden, Israel, National Security, U.S, Atlantic Council, Presidential, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Service, Republicans, Reuters, Democratic, Gaza, Palestinian, West Bank, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, TEL AVIV, Israel, Washington's, East, Iran, Hezbollah, Syria, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Lebanon, GAZA, Colorado, Egypt, Washington

Blinken said after lengthy talks with Netanyahu that Biden will reaffirm solidarity with Israel, which has widely been expected to launch a ground assault in Gaza. Earlier, Iran's foreign minister said Israel would not be allowed to act in Gaza without consequences, warning of "preemptive action" in the coming hours. ... All options are open and we cannot be indifferent to the war crimes committed against the people of Gaza." Iran refers to regional countries and forces opposed to Israel and the United States as a "resistance front." Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Monday that while Tehran supported the Palestinian cause, the resistance front against Israel made its own independent decisions.

Persons: Khan Younis, Mohammed Salem, Biden, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Netanyahu, , Israel, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Amirabdollahian, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ebrahim Raisi, Nidal al, Bassam Massoud, Nuha Sharaf, Ari Rabinovitch, Dan Williams, Henriette Chacar, Dedi, Maayan Lubell, Emily Rose, James Mackenzie, John Davison, Parisa, Humeyra Pamuk, Hatem Maher, Ahmed Tolba, Omar Abdel, Trevor Hunnicutt, Nandita Bose, Rami Ayyub, Katharine Jackson, Michelle Nichols, David Brunnstrom, Howard Goller, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: REUTERS, Hamas U.S, Israel, Wednesday, Israeli, Iranian, Zionist, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, GAZA, JERUSALEM, WASHINGTON, Tel Aviv, U.S, Iran, United States, Lebanon, Tehran, Jerusalem, Dubai, Razek, Cairo, Washington

Iran, which backs Hamas, refers to regional countries and forces opposed to Israel and the United States as a "resistance front." Diplomatic efforts have concentrated on getting aid into Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, the sole route out that is not controlled by Israel. While tens of thousands have fled south, the United Nations says there is no way to move so many people without causing a humanitarian catastrophe. According to the United Nations, a million Gazans have already been driven from their homes. The Kremlin readout of the call did not include any mention of the ceasefire Russia was trying to achieve by putting forward a resolution in the United Nations Security Council.

Persons: Khan Younis, Mohammed Salem, Israel Russia's Putin, Israel's Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, gunning, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Amirabdollahian, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ebrahim Raisi, Israel, Netanyahu, Biden, Adrienne Watson, Khaled Meshaal, Vladimir Putin, Moscow, Putin, Abu Dahoud, Nidal al, Bassam Massoud, Nuha Sharaf, Ari Rabinovitch, Dan Williams, Henriette Chacar, Dedi, Maayan Lubell, Emily Rose, James Mackenzie, John Davison, Parisa, Humeyra Pamuk, Hatem Maher, Ahmed Tolba, Omar Abdel, Trevor Hunnicutt, Nandita Bose, Rami Ayyub, Katharine Jackson, Michelle Nichols, David Brunnstrom, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS, Diplomats, Gaza, U.S, Tel Aviv . Iranian, Zionist, Israel, National Security, Hezbollah, Nations, United Nations, Pentagon, United Nations Security Council, Palestinian Authority, Thomson Locations: Gaza, GAZA, JERUSALEM, WASHINGTON, Israel, Tel Aviv, Iran, Hamas, Israel's, Jerusalem, United States, Lebanon, Tehran, Egypt, Cairo, Rafah, Washington's, Syria, Lebanese, Russian, Russia, Dubai, Razek, Washington

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON/TEL AVIV, Oct 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's White House is wrestling with a host of thorny security and political challenges as officials plot a potential trip to Israel that may hold longer-term diplomatic advantages for Biden. The White House declined to comment on any planning for the trip. Biden's trip could be interpreted as support for Netanyahu's political and military choices, but it could also give Biden fresh leverage to influence events on the ground. "It's very, very sensitive and the White House is working through very sensitive areas," Pinkas said. Biden has visited Israel 10 times, first as a senator in 1973, before the Yom Kippur War involving Israel, Egypt and Syria.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Kevin Lamarque, Joe Biden's, Biden, Adrienne Watson, Netanyahu, Richard Nixon, Olaf Scholz, Jon Alterman, Alterman, Mahmoud Abbas, Alon Pinkas, Ehud Barak, Pinkas, Trevor Hunnicutt, Jarrett Renshaw, Humeyra Pamuk, Steve Holland, Matt Spetalnick, Heather Timmons, Howard Goller Organizations: Israeli, General Assembly, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, Biden, Israel, National Security, Ben, Presidential, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Democratic, Gaza, Palestinian, West Bank, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, TEL AVIV, Israel, Washington's, East, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ben Gurion, Lebanon, Ukraine, Egypt, Syria, Washington

Gaza authorities said more than 2,200 people have been killed, a quarter of them children, and nearly 10,000 wounded. On Friday, the Israeli military told residents of the northern half of the Gaza Strip, which includes the enclave's biggest settlement, Gaza City, to move south immediately. Hamas told people not to leave and says roads out are unsafe. Israel says Hamas is preventing people from leaving in order to use them as human shields, which Hamas denies. The only route out of Gaza not under Israeli control was a checkpoint with Egypt at Rafah.

Persons: Biden, Netanyahu, Abbas, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Ismail Haniyeh, Joe Biden, Mahmoud Abbas, Amir Cohen, Lloyd Austin, Shaheen, Israel's Kan, Tzachi Hanegbi, Israel, Nidal al, Ari Rabinovitch, Dan Williams, Henriette Chacar, Dedi, Maayan Lubell, Emily Rose, James Mackenzie, John Davison, Idrees Ali, Trevor Hunnicutt, Michelle Nichols, Patricia Zengerle, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Hamas, Lebanese, United Nations, . Security, Saturday, Israel, REUTERS, U.S . Department of Defense, Eisenhower, . Troops, Reuters, Palestinian Health Ministry, U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Iran, GAZA, JERUSALEM, Israel, Sunday, Lebanon, Qatar, New York, Russia, Ashkelon, Gaza City, Egypt, Rafah, Cairo, U.S, United States, Palestinian, Washington, Israel's, Jerusalem

☆ Biden interviewed by special counsel in classified documents case
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on his economic agenda at Prince George's Community College in Largo, Maryland, U.S. September 14, 2023.?REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 9 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden was interviewed as part of an investigation into his handling of classified documents by Special Counsel Robert Hur, the White House counsel's office said on Monday. The Democratic president's interview was voluntary and conducted over two days, concluding on Monday, Ian Sams, a spokesperson for the White House counsel's office, said in a statement. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in January named Hur as special counsel to probe the improper storage of classified documents at Biden's Delaware home and a think tank office set up for Biden after his 2009-2017 vice presidency. The White House declined to comment further, referring questions to the Justice Department. A wider-ranging inquiry into handling of classified documents has also been directed at Biden's main Republican potential rival for the 2024 elections, former President Donald Trump, who has been indicted in his case.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Robert Hur, Ian Sams, General Merrick Garland, Hur, Biden, Sams, Donald Trump, Trevor Hunnicutt, Kanishka Singh, Sandra Maler, Leslie Adler Organizations: Prince George's Community College, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, White, Biden's Delaware, Justice Department, Thomson Locations: Largo , Maryland, U.S, Biden's, Washington

WASHINGTON/SEOUL, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Private Travis King, the U.S. soldier who ran into North Korea in July, is in U.S. custody and heading home after being expelled by North Korea into China, the United States said on Wednesday. For its part, North Korea appears to have treated his case as one of illegal immigration. North Korea's KCNA state news agency said King told Pyongyang he entered North Korea illegally because he was disillusioned about unequal U.S. Last month, it said that he wanted refuge in North Korea or elsewhere because of maltreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. army. KING IN 'GOOD HEALTH'The Swedish government, which represents U.S. interests in North Korea because Washington has no diplomatic presence in the country, retrieved King in North Korea and brought him to China.

Persons: Travis King, King, KCNA, Matthew Miller, Nicholas Burns, Miller, Kim Hong, Jonathan Franks, Claudine Gates, Gates, Myron Gates, Fort Sam Houston, Brittney Griner, Hyonhee Shin, hyang Choi, Phil Stewart, Susan Heavey, Trevor Hunnicutt, Doina, Idrees Ali, Daphne Psaledakis Michael Martina, Humeyra Pamuk, David Brunnstrom, Brendan O'Brien, Johan Ahlander, Philippa Fletcher, Sharon Singleton, Bill Berkrot, Don Durfee, Daniel Wallis, William Maclean, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: North, The State Department, ., China . State Department, U.S, Osan Air Force Base, King, REUTERS, United States Army, ABC News, South Korean, Brooke Army Medical Center, Base San, Fort, Russia, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, SEOUL, U.S, North Korea, China, United States, Washington, Pyongyang, Swedish, Beijing, Dandong, Shenyang, South Korea, Sweden, Gijungdong, Panmunjom, Texas, Base San Antonio, Seoul, Chicago, Stockholm

The central bank's quest for a "soft landing" of more slowly rising prices and continued economic growth looks increasingly probable. In fact, the U.S. may hit a sweet spot just as the 2024 presidential election campaign crescendos next year. Rather than cheering, though, after years of economic turbulence since the coronavirus pandemic erupted in 2020, Americans grumble, at least if you ask them about the economy. With fast rising prices and the end of an array of pandemic-era government benefit programs, inflation-adjusted household income fell last year, and the poverty rate increased. A Biden adviser said the White House understands that the economy and inflation are a critical issue, and the campaign has a big media push planned on "Bidenomics."

Persons: Sarah Silbiger, Jerome Powell, crescendos, grumble, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Jimmy Carter's, Ronald Reagan, George H, Bush, Democrat Bill Clinton, Clinton, Biden, They've, that's, Robert Shiller, stupidly, Shiller, Powell, Howard Schneider, Trevor Hunnicutt, Heather Timmons, Paul Simao Organizations: El Progreso Market, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Rights, . Federal, Reuters, Republican, Biden, Democrat, U.S . Consumer, Yale University, McKinsey & Company, McKinsey, Thomson Locations: Mount Pleasant, Washington ,, U.S

A general view of the U.S. Capitol, where Congress will return Tuesday to deal with a series of spending bills before funding runs out and triggers a partial U.S. government shutdown, in Washington, U.S. September 25, 2023. Congress has shut down the government 14 times since 1981, though most of those funding gaps have lasted only a day or two. Despite the looming shutdown deadline, the House will turn its attention first to the four full-year bills, which even if they pass would not fund the full government or prevent a shutdown. Success is not guaranteed: Republican hardliners blocked action on spending bills last week and some have said they would try to do so again. But that could prompt Republican hardliners to act on their threat to depose McCarthy, plunging the chamber further into chaos.

Persons: Jonathan Ernst, Kevin McCarthy, Moody's, Joe Biden, McCarthy, Biden, McCarthy's, Ralph Norman, Donald Trump, David Morgan, Andy Sullivan, Moira Warburton, Trevor Hunnicutt, Scott Malone, Bill Berkrot Organizations: U.S . Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . House, Democratic, Republican, National, U.S . government's AAA, Republicans, Social Security, House Republicans, Sunday, Caucus, Senate, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Washington, China, Congress, America

She cited unpublished information from Vietnam's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, which did not respond to requests for comment. In recent years, Japanese investors Toyota Tsusho and Sojitz abandoned projects at Dong Pao after China ramped up supply, pummelling prices. Reuters GraphicsStill, rare earths at Dong Pao are relatively easy to access and are mostly concentrated in bastnaesite ores, according to the Hanoi University of Mining and Geology. The plant has capacity to process 5,000 tons of REO a year but the company plans to treble that to accommodate input from Dong Pao, Tuan said. The metallization process is controlled by China, which produces 90% of rare-earth metals, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Persons: Dong Pao, Blackstone, VTRE, Tessa Kutscher, Anh Tuan, Joe Biden, Kutscher, Sojitz, Dylan Kelly, Vingroup, Rivian, Dong, Tuan, David Merriman, John Rockhold, Dudley Kingsnorth, Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio, Khanh, Melanie Burton, Trevor Hunnicutt, Mai Nguyen, Phuong, David Crawshaw Organizations: REUTERS, Australia's Blackstone Minerals Ltd, Vietnam's Ministry of Natural Resources, Earth JSC, U.S, . Geological Survey, Reuters, Toyota, Terra Capital, Blackstone, Hanoi University of Mining, REO, White House, Department of Commerce, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, Strategic, ASM, Reuters Graphics Reuters, U.S . Department of Energy, Western Australian School of Mines, Curtin University, Thomson Locations: Nam, Lai Chau, Vietnam, Pao, HANOI, Dong, Beijing, China, Hanoi, U.S, Dong Pao, VTRE, South, Khanh Vu, Melbourne, Seoul, Washington, Phuong Nguyen

☆ Government shutdown risks food benefits for 7 million, Biden aide warns
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Steve Holland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Leah Millis Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 25 (Reuters) - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack warned on Monday that a government shutdown risks nutritional assistance for the nearly 7 million low-income women and children who rely on benefits. Vilsack said some benefits could be affected within days or weeks if Congress fails to provide funding for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1. A separate benefits program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), will continue as normal for the month of October but could be affected afterward, he said. "If we have a shutdown, WIC shuts down," Vilsack told reporters at a briefing. Nearly half of newborns in the United States rely on WIC, according to the Biden administration.

Persons: Tom Vilsack, Leah Millis, Vilsack, Joe Biden, Biden, Donald Trump, Steve Holland, Trevor Hunnicutt, Mark Potter, Deepa Babington Organizations: U.S . Department of Agriculture, White, REUTERS, Rights, . Agriculture, Women, Assistance, WIC, of Agriculture, Republican, Sunday, House Republicans, Democratic, Biden, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, Mexico, U.S

Ahead of a White House welcome for the leaders, Biden announced U.S. diplomatic recognition of two more Pacific islands nations, the Cook Islands and Niue. The White House said this year it would focus on priorities including climate change, economic growth, sustainable development, public health and countering illegal fishing. In Baltimore on Sunday, Pacific island leaders visited a Coast Guard cutter in the harbor and were briefed on combating illegal fishing by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, an official said. The White House in 2022 said the U.S. would invest more than $810 million in expanded programs to aid the Pacific islands. She added that Pacific island countries "welcome the U.S. re-engagement with the region, but don't want geopolitical tussles to result in an escalation of militarization."

Persons: Joe Biden, Walter E, Elizabeth Frantz, Biden, Manasseh Sogavare, Washington, Sogavare, Meg Keen, Sato Kilman, Kilman, Ishmael Kalsakau, David Brunnstrom, Trevor Hunnicutt, Kirsty Needham, Don Durfee, Grant McCool Organizations: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Washington Convention Center, REUTERS, Rights, Pacific, NFL, White, U.S ., Niue, Sunday, Coast Guard, Sunday's National Football League, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Solomon, Biden, Australia's Lowy Institute, USAID, Vanuatu, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Washington, Cook Islands, Niue, The U.S, Papua New Guinea, U.S, Asia, Cook, Baltimore, Pacific, China, Beijing, Congress, Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Kiribati, Hawaii, Palau, Micronesia, Marshall, Sydney

☆ US 'disappointed' Solomon Islands leader Sogavare to miss White House summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2023. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY/WASHINGTON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. is disappointed Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will not attend a Pacific Islands summit with U.S. President Joe Biden next week, the White House said on Saturday. "We are disappointed that PM Sogavare of the Solomons does not plan to attend," a Biden Administration official said. The Australian broadcaster ABC reported Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele will attend the summit instead. The Solomon Islands Prime Ministers Office did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Persons: Manasseh Sogavare, Eduardo Munoz, Solomon, Joe Biden, Biden, Jeremiah Manele, Sogavare, Xi Jinping, Sato Kilman, Trevor Hunnicutt, Kirsty Needham, Josie Kao Organizations: Islands, General Assembly, REUTERS, Rights SYDNEY, Solomon Islands, Pacific, White, Biden Administration, ABC, Solomon, Solomon Islands Prime Ministers, United Nations General Assembly, Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Vanuatu, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, WASHINGTON, China, Washington, Australian, Solomon Islands, New York, Beijing, Solomon, Sydney

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