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☆ Biden to meet with Zelensky during NATO summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Arlette Saenz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Vilnius, Lithuania CNN —President Joe Biden will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the NATO summit on Wednesday, an official familiar with the meeting has confirmed. “I don’t think there is unanimity in NATO about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the NATO family now, at this moment, in the middle of a war,” Biden told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria last week. Biden and Zelensky have had multiple high-profile meetings over the last several months. During this NATO summit, Biden could face some scolding from allies over his decision to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine for the first time. Zelensky said Friday that Ukraine was grateful for a ‘timely, broad and much-needed’ defense aid package from the United States.

Persons: Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, Biden, “, ” Biden, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Zelensky, ” Zelensky, Zakaria, Joseph Biden, ” Organizations: Lithuania CNN, NATO, Politico, Ukraine, ABC Locations: Vilnius, Lithuania, Ukraine, Zelensky, Russia, Ukrainian, Washington, Kyiv, St, Michael’s, Hiroshima, Japan, Bakhmut, United States

Washington CNN —A powdery substance that was discovered at the White House Sunday evening, prompting a temporary evacuation of the complex, has been sent for further evaluation and testing, the Secret Service said. The sources said it was discovered in the West Wing, and one described it as a white powdery substance in a Ziploc bag. An official said the substance was found in a common area of the West Wing and not within an individual office. CNN has reached out to the White House and FBI for comment. The discovery of the substance on Sunday evening triggered a brief evacuation as part of what the Secret Service described as “precautionary closures.”President Joe Biden was at Camp David over the weekend and returned to the White House Tuesday morning.

Persons: Anthony Guglielmi, Guglielmi, Joe Biden, Camp David Organizations: Washington CNN, White, Service, West Wing, CNN, White House, FBI, Camp Locations: The Washington, DC

“The excesses of the Supreme Court are going to backfire,” said Rep. Ritchie Torres, a New York Democrat. “The Supreme Court is becoming not just conservative, but almost – it’s like a throwback. For months the White House publicly said there was no alternative plan if the Supreme Court struck down the student debt relief program. The White House also stayed in touch with and fielded suggestions for next steps from debt relief advocate groups and congressional allies throughout the process. A team from the White House counsel’s office came to brief him on the ruling.

Persons: Joe Biden wasn’t, ”, Biden, Donald Trump –, Ritchie Torres, “, Roe, Wade, it’s, ” Biden, hasn’t, we’re, Jeff Zients, –, Natalie Quillian, “ I’m, cancelation, Wisdom Cole, galvanizing, Congress –, Adam Green Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Biden, New, New York Democrat, Republican Party, Seagram, MSNBC, White House, White, Council, National Economic Council, Department of Education, Department of Justice, Justice Department and Education Department, Higher, Youth & College, NAACP, Congress, Progressive, Institute Locations: New York, New York City

CNN —When President Joe Biden referred to his Chinese counterpart as a dictator late Tuesday in California, the response from Beijing was swift and angry. Whether the new acrimony further derails a “thaw” in US-China ties, something that Biden has openly hoped for, remained an open question. “He didn’t know about it,” Biden told donors. Biden and Xi last met at a G20 conference in Bali. “You just saw what’s happened in Italy in that election,” Biden told the donors and Democratic officials at a Washington, D.C. fundraiser.

Persons: Joe Biden, ”, Biden, Xi Jinping, ” Biden, –, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Blinken hasn’t, Blinken’s, “, John Kerry, Xi, Donald Trump, John Kirby, Kirby, “ We’re, Dmitry Peskov, Peskov, Vladimir Putin’s, Emmanuel Macron Organizations: CNN, White, Democratic, APEC, Biden, Mar, National Security, Japan –, New York City Locations: California, Beijing, China, Marin County, “, –, Washington, India, Bali ., San Francisco, United States, Australia, Japan, Russia, New York, Italy, America, Cornish, England

CNN —Welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House this week for a state visit – the most elevated form of American diplomacy – will require President Joe Biden to make certain trade-offs. Yet Modi and India, the world’s largest democracy, also represent a lynchpin in Biden’s strategy in Asia. That, according to officials, was the rationale behind inviting Modi for a state visit, only the third of Biden’s presidency so far. The two leaders will hold a joint news conference – something virtually every state visit over the past two decades has featured – but that was only agreed upon after lengthy, delicate negotiations between the two sides. “We’re just grateful that Prime Minister Modi is going to be participating in a press event at the end of the visit.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Joe Biden, Modi, He’s, India’s, Biden, “ We’re, John Kirby, Jake Sullivan, New Delhi’s, ” Sullivan, “, Barack Obama, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, Howdy Modi, Emmanuel Macron, Rahul Gandhi, Modi’s, he’s, Pramila, Sen, Chris Van Hollen, Jayapal, ” Modi, Rashida, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio, Sullivan, ”, It’s, Russia can’t, Xi, ” Biden Organizations: CNN, Indian, White, Office, National Security, Indian Embassy, White House, Trump, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Rep, Democrat, Maryland Democrat, Reps, State Department Locations: India, Asia, China, Beijing, Ukraine, New, United States, America, Houston, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Washington, Maryland, Alexandria, Cortez, Russia

There has been close attention to diplomatic detail in advance of Thursday’s state dinner, including catering to the guest’s dietary restrictions. Nina Curtis, a plant-based chef from Sacramento, California, will be the dinner’s guest chef, working with White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford, and White House Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison to develop the menu, the office of the first lady said. Modi, a White House official said, is a vegetarian and “the First Lady selected Chef Curtis for her experience with plant-based cuisine.”And Grammy Award-winning American violinist and conductor Joshua Bell will provide the evening’s entertainment, the office of the first lady said. The state dinner is one element of an elaborate visit for the prime minister, which comes amid some criticism over Modi’s human rights record. This will mark the third state dinner of the Biden administration after the Bidens hosted French President Emmanuel Macron in December and South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol in April.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Narendra Modi, Nina Curtis, Cris Comerford, Susie Morrison, Modi, Chef Curtis, Joshua Bell, Betty Monkman, Jake Sullivan, “, Biden, Emmanuel Macron, Yoon Suk Organizations: CNN, White, State Department, South Locations: Washington, Sacramento , California, India, United States

CNN —First lady Dr. Jill Biden is emerging as a prominent voice taking on Republicans and former President Donald Trump since his indictment – even as the White House has maintained a stay-silent strategy on the legal case. Their support is so needed, because whether we like it or not, this guy (Trump) could be back,” he said. LaRosa noted that Biden’s language Tuesday evening in the Bay Area didn’t stray far from language she and the president have previously used. Former first lady Melania Trump actively avoided the campaign trail as her president campaigned for reelection in 2020. At her stops this week, Jill Biden touted the president’s accomplishments, including bipartisan work on infrastructure and gun safety.

Persons: Jill Biden, Donald Trump, ”, MAGA, MAGA Republicans ”, Trump, “, surrogates, Michael LaRosa, LaRosa, Biden, ” LaRosa, Bill Clinton’s, Gabrielle Giffords, it’s, Joe, Melania Trump, “ Joe Biden’s, ” Melania Trump, Michelle Obama, Mitt Romney Organizations: CNN, White, Trump, New York City, Associated Press, MAGA Republicans, Republicans, GOP, Gingrich Republicans, Giffords Law, “, ”, Democratic, Republican National Convention, Convention Locations: New York, California, Marin County , California, Mission, San Francisco, Bay, Florida, America, Atglen , Pennsylvania

☆ Inside a debt ceiling standoff ‘far more dangerous than people will recognize’
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Jeremy Diamond Lauren Fox Melanie Zanona Phil Mattingly Arlette Saenz Kevin Liptak | Jeremy Diamond | Lauren Fox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

“She’s well respected by both sides,” McCarthy said of the former longtime House Appropriations Committee staffer, according to White House officials. “Asking me about the communication (with the White House) implies there was communication,” one House Democrat said. For the White House negotiators, that meant late nights and early mornings. The White House negotiators left Capitol Hill abruptly and for hours, it was unclear when the conversations would resume. Quietly, White House negotiators had never actually stopped talking to their Republican counterparts.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, “, “ You’ve, ” Rep, Patrick McHenry, Biden, Steve Ricchetti, Shalanda Young, Louisa Terrell, ” McCarthy, James S, Alex Wong, Young, Garret Graves, ” Graves, Graves, Tom Cole of, ” Cole, White, Jeff Zients, McHenry, ‘, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Ricchetti, ”, ” Terrell, Dan Meyer, –, apprised, decamping, ’, Anna Moneymaker, nonstarters, ” McHenry, McHenry –, —, Susan Walsh, businesslike, Biden’s, Eisenhower, Zients, Jose Luis Magana, Young –, Louisianans –, Jim Clyburn, Clyburn, Annie Kuster, ” Kuster, wasn’t, ” Young Organizations: CNN, White, ”, Republican, Legislative, Young, Management, Brady, Capitol, White House, GOP, McCarthy’s, Pennsylvania, Capitol Hill, U.S, Biden, Democrat, Democratic, Republicans, Building, Air Force, West Executive, LSU Tigers, South Carolina Democrat, New Democrat Coalition, Democrats Locations: Irish, Washington , DC, Louisiana, Tom Cole of Oklahoma, McHenry, Hiroshima, Japan, Washington

A series of upcoming challenges, from the ongoing war in Ukraine to a still-uncertain economy, could provide hurdles to Biden’s reelection. The Washington beltway event may be indicative of what’s to come for the Biden reelection campaign strategy. “Just like four years ago—I’m off to teach and Joe’s launched his (re-election) campaign! Obama held his first reelection campaign rally in May 2012, 13 months after announcing his bid for a second term. The wait for a Biden reelection rally could be just as long.

☆ In Congo camp, Muslims celebrate Eid with much-needed food aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( Djaffar Al Katanty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Internally displaced Congolese Muslim women attend Eid al-Fitr prayers in the Munigi camp site near Goma in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, April 21, 2023. At the Munigi camp in the compound of a mosque outside the city of Goma, hundreds live in makeshift tents crowned by rugs or plastic sheets to keep out the rain. Eid marks the end of Ramadan, when Muslims fast during sunlight hours, when Muslims fast during sunlight hours. We are happy, we thank God," she said. But in the Munigi camp people of both religions live side by side.

Biden’s plan to run for reelection has been an open, if not officially announced, reality inside the West Wing for months. Biden said last week he had completed his “calculus” about mounting a reelection bid and would announce his intentions shortly. We’ll announce it relatively soon,” Biden said as he departed Ireland. “The trip here just reinforced my sense of optimism about what can be done,” the president told reporters. Biden’s aides have been quietly putting an infrastructure in place for a reelection campaign for months.

☆ Tiny troubles: Toddler infiltrates White House grounds
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Arlette Saenz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

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The GOP’s plan for a one-year debt limit increase, said McCarthy, would roll back domestic, non-defense spending to 2022 levels. Through his speech, McCarthy urged Wall Street to pressure the Biden administration to accept spending cuts. He also said that he wasn’t monitoring stock market conditions as he headed into debt ceiling negotiations. McCarthy expressed concern over these developments on Monday but said the Republican debt ceiling plan could solve some of those problems. “You can utilize the debt ceiling as the opportunity to do it,” he added.

Hong Kong/Atlanta/London CNN —Oil prices spiked Monday after OPEC+ producers unexpectedly announced that they would cut output. Brent crude, the global benchmark, jumped 5.31% to $84.13 a barrel, while WTI, the US benchmark, rose 5.48% to $79.83. With oil prices now rising, inflation could remain higher for longer, adding pressure to a hot-button issue for consumers around the world. Saudi Arabia now says it will cut oil production by another half a million barrels a day. “We’re focused on prices for American consumers, not barrels.”In October, OPEC+’s decision to cut production had already rankled the White House.

☆ Rwanda shoots at Congolese military jet over alleged airspace violation
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A video shared widely on Congolese social media showed a projectile shooting towards an airborne military plane, before exploding in the air near the plane, which continued to fly. Congo denied Rwanda's accusation that the jet had been in Rwandan airspace - the latest dispute between the two countries whose relationship has been strained by a rebel insurgency. Earlier the Rwandan government said Rwandan forces had fired at the jet after it violated Rwandan airspace in Rubavu - the same area as previous alleged violations, "prompting the government to take defensive measures." Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi said last week that the rebels had not fully withdrawn from those areas. In December, Rwanda said another fighter jet from Congo had briefly violated its air space.

☆ The Year in Pictures 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( The New York Times | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +57 min

Every year, starting in early fall, photo editors at The New York Times begin sifting through the year’s work in an effort to pick out the most startling, most moving, most memorable pictures. But 2022 undoubtedly belongs to the war in Ukraine, a conflict now settling into a worryingly predictable rhythm. Erin Schaff/The New York Times “When you’re standing on the ground, you can’t visualize the scope of the destruction. Jim Huylebroek for The New York Times Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 25. We see the same images over and over, and it’s really hard to make anything different.” Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb 26.

☆ Congolese government ups toll in massacre to 272 civilians
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Paul Lorgerie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Arlette BashiziKINSHASA, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo's government on Monday said 272 civilians were killed in a massacre in the eastern town of Kishishe last week, raising the death toll from a previous estimate of 50. It also said the rebels were backed by members of the Rwandan army, a frequent accusation by the Congolese government which Rwanda has consistently denied. Congo's army and the M23, a Tutsi-led militia, have been locked in fighting for months in the country's east. The death toll was announced by Congolese industry minister Julien Paluku, speaking at a press briefing with government spokesman Patrick Muyaya. "The United States urges Rwanda to honor commitments made in Luanda, including ending Rwanda's support to M23," Blinken said on Twitter.

CNN Business —President Joe Biden will sit down Friday with business executives and labor leaders to highlight recent progress in combating inflation and steadying the economy, a White House official told CNN. “Thanks to the President’s economic plan, the U.S. economy has created 10 million jobs—including 700,000 manufacturing jobs—since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration,” a White House official said. “We are seeing initial signs that inflation is coming down: the October Consumer Price Index showed moderation in inflation, as did the October Producer Price Index released this week. Biden’s sit-down with the business and labor executives comes two days after he returned from a week-long trip to several global conferences. The Consumer Price Index slowed to a 7.7% annual gain last month, a slower pace than the 8% that economists had been expecting.

☆ Civilians attack U.N. peacekeeping convoy in eastern Congo
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Civilians attacked a United Nations peacekeeping convoy in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday evening, injuring two people, the U.N. mission said on Wednesday. The convoy was attacked when it stopped at an army checkpoint near an internally displaced persons site in Kanyarutshinya, 8 kilometres (5 miles) from the city of Goma. A crowd assembled and threw stones at the convoy, setting fire to at least one truck, the U.N. mission, MONUSCO, said on Twitter. REUTERS/Arlette Bashizi 1 2 3Frustration has grown in the region this year with the U.N. mission, which civilians accuse of failing to protect them from worsening militia violence. Earlier on Tuesday, the U.N. announced a "strategic and tactical" withdrawal of 450 peacekeepers from Rumangabo, located further north, near Virunga Park.

In the West, only about 10 people have died of monkeypox this year, figures from the U.S. CDC show. No monkeypox vaccines are publicly available in Africa. But those failures are being repeated a year on with monkeypox, the health workers consulted by Reuters said. Congo health minister Jean-Jacques Mbungani told Reuters Congo was in talks with the WHO to buy vaccines, but no formal request had been made. A WHO spokeswoman said that in the absence of available vaccines, countries should instead focus on surveillance and contact tracing.

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