The Biden administration’s special envoy to Haiti resigned in protest of “inhumane” large-scale expulsions of Haitian migrants to their homeland as it is wracked by civil strife and natural disaster, U.S. officials said Thursday. Watch this report for more details.

US special envoy to Haiti resigns, pressure mounts on Biden administration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet US President Joe Biden for the first bilateral meeting between the two leaders on Friday. The Indian PM is on a three-day visit to the United States.

Indian PM Narendra Modi to meet US President Joe Biden, hold bilateral meeting

President Joe Biden has said that US will be purchasing 500 million additional doses of Pfizer covid-19 vaccine to distribute to the low and middle income countries across the world.

US Prez Joe Biden Pledges to donate 500 MN  additional Pfizer vaccines tot he world| WION USA Direct

President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that the United States is doubling its purchase of Pfizer’s COVID-19 shots to share with the world to 1 billion doses as he embraces the goal of vaccinating 70% of the global population within the next year. Watch this report for more details.

US President Joe Biden sets 2022 vaccination goals for the world

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the US, there is enormous potential for further alignment and deepening bilateral ties, Nisha Desai Biswal, president, US-India Business Council, has said.&nbsp;

Biswal, who had served as assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs in President Barack Obama's administration, was speaking to diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.&nbsp;

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On the first day of the US visit, Indian Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> will meet global CEOs.<a href="https://twitter.com/joinsumit?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@joinsumit</a> brings you <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sidhant</a>'s conversation with <a href="https://twitter.com/NishaBiswal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NishaBiswal</a> 
 
<a href="https://twitter.com/USIBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USIBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNGA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WIONatUNGA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONatUNGA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNGA2021</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ModiInUS</a> 
 
For more videos, visit: <a href="https://t.co/AXC5qRcEPB">https://t.co/AXC5qRcEPB</a> <a href="https://t.co/4puBpvcclO">pic.twitter.com/4puBpvcclO</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1440956576429330435?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Here is the interview: &nbsp;

WION: PM Modi will be engaging with the US president and the business community. How do you see this panning out? &nbsp;

Nisha Desai Biswal: This is a very anticipated visit by both leaders, Indian PM Modi and US President Joe Biden. They have many engagements in the past. This meeting comes at a very important time as world is battling Covid. Collaboration of the US and India on Covid is crucial. We are looking to galvanise action on climate change. PM Modi has been a key leader globally in fight against climate change. And [there is] Quad leaders' meeting on margins of UNGA. The importance of Quad is really high in framing opportunities for our four democracies -- India, the US, Australia and Japan -- to create ecosystem and opportunities to benefit Indo-Pacific region. It will be an important meeting and of course, from the US perspective, we hope there is focus on important role of private sector, need to deepen economic ties and trade ties. It will be an opportunity to start those conversations as well. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: There has been discussion on a mini US-India trade pact and private sector has been engaging on it. Do you think trade has the potential to expand?&nbsp;

Nisha Desai Biswal: Absolutely, I feel both countries have struggled to align their trade policy but increasingly, we see that trade between our nations, and deepening the economic partnership between our nations is not only important for India but for economic growth of the US too. It is important for our strategic partnership, and strategic power that India has become. So, I think now is the time to focus on how we reach alignment between the US and India. Both are one of the biggest economies in the world, which are outside of some of the big trading blocks in the Indo-Pacific region. This will be important area of focus. &nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;

WION: How do you see the evolution of this relationship in next few years? &nbsp;

Nisha Desai Biswal: The US-India Business Council was set up over 45 years ago, because our leaders even at a time when we did not have deep ties understood that we need to have that. Economic relationship is going to be a key part of that. So, I have seen throughout my career how the US and India systematically converged their goals aspirations and aligned their approaches to the point we are today. We are the most consequential partners for each other. We have enormous convergence. We are not carbon copy of each other and our approaches are also different. We have a stake in ensuring the future of Indo-Pacific region and world. I see an enormous potential for further alignment and deepening of ties between our two countries. &nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;

WION: Both countries are engaging on Indo-Pacific strongly. How can Indo-Pacific be a region where both countries can collaborate in terms of businesses, trade and connectivity? Is there a transparent way of connectivity that our leaders have been talking about? &nbsp;

Nisha Desai Biswal: I think you are seeing it already. Quad grouping, a framework was initiated when I was in government when Obama was the president. But it has become more and more consequential for the countries. The Quad framework is really about how our democracies can collaborate across a broad spectrum of issues whether it is on combating climate change, collaboration on Covid, on really ushering in the new technology, which are going to comprise future economy. And frankly, how we can support not only our four countries but all of the countries of the region. You are going to see that more coming out of the meeting of the leaders this week whether it is on deepening ties on education, key advanced technology, semi-conductors, 5G, etc. You will see Quad grouping is an important one ushering in the future that Indo-Pacific countries want. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: You are an Indian American. Indian Americans are a living bridge between two countries. Many are in present administration. How do you feel as an Indian American connecting between two countries? &nbsp;

Nisha Desai Biswal: Well, I think it's a source of great pride and joy to see these two countries become deep partners that they were always meant to be. I was able to contribute in it as a source with enormous pride and hope to see it get even brighter in the years to come. &nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;

WION: China is the dragon in the room. Do you think the Chinese economic crisis will have a wider impact? &nbsp;

Nisha Desai Biswal: I will not speak on it. I think we have global economy crisis right now as we look at it, and the impact of the pandemic has been around the world. What we have seen while coming out of that is that one focus needs to be on diversifying supply chain, de-risking investment and also just fulfill the real need to examine global trade to make sure that we are able to support inclusive growth. Companies are also trying to regionalise, and there is enormous potential for the US and India.&nbsp;

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the US, there is enormous potential for further alignment and deepening bilateral ties, Nisha Desai Biswal, president, US-India Business Council, has said.

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the US, there is enormous potential for further alignment and deepening bilateral ties, Nisha Desai Biswal, president, US-India Business Council, has said. Biswal, who had served as assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs in President Barack Obama's administration, was speaking to diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. On the first day of the US visit, Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi will meet global CEOs.@joinsumit brings you @sidhant's conversation with @NishaBiswal @USIBC #UNGA #WIONatUNGA #UNGA2021 #ModiInUS For more videos, visit: https://t.co/AXC5qRcEPB pic.twitter.com/4puBpvcclO — WION (@WIONews) September 23, 2021 × Here is the interview: WION: PM Modi will be engaging with the US president and the business community. How do you see this panning out? Nisha Desai Biswal: This is a very anticipated visit by both leaders, Indian PM Modi and US President Joe Biden. They have many engagements in the past. This meeting comes at a very important time as world is battling Covid. Collaboration of the US and India on Covid is crucial. We are looking to galvanise action on climate change. PM Modi has been a key leader globally in fight against climate change. And [there is] Quad leaders' meeting on margins of UNGA. The importance of Quad is really high in framing opportunities for our four democracies -- India, the US, Australia and Japan -- to create ecosystem and opportunities to benefit Indo-Pacific region. It will be an important meeting and of course, from the US perspective, we hope there is focus on important role of private sector, need to deepen economic ties and trade ties. It will be an opportunity to start those conversations as well. WION: There has been discussion on a mini US-India trade pact and private sector has been engaging on it. Do you think trade has the potential to expand? Nisha Desai Biswal: Absolutely, I feel both countries have struggled to align their trade policy but increasingly, we see that trade between our nations, and deepening the economic partnership between our nations is not only important for India but for economic growth of the US too. It is important for our strategic partnership, and strategic power that India has become. So, I think now is the time to focus on how we reach alignment between the US and India. Both are one of the biggest economies in the world, which are outside of some of the big trading blocks in the Indo-Pacific region. This will be important area of focus. WION: How do you see the evolution of this relationship in next few years? Nisha Desai Biswal: The US-India Business Council was set up over 45 years ago, because our leaders even at a time when we did not have deep ties understood that we need to have that. Economic relationship is going to be a key part of that. So, I have seen throughout my career how the US and India systematically converged their goals aspirations and aligned their approaches to the point we are today. We are the most consequential partners for each other. We have enormous convergence. We are not carbon copy of each other and our approaches are also different. We have a stake in ensuring the future of Indo-Pacific region and world. I see an enormous potential for further alignment and deepening of ties between our two countries. WION: Both countries are engaging on Indo-Pacific strongly. How can Indo-Pacific be a region where both countries can collaborate in terms of businesses, trade and connectivity? Is there a transparent way of connectivity that our leaders have been talking about? Nisha Desai Biswal: I think you are seeing it already. Quad grouping, a framework was initiated when I was in government when Obama was the president. But it has become more and more consequential for the countries. The Quad framework is really about how our democracies can collaborate across a broad spectrum of issues whether it is on combating climate change, collaboration on Covid, on really ushering in the new technology, which are going to comprise future economy. And frankly, how we can support not only our four countries but all of the countries of the region. You are going to see that more coming out of the meeting of the leaders this week whether it is on deepening ties on education, key advanced technology, semi-conductors, 5G, etc. You will see Quad grouping is an important one ushering in the future that Indo-Pacific countries want. WION: You are an Indian American. Indian Americans are a living bridge between two countries. Many are in present administration. How do you feel as an Indian American connecting between two countries? Nisha Desai Biswal: Well, I think it's a source of great pride and joy to see these two countries become deep partners that they were always meant to be. I was able to contribute in it as a source with enormous pride and hope to see it get even brighter in the years to come. WION: China is the dragon in the room. Do you think the Chinese economic crisis will have a wider impact? Nisha Desai Biswal: I will not speak on it. I think we have global economy crisis right now as we look at it, and the impact of the pandemic has been around the world. What we have seen while coming out of that is that one focus needs to be on diversifying supply chain, de-risking investment and also just fulfill the real need to examine global trade to make sure that we are able to support inclusive growth. Companies are also trying to regionalise, and there is enormous potential for the US and India.

Potential to deepen ties is enormous, says US-India Business Council president Nisha Desai Biswal  

President Joe Biden huddled with congressional Democrats on Wednesday to try to break through a potentially devastating impasse over his multitrillion-dollar domestic agenda, toiling to bridge intraparty divisions over an ambitious social safety net bill and a major infrastructure measure as Congress raced to head off a fiscal calamity.

Democrats on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue are nearing a make-or-break moment in their bid to push through huge new policies, as an escalating fight between the progressive and moderate wings — and a multitude of other divisions within the party — threatens to sink their chances of doing so while they retain control in Washington.

At the same time, even the basic functions of Congress — keeping the government from shutting down next week and from defaulting on its debt sometime next month — are in peril as Republicans refuse to support legislation that would both fund the government and increase the statutory cap on federal borrowing.

The challenges are unfolding against a backdrop of mistrust and strife within Democratic ranks. Moderates are pressing for quick action on the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill; progressives are demanding approval first of a far-reaching, $3.5 trillion domestic policy plan including vast new investments in climate, education, health and social programs.

Without consensus on both, Democrats, who have minuscule majorities in the House and Senate, will not have enough votes to send either to Biden’s desk. That prospect has sown alarm at the top echelons of the party.

On Wednesday, John Podesta, who held key White House roles under Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, sent a memo to every Democrat on Capitol Hill imploring them to scale back the $3.5 trillion plan in the interest of compromise, warning that doing otherwise would risk sinking both bills and costing the party control of Congress in next year’s midterm elections.

“You are either getting both bills or neither — and the prospect of neither is unconscionable,” he wrote. “It would signal a complete and utter failure of our democratic duty, and a reckless abdication of our responsibility. It would define our generation’s history and show that, when our time came, we failed, both for Americans now and in the years to come.”

Biden’s long day of meetings with lawmakers reflected a recognition that “there needs to be a deeper engagement by the president” to bring Democrats together, said Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary.

The president, she added, “sees his role as uniting and as working to bring together people over common agreement and on a path forward.”

That path is exceedingly murky as Democrats careen toward a tangle of fiscal and political deadlines with no discernible public strategy in place, but party leaders remained publicly sanguine on Wednesday.

“We are on schedule — that’s all I will say,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters after meeting with Biden for more than an hour. “We’re calm, and everybody’s good, and our work’s almost done.”

But Democrats conceded that the process was painful.

“When you’ve got 50 votes and none to lose, and you’ve got three to spare in the House, there’s a lot of give and take — that’s just the way it is,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who is chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. “It’s tough. But I think at the end of the day, we’re going to be fine.”

At the crux of the stalemate is a leadership commitment to a group of moderate Democrats that the House would take up the Senate-passed bipartisan infrastructure bill by Monday. Liberal House Democrats say they will vote down the measure until their priority legislation first clears both the House and Senate.

Those Democrats say the infrastructure bill, which omitted most of their top priorities including major provisions to combat climate change, cannot be separated from the $3.5 trillion package, which contains many of those elements, such as a shift to electric power. Beyond the climate portions, the social policy measure would, among many other things, extend child care and child tax credits, expand free prekindergarten and community college and fortify Medicare.

But key centrists in the Senate have balked at that package, which Democrats plan to push through using a fast-track budget process known as reconciliation that shields it from a filibuster. Sens. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona both voted to begin work on a $3.5 trillion measure, but have since warned they will not support spending that much.

On Wednesday, Biden urged the holdouts to specify exactly what they would support, so Democrats could coalesce behind a plan that could pass.

“Find a number you’re comfortable with, based on what you believe the needs that we still have, and how we deliver to the American people,” Manchin said, describing the president’s request. “He was very straightforward in what he asked us to do.”

The internal disputes are escalating just as Congress is facing urgent deadlines. Without congressional action, at 12:01 a.m. next Friday, federal funding will lapse, shutting down the government. And at some point in October, the Treasury Department will reach its statutory borrowing limit, forcing it to halt some payments to international creditors, Social Security recipients and government contractors.

Amid those looming crises, Republican leaders are practically taunting Democrats, refusing to back legislation coupling a debt-limit increase and a stopgap spending measure.

“Don’t play Russian roulette with the economy; step up and raise the debt ceiling,” Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, said on Wednesday, even as he vowed not to give Democrats a single Republican vote.

And House Republicans on Wednesday urged their rank-and-file members to oppose the bipartisan infrastructure bill that they said had been “inextricably linked” to the reconciliation package.

“Republicans should not aid in this destructive process,” the office of Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the No. 2 Republican, warned in a notice calling for “no” votes.

On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of former Treasury secretaries wrote to congressional leaders in both parties to express a “deep sense of urgency” to raise the debt limit. Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve chair, offered a similar plea in a news conference.

“No one should assume that the Fed or anyone else can protect the markets and the economy, fully protect, in the event of a failure to make sure that we do pay those debts when they’re due,” he said.

Beyond that issue, Democrats must find a way to salvage Biden’s agenda. They had hoped to emerge from Wednesday’s meeting with public commitments from key moderates including Manchin and Sinema to support a reconciliation bill, but by evening they still had no such statement from the two senators.

Offering “COVID-safe” individually wrapped chocolate chip cookies bearing the presidential seal, Biden spent much of the day on Wednesday hosting groups of lawmakers in the Oval Office, beginning with Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the Senate majority leader.

He met with nearly two dozen senators and House members from across the ideological range of his party, including liberal leaders and some of the moderates who played key roles in negotiating the infrastructure bill.

White House officials said Biden and his team would have follow-up meetings, beginning Thursday.

By Monday, leaders hope to reach agreement on a total price for the reconciliation measure, which will likely fall below the $3.5 trillion budget blueprint, and an ironclad agreement on some key provisions that must be in the final package.

So far, neither side is budging. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., accused more conservative Democrats of making “impulsive and arbitrary demands,” while setting unnecessary deadlines like the Monday infrastructure vote.

“The package, the investments and the programs that we have in there are rather nonnegotiable. That’s why we are kind of at this impasse,” she said, adding, “We are at a moment, and a test of political will.”

Rep. Stephanie Murphy, a moderate from Florida, said it would be “really disappointing and embarrassing” if the infrastructure bill failed because of opposition from progressives.

After her meeting with Biden, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said that “there isn’t a lot of trust” among Democrats, reiterating that liberals would follow through on their promise to vote against the infrastructure measure on Monday.

But the list of moderate objections is long and varied. Rep. Kurt Schrader of Oregon wants a bill that spends less than $1 trillion over 10 years. Rep. Ed Case of Hawaii has said he will not accept phasing in or phasing out of programs and tax measures to mask their true costs if made permanent. Rep. Kathleen Rice of New York objects to the get-tough approach to curb prescription drug prices.

And the disputes go beyond ideological differences. Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York says he will not vote for any version that does not substantially reinstate the state and local tax deduction, a crucial issue for high-tax states. Rep. Alma Adams of North Carolina says she will oppose the bill if it does not include tens of billions of dollars more for historically Black colleges and minority-serving institutions.

Democrats across the ideological spectrum said forging consensus would be a tall order.

“We’ve got a hectic few days ahead,” Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a moderate from New Jersey, said after emerging from his negotiating session with Biden and other lawmakers.

President Joe Biden huddled with congressional Democrats on Wednesday to try to break through a potentially devastating impasse over his multitrillion-dollar domestic agenda, toiling to bridge intraparty divisions over an ambitious social safety net bill and a major infrastructure measure as Congress raced to head off a fiscal calamity.

President Joe Biden huddled with congressional Democrats on Wednesday to try to break through a potentially devastating impasse over his multitrillion-dollar domestic agenda, toiling to bridge intraparty divisions over an ambitious social safety net bill and a major infrastructure measure as Congress raced to head off a fiscal calamity. Democrats on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue are nearing a make-or-break moment in their bid to push through huge new policies, as an escalating fight between the progressive and moderate wings — and a multitude of other divisions within the party — threatens to sink their chances of doing so while they retain control in Washington. At the same time, even the basic functions of Congress — keeping the government from shutting down next week and from defaulting on its debt sometime next month — are in peril as Republicans refuse to support legislation that would both fund the government and increase the statutory cap on federal borrowing. The challenges are unfolding against a backdrop of mistrust and strife within Democratic ranks. Moderates are pressing for quick action on the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill; progressives are demanding approval first of a far-reaching, $3.5 trillion domestic policy plan including vast new investments in climate, education, health and social programs. Without consensus on both, Democrats, who have minuscule majorities in the House and Senate, will not have enough votes to send either to Biden’s desk. That prospect has sown alarm at the top echelons of the party. On Wednesday, John Podesta, who held key White House roles under Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, sent a memo to every Democrat on Capitol Hill imploring them to scale back the $3.5 trillion plan in the interest of compromise, warning that doing otherwise would risk sinking both bills and costing the party control of Congress in next year’s midterm elections. “You are either getting both bills or neither — and the prospect of neither is unconscionable,” he wrote. “It would signal a complete and utter failure of our democratic duty, and a reckless abdication of our responsibility. It would define our generation’s history and show that, when our time came, we failed, both for Americans now and in the years to come.” Biden’s long day of meetings with lawmakers reflected a recognition that “there needs to be a deeper engagement by the president” to bring Democrats together, said Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary. The president, she added, “sees his role as uniting and as working to bring together people over common agreement and on a path forward.” That path is exceedingly murky as Democrats careen toward a tangle of fiscal and political deadlines with no discernible public strategy in place, but party leaders remained publicly sanguine on Wednesday. “We are on schedule — that’s all I will say,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters after meeting with Biden for more than an hour. “We’re calm, and everybody’s good, and our work’s almost done.” But Democrats conceded that the process was painful. “When you’ve got 50 votes and none to lose, and you’ve got three to spare in the House, there’s a lot of give and take — that’s just the way it is,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who is chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. “It’s tough. But I think at the end of the day, we’re going to be fine.” At the crux of the stalemate is a leadership commitment to a group of moderate Democrats that the House would take up the Senate-passed bipartisan infrastructure bill by Monday. Liberal House Democrats say they will vote down the measure until their priority legislation first clears both the House and Senate. Those Democrats say the infrastructure bill, which omitted most of their top priorities including major provisions to combat climate change, cannot be separated from the $3.5 trillion package, which contains many of those elements, such as a shift to electric power. Beyond the climate portions, the social policy measure would, among many other things, extend child care and child tax credits, expand free prekindergarten and community college and fortify Medicare. But key centrists in the Senate have balked at that package, which Democrats plan to push through using a fast-track budget process known as reconciliation that shields it from a filibuster. Sens. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona both voted to begin work on a $3.5 trillion measure, but have since warned they will not support spending that much. On Wednesday, Biden urged the holdouts to specify exactly what they would support, so Democrats could coalesce behind a plan that could pass. “Find a number you’re comfortable with, based on what you believe the needs that we still have, and how we deliver to the American people,” Manchin said, describing the president’s request. “He was very straightforward in what he asked us to do.” The internal disputes are escalating just as Congress is facing urgent deadlines. Without congressional action, at 12:01 a.m. next Friday, federal funding will lapse, shutting down the government. And at some point in October, the Treasury Department will reach its statutory borrowing limit, forcing it to halt some payments to international creditors, Social Security recipients and government contractors. Amid those looming crises, Republican leaders are practically taunting Democrats, refusing to back legislation coupling a debt-limit increase and a stopgap spending measure. “Don’t play Russian roulette with the economy; step up and raise the debt ceiling,” Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, said on Wednesday, even as he vowed not to give Democrats a single Republican vote. And House Republicans on Wednesday urged their rank-and-file members to oppose the bipartisan infrastructure bill that they said had been “inextricably linked” to the reconciliation package. “Republicans should not aid in this destructive process,” the office of Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the No. 2 Republican, warned in a notice calling for “no” votes. On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of former Treasury secretaries wrote to congressional leaders in both parties to express a “deep sense of urgency” to raise the debt limit. Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve chair, offered a similar plea in a news conference. “No one should assume that the Fed or anyone else can protect the markets and the economy, fully protect, in the event of a failure to make sure that we do pay those debts when they’re due,” he said. Beyond that issue, Democrats must find a way to salvage Biden’s agenda. They had hoped to emerge from Wednesday’s meeting with public commitments from key moderates including Manchin and Sinema to support a reconciliation bill, but by evening they still had no such statement from the two senators. Offering “COVID-safe” individually wrapped chocolate chip cookies bearing the presidential seal, Biden spent much of the day on Wednesday hosting groups of lawmakers in the Oval Office, beginning with Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the Senate majority leader. He met with nearly two dozen senators and House members from across the ideological range of his party, including liberal leaders and some of the moderates who played key roles in negotiating the infrastructure bill. White House officials said Biden and his team would have follow-up meetings, beginning Thursday. By Monday, leaders hope to reach agreement on a total price for the reconciliation measure, which will likely fall below the $3.5 trillion budget blueprint, and an ironclad agreement on some key provisions that must be in the final package. So far, neither side is budging. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., accused more conservative Democrats of making “impulsive and arbitrary demands,” while setting unnecessary deadlines like the Monday infrastructure vote. “The package, the investments and the programs that we have in there are rather nonnegotiable. That’s why we are kind of at this impasse,” she said, adding, “We are at a moment, and a test of political will.” Rep. Stephanie Murphy, a moderate from Florida, said it would be “really disappointing and embarrassing” if the infrastructure bill failed because of opposition from progressives. After her meeting with Biden, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said that “there isn’t a lot of trust” among Democrats, reiterating that liberals would follow through on their promise to vote against the infrastructure measure on Monday. But the list of moderate objections is long and varied. Rep. Kurt Schrader of Oregon wants a bill that spends less than $1 trillion over 10 years. Rep. Ed Case of Hawaii has said he will not accept phasing in or phasing out of programs and tax measures to mask their true costs if made permanent. Rep. Kathleen Rice of New York objects to the get-tough approach to curb prescription drug prices. And the disputes go beyond ideological differences. Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York says he will not vote for any version that does not substantially reinstate the state and local tax deduction, a crucial issue for high-tax states. Rep. Alma Adams of North Carolina says she will oppose the bill if it does not include tens of billions of dollars more for historically Black colleges and minority-serving institutions. Democrats across the ideological spectrum said forging consensus would be a tall order. “We’ve got a hectic few days ahead,” Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a moderate from New Jersey, said after emerging from his negotiating session with Biden and other lawmakers.

Biden huddles with Democrats as divisions threaten his agenda

Declaring “we need to go big,” President Joe Biden on Wednesday called on other world leaders, pharmaceutical executives, philanthropists and civil society organizations to band together to forge a global consensus around a plan to fight the coronavirus crisis.

Speaking at the opening of a virtual COVID-19 summit he is convening in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, Biden cited two especially urgent challenges: vaccinating the world against COVID-19 and solving a global oxygen crisis, which is leading to unnecessary deaths among COVID-19 patients who might survive if oxygen were available.

“We’re not going to solve this crisis with half measures or middle of the road ambitions — we need to go big,” the president said, adding, “It’s an all-hands-on-deck crisis.”

But it may be hard to turn Biden’s words into reality. Less than 10% of the population of poor nations — and less than 4% of the African population — has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. COVAX, the World Health Organization-backed international vaccine initiative, is behind schedule in delivering shots to the low- and middle-income nations that need them the most.

Around the world, more than 4.5 million people have died of COVID-19 — a “global tragedy,” Biden said. But critics of the administration had low expectations for the gathering.

“This summit deserves to be, needs to be, a debate of historic dimensions,” Peter Maybaruk, access to medicines director for Public Citizen, the consumer advocacy organization, which has been urging the administration to adopt a $25 billion plan to scale up vaccine manufacturing around the world.

“But it won’t be that kind of debate,” he added. “The summit plan is for a long afternoon of videos, many of them recorded in advance. The hosts are unlikely to be significantly challenged by developing country governments and people at risk of losing their families. Which means, as important as the summit is to corral further commitments, it will not produce the transformative response needed to end the pandemic.”

The summit was to begin with Biden and other world leaders, including António Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, gathering virtually for a small panel discussion entitled “Call the World to Account and Vaccinate the World,” moderated by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Biden’s ambassador to the United Nations. Participants include other presidents and prime ministers, including President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, according to an agenda obtained by The New York Times.

Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to lead a session at the summit around 1:30 p.m. ET on preventing future pandemics.

White House officials have said that Biden’s message to the group will be that the U.S. cannot fight the pandemic or address the global vaccine shortage on its own. Earlier Wednesday, Pfizer-BioNTech announced that it had struck a deal with the Biden administration to sell the U.S. an additional 500 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine, to be donated to nations that need them. Biden heralded the deal in his opening remarks.

Drug company executives, philanthropists and leaders of nonprofit organizations have also been invited to the summit, which administration officials say is the largest gathering of heads of state to date to address the global pandemic.

Biden has been under intense pressure from global health experts to do more to address the vaccine shortage.

At a briefing held by Physicians for Human Rights earlier this week, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, WHO's chief scientist, sounded a note of urgency and issued a plea for nations to work together to distribute vaccines in a coordinated — and equitable — fashion. She also urged countries to share their excess supplies.

“A country-by-country approach, a nationalistic approach, is not going to get us out of this pandemic,” she said. “And that’s where we are today.”

Declaring “we need to go big,” President Joe Biden on Wednesday called on other world leaders, pharmaceutical executives, philanthropists and civil society organizations to band together to forge a global consensus around a plan to fight the coronavirus crisis.

Declaring “we need to go big,” President Joe Biden on Wednesday called on other world leaders, pharmaceutical executives, philanthropists and civil society organizations to band together to forge a global consensus around a plan to fight the coronavirus crisis. Speaking at the opening of a virtual COVID-19 summit he is convening in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, Biden cited two especially urgent challenges: vaccinating the world against COVID-19 and solving a global oxygen crisis, which is leading to unnecessary deaths among COVID-19 patients who might survive if oxygen were available. “We’re not going to solve this crisis with half measures or middle of the road ambitions — we need to go big,” the president said, adding, “It’s an all-hands-on-deck crisis.” But it may be hard to turn Biden’s words into reality. Less than 10% of the population of poor nations — and less than 4% of the African population — has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. COVAX, the World Health Organization-backed international vaccine initiative, is behind schedule in delivering shots to the low- and middle-income nations that need them the most. Around the world, more than 4.5 million people have died of COVID-19 — a “global tragedy,” Biden said. But critics of the administration had low expectations for the gathering. “This summit deserves to be, needs to be, a debate of historic dimensions,” Peter Maybaruk, access to medicines director for Public Citizen, the consumer advocacy organization, which has been urging the administration to adopt a $25 billion plan to scale up vaccine manufacturing around the world. “But it won’t be that kind of debate,” he added. “The summit plan is for a long afternoon of videos, many of them recorded in advance. The hosts are unlikely to be significantly challenged by developing country governments and people at risk of losing their families. Which means, as important as the summit is to corral further commitments, it will not produce the transformative response needed to end the pandemic.” The summit was to begin with Biden and other world leaders, including António Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, gathering virtually for a small panel discussion entitled “Call the World to Account and Vaccinate the World,” moderated by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Biden’s ambassador to the United Nations. Participants include other presidents and prime ministers, including President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, according to an agenda obtained by The New York Times. Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to lead a session at the summit around 1:30 p.m. ET on preventing future pandemics. White House officials have said that Biden’s message to the group will be that the U.S. cannot fight the pandemic or address the global vaccine shortage on its own. Earlier Wednesday, Pfizer-BioNTech announced that it had struck a deal with the Biden administration to sell the U.S. an additional 500 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine, to be donated to nations that need them. Biden heralded the deal in his opening remarks. Drug company executives, philanthropists and leaders of nonprofit organizations have also been invited to the summit, which administration officials say is the largest gathering of heads of state to date to address the global pandemic. Biden has been under intense pressure from global health experts to do more to address the vaccine shortage. At a briefing held by Physicians for Human Rights earlier this week, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, WHO's chief scientist, sounded a note of urgency and issued a plea for nations to work together to distribute vaccines in a coordinated — and equitable — fashion. She also urged countries to share their excess supplies. “A country-by-country approach, a nationalistic approach, is not going to get us out of this pandemic,” she said. “And that’s where we are today.”

‘We need to go big’: US President Joe Biden calls on global partners to bolster world’s COVID-19 response

Iran's new President slammed U.S. sanctions imposed on his nation as a mechanism of war, using his first UN address since his swearing-in to forcefully call out Washington's policies in the region and the growing political schism within America. Watch this report for more details.

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi slams the US in maiden UNGA address

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for a three-day visit to the US on Wednesday. Duringhis visit, he will address UN General Assembly, attend the Quad summit and also hold a bilateral meet with US President Joe Biden.

Biden will host PM Modi at the White House on September 24. This will be his first in-person meeting with Modi after he became president of theh US.

As per the statement issued by Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, PM Modi and President Biden are expected to discuss ways to stem radicalisation and combat terrorism. They are also expected to discuss ways to bolster defence, trade ties, security collaborations and clean energy partnership among others.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/exclusive-bilateral-ties-destined-to-move-ahead-says-indias-envoy-to-us-taranjit-singh-sandhu-414790">Exclusive-Bilateral ties destined to move ahead, says India's envoy to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu</a>

PM Modi and Biden will discuss the current regional security situation following the recent developments in Afghanistan. PM Modi will also hold business interactions during his US visit from September 22-25. Prime Minister Modi will attend the first in-person summit of the Quad hosted by the US President on Friday, which will be attended by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan and Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia. PM Modi will address the General Debate of the High-Level Segment of 76th Session of UN General Assembly (UNGA) on September 25 in New York. The theme for this year`s general debate is building resilience through hope to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainability, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people and revitalise the United Nations.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/on-unga-sidelines-jaishankar-discusses-afghanistan-indo-pacific-in-bilateral-meetings-414763">On UNGA sidelines, Jaishankar discusses Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific in bilateral meetings&nbsp;</a> 
 
While addressing the UN General Assembly, the Prime Minister will dwell on the important issues, including the regional situation, cross border terrorism, global efforts to combat COVID-19 and climate change and the need to reform multilateral institutions.&nbsp;

Another element of the Prime Minister`s visit would be bilateral meetings with Japan and Australia. He will hold several bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/president-biden-pm-modis-meeting-will-strengthen-deep-ties-says-us-ahead-of-unga-414562">President Biden, PM Modi's meeting will strengthen deep ties, says US ahead of UNGA</a>

PM Modi is accompanied by a high-level delegation consisting of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and senior officials including Shringla. This is Prime Minister Modi`s first visit abroad beyond the neighbourhood since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for a three-day visit to the US on Wednesday. Duringhis visit, he will address UN General Assembly, attend the Quad summit and also hold a bilateral meet with US President Joe Biden.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for a three-day visit to the US on Wednesday. Duringhis visit, he will address UN General Assembly, attend the Quad summit and also hold a bilateral meet with US President Joe Biden. Biden will host PM Modi at the White House on September 24. This will be his first in-person meeting with Modi after he became president of theh US. As per the statement issued by Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, PM Modi and President Biden are expected to discuss ways to stem radicalisation and combat terrorism. They are also expected to discuss ways to bolster defence, trade ties, security collaborations and clean energy partnership among others. Also Read: Exclusive-Bilateral ties destined to move ahead, says India's envoy to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu PM Modi and Biden will discuss the current regional security situation following the recent developments in Afghanistan. PM Modi will also hold business interactions during his US visit from September 22-25. Prime Minister Modi will attend the first in-person summit of the Quad hosted by the US President on Friday, which will be attended by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan and Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia. PM Modi will address the General Debate of the High-Level Segment of 76th Session of UN General Assembly (UNGA) on September 25 in New York. The theme for this year`s general debate is building resilience through hope to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainability, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people and revitalise the United Nations. Also Read: On UNGA sidelines, Jaishankar discusses Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific in bilateral meetings While addressing the UN General Assembly, the Prime Minister will dwell on the important issues, including the regional situation, cross border terrorism, global efforts to combat COVID-19 and climate change and the need to reform multilateral institutions. Another element of the Prime Minister`s visit would be bilateral meetings with Japan and Australia. He will hold several bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Also Read: President Biden, PM Modi's meeting will strengthen deep ties, says US ahead of UNGA PM Modi is accompanied by a high-level delegation consisting of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and senior officials including Shringla. This is Prime Minister Modi`s first visit abroad beyond the neighbourhood since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi leaves for three-day visit to US

In his first address to the to the United Nations General Assembly, US president Joe Biden focus the importance of working together as a single major alliance. The US prez emphasized the importance of allies at a time when US has strained diplomatic ties with some of its allies.

Joe Biden declares world at 'inflection point', emphasizes importance of allies

A look back at Indo-US relations as Modi-Biden prep to meet at UNGA

India and the US Are the world's two largest democracies. The collaboration between the two extends from intelligence to maritime ties, and even to cyber cooperation. In the last couple of years, the two countries have grown closer, to combat a common enemy - China.

In October 1949, India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru went on a goodwill tour of the United States. He addressed the US House of Representatives and the US Senate and met with US President Harry Truman.

Despite failing to reap any economic benefits for India, the trip managed to lay the groundwork for America's relationship with India.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/president-biden-pm-modis-meeting-will-strengthen-deep-ties-says-us-ahead-of-unga-414562">President Biden, PM Modi's meeting will strengthen deep ties, says US ahead of UNGA</a>

In December 1959, President Dwight Eisenhower became the first serving US President to visit New Delhi.

Eisenhower's visit helped India acquire adequate financial assistance, and achieve reasonable stability during the Cold War.

Since then, 7 US Presidents have visited India, and 9 Indian Prime Ministers have visited the US. But a strategic partnership between the two countries, emerged only in 2010.

In June 2010, the United States and India formally convened the first US-India strategic dialogue.

A high-ranking delegation of Indian officials visited Washington DC, the US Secretary of state Hillary Clinton called India 'an indispensable partner'.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-general-assembly-2021-heres-what-to-watch-for-414439">United Nations General Assembly 2021: Here's what to watch for</a>

US President Barack Obama called the relationship 'a defining partnership in the 21st century'.

In November 2010, President Barack Obama visited India for the first time.

He addressed the Indian parliament, and backed India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Obama also announced 14.9 billion dollars in trade deals.

In 2014, the newly-elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited by President Obama to the White House.

Prime minister Modi's first visit included a sold-out event in New York’s Madison Square Garden and meetings with US business executives.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-unga-jinping-claimed-china-is-not-expansionist-these-facts-tell-otherwise-329724">At UNGA, Jinping claimed China is not 'expansionist'. These facts tell otherwise!</a>

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding between the export-import bank and an Indian energy agency.

In 2015, President Obama made his second visit to India as head of state for India’s Republic Day celebrations.

He heralded the relationship between the two largest democracies, saying, 'America can be India’s best partner.'

In 2017, US President Donald Trump welcomed Prime Minister Modi to the White House for their first face-to-face meeting.

The joint statement emphasized on strengthening their defence partnership, cooperating on counterterrorism efforts, and boosting economic ties.

Though Trump had raised sharp disagreements with India over trade, Climate Change, and H-1B visas, these issues were sidelined during the leaders’ summit.

In 2018, during a two-plus-two dialogue in New Delhi, India &amp; US signed the COMCASA - Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement.

This gave India access to advanced defence technology in America. The agreement had been under negotiation for nearly a decade.

In 2020, Donald Trump made his first &amp; last visit to India as US President. New Delhi agreed to purchase US military equipment worth 3 billion dollars.

In July this year, US Defence Secretary Austin visited India to boost partnership and discuss challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

Austin's visit aimed to expand cooperation between the two sides amidst China's growing assertiveness in the region.

Austin also called on Prime Minister Modi and discussed international, regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest.

The upcoming Quad summit and the UNGA come close on the heels of US Withdrawal from Afghanistan and the takeover by Taliban.

The implications of a Taliban-led Afghanistan particularly from India’s national security perspective is likely to figure high on the Quad’s agenda.

Equally important would be the discussions on developments in the Indo-Pacific, as both the US And India aim to counter Beijing's aggression.

A look back at Indo-US relations as Modi-Biden prep to meet at UNGA India and the US Are the world's two largest democracies. The collaboration between the two extends from intelligence to maritime ties, and even to cyber cooperation.

A look back at Indo-US relations as Modi-Biden prep to meet at UNGA India and the US Are the world's two largest democracies. The collaboration between the two extends from intelligence to maritime ties, and even to cyber cooperation. In the last couple of years, the two countries have grown closer, to combat a common enemy - China. In October 1949, India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru went on a goodwill tour of the United States. He addressed the US House of Representatives and the US Senate and met with US President Harry Truman. Despite failing to reap any economic benefits for India, the trip managed to lay the groundwork for America's relationship with India. Also Read | President Biden, PM Modi's meeting will strengthen deep ties, says US ahead of UNGA In December 1959, President Dwight Eisenhower became the first serving US President to visit New Delhi. Eisenhower's visit helped India acquire adequate financial assistance, and achieve reasonable stability during the Cold War. Since then, 7 US Presidents have visited India, and 9 Indian Prime Ministers have visited the US. But a strategic partnership between the two countries, emerged only in 2010. In June 2010, the United States and India formally convened the first US-India strategic dialogue. A high-ranking delegation of Indian officials visited Washington DC, the US Secretary of state Hillary Clinton called India 'an indispensable partner'. Also Read | United Nations General Assembly 2021: Here's what to watch for US President Barack Obama called the relationship 'a defining partnership in the 21st century'. In November 2010, President Barack Obama visited India for the first time. He addressed the Indian parliament, and backed India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Obama also announced 14.9 billion dollars in trade deals. In 2014, the newly-elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited by President Obama to the White House. Prime minister Modi's first visit included a sold-out event in New York’s Madison Square Garden and meetings with US business executives. Also Read | At UNGA, Jinping claimed China is not 'expansionist'. These facts tell otherwise! The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding between the export-import bank and an Indian energy agency. In 2015, President Obama made his second visit to India as head of state for India’s Republic Day celebrations. He heralded the relationship between the two largest democracies, saying, 'America can be India’s best partner.' In 2017, US President Donald Trump welcomed Prime Minister Modi to the White House for their first face-to-face meeting. The joint statement emphasized on strengthening their defence partnership, cooperating on counterterrorism efforts, and boosting economic ties. Though Trump had raised sharp disagreements with India over trade, Climate Change, and H-1B visas, these issues were sidelined during the leaders’ summit. In 2018, during a two-plus-two dialogue in New Delhi, India & US signed the COMCASA - Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement. This gave India access to advanced defence technology in America. The agreement had been under negotiation for nearly a decade. In 2020, Donald Trump made his first & last visit to India as US President. New Delhi agreed to purchase US military equipment worth 3 billion dollars. In July this year, US Defence Secretary Austin visited India to boost partnership and discuss challenges in the Indo-Pacific. Austin's visit aimed to expand cooperation between the two sides amidst China's growing assertiveness in the region. Austin also called on Prime Minister Modi and discussed international, regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest. The upcoming Quad summit and the UNGA come close on the heels of US Withdrawal from Afghanistan and the takeover by Taliban. The implications of a Taliban-led Afghanistan particularly from India’s national security perspective is likely to figure high on the Quad’s agenda. Equally important would be the discussions on developments in the Indo-Pacific, as both the US And India aim to counter Beijing's aggression.

A look back at Indo-US relations as Modi-Biden prep to meet at UNGA

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden delivered his first address to the United Nations General Assembly. He discussed issues of global importance like climate change and the coronavirus.

Challenges that require a united response include “ending this pandemic, addressing the climate crisis, managing shifts in global power dynamics, shaping the role of the world on vital issues like trade, cyber and emerging technologies and facing the threat of terrorism as it stands today,” Biden said.

Biden told that the US would "double" its contribution to climate finance.

<a href="'We are not seeking a new cold war': US President Joe Biden at UNGA">Also read |&nbsp;'We are not seeking a new cold war': US President Joe Biden at UNGA</a>

"This will make the United States a leader in public climate finance," Biden told world leaders in New York, saying he would work with Congress to achieve the goal.

The president urged the world to turn from conflict toward cooperation against the urgent threats of climate change and disease.

He described climate change and the continuing coronavirus pandemic as “urgent and looming crises wherein lie enormous opportunities,” if the globe can “work together to seize” them.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, he also spoke about tensions with China as he said that the US is “not seeking a new Cold War.”&nbsp;

Biden highlighted growing concerns about rising tensions between the two countries without directly addressing China. 
“We are not seeking a new Cold War or a world divided into rigid blocks,” he clarified.

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden delivered his first address to the United Nations General Assembly. He discussed issues of global importance like climate change and the coronavirus.

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden delivered his first address to the United Nations General Assembly. He discussed issues of global importance like climate change and the coronavirus. Challenges that require a united response include “ending this pandemic, addressing the climate crisis, managing shifts in global power dynamics, shaping the role of the world on vital issues like trade, cyber and emerging technologies and facing the threat of terrorism as it stands today,” Biden said. Biden told that the US would "double" its contribution to climate finance. Also read | 'We are not seeking a new cold war': US President Joe Biden at UNGA "This will make the United States a leader in public climate finance," Biden told world leaders in New York, saying he would work with Congress to achieve the goal. The president urged the world to turn from conflict toward cooperation against the urgent threats of climate change and disease. He described climate change and the continuing coronavirus pandemic as “urgent and looming crises wherein lie enormous opportunities,” if the globe can “work together to seize” them. Meanwhile, he also spoke about tensions with China as he said that the US is “not seeking a new Cold War.” Biden highlighted growing concerns about rising tensions between the two countries without directly addressing China. “We are not seeking a new Cold War or a world divided into rigid blocks,” he clarified.

Biden urges action on climate during his address at UNGA

On Tuesday, US&nbsp;President Joe Biden delivered his first address to the United Nations General Assembly, declaring that the world is at a "inflection point in history" and that the world must act quickly and cooperatively to address the lingering issues of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and human rights violations.

In the midst of rising tensions with China, Biden also stated that the US is “not seeking a new Cold War.”&nbsp;

Biden highlighted growing concerns about rising tensions between the two countries without directly addressing China.

“We are not seeking a new Cold War or a world divided into rigid blocks,” he clarified. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-general-assembly-2021-alarm-to-wake-up-world-key-points-from-strong-speech-by-secretary-general-antonio-guterres-414680">Also read | Alarm to wake up world: Key points from strong speech by Secretary General Antonio Guterres</a>

With no lack of issues facing the world, the president emphasised his decision to end America's longest war, in Afghanistan, last month, and set the stage for his administration to shift its focus to intensive diplomacy.

He is motivated by the notion that "to deliver for our own people, we must also engage deeply with the rest of the world," according to him.&nbsp;

He said&nbsp;that the pandemic has been a time of "great grief and incredible possibilities," but that the world now has a chance to make a difference.&nbsp; 
 
WION-USA Direct: Biden to host Modi at White House, counter terrorism &amp; Afghan situation on agenda

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He asserted that at the "beginning of a pivotal decade for our globe," there is a "clear and urgent choice" to "define our futures." 
 
The US president stated that powerful countries will not be able to dominate weaker countries.

Countries must work together to face important challenges such as climate change and COVID-19, he said, "even if we have great disagreement in other areas."&nbsp;

Biden said that countries must now address climate change and prepare for the next pandemic, which he predicts will occur.&nbsp; 
 
WATCH:&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden delivered his first address to the United Nations General Assembly, declaring that the world is at a "inflection point in history" and that the world must act quickly and cooperatively to address the lingering issues of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and human rights violations.

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden delivered his first address to the United Nations General Assembly, declaring that the world is at a "inflection point in history" and that the world must act quickly and cooperatively to address the lingering issues of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and human rights violations. In the midst of rising tensions with China, Biden also stated that the US is “not seeking a new Cold War.” Biden highlighted growing concerns about rising tensions between the two countries without directly addressing China. “We are not seeking a new Cold War or a world divided into rigid blocks,” he clarified. Also read | Alarm to wake up world: Key points from strong speech by Secretary General Antonio Guterres With no lack of issues facing the world, the president emphasised his decision to end America's longest war, in Afghanistan, last month, and set the stage for his administration to shift its focus to intensive diplomacy. He is motivated by the notion that "to deliver for our own people, we must also engage deeply with the rest of the world," according to him. He said that the pandemic has been a time of "great grief and incredible possibilities," but that the world now has a chance to make a difference. WION-USA Direct: Biden to host Modi at White House, counter terrorism & Afghan situation on agenda He asserted that at the "beginning of a pivotal decade for our globe," there is a "clear and urgent choice" to "define our futures." The US president stated that powerful countries will not be able to dominate weaker countries. Countries must work together to face important challenges such as climate change and COVID-19, he said, "even if we have great disagreement in other areas." Biden said that countries must now address climate change and prepare for the next pandemic, which he predicts will occur. WATCH: ×

UN General Assembly 2021 | 'We are not seeking a new cold war': US President Joe Biden

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden are expected to hold bilateral talks on trade, investment and defence and security during their meet in Washington on September 24, states Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

WION USA Direct: Indian Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla speaks ahead of UNGA

US President Joe Biden will push back against the idea that the United States is plunging into a new Cold War with key rivals in his address to the UN General Assembly this week, a senior official said Monday.

"President Biden will communicate tomorrow that he does not believe in the notion of a new Cold War with the world divided into blocks. He believes in vigorous, intensive, principled competition," the official said, previewing the speech.

"The president will essentially drive home the message that ending the war in Afghanistan closed the chapter focused on war and opens a chapter focused on personal, purposeful, effective American diplomacy," the official said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-elections-few-things-that-you-need-to-know-about-the-campaign-414449">Also read |&nbsp;Canada elections: Few things that you need to know about the campaign</a>

He further added that in his first address to the United Nations as president, Biden will stress that Washington will work with allies and partners "to solve problems that can't be solved by military force."

Biden will also issue an "all hands on deck" call for global cooperation to end the deadly pandemic that has ravaged the world.

US President Joe Biden will push back against the idea that the United States is plunging into a new Cold War with key rivals in his address to the UN General Assembly this week, a senior official said Monday.

US President Joe Biden will push back against the idea that the United States is plunging into a new Cold War with key rivals in his address to the UN General Assembly this week, a senior official said Monday. "President Biden will communicate tomorrow that he does not believe in the notion of a new Cold War with the world divided into blocks. He believes in vigorous, intensive, principled competition," the official said, previewing the speech. "The president will essentially drive home the message that ending the war in Afghanistan closed the chapter focused on war and opens a chapter focused on personal, purposeful, effective American diplomacy," the official said. Also read | Canada elections: Few things that you need to know about the campaign He further added that in his first address to the United Nations as president, Biden will stress that Washington will work with allies and partners "to solve problems that can't be solved by military force." Biden will also issue an "all hands on deck" call for global cooperation to end the deadly pandemic that has ravaged the world.

Biden to tell UN he does not believe in a 'New Cold War': US official

Former Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu mocked Joe Biden on Sunday as he repeated a previously debunked claim that the US president had dozed off during a meeting with new Israeli leader Naftali Bennett last month. Watch this report for more details.

Israel's  former PM Netanyahu appears to mock Biden

The roughly 15% of the population living in rural America includes some of the oldest and sickest patients in the country — a disparity that has grown more stark during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Biden administration is investing more in telemedicine, whose use has grown sharply during the pandemic, as a way to improve their access to care.

Last month, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that it was distributing nearly $20 million to strengthen telehealth services — usually medical appointments that take place by video or phone — in rural and underserved communities across the country. While the amount is relatively modest, it is part of a broader push to address the long-neglected health care infrastructure in those areas.

The spending includes about $4 million to help bring primary, acute and behavioral health care directly to patients via telehealth in 11 states, including Arkansas, Arizona and Maine.

The money will update technology in rural health care clinics, train doctors and nurses how to conduct telehealth appointments and teach patients how to take advantage of virtual appointments when they cannot see a doctor in person.

An additional $4.3 million will help specialists at academic medical centers provide training and support to primary care providers in rural and other underserved areas via “tele-mentoring,” so that they can treat patients in their communities with complex conditions, such as long COVID or substance use disorders.

“Telehealth expands access to care and is a vital tool for improving health equity,” said Diana Espinosa, the acting administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency within the department that is distributing the money. “This funding will help drive the innovation necessary to build clinical networks, educational opportunities and trusted resources to further advance telehealth.”

Rural Americans are at greater risk of dying from heart disease, cancer, accidental injury, chronic respiratory illnesses and strokes than their urban counterparts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The pandemic, too, has hit them disproportionately: ICU beds have been sparse in rural Idaho during virus surges. Navajo Nation in rural Arizona once had a higher virus death rate than New York City.

In August, the Biden administration provided billions of dollars to rural communities through the American Rescue Plan — separate from the $20 million — to address virus concerns, including by expanding telehealth, and to help rebuild crumbling health care infrastructure.

Other investments in rural health during the pandemic have included improving training for clinicians working at rural Veterans Affairs hospitals; more than $8 billion to help hospitals and doctors’ offices make up for lost revenues and increased expenses during that time; and $350 million to rural communities for food, medical supplies and vaccines.

Even though telehealth has become more mainstream during the pandemic, challenges persist. It remains inaccessible in areas without internet or proper speeds. And there is still a lot of uncertainty about how using telemedicine more would affect insurers’ and hospitals’ bottom lines over time, not to mention patient outcomes.

A large body of research supports the use of telehealth for communication and counselling, and for monitoring patients with chronic conditions, but more evidence is needed on its broader use.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center will receive more than $3.5 million of the $20 million from the Health Resources and Services Administration, through two grant programs to improve health care in rural, medically underserved areas of the state that have widespread chronic disease and high poverty rates.

The coronavirus pandemic increased not only the need for telehealth but also the amount that doctors and nurses get paid to use it. Early in the pandemic, Congress and the Trump administration expanded Medicare’s coverage of telehealth services for the duration of the public health emergency, although it is unclear whether the coverage will continue indefinitely.

“There is now momentum; telehealth is now considered part of the mainstream of health care delivery,” said Dr. Saurabh Chandra, the chief telehealth officer at the Center for Telehealth at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. “There were lots of loosening of regulations that allowed us to expand telehealth and do telehealth in a very short period of time.”

Telehealth is not just for rural areas, Chandra said. It can be used in schools and correctional facilities, as well as in patients’ homes, nursing homes, doctors’ offices and hospitals. Among other things, telehealth technology has been crucial to stabilizing rural COVID-19 patients as they await transfer, through a program commonly called “tele-ICU.”

The University of Mississippi Medical Center plans to start such a program — essentially a two-way video system that connects critically ill patients in rural hospital ICU beds with teams of doctors and nurses who specialize in caring for patients from a distance.

Angela Turner-Ford, a Democratic state senator in Mississippi who is the chairwoman of the state’s legislative Black caucus, said that increasing access to telehealth would also help medical providers combat misinformation that had been circulating among the state’s Black residents and creating high vaccine hesitancy.

If it were easier to connect with doctors regularly, many of the hesitant might change their minds, she said.

“They are left to themselves and what someone may have told them that may not be reliable information,” Turner-Ford said. “If you don’t have that existing relationship with a practitioner, someone in that instance may have known who to call just to have a simple conversation.”

Jennifer Yturriondobeitia, CEO of Cornerstone Whole Healthcare Organization, a nonprofit in Boise, Idaho, focused on improving rural health care, said the $350,000 it received will go toward telehealth for mental and substance abuse disorders. Idaho lacks treatment for these conditions, especially in rural areas, she said.

Yturriondobeitia said her group had used telehealth in Idaho since 2015. Back then, patients drove to doctors’ offices to connect with distant specialized providers. Now the focus is on connecting patients with those providers from their own homes.

In Oregon, the funding will help residents primarily in the Columbia River Gorge region. Five of the six counties that will benefit are in the vast rural area where mountain ranges form the boundary between Oregon and Washington. Poverty levels are high, and for some, a visit to the doctor can be an hour’s drive away. Nearly one-third of the population is Hispanic.

“They don’t have enough primary care doctors, they don’t have enough mental health professionals, they don’t have enough anybody there,” said Dr. Nancy Elder, director of the Oregon Rural Practice-Based Research Network, which received $475,000.

Chronic diabetes is also pervasive in the region. Elder said one way she believed the quality of care could be improved was by increasing the skills of the doctors and nurses already based there.

The region’s award will be used for Project ECHO, a program that allows rural primary care clinicians to learn from specialists by video. The meetings begin with an educational presentation, followed by a discussion of real-life clinical obstacles the providers are facing.

“They get access to expertise that they wouldn’t have,” said Maggie McLain McDonnell, director of the Oregon ECHO Network and Health Education Initiatives, “but they also get support so that they feel less alone in the challenges that they’re facing treating these patients.”

The roughly 15% of the population living in rural America includes some of the oldest and sickest patients in the country — a disparity that has grown more stark during the coronavirus pandemic.

The roughly 15% of the population living in rural America includes some of the oldest and sickest patients in the country — a disparity that has grown more stark during the coronavirus pandemic. The Biden administration is investing more in telemedicine, whose use has grown sharply during the pandemic, as a way to improve their access to care. Last month, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that it was distributing nearly $20 million to strengthen telehealth services — usually medical appointments that take place by video or phone — in rural and underserved communities across the country. While the amount is relatively modest, it is part of a broader push to address the long-neglected health care infrastructure in those areas. The spending includes about $4 million to help bring primary, acute and behavioral health care directly to patients via telehealth in 11 states, including Arkansas, Arizona and Maine. The money will update technology in rural health care clinics, train doctors and nurses how to conduct telehealth appointments and teach patients how to take advantage of virtual appointments when they cannot see a doctor in person. An additional $4.3 million will help specialists at academic medical centers provide training and support to primary care providers in rural and other underserved areas via “tele-mentoring,” so that they can treat patients in their communities with complex conditions, such as long COVID or substance use disorders. “Telehealth expands access to care and is a vital tool for improving health equity,” said Diana Espinosa, the acting administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency within the department that is distributing the money. “This funding will help drive the innovation necessary to build clinical networks, educational opportunities and trusted resources to further advance telehealth.” Rural Americans are at greater risk of dying from heart disease, cancer, accidental injury, chronic respiratory illnesses and strokes than their urban counterparts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The pandemic, too, has hit them disproportionately: ICU beds have been sparse in rural Idaho during virus surges. Navajo Nation in rural Arizona once had a higher virus death rate than New York City. In August, the Biden administration provided billions of dollars to rural communities through the American Rescue Plan — separate from the $20 million — to address virus concerns, including by expanding telehealth, and to help rebuild crumbling health care infrastructure. Other investments in rural health during the pandemic have included improving training for clinicians working at rural Veterans Affairs hospitals; more than $8 billion to help hospitals and doctors’ offices make up for lost revenues and increased expenses during that time; and $350 million to rural communities for food, medical supplies and vaccines. Even though telehealth has become more mainstream during the pandemic, challenges persist. It remains inaccessible in areas without internet or proper speeds. And there is still a lot of uncertainty about how using telemedicine more would affect insurers’ and hospitals’ bottom lines over time, not to mention patient outcomes. A large body of research supports the use of telehealth for communication and counselling, and for monitoring patients with chronic conditions, but more evidence is needed on its broader use. The University of Mississippi Medical Center will receive more than $3.5 million of the $20 million from the Health Resources and Services Administration, through two grant programs to improve health care in rural, medically underserved areas of the state that have widespread chronic disease and high poverty rates. The coronavirus pandemic increased not only the need for telehealth but also the amount that doctors and nurses get paid to use it. Early in the pandemic, Congress and the Trump administration expanded Medicare’s coverage of telehealth services for the duration of the public health emergency, although it is unclear whether the coverage will continue indefinitely. “There is now momentum; telehealth is now considered part of the mainstream of health care delivery,” said Dr. Saurabh Chandra, the chief telehealth officer at the Center for Telehealth at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. “There were lots of loosening of regulations that allowed us to expand telehealth and do telehealth in a very short period of time.” Telehealth is not just for rural areas, Chandra said. It can be used in schools and correctional facilities, as well as in patients’ homes, nursing homes, doctors’ offices and hospitals. Among other things, telehealth technology has been crucial to stabilizing rural COVID-19 patients as they await transfer, through a program commonly called “tele-ICU.” The University of Mississippi Medical Center plans to start such a program — essentially a two-way video system that connects critically ill patients in rural hospital ICU beds with teams of doctors and nurses who specialize in caring for patients from a distance. Angela Turner-Ford, a Democratic state senator in Mississippi who is the chairwoman of the state’s legislative Black caucus, said that increasing access to telehealth would also help medical providers combat misinformation that had been circulating among the state’s Black residents and creating high vaccine hesitancy. If it were easier to connect with doctors regularly, many of the hesitant might change their minds, she said. “They are left to themselves and what someone may have told them that may not be reliable information,” Turner-Ford said. “If you don’t have that existing relationship with a practitioner, someone in that instance may have known who to call just to have a simple conversation.” Jennifer Yturriondobeitia, CEO of Cornerstone Whole Healthcare Organization, a nonprofit in Boise, Idaho, focused on improving rural health care, said the $350,000 it received will go toward telehealth for mental and substance abuse disorders. Idaho lacks treatment for these conditions, especially in rural areas, she said. Yturriondobeitia said her group had used telehealth in Idaho since 2015. Back then, patients drove to doctors’ offices to connect with distant specialized providers. Now the focus is on connecting patients with those providers from their own homes. In Oregon, the funding will help residents primarily in the Columbia River Gorge region. Five of the six counties that will benefit are in the vast rural area where mountain ranges form the boundary between Oregon and Washington. Poverty levels are high, and for some, a visit to the doctor can be an hour’s drive away. Nearly one-third of the population is Hispanic. “They don’t have enough primary care doctors, they don’t have enough mental health professionals, they don’t have enough anybody there,” said Dr. Nancy Elder, director of the Oregon Rural Practice-Based Research Network, which received $475,000. Chronic diabetes is also pervasive in the region. Elder said one way she believed the quality of care could be improved was by increasing the skills of the doctors and nurses already based there. The region’s award will be used for Project ECHO, a program that allows rural primary care clinicians to learn from specialists by video. The meetings begin with an educational presentation, followed by a discussion of real-life clinical obstacles the providers are facing. “They get access to expertise that they wouldn’t have,” said Maggie McLain McDonnell, director of the Oregon ECHO Network and Health Education Initiatives, “but they also get support so that they feel less alone in the challenges that they’re facing treating these patients.”

Biden administration seeks to expand telehealth in rural America

All eyes are in New York where the world leaders will assemble for this year at UNGC . Watch this ground report for more details.

WION USA Direct: Afghanistan , Indo Pacific, pandemic, climate in focus

Former Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to suggest in a video that US President Joe Biden fell asleep while meeting current Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Netanyahu was appearing in Facebook Live when he made this suggestion.

A video that was earlier being shared on social media showed US President Joe Biden looking down and nodding off as Bennett spoke in Oval Office.

A fact check carried out by Reuters found that the video was misleadingly cropped. The fact check debunked the idea that Biden had dozed off.

In a video Netanyahu posted on his Facebook page on Sunday, an off-camera voice says: "You know, Bennett met with Biden."

"I heard that Biden was very attentive at this meeting. He dropped his head in agreement," Netanyahu replied, letting his own head fall in a swift motion, as if to mimic someone falling asleep. He was speaking in Hebrew.

Netanyahu had been seen largely in alignment with former US President Donald Trump's policy towards West Asia.

Netanyahu's reference to the Biden meeting was a brief segment in a nearly 26-minute video that touched on a variety of political issues.

But it drew headlines on Israeli news websites, several of which accused Netanyahu of mocking Biden.

In June, a new government of left-wing, centrist, right-wing and Arab parties led by Bennett replaced Netanyahu's administration, ending the conservative politician's 12-year run as Israel's longest-serving leader.

Now in opposition, Netanyahu has promised to govern again.

(With inputs from agencies)

Former Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to suggest in a video that US President Joe Biden fell asleep while meeting current Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

Former Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to suggest in a video that US President Joe Biden fell asleep while meeting current Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Netanyahu was appearing in Facebook Live when he made this suggestion. A video that was earlier being shared on social media showed US President Joe Biden looking down and nodding off as Bennett spoke in Oval Office. A fact check carried out by Reuters found that the video was misleadingly cropped. The fact check debunked the idea that Biden had dozed off. In a video Netanyahu posted on his Facebook page on Sunday, an off-camera voice says: "You know, Bennett met with Biden." "I heard that Biden was very attentive at this meeting. He dropped his head in agreement," Netanyahu replied, letting his own head fall in a swift motion, as if to mimic someone falling asleep. He was speaking in Hebrew. Netanyahu had been seen largely in alignment with former US President Donald Trump's policy towards West Asia. Netanyahu's reference to the Biden meeting was a brief segment in a nearly 26-minute video that touched on a variety of political issues. But it drew headlines on Israeli news websites, several of which accused Netanyahu of mocking Biden. In June, a new government of left-wing, centrist, right-wing and Arab parties led by Bennett replaced Netanyahu's administration, ending the conservative politician's 12-year run as Israel's longest-serving leader. Now in opposition, Netanyahu has promised to govern again. (With inputs from agencies)

Netanyahu appears to claim that Biden fell asleep when meeting new Israel PM

President Joe&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;will&nbsp;host&nbsp;a virtual&nbsp;summit&nbsp;with world leaders&nbsp;on&nbsp;the coronavirus pandemic next&nbsp;Wednesday. This comes a day after he addresses&nbsp;the United Nations General Assembly, the&nbsp;White&nbsp;House&nbsp;said Friday.

"This meeting is about expanding and enhancing our shared efforts to defeat&nbsp;Covid-19" and will seek to "align&nbsp;on&nbsp;a common vision" against the virus, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. The&nbsp;summit&nbsp;will be "on&nbsp;the margins of the UN General Assembly."

Biden, who is due to address the annual UN meeting&nbsp;on&nbsp;Tuesday, has pitched the United States as the global leader&nbsp;on&nbsp;the fight to get the world vaccinated. No details about participants were provided.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aukus-angry-france-cancels-gala-event-in-washington-413759">Also read |&nbsp;Aukus: Angry France cancels gala event in Washington</a>

In her statement, Psaki said that the&nbsp;summit&nbsp;will build "from previous gatherings of world leaders and ministers in fora like the&nbsp;G7,&nbsp;G20, and Act Accelerator to rally civil society, NGOs, philanthropists, and industry along with world leaders and align&nbsp;on&nbsp;a common vision for defeating&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;together."

The statement further added that it will be asking participants to commit to a higher level of ambition across four themes- Vaccinate the world by enhancing equitable access to vaccines and getting shots in arms,&nbsp;save lives now by solving the oxygen crisis, and making tests, therapeutics and PPE more available, build back better by establishing a sustainable health security financing mechanism, and global leadership for emerging threats and calling the world to account by aligning around targets, tracking progress, and supporting one another in fulfilling our commitments.

US is by far the biggest donor of vaccines around the world, with&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;likening his government's efforts to the US military entry into World War II.

Meanwhile, in New York, which is home to the United Nations, strict safety measures have been announced, including a requirement for delegates to show proof of vaccination before entering the main hall.

President Joe Biden will host a virtual summit with world leaders on the coronavirus pandemic next Wednesday. This comes a day after he addresses the United Nations General Assembly, the White House said Friday.

President Joe Biden will host a virtual summit with world leaders on the coronavirus pandemic next Wednesday. This comes a day after he addresses the United Nations General Assembly, the White House said Friday. "This meeting is about expanding and enhancing our shared efforts to defeat Covid-19" and will seek to "align on a common vision" against the virus, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. The summit will be "on the margins of the UN General Assembly." Biden, who is due to address the annual UN meeting on Tuesday, has pitched the United States as the global leader on the fight to get the world vaccinated. No details about participants were provided. Also read | Aukus: Angry France cancels gala event in Washington In her statement, Psaki said that the summit will build "from previous gatherings of world leaders and ministers in fora like the G7, G20, and Act Accelerator to rally civil society, NGOs, philanthropists, and industry along with world leaders and align on a common vision for defeating COVID-19 together." The statement further added that it will be asking participants to commit to a higher level of ambition across four themes- Vaccinate the world by enhancing equitable access to vaccines and getting shots in arms, save lives now by solving the oxygen crisis, and making tests, therapeutics and PPE more available, build back better by establishing a sustainable health security financing mechanism, and global leadership for emerging threats and calling the world to account by aligning around targets, tracking progress, and supporting one another in fulfilling our commitments. US is by far the biggest donor of vaccines around the world, with Biden likening his government's efforts to the US military entry into World War II. Meanwhile, in New York, which is home to the United Nations, strict safety measures have been announced, including a requirement for delegates to show proof of vaccination before entering the main hall.

Biden to convene COVID-19 summit on Wednesday: White House

France&nbsp;accused US&nbsp;President Joe&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;on Thursday of stabbing it in the back and acting&nbsp;like&nbsp;his predecessor Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;after Paris was pushed aside from a lucrative&nbsp;defence&nbsp;deal&nbsp;that it had signed with&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;for submarines.

The United States, Britain and&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;said they would establish a security partnership for the Indo-Pacific that will help&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;acquire US&nbsp;nuclear-powered submarines and scrap the $40 billion French-designed submarine&nbsp;deal.

"This brutal, unilateral and unpredictable decision reminds me a lot of what Mr&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;used to do," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told&nbsp;franceinfo radio. "I am angry and bitter. This isn't done between allies."

In 2016,&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;had selected French shipbuilder Naval Group to build a new submarine fleet worth $40 billion to replace its more than two-decades-old Collins submarines.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-boris-johnson-reshuffles-his-cabinet-dominic-raab-ousted-for-afghan-crisis-413578">Also read |&nbsp;UK's Boris Johnson reshuffles his cabinet; Dominic Raab ousted for Afghan crisis</a>

Two weeks ago, the&nbsp;Australian&nbsp;defence&nbsp;and foreign ministers had reconfirmed the&nbsp;deal&nbsp;to&nbsp;France, and French President Emmanuel Macron lauded decades of future cooperation when hosting&nbsp;Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in June.

"It's a stab in the back. We created a relationship of trust with&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;and that trust has been broken," Le Drian said.

Relations between&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and Macron soured during&nbsp;Trump's presidency, and diplomats say there have been concerns in recent months that&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;is not being forthright with his European allies.

Washington's actions in&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;are&nbsp;likely to further strain Transatlantic ties. The European Union was due to roll out its Indo-Pacific strategy later on Thursday and Paris is preparing to take on the EU presidency.

"This is a clap of thunder and for many in Paris a Trafalgar moment," Bruno Tertrais, Deputy Director of the Paris-based think tank the Foundation of Strategic Research said on Twitter, referring to a French naval defeat in 1805 that was followed by British naval supremacy.

He said it would "complicate the transatlantic cooperation in and about the region. Beijing will benefit."

Biden&nbsp;said on Wednesday&nbsp;France&nbsp;remained a "key partner in the Indo-Pacific zone."

Morrison said in a statement that&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;looked forward to continuing to work "closely and positively" with&nbsp;France, adding: "France&nbsp;is a key friend and partner to&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;and the Indo-Pacific."

&nbsp;

France accused US President Joe Biden on Thursday of stabbing it in the back and acting like his predecessor Donald Trump after Paris was pushed aside from a lucrative defence deal that it had signed with Australia for submarines.

France accused US President Joe Biden on Thursday of stabbing it in the back and acting like his predecessor Donald Trump after Paris was pushed aside from a lucrative defence deal that it had signed with Australia for submarines. The United States, Britain and Australia said they would establish a security partnership for the Indo-Pacific that will help Australia acquire US nuclear-powered submarines and scrap the $40 billion French-designed submarine deal. "This brutal, unilateral and unpredictable decision reminds me a lot of what Mr Trump used to do," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told franceinfo radio. "I am angry and bitter. This isn't done between allies." In 2016, Australia had selected French shipbuilder Naval Group to build a new submarine fleet worth $40 billion to replace its more than two-decades-old Collins submarines. Also read | UK's Boris Johnson reshuffles his cabinet; Dominic Raab ousted for Afghan crisis Two weeks ago, the Australian defence and foreign ministers had reconfirmed the deal to France, and French President Emmanuel Macron lauded decades of future cooperation when hosting Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in June. "It's a stab in the back. We created a relationship of trust with Australia and that trust has been broken," Le Drian said. Relations between Trump and Macron soured during Trump's presidency, and diplomats say there have been concerns in recent months that Biden is not being forthright with his European allies. Washington's actions in Australia are likely to further strain Transatlantic ties. The European Union was due to roll out its Indo-Pacific strategy later on Thursday and Paris is preparing to take on the EU presidency. "This is a clap of thunder and for many in Paris a Trafalgar moment," Bruno Tertrais, Deputy Director of the Paris-based think tank the Foundation of Strategic Research said on Twitter, referring to a French naval defeat in 1805 that was followed by British naval supremacy. He said it would "complicate the transatlantic cooperation in and about the region. Beijing will benefit." Biden said on Wednesday France remained a "key partner in the Indo-Pacific zone." Morrison said in a statement that Australia looked forward to continuing to work "closely and positively" with France, adding: "France is a key friend and partner to Australia and the Indo-Pacific."

France says Biden acted like Trump to sink Australia defence deal

President Joe Biden warned on Tuesday that the United States had only a decade left to confront a global climate crisis, using his second day touring a wildfire-ravaged West to try to rally the public, and congressional Democrats, to support measures that his administration hopes will reduce the burning of fossil fuels.

Biden’s stops this week in Colorado; Boise, Idaho; and Long Beach and the Sacramento area in California amounted to more than an opportunity to call attention to the severe destruction of wildfires and other natural disasters that have been exacerbated by climate change. The visits were a last-ditch opportunity to sell the importance of measures aimed at mitigating climate change, some of which appear increasingly at risk in his spending packages.

“A drought or a fire doesn’t see a property line,” Biden said during remarks at a federal renewable energy laboratory. “It doesn’t give a damn for which party you belong to. Disasters aren’t going to stop. That’s the nature of the climate threat. But we know what we have to do. We just need to summon the courage and the creativity to do it.”

Underscoring the urgency, Biden added: “We don’t have much more than 10 years.”

Democratic leaders drafting a $3.5 trillion spending bill are struggling to match the urgency of Biden’s pleas with pushback from energy lobbyists and some key Democrats, who want a far less expansive effort than what Biden has in mind.

On Monday, during a visit to California’s Office of Emergency Services in the Sacramento area, Biden appeared to recognize that. Before he received a briefing on the wildfire damage, he reminded dozens of emergency workers in the conference room that he was not able to include all of his proposed investments to combat climate change in a bipartisan agreement that he reached this summer on infrastructure. He said he was focused on including them in the more sweeping $3.5 trillion package but acknowledged that it could fall short of his ambitions.

“Whether that passes or not, exactly how much, I don’t know. But we’re going to get it passed,” Biden said.

Tax writers in the House have already made a concession of sorts on climate. A bill released earlier this week omits any tax on carbon emissions, even though such revenue could help pay for the giant package, which Democrats plan to pass along party lines and without Republican support.

Many Senate Democrats have pushed to include either a direct tax on emissions or an indirect one, like a tariff on goods imported from high-emission countries such as China. But the party is not aligned, and given the slim majorities in the House and Senate, such a plan would probably have trouble gaining the 50 votes needed in the Senate.

Centrist concerns over the size and scope of some proposed tax increases could force party leaders to pare back incentives for low-carbon energy deployment in the plan. So could influential Democrats who have resisted the party’s previous climate legislation, like Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia.

A coal-state moderate, Manchin is the committee chair charged with drafting the Senate version of the single largest effort to reduce emissions in the bill: a carrot-and-stick approach to push electric utilities to draw more power from low-carbon sources over the coming decade.

“The transition is happening,” Manchin said, speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. “Now they’re wanting to pay companies to do what they’re already doing. Makes no sense to me at all for us to take billions of dollars and pay utilities for what they’re going to do as the market transitions.”

He declined to comment further on Tuesday, telling reporters he preferred to negotiate in private. Senate Democrats used a weekly caucus lunch to provide an update on efforts to cobble together pieces of the legislation during the annual summer break, though it was unclear how swiftly they would reconcile differences within and between both chambers.

Biden used his western swing to highlight what his aides hope will be a call to climate action for those who have not committed to a more aggressive plan.

Throughout the trip, Biden heard from emergency officials and governors — including those at odds with the administration on the pandemic and other issues — about the urgent need to address natural disasters. Biden told the emergency workers in California that he had recently spoken with Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, a Republican, about emergency response.

“Some of my more conservative —” Biden said before stopping himself and resuming, “some of my less believing friends in this notion of global warming are all of a sudden having an altar call.”

“They’re seeing the Lord,” Biden said.

When Biden received his fire briefing later from officials at the Office of Emergency Services, a woman presenting a map of wildfires to him could be heard saying, “That’s why this is so important.”

On Tuesday, Biden watched a wind turbine demonstration at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Flatirons Campus in Arvada, Colorado, then recounted the damage from hurricanes and wildfires he had seen in trips across the United States this month. He called for tax credits to speed deployment of solar power and electric vehicles and for the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps to conserve public lands and help make them more resilient to climate change.

Biden’s economic team has not clarified whether the president would embrace an emissions tax as part of the package. He refused to agree to a Republican proposal to raise the federal gasoline tax to help pay for infrastructure, citing his pledge not to raise income taxes on anyone earning less than $400,000. But his administration has not objected to a tax increase on cigarettes, which the House included in its tax plan and which would disproportionately hit lower earners.

Administration officials have also not said how far a final agreement must go on emission reduction in order for Biden to accept it. Asked by a reporter in Arvada if he would sign the $3.5 trillion spending package if it included slimmed-down measures to address climate change, Biden pumped his fist. “I’m up for more climate measures,” he said.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the principal deputy press secretary, told reporters on Air Force One that Biden was strongly committed to the climate components of the bill. But, she said, “the Biden climate agenda doesn’t hinge on just reconciliation or infrastructure package alone.”

“We are looking at every sector of the economy for opportunities to grow clean-energy jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” she said, “especially in the decisive — in this decisive decade.”

President Joe Biden warned on Tuesday that the United States had only a decade left to confront a global climate crisis, using his second day touring a wildfire-ravaged West to try to rally the public, and congressional Democrats, to support measures that his administration hopes will reduce the burning of fossil fuels.

President Joe Biden warned on Tuesday that the United States had only a decade left to confront a global climate crisis, using his second day touring a wildfire-ravaged West to try to rally the public, and congressional Democrats, to support measures that his administration hopes will reduce the burning of fossil fuels. Biden’s stops this week in Colorado; Boise, Idaho; and Long Beach and the Sacramento area in California amounted to more than an opportunity to call attention to the severe destruction of wildfires and other natural disasters that have been exacerbated by climate change. The visits were a last-ditch opportunity to sell the importance of measures aimed at mitigating climate change, some of which appear increasingly at risk in his spending packages. “A drought or a fire doesn’t see a property line,” Biden said during remarks at a federal renewable energy laboratory. “It doesn’t give a damn for which party you belong to. Disasters aren’t going to stop. That’s the nature of the climate threat. But we know what we have to do. We just need to summon the courage and the creativity to do it.” Underscoring the urgency, Biden added: “We don’t have much more than 10 years.” Democratic leaders drafting a $3.5 trillion spending bill are struggling to match the urgency of Biden’s pleas with pushback from energy lobbyists and some key Democrats, who want a far less expansive effort than what Biden has in mind. On Monday, during a visit to California’s Office of Emergency Services in the Sacramento area, Biden appeared to recognize that. Before he received a briefing on the wildfire damage, he reminded dozens of emergency workers in the conference room that he was not able to include all of his proposed investments to combat climate change in a bipartisan agreement that he reached this summer on infrastructure. He said he was focused on including them in the more sweeping $3.5 trillion package but acknowledged that it could fall short of his ambitions. “Whether that passes or not, exactly how much, I don’t know. But we’re going to get it passed,” Biden said. Tax writers in the House have already made a concession of sorts on climate. A bill released earlier this week omits any tax on carbon emissions, even though such revenue could help pay for the giant package, which Democrats plan to pass along party lines and without Republican support. Many Senate Democrats have pushed to include either a direct tax on emissions or an indirect one, like a tariff on goods imported from high-emission countries such as China. But the party is not aligned, and given the slim majorities in the House and Senate, such a plan would probably have trouble gaining the 50 votes needed in the Senate. Centrist concerns over the size and scope of some proposed tax increases could force party leaders to pare back incentives for low-carbon energy deployment in the plan. So could influential Democrats who have resisted the party’s previous climate legislation, like Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia. A coal-state moderate, Manchin is the committee chair charged with drafting the Senate version of the single largest effort to reduce emissions in the bill: a carrot-and-stick approach to push electric utilities to draw more power from low-carbon sources over the coming decade. “The transition is happening,” Manchin said, speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. “Now they’re wanting to pay companies to do what they’re already doing. Makes no sense to me at all for us to take billions of dollars and pay utilities for what they’re going to do as the market transitions.” He declined to comment further on Tuesday, telling reporters he preferred to negotiate in private. Senate Democrats used a weekly caucus lunch to provide an update on efforts to cobble together pieces of the legislation during the annual summer break, though it was unclear how swiftly they would reconcile differences within and between both chambers. Biden used his western swing to highlight what his aides hope will be a call to climate action for those who have not committed to a more aggressive plan. Throughout the trip, Biden heard from emergency officials and governors — including those at odds with the administration on the pandemic and other issues — about the urgent need to address natural disasters. Biden told the emergency workers in California that he had recently spoken with Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, a Republican, about emergency response. “Some of my more conservative —” Biden said before stopping himself and resuming, “some of my less believing friends in this notion of global warming are all of a sudden having an altar call.” “They’re seeing the Lord,” Biden said. When Biden received his fire briefing later from officials at the Office of Emergency Services, a woman presenting a map of wildfires to him could be heard saying, “That’s why this is so important.” On Tuesday, Biden watched a wind turbine demonstration at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Flatirons Campus in Arvada, Colorado, then recounted the damage from hurricanes and wildfires he had seen in trips across the United States this month. He called for tax credits to speed deployment of solar power and electric vehicles and for the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps to conserve public lands and help make them more resilient to climate change. Biden’s economic team has not clarified whether the president would embrace an emissions tax as part of the package. He refused to agree to a Republican proposal to raise the federal gasoline tax to help pay for infrastructure, citing his pledge not to raise income taxes on anyone earning less than $400,000. But his administration has not objected to a tax increase on cigarettes, which the House included in its tax plan and which would disproportionately hit lower earners. Administration officials have also not said how far a final agreement must go on emission reduction in order for Biden to accept it. Asked by a reporter in Arvada if he would sign the $3.5 trillion spending package if it included slimmed-down measures to address climate change, Biden pumped his fist. “I’m up for more climate measures,” he said. Karine Jean-Pierre, the principal deputy press secretary, told reporters on Air Force One that Biden was strongly committed to the climate components of the bill. But, she said, “the Biden climate agenda doesn’t hinge on just reconciliation or infrastructure package alone.” “We are looking at every sector of the economy for opportunities to grow clean-energy jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” she said, “especially in the decisive — in this decisive decade.”

Biden urges climate action: ‘We don’t have much more than 10 years’

On the eve of a vote which could remove the California governor from office, US President Joe Biden has thrown his support behind Gov Gavin Newsom. &nbsp;

This recall vote will decide the future for Newsom. If the Californians decide to approve Newsom, he stays and if not, then someone else will replace him. &nbsp;

In a rally in Long Beach, Biden said the result would "reverberate around the world". &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;US President Joe Biden to host Quad summit

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The polls show a comfortable lead for the Democrat. Newsom’s main rival, Larry Elder, is a conservative radio host. &nbsp;

In 2019, Newsom was democratically elected and took office, but Republicans hope to unseat him early. It is only the second-ever recall vote for a governor to appear on the ballots of the Democratic state. &nbsp;

"The eyes of the nation are on you," Biden said, while urging the Long Beach crowd to vote "no" to the recall.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-nicholas-makes-landfall-on-texas-coast-may-unleash-flash-floods-413040" hreflang="en">Hurricane Nicholas makes landfall on Texas coast, may unleash flash floods</a>

"You either keep Gavin Newsom as your governor or you'll get Donald Trump," Biden added, while signifying Elder to be a "clone" of the former president. &nbsp;

After he took office in 2019, the governor has cemented California's status as progressive and free-spending state in the US. But frustration over the handling of the pandemic and rise in partisanship in politics has fuelled a Republican-led effort to supplant him before his term ends.&nbsp;

On the eve of a vote which could remove the California governor from office, US President Joe Biden has thrown his support behind Gov Gavin Newsom. This recall vote will decide the future for Newsom.

On the eve of a vote which could remove the California governor from office, US President Joe Biden has thrown his support behind Gov Gavin Newsom. This recall vote will decide the future for Newsom. If the Californians decide to approve Newsom, he stays and if not, then someone else will replace him. In a rally in Long Beach, Biden said the result would "reverberate around the world". Watch: US President Joe Biden to host Quad summit × The polls show a comfortable lead for the Democrat. Newsom’s main rival, Larry Elder, is a conservative radio host. In 2019, Newsom was democratically elected and took office, but Republicans hope to unseat him early. It is only the second-ever recall vote for a governor to appear on the ballots of the Democratic state. "The eyes of the nation are on you," Biden said, while urging the Long Beach crowd to vote "no" to the recall. Also Read: Hurricane Nicholas makes landfall on Texas coast, may unleash flash floods "You either keep Gavin Newsom as your governor or you'll get Donald Trump," Biden added, while signifying Elder to be a "clone" of the former president. After he took office in 2019, the governor has cemented California's status as progressive and free-spending state in the US. But frustration over the handling of the pandemic and rise in partisanship in politics has fuelled a Republican-led effort to supplant him before his term ends.

Biden supports California Governor Gavin Newsom on eve of crucial vote

A trade group representing some 2,000 consumer brands sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Monday asking for clarification about his announcement last week that all companies with more than 100 employees will soon need to require vaccination or weekly testing.

Biden said last week that the Department of Labor and its Occupational Safety and Health Administration would draft the rules, which would affect some 80 million workers.

But the mandate has raised vexing issues for employers as they deal with the practicalities of vaccination policies, said Geoff Freeman, president of the trade group, the Consumer Brands Association.

On Monday, Freeman called on Biden to “create immediate clarity” about how private businesses should carry out aspects of the White House’s plan to achieve “our shared goal of increased vaccination rates.”

He shared 19 questions that represented a “small sampling” of those raised by the trade group’s members. Among them:

— What proof-of-vaccination documentation will the companies need to collect and will booster shots also be required?

— Must employees be fully vaccinated?

— Will workers who have had the coronavirus still have to be vaccinated or get tested?

— Will the requirements apply only to vaccines that are fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration? (The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is currently the only shot with full approval.)

— Who is responsible for vaccination tracking — the government or the individual businesses?

— What are the consequences of falsifying a vaccination status?

Other questions, on testing and other policy details, covered similar ground, touching on how federal guidelines interact with state-level initiatives, who will be responsible for paying for testing and whether waivers would be allowed if employee absences or attrition resulted in supply chain disruptions.

Also of concern, Freeman said in an interview, is the slow pace at which government tends to move, compared with the quick decisions that private businesses are used to making. This has been a problem during the pandemic, he said.

“For 19 months, we’ve been working with either the Trump administration or the Biden administration and all of the agencies involved in this,” he said. “And the simple truth is that they have been slow to keep up with the pace of change.”

He added, “All of us want to get to the other side of this thing as quickly as possible. It’s not going to work in this scenario unless an entity like OSHA can move at the pace of the business environment.”

Major business trade groups have generally been supportive of the mandate, which gives otherwise wary businesses the cover to require inoculation.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s largest business lobbying group, has said that it “will work to ensure that employers have the resources, guidance and flexibility necessary to ensure the safety of their employees and customers and comply with public health requirements.” Another major business advocacy group, the Business Roundtable, has said it “welcomes” the Biden administration's actions.

But they have also been racing to understand the details and implications, which can vary depending on a company’s size. Does a company’s worker count include part-time employees? What is the deadline for compliance? Will potential lawsuits slow the process down?

The White House has said it will provide more guidance by Sept. 24.

At this point, “there are more questions than answers,” said Ian Schaefer, a partner at the law firm Loeb &amp;amp; Loeb who specializes in labor issues.

Even as companies are calling their lobbyists and lawyers for more insight, many are discussing at a senior level the realities of putting a mandate in place, despite not yet knowing exactly what that might entail, he said.

“In the absence of actionable intelligence that gives a little bit more guidance and direction, I think they’re sort of controlling for what they can control, which is a lot of internal politics at this point,” Schaefer said.

A trade group representing some 2,000 consumer brands sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Monday asking for clarification about his announcement last week that all companies with more than 100 employees will soon need to require vaccination or weekly testing.

A trade group representing some 2,000 consumer brands sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Monday asking for clarification about his announcement last week that all companies with more than 100 employees will soon need to require vaccination or weekly testing. Biden said last week that the Department of Labor and its Occupational Safety and Health Administration would draft the rules, which would affect some 80 million workers. But the mandate has raised vexing issues for employers as they deal with the practicalities of vaccination policies, said Geoff Freeman, president of the trade group, the Consumer Brands Association. On Monday, Freeman called on Biden to “create immediate clarity” about how private businesses should carry out aspects of the White House’s plan to achieve “our shared goal of increased vaccination rates.” He shared 19 questions that represented a “small sampling” of those raised by the trade group’s members. Among them: — What proof-of-vaccination documentation will the companies need to collect and will booster shots also be required? — Must employees be fully vaccinated? — Will workers who have had the coronavirus still have to be vaccinated or get tested? — Will the requirements apply only to vaccines that are fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration? (The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is currently the only shot with full approval.) — Who is responsible for vaccination tracking — the government or the individual businesses? — What are the consequences of falsifying a vaccination status? Other questions, on testing and other policy details, covered similar ground, touching on how federal guidelines interact with state-level initiatives, who will be responsible for paying for testing and whether waivers would be allowed if employee absences or attrition resulted in supply chain disruptions. Also of concern, Freeman said in an interview, is the slow pace at which government tends to move, compared with the quick decisions that private businesses are used to making. This has been a problem during the pandemic, he said. “For 19 months, we’ve been working with either the Trump administration or the Biden administration and all of the agencies involved in this,” he said. “And the simple truth is that they have been slow to keep up with the pace of change.” He added, “All of us want to get to the other side of this thing as quickly as possible. It’s not going to work in this scenario unless an entity like OSHA can move at the pace of the business environment.” Major business trade groups have generally been supportive of the mandate, which gives otherwise wary businesses the cover to require inoculation. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s largest business lobbying group, has said that it “will work to ensure that employers have the resources, guidance and flexibility necessary to ensure the safety of their employees and customers and comply with public health requirements.” Another major business advocacy group, the Business Roundtable, has said it “welcomes” the Biden administration's actions. But they have also been racing to understand the details and implications, which can vary depending on a company’s size. Does a company’s worker count include part-time employees? What is the deadline for compliance? Will potential lawsuits slow the process down? The White House has said it will provide more guidance by Sept. 24. At this point, “there are more questions than answers,” said Ian Schaefer, a partner at the law firm Loeb &amp; Loeb who specializes in labor issues. Even as companies are calling their lobbyists and lawyers for more insight, many are discussing at a senior level the realities of putting a mandate in place, despite not yet knowing exactly what that might entail, he said. “In the absence of actionable intelligence that gives a little bit more guidance and direction, I think they’re sort of controlling for what they can control, which is a lot of internal politics at this point,” Schaefer said.

Companies have questions for Biden about vaccine mandates

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