The U.S. government still has not reached a consensus on how the coronavirus pandemic started, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Monday — despite news reports that the Energy Department has concluded the virus most likely leaked from a lab in China.
"The intelligence community and the rest of the government is still looking at this,” Kirby said. “There’s not been a definitive conclusion, so it’s difficult for me to...
Tuesday, 28 February 2023
Buttigieg ‘glad’ for federal audit on his use of government planes
The inspector general that oversees the Transportation Department is auditing Pete Buttigieg's use of government planes since becoming Transportation secretary — a move Buttigieg says he welcomes to help blunt what he called "misleading narratives" from conservatives about whether he abuses them.
"Glad this will be reviewed independently so misleading narratives can be put...
Feds looking to block $13 billion mortgage software deal
The Federal Trade Commission is expected to challenge the $13 billion takeover of mortgage data company Black Knight by financial services giant Intercontinental Exchange, according to three people with direct knowledge of the matter.
A case is expected to be filed some time in March, said the people, who were granted anonymity to discuss a confidential matter. The FTC believes...
DeSantis appoints political backers to new Disney oversight board
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday appointed members to a new board that oversees much of Disney World’s day-to-day operations, settling a long-running conflict with the entertainment giant over Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law.
DeSantis announced the five appointees, all political donors and loyalists, at a ceremony where he signed legislation that, in large part,...
Yellen makes surprise trip to Ukraine
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen made an unannounced trip to Kyiv on Monday to emphasize the Biden administration’s continued support for Ukraine as the country prepares for Russia’s highly-anticipated spring offensive.
“I bring to Kyiv a clear message from President Biden and the American people: We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” Yellen said during a meeting...
Monday, 27 February 2023
Voters of all stripes sour on Santos
NEW YORK — Democrats, independents and Republicans all agree — Rep. George Santos has got to go.
A new poll found that 66 percent of New York voters across the state believe the Long Island Republican should resign from Congress, according to the Siena College Research Institute Survey. That's up from 59 percent last month.
While 72 percent of Democrats want him out of office,...
The strengths and weaknesses of Volodymyr Zelenskyy
War hasn’t done anything to temper the Ukrainian leader’s impatience with the complexities of governing.
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Britain's Sunak in final push to get Brexit done
He is primed for a "final" meeting with Ursula von der Leyen as Tory Brexiteers wait for the big reveal.
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Jill Biden sees East Africa drought up close
LOSITETI, Kenya — First lady Jill Biden got an up-close look Sunday at the historic East Africa drought as she walked along arid land and listened as some Maasai women described how their children and livestock are going hungry. She appealed for more countries to join the United States to help alleviate the suffering.
Some areas of the Horn of Africa have endured five consecutive...
Jimmy Carter still a model for candidates asking, ‘Why not me?’
ATLANTA — As the 2024 campaign season begins, political players are looking in the mirror and deciding whether they see an American president staring back.
It was no different for Jimmy Carter in the early 1970s. And it took meeting several presidential candidates and then encouragement from an esteemed elder statesman before the young governor of Georgia, who had never met...
Leaders of House China panel condemn attack on Rep. Judy Chu
The leaders of the House's new select committee on China on Sunday defended Rep. Judy Chu after another lawmaker questioned her loyalty to the United States because of her Chinese heritage.
"One of my colleagues, unfortunately, attacked Judy Chu, the first Chinese American Congresswoman in the United States Congress, saying that somehow she's not loyal to the United States....
Top leaders to meet as Brexit deal edges closer
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will hold face-to-face talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
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Sunday, 26 February 2023
Russian nuclear fuel: The habit Europe just can't break
The EU managed to quickly cut down on Russian coal, gas and oil supplies, but can't seem to do the same for nuclear.
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British prime minister: 'We’re giving it everything we’ve got' on Brexit deal
Rishi Sunak says he's hopeful of "positive outcome" in negotiations.
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Media drop Dilbert after creator’s Black ‘hate group’ remark
The creator of the Dilbert comic strip faced a backlash of cancellations Saturday while defending remarks describing people who are Black as members of “a hate group” from which white people should “get away.”
Various media publishers across the U.S. denounced the comments by Dilbert creator Scott Adams as racist, hateful and discriminatory while saying they would no longer...
Florida Dems elect Nikki Fried to lead the party after 'horrific November'
MAITLAND, Fla. — Florida Democrats on Saturday elected Nikki Fried to what many Democrats consider the worst job in state politics.
Democrats picked Fried, the state’s former agriculture commissioner who also ran for governor last year, to be the party’s chair, replacing Manny Diaz, who stepped down in January. Diaz abruptly resigned following midterm elections that saw an...
Belarusian leader, a key Putin ally, plans state visit to China next week
Lukashenko has backed Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and allowed Belarusian territory to be used in the Russian assault.
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Why Russia's war is causing blackouts in Asia
Europe was expecting to freeze when Russia invaded Ukraine. Instead, the war’s shock waves left some Asian nations in the dark.
After a year of fighting, Europe's gas reserves are bulging and its leaders are moving forward with ambitious plans to green their economies. But it's starkly different thousands of miles away, where poor Asian countries are scrounging for fuel after...
Saturday, 25 February 2023
Russia may supply Iran with fighter jets, Kirby says
U.S. officials believe that Russia may provide Iran with fighter jets, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Friday, in the latest sign of the growing defense cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.
Iran has been supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine for months, Kirby emphasized to reporters. In November, Iran shipped artillery and tank rounds to Russia for...
