The US President Joe Biden on Monday called on wealthy Americans and corporations to pay their “fair share” to fund free community college and other plans. Biden said that his proposal to expand the US public education system would rebalance the economy and benefit lower-income Americans.

Biden pushes 17 years of free school, urges wealthy Americans to pay 'fair share'

President Joe Biden announced on Monday, after coming under fierce criticism, that he was raising the maximum number of&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;allowed into the United States this year to 62,500 -- up from the 15,000 cap imposed by his predecessor Donald Trump.

The change follows backlash from allies over Biden's earlier decision to keep the Trump-era limits -- a politically costly moment of confusion that stood out in a White House notable for its iron discipline in its first three months.

"This erases the historically low number set by the previous administration of 15,000, which did not reflect America's values as a nation that welcomes and supports&nbsp;refugees," Biden said in a statement.

Also read: <a href="Joe Biden urges everyone to get vaccinated at 'Vax Live' concert event">Joe Biden urges everyone to get vaccinated at 'Vax Live' concert event</a>

"The new&nbsp;admissions&nbsp;cap will also reinforce efforts that are already underway to expand the United States' capacity to admit&nbsp;refugees, so that we can reach the goal of 125,000&nbsp;refugee&nbsp;admissions&nbsp;that I intend to set for the coming fiscal year."

The programme is only for&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;selected by US security and intelligence agencies from United Nations camps around the world.

The course correction was quickly welcomed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is controlled by Biden's Democratic party.

"I welcome the Biden administration's announcement that it will increase the number of&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;allowed to be resettled in the United States. This is an important step in continuing our proud, bipartisan tradition of providing&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;protection through resettlement," the committee chairman, Senator Bob Menendez, tweeted.

The American Civil Liberties Union, a powerful advocacy group, also voiced approval, saying that the country's "reputation" was at stake.

"We are pleased to see President Biden has abandoned the Trump administration’s abysmal&nbsp;refugee&nbsp;goal and recommitted to prioritizing helping people who are fleeing persecution around the globe," ACLU representative Manar Waheed said.

"We recognise that the goal may not be easy and it requires rebuilding a system that was decimated by the Trump administration, but candidate Biden promised," Waheed said. "He must fulfill that promise, lives are at stake."

Trump clamped down on&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;as part of the hardline border policies at the heart of his nationalist political platform.

Biden campaigned on promises to restore more traditional US attitudes. But he then backtracked after his government ran into difficulties in handling a surge of migrants entering the country illegally or claiming asylum at the Mexican border.

Last month, the White House said it needed more time to "rebuild" the post-Trump&nbsp;refugee&nbsp;program and would therefore keep the cap at 15,000 for the year.

After a top Democrat and&nbsp;refugee&nbsp;aid groups slammed Biden's target as "appallingly low" and "deeply disappointing," the White House issued a statement hours later saying the low number was only provisional.

In another shift from Trump's policies, Biden announced in April that quotas were being expanded for&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;from Central America, the Middle East and Africa, while also opening the doors to three mostly Muslim countries -- Somalia, Syria and Yemen.

With Monday's announcement, the White House will hope to have calmed the political waters among Democrats just when it needs party unity to push forward on huge proposed social and infrastructure spending plans in an almost evenly divided Congress.

"We are amid the largest global&nbsp;refugee&nbsp;crisis in history, and after four years of slashing admittances to the lowest point on record, we need to return to our leadership position," another Democratic senator, Tim Kaine, said.

"I am heartened by today's announcement that moved toward upholding our values of accepting&nbsp;refugees."

Trump set the 15,000 cap nearly a month before the November 2020 presidential election, which he lost.

Under his predecessor, Democrat Barack Obama, with whom Biden served as vice president, an average of 100,000 people were welcomed into the United States each year.

"It is in our DNA as a nation to open our door to those seeking refuge," said US secretary of state Antony Blinken in response to Biden's announcement Monday.

"It remains in our national interest to treat individuals applying for these programs fairly and with dignity and respect."

President Joe Biden announced on Monday, after coming under fierce criticism, that he was raising the maximum number of refugees allowed into the United States this year to 62,500 -- up from the 15,000 cap imposed by his predecessor Donald Trump.

President Joe Biden announced on Monday, after coming under fierce criticism, that he was raising the maximum number of refugees allowed into the United States this year to 62,500 -- up from the 15,000 cap imposed by his predecessor Donald Trump. The change follows backlash from allies over Biden's earlier decision to keep the Trump-era limits -- a politically costly moment of confusion that stood out in a White House notable for its iron discipline in its first three months. "This erases the historically low number set by the previous administration of 15,000, which did not reflect America's values as a nation that welcomes and supports refugees," Biden said in a statement. Also read: Joe Biden urges everyone to get vaccinated at 'Vax Live' concert event "The new admissions cap will also reinforce efforts that are already underway to expand the United States' capacity to admit refugees, so that we can reach the goal of 125,000 refugee admissions that I intend to set for the coming fiscal year." The programme is only for refugees selected by US security and intelligence agencies from United Nations camps around the world. The course correction was quickly welcomed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is controlled by Biden's Democratic party. "I welcome the Biden administration's announcement that it will increase the number of refugees allowed to be resettled in the United States. This is an important step in continuing our proud, bipartisan tradition of providing refugees protection through resettlement," the committee chairman, Senator Bob Menendez, tweeted. The American Civil Liberties Union, a powerful advocacy group, also voiced approval, saying that the country's "reputation" was at stake. "We are pleased to see President Biden has abandoned the Trump administration’s abysmal refugee goal and recommitted to prioritizing helping people who are fleeing persecution around the globe," ACLU representative Manar Waheed said. "We recognise that the goal may not be easy and it requires rebuilding a system that was decimated by the Trump administration, but candidate Biden promised," Waheed said. "He must fulfill that promise, lives are at stake." Trump clamped down on refugees as part of the hardline border policies at the heart of his nationalist political platform. Biden campaigned on promises to restore more traditional US attitudes. But he then backtracked after his government ran into difficulties in handling a surge of migrants entering the country illegally or claiming asylum at the Mexican border. Last month, the White House said it needed more time to "rebuild" the post-Trump refugee program and would therefore keep the cap at 15,000 for the year. After a top Democrat and refugee aid groups slammed Biden's target as "appallingly low" and "deeply disappointing," the White House issued a statement hours later saying the low number was only provisional. In another shift from Trump's policies, Biden announced in April that quotas were being expanded for refugees from Central America, the Middle East and Africa, while also opening the doors to three mostly Muslim countries -- Somalia, Syria and Yemen. With Monday's announcement, the White House will hope to have calmed the political waters among Democrats just when it needs party unity to push forward on huge proposed social and infrastructure spending plans in an almost evenly divided Congress. "We are amid the largest global refugee crisis in history, and after four years of slashing admittances to the lowest point on record, we need to return to our leadership position," another Democratic senator, Tim Kaine, said. "I am heartened by today's announcement that moved toward upholding our values of accepting refugees." Trump set the 15,000 cap nearly a month before the November 2020 presidential election, which he lost. Under his predecessor, Democrat Barack Obama, with whom Biden served as vice president, an average of 100,000 people were welcomed into the United States each year. "It is in our DNA as a nation to open our door to those seeking refuge," said US secretary of state Antony Blinken in response to Biden's announcement Monday. "It remains in our national interest to treat individuals applying for these programs fairly and with dignity and respect."

Biden to allow up to 62,500 refugees into US after criticism over delay

Proud Boys Canada, a far-right group added to the country's list of terrorist entities in February, announced on Sunday it had dissolved itself.

In February, The Canadian government had designated the US far-right group as a &nbsp;banned terrorist organisation.

Canadian authorities said the Proud Boys are a "serious and growing threat". US Federal prosecutors investigated the Capitol riots and had charged Proud Boys with conspiracy charges.

"The truth is, we were never terrorists or a white supremacy group," the statement posted by the administrator of the official Proud Boys channel on Telegram said.

"We are electricians, carpenters, financial advisors, mechanics, etc. More than that, we are fathers, brothers, uncles and sons," it added.

Founded in 2016, the Proud Boys began as an organisation protesting political correctness and perceived constraints on masculinity in the United States and Canada, and grew into a group that embraced street fighting.

The group's founder, Gavin McInnes, is a Canadian who lives in the United States.

In its earliest days, the Proud Boys attracted salacious media coverage for their extreme initiation rites — new members, for example, have to subject themselves to a beating and get a Proud Boys tattoo.

Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said in February that domestic intelligence forces had become increasingly worried about the group.

(With inputs from agencies)

Proud Boys Canada, a far-right group added to the country's list of terrorist entities in February, announced on Sunday it had dissolved itself. In February, The Canadian government had designated the US far-right group as a banned terrorist organisation.

Proud Boys Canada, a far-right group added to the country's list of terrorist entities in February, announced on Sunday it had dissolved itself. In February, The Canadian government had designated the US far-right group as a banned terrorist organisation. Canadian authorities said the Proud Boys are a "serious and growing threat". US Federal prosecutors investigated the Capitol riots and had charged Proud Boys with conspiracy charges. "The truth is, we were never terrorists or a white supremacy group," the statement posted by the administrator of the official Proud Boys channel on Telegram said. "We are electricians, carpenters, financial advisors, mechanics, etc. More than that, we are fathers, brothers, uncles and sons," it added. Founded in 2016, the Proud Boys began as an organisation protesting political correctness and perceived constraints on masculinity in the United States and Canada, and grew into a group that embraced street fighting. The group's founder, Gavin McInnes, is a Canadian who lives in the United States. In its earliest days, the Proud Boys attracted salacious media coverage for their extreme initiation rites — new members, for example, have to subject themselves to a beating and get a Proud Boys tattoo. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said in February that domestic intelligence forces had become increasingly worried about the group. (With inputs from agencies)

'We were never terrorists': Proud Boys Canada ‘officially dissolved'

US President Joe Biden attended "Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World" event at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California and urged people to get vaccinated. "The vaccines are safe. I promise you. They work," said Biden, who was accompanied in a video message with first lady Dr Jill Biden. Both appeared as part of the "We Can Do This" initiative to increase confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.

Biden continued, "We are working with leaders around the world to share more vaccines and boost production to make sure every country has the vaccines they need. If we get this done, we will not have to miss another moment."

Other major public figures like Prince Harry, Jennifer Lopez, and others joined forces over the weekend to encourage coronavirus vaccine equity at a massive concert in California. According to Fox News, the collection of stars and leaders gathered Sunday night as part of Global Citizen`s massive "Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World" event at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.&nbsp;Media and production staff needed to show a negative COVID-19 test before entering the stadium.

Many commented that the large event was the `first of its kind` in Southern California since the pandemic closed&nbsp;large gatherings down in March of 2020.

The taped fundraising event will air May 8 on ABC, ABC News Live, CBS, YouTube and iHeartMedia broadcast radio stations. The concert included performances by Lopez, Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters, J Balvin and H.E.R. Ben Affleck, Chrissy Teigen, Jimmy Kimmel, Sean Penn and David Letterman appeared as special guest speakers.Everyone in the audience was fully vaccinated.

The event was part of a growing chorus seeking wider, more equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. USD 53.8 million in philanthropic and corporate commitments helped procure nearly 10.3 million doses, exceeding the goal for the Vax Live campaign.Prince Harry said providing vaccines across the globe is imperative, particularly those in the poorest countries. He said that he is standing in solidarity with India, which is experiencing a "devastating" second wave of the virus.

"The vaccine must be distributed to everyone everywhere," the Duke of Sussex said. He along with his wife Meghan are leading an effort to raise money for the vaccine-sharing program COVAX, which hopes to produce USD 19 billion to pay for the vaccines for medical workers.

He said, "We cannot rest or truly recover until there is fair distribution to every corner of the world. The virus does not respect borders and access to the vaccine cannot be determined by geography."The event also highlighted first responders and health care workers efforts during the pandemic.

Selena Gomez, the show`s host, called essential and frontline workers "reliable" and "brave." The singer said, "Many of us had to stay home, but you all didn`t have a choice. You set an example for all of us, both in how you stayed on the job and that we need to get vaccinated as soon as possible."

Each musical performance made things seem almost like normal with attendees standing at their seats side-by-side while others danced with their masks on. Some hugged each other with enthusiasm. H.E.R. performed on a small stage outside the stadium with a group of people playing their guitars.

US President Joe Biden attended "Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World" event at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California and urged people to get vaccinated.

US President Joe Biden attended "Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World" event at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California and urged people to get vaccinated. "The vaccines are safe. I promise you. They work," said Biden, who was accompanied in a video message with first lady Dr Jill Biden. Both appeared as part of the "We Can Do This" initiative to increase confidence in COVID-19 vaccines. Biden continued, "We are working with leaders around the world to share more vaccines and boost production to make sure every country has the vaccines they need. If we get this done, we will not have to miss another moment." Other major public figures like Prince Harry, Jennifer Lopez, and others joined forces over the weekend to encourage coronavirus vaccine equity at a massive concert in California. According to Fox News, the collection of stars and leaders gathered Sunday night as part of Global Citizen`s massive "Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World" event at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Media and production staff needed to show a negative COVID-19 test before entering the stadium. Many commented that the large event was the `first of its kind` in Southern California since the pandemic closed large gatherings down in March of 2020. The taped fundraising event will air May 8 on ABC, ABC News Live, CBS, YouTube and iHeartMedia broadcast radio stations. The concert included performances by Lopez, Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters, J Balvin and H.E.R. Ben Affleck, Chrissy Teigen, Jimmy Kimmel, Sean Penn and David Letterman appeared as special guest speakers.Everyone in the audience was fully vaccinated. The event was part of a growing chorus seeking wider, more equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. USD 53.8 million in philanthropic and corporate commitments helped procure nearly 10.3 million doses, exceeding the goal for the Vax Live campaign.Prince Harry said providing vaccines across the globe is imperative, particularly those in the poorest countries. He said that he is standing in solidarity with India, which is experiencing a "devastating" second wave of the virus. "The vaccine must be distributed to everyone everywhere," the Duke of Sussex said. He along with his wife Meghan are leading an effort to raise money for the vaccine-sharing program COVAX, which hopes to produce USD 19 billion to pay for the vaccines for medical workers. He said, "We cannot rest or truly recover until there is fair distribution to every corner of the world. The virus does not respect borders and access to the vaccine cannot be determined by geography."The event also highlighted first responders and health care workers efforts during the pandemic. Selena Gomez, the show`s host, called essential and frontline workers "reliable" and "brave." The singer said, "Many of us had to stay home, but you all didn`t have a choice. You set an example for all of us, both in how you stayed on the job and that we need to get vaccinated as soon as possible." Each musical performance made things seem almost like normal with attendees standing at their seats side-by-side while others danced with their masks on. Some hugged each other with enthusiasm. H.E.R. performed on a small stage outside the stadium with a group of people playing their guitars.

Joe Biden urges everyone to get vaccinated at 'Vax Live' concert event

North Korea has branded the US diplomacy as "spurious", dismissing the idea of talks with Washington a day after the Biden administration said it was open to diplomatic negotiations on denuclearization.

North Korea accuses the US of using 'spurious' diplomacy

President Joe Biden has formally recognised that the systematic killings and deportations of hundreds of thousands of Armenians by Ottoman Empire forces in the early 20th century were “genocide”

Joe Biden recognises atrocities against Armenians as genocide

The Biden administration said on Monday that four families that were separated at the Mexico border during Donald Trump's presidency will be reunited in the United States this week in what Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calls ''just the beginning''&nbsp;of a broader effort.

The families will be allowed to enter the United States through an emergency process known as "humanitarian parole," Michelle Brane, who heads a Biden-created task force that aims to reunite separated families, told a call with reporters on Sunday.

"In these cases that we're talking about this week, the children are in the United States and the parents are coming to join them," Brane said.

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The US&nbsp;Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering whether they could be granted longer-term immigration status, she said.

Parents will return to the United States on humanitarian parole while authorities consider other longer-term forms of legal status, said Michelle Brane, executive director of the administration's Family Reunification Task Force. The children are already in the United States only.

Exactly how many families will reunite in the United States and in what order is linked to negotiations with the American Civil Liberties Union to settle a federal lawsuit in San Diego, but Mayorkas said there were more to come.

''We continue to work tirelessly to reunite many more children with their parents in the weeks and months ahead,''&nbsp;Mayorkas told reporters ahead of the announcement.

"We have a lot of work still to do, but I am proud of the progress we have made and the reunifications that we have helped to achieve this week.''

More than 5,000 children were separated from their parents during the Trump administration going back to July 1, 2017, many of them under a ''zero-tolerance''&nbsp;policy to criminally prosecute any adult who entered the country illegally, according to court filings.

The reunifications begin as the Biden administration confronts the third major increase in unaccompanied children arriving at the border in seven years.

The Biden administration is doing its own count going back to Trump's inauguration in January 2017 and, according to Brane, believes more than 1,000 families remain separated.

The Biden administration has been grappling in recent months with a sharp rise in migrant crossings at the border, including unaccompanied minors and families with young children, mostly from Central America.

The Trump administration, known for its hardline stance on immigration, adopted a blanket "zero-tolerance" policy of prosecuting all unauthorized border crossers in spring 2018, resulting in the mass separation of parents from their children.

Trump reversed the policy that summer amid an international outcry, but advocates and government watchdogs found separations began before the policy and continued after it. In some cases, parents were deported and children remained in the United States with other relatives or sponsors.

Biden has called family separations under Trump a "human tragedy."

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who also participated in the call with reporters, declined to provide details about the families, citing privacy concerns, but noted that one is Honduran and another Mexican.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Biden administration said on Monday that four families that were separated at the Mexico border during Donald Trump's presidency will be reunited in the United States this week in what Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calls ''just the beginning'' of a broader effort.

The Biden administration said on Monday that four families that were separated at the Mexico border during Donald Trump's presidency will be reunited in the United States this week in what Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calls ''just the beginning'' of a broader effort. The families will be allowed to enter the United States through an emergency process known as "humanitarian parole," Michelle Brane, who heads a Biden-created task force that aims to reunite separated families, told a call with reporters on Sunday. "In these cases that we're talking about this week, the children are in the United States and the parents are coming to join them," Brane said. Also see| Border agents, traffickers and migrants mix on busy Rio Grande in US The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering whether they could be granted longer-term immigration status, she said. Parents will return to the United States on humanitarian parole while authorities consider other longer-term forms of legal status, said Michelle Brane, executive director of the administration's Family Reunification Task Force. The children are already in the United States only. Exactly how many families will reunite in the United States and in what order is linked to negotiations with the American Civil Liberties Union to settle a federal lawsuit in San Diego, but Mayorkas said there were more to come. ''We continue to work tirelessly to reunite many more children with their parents in the weeks and months ahead,'' Mayorkas told reporters ahead of the announcement. "We have a lot of work still to do, but I am proud of the progress we have made and the reunifications that we have helped to achieve this week.'' More than 5,000 children were separated from their parents during the Trump administration going back to July 1, 2017, many of them under a ''zero-tolerance'' policy to criminally prosecute any adult who entered the country illegally, according to court filings. The reunifications begin as the Biden administration confronts the third major increase in unaccompanied children arriving at the border in seven years. The Biden administration is doing its own count going back to Trump's inauguration in January 2017 and, according to Brane, believes more than 1,000 families remain separated. The Biden administration has been grappling in recent months with a sharp rise in migrant crossings at the border, including unaccompanied minors and families with young children, mostly from Central America. The Trump administration, known for its hardline stance on immigration, adopted a blanket "zero-tolerance" policy of prosecuting all unauthorized border crossers in spring 2018, resulting in the mass separation of parents from their children. Trump reversed the policy that summer amid an international outcry, but advocates and government watchdogs found separations began before the policy and continued after it. In some cases, parents were deported and children remained in the United States with other relatives or sponsors. Biden has called family separations under Trump a "human tragedy." DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who also participated in the call with reporters, declined to provide details about the families, citing privacy concerns, but noted that one is Honduran and another Mexican. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden begins  reunifying migrant families separated by Trump-era border policy

Calling the moment US soldiers killed Osama bin Laden "a moment I will never forget", US President Joe Biden on Sunday reaffirmed USA's decision to withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan. Sunday was the 10th anniversary of Osama bin Laden's killing. Biden has already said that the US will end its war in Afghanistan by September 11. In his statement on Sunday, Biden praised former US President Barack Obama for his 2011 decision to approve secret operation targetting Laden and praised special forces that eliminated him.

"We followed bin Laden to the gates of hell -- and we got him," Biden said in a statement released by the White House.&nbsp;

"We kept the promise to all those who lost loved ones on 9/11: that we would never forget those we had lost, and that the United States will never waver in our commitment to prevent another attack on our homeland."

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Watching the operation remotely from a crowded White House Situation Room, Biden said, was "a moment I will never forget -- the intelligence professionals who had painstakingly tracked him down; the clarity and conviction of President Obama in making the call; the courage and skill of our team on the ground."

Now, as the US begins pulling the last of its troops from Afghanistan, Biden said: "Al Qaeda is greatly degraded there. But the United States will remain vigilant about the threat from terrorist groups that have metastasized around the world.&nbsp;

"We will continue to monitor and disrupt any threat to us that emerges from Afghanistan. And we will work to counter terrorist threats to our homeland and our interests in cooperation with allies and partners around the world."

(With inputs from agencies)

Calling the moment US soldiers killed Osama bin Laden "a moment I will never forget", US President Joe Biden on Sunday reaffirmed USA's decision to withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan.

Calling the moment US soldiers killed Osama bin Laden "a moment I will never forget", US President Joe Biden on Sunday reaffirmed USA's decision to withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan. Sunday was the 10th anniversary of Osama bin Laden's killing. Biden has already said that the US will end its war in Afghanistan by September 11. In his statement on Sunday, Biden praised former US President Barack Obama for his 2011 decision to approve secret operation targetting Laden and praised special forces that eliminated him. "We followed bin Laden to the gates of hell -- and we got him," Biden said in a statement released by the White House. "We kept the promise to all those who lost loved ones on 9/11: that we would never forget those we had lost, and that the United States will never waver in our commitment to prevent another attack on our homeland." Also Read | Roaring tanker fire kills 7, injures 14 in Afghanistan capital Watching the operation remotely from a crowded White House Situation Room, Biden said, was "a moment I will never forget -- the intelligence professionals who had painstakingly tracked him down; the clarity and conviction of President Obama in making the call; the courage and skill of our team on the ground." Now, as the US begins pulling the last of its troops from Afghanistan, Biden said: "Al Qaeda is greatly degraded there. But the United States will remain vigilant about the threat from terrorist groups that have metastasized around the world. "We will continue to monitor and disrupt any threat to us that emerges from Afghanistan. And we will work to counter terrorist threats to our homeland and our interests in cooperation with allies and partners around the world." (With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden marks 10 years since Osama bin Laden's killing

President Joe Biden will be remembered by the global Armenian community as the first &nbsp;US &nbsp;President who formally described the large-scale massacre of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks during the First World War as “genocide” . He did so through a Presidential statement on April 24, 2021. The &nbsp;day is commemorated by Armenians all over the world as “Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day”&nbsp;

Ten million Armenians including an estimated seven million Armenian diaspora spread all over the world have been demanding the recognition of Armenian Genocide by the Turkish Ottoman regime during and after the World War 1.&nbsp;

There is a broad consensus amongst international scholars that the Christian Armenian minority in Muslim-majority Turkey under Ottoman rule was subjected to blatant discrimination. During the First World War, the Turks suspected that the loyalty of the Christian Armenians of Turkey was with the Christian Russians. Many of them were residing in Eastern Anatolia, bordering with Imperialist Russia.&nbsp;

Enraged by a heavy defeat at the hands of the Russian forces in the Battle of Saikamish (December 1914 to January 1915), the Ottoman Turks began destroying Ottoman Armenian villages during their retreat. The Ottoman War Minister Anwar Pasha publically accused the Armenians of treachery and what followed was the arrest of a large number of Armenians from different walks of life in Constantinople (now Istanbul) on April 24, 1915, and subsequent deportations en masse to the Syrian desert and elsewhere. Hundreds of thousands of Armenians were massacred or died from starvation or disease. A large number of Armenian women are alleged to have been molested/raped. &nbsp;

The Armenians put the total figure of those who died in the process at 1.5 million. &nbsp;Turkey admits that there were indeed casualties but insists the numbers were no more than three hundred thousand and denies any systematic or premeditated plan for ethnic cleansing. Relations between Armenia and Turkey remain overshadowed by this burden of history as the two neighbouring countries do not have diplomatic relations and their borders remain closed for each other.

Continuous influx of Armenians into the United States since the 17th century has created a vibrant, active, and diverse Armenian American Diaspora, estimated to be 1.6 million and the second-largest worldwide. The high concentration of Armenian Americans in certain electoral districts, particularly in California, allows them to influence the electoral outcome of elections in those districts.

The primary objectives of the Armenian lobby in the USA, spearheaded by the domestic organisations such as Armenian National Committee of America and Armenian Assembly of America revolve around improving the US relations with Armenia, securing US aid and assistance for Armenia, blocking US aid to Turkey and Azerbaijan and above all the recognition of Armenian genocide.

The Armenian lobby had so far succeeded in enlisting the support of as many as 49 US states in describing the Armenians massacre as genocide. Further in 2019 the US House of Representatives and the Senate had adopted separate but identical Resolutions the thrust of which inter-alia was that “It is the policy of the United States to commemorate the Armenian Genocide through official recognition and remembrance” and “to reject efforts to enlist, engage or otherwise associate the United States Government with denial of the Armenian Genocide or other genocides”.

The US State Department however said that &nbsp;despite the resolutions the US Government’s official position did not change.

The successive US Presidents had so far refrained from any official reference to Armenian Genocide; they did so in deference to the sensitivities of Turkey- an important strategic NATO ally of the USA. In April 2020, the then US President Trump did pay tributes to the victims of “one of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century” but stopped short of describing it as genocide. Even the Democratic President Barak Obama is accused of having reneged on the election campaign promises of recognising the Armenian genocide.&nbsp;

Joe Biden’s decision is bound to please the Armenians who were somewhat disappointed over the US’s failure under President Trump to make any effective and substantive intervention during the 44-days armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020. The conflict ended in a humiliating military defeat for Armenia and also resulted, besides the loss of lives and territories, in a widespread agitation in Armenia against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

He ultimately resigned on 25th April 2021 to pave the way for mid-term elections in June 2021; as a matter of coincidence he resigned just a day after the release of Joe Biden’s Presidential Statement. Prima-facie there is no link between the US Presidential Statement and Armenian PM’s resignation.

What prompted Joe Biden to accord official recognition to Armenian genocide- an act from which his predecessors both Democrats as well as Republicans had refrained from? For sure, this could not just be to appease and please the Armenians, considering in particular that the next elections are four years away, &nbsp;whereas the announcement could have an immediate adverse impact on the US-Turkey relations which are already on the downslide for some time for a variety of reasons. Turkey’s response has been on the predicted lines. President Erdogan accused President Biden of yielding to political pressure from “radical Armenian circles and anti-Turkey groups” and asked him &nbsp;to “reverse this wrong step immediately”&nbsp;

So, does the US President’s recognition of Armenian genocide reflect the diminishing importance of Turkey for the USA as an ally, particularly in the backdrop of the US drawing down its military commitments to hotspots in the Middle East?&nbsp;

By recognising the Armenian genocide, does the Biden Administration wish to convey its strong commitments to human rights? If so, the questions are being asked as to whether one can expect a similar approach for the &nbsp;Bengalis of Eastern Pakistan (now Bangladesh) who were butchered by the Pakistani Army in 1971 or for the Rohingya Muslims being currently persecuted by the Buddhist majority and the military junta in Myanmar? Perhaps not as neither Rohingyas nor Bengalis have any lobbying power in USA. Moreover, Pakistan still has some nuisance value for the USA in the context of Afghanistan.

Is the Biden Administration trying to convey a message that the USA will not differentiate between friends, allies, or foes on matters which it considers as matters of principles and can go to any extent to prove the point. Remember, only recently (7th April) the US Navy had not only trespassed India’s Exclusive Economic Zone in its territorial waters but also had the audacity of making a public statement that it had done so without informing India or obtaining India’s prior’s consent and that it had done so to assert the Freedom of Navigation and to challenge India’s “excessive maritime claims”.&nbsp;

Reverting to the issue of Armenian genocide, the Armenians have so far met with partial but reasonable success in securing global recognition. The recognition has come mainly from the Western States and organisations.&nbsp;

While India has not recognised the Armenian Genocide all these years, the high-level dignitaries on official visits to &nbsp;Armenia do visit the Genocide Memorial in Yerevan to pay tribute to the victims of Armenian genocide.&nbsp;

On last such occasion, the then Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari, had visited the Memorial on 25th April, 2017, laid a wreath and observed: “This is a tragedy, indescribable things done to humans by humans.” Earlier in 2005 the then &nbsp;Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat had also visited the Memorial in Yerevan and planted a tree besides laying a wreath.

In nutshell, the US President’s recognition of the Armenian genocide is a shot in &nbsp;the &nbsp;arm for Armenians &nbsp;for their global campaign&nbsp;

The full impact of the recognition on US relations with Turkey remains to be seen. Other than verbal rhetoric there are no firm indications at this point of time of any retaliatory measure which Turkey may be contemplating to counter the “insult and injury”. &nbsp;

It is clear however that Turkey is now a dispensable ally for the USA. Turkey has been making unacceptable un-palatable statements from time to time on Kashmir in disregard to India’s sensitivities. India can and should therefore use the Armenian genocide issue as a diplomatic weapon to dissuade Turkey from its unwarranted interference in India’s internal affairs, including those pertaining to Muslims in India in general and Kashmir in particular. If Turkey refuses to behave, India may reconsider its position on the issue of Armenian genocide, though that may require a well-articulated policy on the issue of genocide in general.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

President Joe Biden will be remembered by the global Armenian community as the first US President who formally described the large-scale massacre of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks during the First World War as “genocide” .

President Joe Biden will be remembered by the global Armenian community as the first US President who formally described the large-scale massacre of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks during the First World War as “genocide” . He did so through a Presidential statement on April 24, 2021. The day is commemorated by Armenians all over the world as “Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day” Ten million Armenians including an estimated seven million Armenian diaspora spread all over the world have been demanding the recognition of Armenian Genocide by the Turkish Ottoman regime during and after the World War 1. There is a broad consensus amongst international scholars that the Christian Armenian minority in Muslim-majority Turkey under Ottoman rule was subjected to blatant discrimination. During the First World War, the Turks suspected that the loyalty of the Christian Armenians of Turkey was with the Christian Russians. Many of them were residing in Eastern Anatolia, bordering with Imperialist Russia. Enraged by a heavy defeat at the hands of the Russian forces in the Battle of Saikamish (December 1914 to January 1915), the Ottoman Turks began destroying Ottoman Armenian villages during their retreat. The Ottoman War Minister Anwar Pasha publically accused the Armenians of treachery and what followed was the arrest of a large number of Armenians from different walks of life in Constantinople (now Istanbul) on April 24, 1915, and subsequent deportations en masse to the Syrian desert and elsewhere. Hundreds of thousands of Armenians were massacred or died from starvation or disease. A large number of Armenian women are alleged to have been molested/raped. The Armenians put the total figure of those who died in the process at 1.5 million. Turkey admits that there were indeed casualties but insists the numbers were no more than three hundred thousand and denies any systematic or premeditated plan for ethnic cleansing. Relations between Armenia and Turkey remain overshadowed by this burden of history as the two neighbouring countries do not have diplomatic relations and their borders remain closed for each other. Continuous influx of Armenians into the United States since the 17th century has created a vibrant, active, and diverse Armenian American Diaspora, estimated to be 1.6 million and the second-largest worldwide. The high concentration of Armenian Americans in certain electoral districts, particularly in California, allows them to influence the electoral outcome of elections in those districts. The primary objectives of the Armenian lobby in the USA, spearheaded by the domestic organisations such as Armenian National Committee of America and Armenian Assembly of America revolve around improving the US relations with Armenia, securing US aid and assistance for Armenia, blocking US aid to Turkey and Azerbaijan and above all the recognition of Armenian genocide. The Armenian lobby had so far succeeded in enlisting the support of as many as 49 US states in describing the Armenians massacre as genocide. Further in 2019 the US House of Representatives and the Senate had adopted separate but identical Resolutions the thrust of which inter-alia was that “It is the policy of the United States to commemorate the Armenian Genocide through official recognition and remembrance” and “to reject efforts to enlist, engage or otherwise associate the United States Government with denial of the Armenian Genocide or other genocides”. The US State Department however said that despite the resolutions the US Government’s official position did not change. The successive US Presidents had so far refrained from any official reference to Armenian Genocide; they did so in deference to the sensitivities of Turkey- an important strategic NATO ally of the USA. In April 2020, the then US President Trump did pay tributes to the victims of “one of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century” but stopped short of describing it as genocide. Even the Democratic President Barak Obama is accused of having reneged on the election campaign promises of recognising the Armenian genocide. Joe Biden’s decision is bound to please the Armenians who were somewhat disappointed over the US’s failure under President Trump to make any effective and substantive intervention during the 44-days armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020. The conflict ended in a humiliating military defeat for Armenia and also resulted, besides the loss of lives and territories, in a widespread agitation in Armenia against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. He ultimately resigned on 25th April 2021 to pave the way for mid-term elections in June 2021; as a matter of coincidence he resigned just a day after the release of Joe Biden’s Presidential Statement. Prima-facie there is no link between the US Presidential Statement and Armenian PM’s resignation. What prompted Joe Biden to accord official recognition to Armenian genocide- an act from which his predecessors both Democrats as well as Republicans had refrained from? For sure, this could not just be to appease and please the Armenians, considering in particular that the next elections are four years away, whereas the announcement could have an immediate adverse impact on the US-Turkey relations which are already on the downslide for some time for a variety of reasons. Turkey’s response has been on the predicted lines. President Erdogan accused President Biden of yielding to political pressure from “radical Armenian circles and anti-Turkey groups” and asked him to “reverse this wrong step immediately” So, does the US President’s recognition of Armenian genocide reflect the diminishing importance of Turkey for the USA as an ally, particularly in the backdrop of the US drawing down its military commitments to hotspots in the Middle East? By recognising the Armenian genocide, does the Biden Administration wish to convey its strong commitments to human rights? If so, the questions are being asked as to whether one can expect a similar approach for the Bengalis of Eastern Pakistan (now Bangladesh) who were butchered by the Pakistani Army in 1971 or for the Rohingya Muslims being currently persecuted by the Buddhist majority and the military junta in Myanmar? Perhaps not as neither Rohingyas nor Bengalis have any lobbying power in USA. Moreover, Pakistan still has some nuisance value for the USA in the context of Afghanistan. Is the Biden Administration trying to convey a message that the USA will not differentiate between friends, allies, or foes on matters which it considers as matters of principles and can go to any extent to prove the point. Remember, only recently (7th April) the US Navy had not only trespassed India’s Exclusive Economic Zone in its territorial waters but also had the audacity of making a public statement that it had done so without informing India or obtaining India’s prior’s consent and that it had done so to assert the Freedom of Navigation and to challenge India’s “excessive maritime claims”. Reverting to the issue of Armenian genocide, the Armenians have so far met with partial but reasonable success in securing global recognition. The recognition has come mainly from the Western States and organisations. While India has not recognised the Armenian Genocide all these years, the high-level dignitaries on official visits to Armenia do visit the Genocide Memorial in Yerevan to pay tribute to the victims of Armenian genocide. On last such occasion, the then Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari, had visited the Memorial on 25th April, 2017, laid a wreath and observed: “This is a tragedy, indescribable things done to humans by humans.” Earlier in 2005 the then Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat had also visited the Memorial in Yerevan and planted a tree besides laying a wreath. In nutshell, the US President’s recognition of the Armenian genocide is a shot in the arm for Armenians for their global campaign The full impact of the recognition on US relations with Turkey remains to be seen. Other than verbal rhetoric there are no firm indications at this point of time of any retaliatory measure which Turkey may be contemplating to counter the “insult and injury”. It is clear however that Turkey is now a dispensable ally for the USA. Turkey has been making unacceptable un-palatable statements from time to time on Kashmir in disregard to India’s sensitivities. India can and should therefore use the Armenian genocide issue as a diplomatic weapon to dissuade Turkey from its unwarranted interference in India’s internal affairs, including those pertaining to Muslims in India in general and Kashmir in particular. If Turkey refuses to behave, India may reconsider its position on the issue of Armenian genocide, though that may require a well-articulated policy on the issue of genocide in general. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinion: Biden's recognition of Armenian genocide reflects dispensability of Turkey

The White House is keen on changing the country's approach to deal with North Korea and the goal of denuclearisation in the region. President Joe Biden’s approach primarily involves “diplomacy” as opposed to looking to make “grand bargains” with the North Korean administration, the White House said on Friday.

The major challenge for the US has been to make North Korean leader Kim Jong Un give up nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. On this front, the US has witnessed multiple setbacks.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-how-did-north-korea-become-the-worlds-most-isolated-country-375342/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to Jen Psaki, the White House Press Secretary, Biden administration had undertaken a months-long review of North Korean policy, after which they decided to pursue the route of diplomacy.

"Our policy will not focus on achieving a grand bargain, nor will it rely on strategic patience," Psaki said during a press conference. Psaki added that the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula remains the goal. She noted, however that the former four presidents have been unable to get North Korea to denounce nuclear weapons.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/defector-group-launches-anti-north-korea-leaflets-despite-ban-381740" hreflang="en">Defector group launches anti-North Korea leaflets despite ban</a>

Owing to such past failures, the Biden administration it trying to butter the middle ground; attempting to strike a balance between the goals pursued by Biden’s recent predecessors.

Former US President Donald Trump held three summit meetings with Kim Jong Un to no end, for no goal was achieved. Even then, the meetings helped pause testing of intercontinental ballistic and nuclear missiles. Democrat Barack Obama chose a different direction by not pursuing any diplomatic engagement with the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/north-korea-completes-assembly-of-3000-tonne-submarine-report-376990" hreflang="en">North Korea completes assembly of 3,000-tonne submarine: Report</a>

Psaki added that the US intends to pursue a “calibrated practical approach that is open to and will explore diplomacy with" the country. She further said that the US wants to make “practical progress” which would facilitate the improvement of security for both the United States and its allies.

So far, North Korea has refused diplomatic interaction the the new US administration. Pyongyang wants Biden to start by lifting economic sanctions imposed on North Korea’s weapons programmes.

(With inputs from agencies)

The White House is keen on changing the country's approach to deal with North Korea and the goal of denuclearisation in the region. President Joe Biden’s approach primarily involves “diplomacy” as opposed to looking to make “grand bargains” with the North Korean administration, the White House said on Friday.

The White House is keen on changing the country's approach to deal with North Korea and the goal of denuclearisation in the region. President Joe Biden’s approach primarily involves “diplomacy” as opposed to looking to make “grand bargains” with the North Korean administration, the White House said on Friday. The major challenge for the US has been to make North Korean leader Kim Jong Un give up nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. On this front, the US has witnessed multiple setbacks. According to Jen Psaki, the White House Press Secretary, Biden administration had undertaken a months-long review of North Korean policy, after which they decided to pursue the route of diplomacy. "Our policy will not focus on achieving a grand bargain, nor will it rely on strategic patience," Psaki said during a press conference. Psaki added that the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula remains the goal. She noted, however that the former four presidents have been unable to get North Korea to denounce nuclear weapons. Also read: Defector group launches anti-North Korea leaflets despite ban Owing to such past failures, the Biden administration it trying to butter the middle ground; attempting to strike a balance between the goals pursued by Biden’s recent predecessors. Former US President Donald Trump held three summit meetings with Kim Jong Un to no end, for no goal was achieved. Even then, the meetings helped pause testing of intercontinental ballistic and nuclear missiles. Democrat Barack Obama chose a different direction by not pursuing any diplomatic engagement with the country. Also read: North Korea completes assembly of 3,000-tonne submarine: Report Psaki added that the US intends to pursue a “calibrated practical approach that is open to and will explore diplomacy with" the country. She further said that the US wants to make “practical progress” which would facilitate the improvement of security for both the United States and its allies. So far, North Korea has refused diplomatic interaction the the new US administration. Pyongyang wants Biden to start by lifting economic sanctions imposed on North Korea’s weapons programmes. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden wants to pursue 'practical diplomacy' with North Korea over 'grand bargains'

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Bide</a>n is set to mark 100 days in office and it is a big deal in American politics.

This is because the first 100 days are the honeymoon period and you are still carrying the momentum from the campaign trail.

It is the best time to get things done.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-biden-addresses-congress-ahead-of-100-days-in-office-381520/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Biden marked the day with an address to Congress.

The usual pomp and theatre were missing, as normally around 1,600 people would have packed into the hall, but this time there were only 200 people.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-bidens-speech-china-warns-us-against-imposing-democratic-ideals-381376">After Biden's speech, China warns US against imposing 'democratic ideals'</a>

Biden's address shattered a centuries-old glass ceiling in the US, as flanking the president&nbsp;were Kamala Harris and Nancy Pelosi, two of the most powerful women in America and second and third in the line of succession.

It was a first in the US Congress and Biden noted it right at the start.

"Thank you all. Madam speaker, madam vice president. No president has ever said those words from this podium. No president has ever said those words, and it's about time," Biden said.&nbsp;

But, beyond the symbolism, what was the substance of Biden's speech?

It can be best described as ambitious.

He said America was on the move again, ready for take off.

But most of Biden's proposals lack Republican support, including a new one he unveiled during the speech which is called the American Families Plan.

It is a two trillion dollar project to expand America's social safety nets.

He spent most of this speech talking about it.

But Republicans are not game, in fact, a few of them didn't even try to hide their lack of interest.

Senator Ted Cruz dozed off right in the middle of Biden's speech.

Couple of hours later he wrote social media: "Boring, but radical".

Biden's speech was mostly along expected lines.

He talked up his vaccination drive, pitched higher taxes for the rich and also sent a message to America's rivals: China and Russia.

"In my discussions with President Xi [Jinping], I told him, we welcome the competition. We're not looking for conflict. But I made absolutely clear that we will defend America's interests across the board," he said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
"I also told president Xi that we'll maintain a strong military presence in the Indo-Pacific just as we do for NATO in Rurope. Not to start a conflict, but to prevent one."

On Russia, he said: "I know it concerned, some of you, but I made very clear to [Vladimir] Putin that we're not going to seek....Excuse me, escalation. But their actions will have consequences if they turn out to be true and they turned out to be true."

<h2>Biggest challenge</h2>

But Biden's biggest challenge is at home: systemic racism and gun violence.

The latest case is from California where 26-year-old Mario Gonzales was pinned to the ground by cops for 5 minutes.

He eventually became unresponsive and died in a hospital later that day.

His crime was that he appeared to be disoriented or drunk.

White supremacy continues to dominate American thinking and we see it when cops shoot black Americans, or when Asian-Americans are targeted.

Some prosecutors want the International Criminal Court to step in, saying the police killings are crimes against humanity.

The US president is backing a police reform bill named after George Floyd to address the issue.&nbsp;

It has already cleared the House, but the Senate battle promises to be tough.

So, Biden used his address to pitch bipartisanship and unity.

"My fellow Americans, we have to come together to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the people they serve. To root out systemic racism in our criminal justice system and to enact police reform in George Gloyd's name that passed the House already. I know the Republicans have their own ideas and are engaged in productive discussions with Democrats in Senate. We need to work together to find a consensus but let's get it done next month, by the first anniversary of George Floyd's death," Biden said.&nbsp;

The other issue is guns, and Biden has called America's record on gun violence an "embarrassment".&nbsp;

But is he willing to stake his political capital to implement reforms?

Gun sales are soaring in America and in March alone, 4.7 million Americans initiated background checks to buy guns.

While campaigning, Biden made three promises on gun control, background checks, ban on assault weapons and ending online sale of guns.

None of these have been achieved and it's time for the US president to look inward.

The pandemic is under control in the US, but the epidemic of racism and gun violence is festering.

Unfortunately, there are no vaccine targets to meet here.

Biden will need all his political experience to navigate this crisis.

It's not something that can be done in a presidential term or even two.

Beating racism in America will be a generational battle and the way things are going, there is no guarantee of success.

US President Joe Biden is set to mark 100 days in office and it is a big deal in American politics. This is because the first 100 days are the honeymoon period and you are still carrying the momentum from the campaign trail.

US President Joe Biden is set to mark 100 days in office and it is a big deal in American politics. This is because the first 100 days are the honeymoon period and you are still carrying the momentum from the campaign trail. It is the best time to get things done. Watch | Biden marked the day with an address to Congress. The usual pomp and theatre were missing, as normally around 1,600 people would have packed into the hall, but this time there were only 200 people. Also read | After Biden's speech, China warns US against imposing 'democratic ideals' Biden's address shattered a centuries-old glass ceiling in the US, as flanking the president were Kamala Harris and Nancy Pelosi, two of the most powerful women in America and second and third in the line of succession. It was a first in the US Congress and Biden noted it right at the start. "Thank you all. Madam speaker, madam vice president. No president has ever said those words from this podium. No president has ever said those words, and it's about time," Biden said. But, beyond the symbolism, what was the substance of Biden's speech? It can be best described as ambitious. He said America was on the move again, ready for take off. But most of Biden's proposals lack Republican support, including a new one he unveiled during the speech which is called the American Families Plan. It is a two trillion dollar project to expand America's social safety nets. He spent most of this speech talking about it. But Republicans are not game, in fact, a few of them didn't even try to hide their lack of interest. Senator Ted Cruz dozed off right in the middle of Biden's speech. Couple of hours later he wrote social media: "Boring, but radical". Biden's speech was mostly along expected lines. He talked up his vaccination drive, pitched higher taxes for the rich and also sent a message to America's rivals: China and Russia. "In my discussions with President Xi [Jinping], I told him, we welcome the competition. We're not looking for conflict. But I made absolutely clear that we will defend America's interests across the board," he said. "I also told president Xi that we'll maintain a strong military presence in the Indo-Pacific just as we do for NATO in Rurope. Not to start a conflict, but to prevent one." On Russia, he said: "I know it concerned, some of you, but I made very clear to [Vladimir] Putin that we're not going to seek....Excuse me, escalation. But their actions will have consequences if they turn out to be true and they turned out to be true." Biggest challenge But Biden's biggest challenge is at home: systemic racism and gun violence. The latest case is from California where 26-year-old Mario Gonzales was pinned to the ground by cops for 5 minutes. He eventually became unresponsive and died in a hospital later that day. His crime was that he appeared to be disoriented or drunk. White supremacy continues to dominate American thinking and we see it when cops shoot black Americans, or when Asian-Americans are targeted. Some prosecutors want the International Criminal Court to step in, saying the police killings are crimes against humanity. The US president is backing a police reform bill named after George Floyd to address the issue. It has already cleared the House, but the Senate battle promises to be tough. So, Biden used his address to pitch bipartisanship and unity. "My fellow Americans, we have to come together to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the people they serve. To root out systemic racism in our criminal justice system and to enact police reform in George Gloyd's name that passed the House already. I know the Republicans have their own ideas and are engaged in productive discussions with Democrats in Senate. We need to work together to find a consensus but let's get it done next month, by the first anniversary of George Floyd's death," Biden said. The other issue is guns, and Biden has called America's record on gun violence an "embarrassment". But is he willing to stake his political capital to implement reforms? Gun sales are soaring in America and in March alone, 4.7 million Americans initiated background checks to buy guns. While campaigning, Biden made three promises on gun control, background checks, ban on assault weapons and ending online sale of guns. None of these have been achieved and it's time for the US president to look inward. The pandemic is under control in the US, but the epidemic of racism and gun violence is festering. Unfortunately, there are no vaccine targets to meet here. Biden will need all his political experience to navigate this crisis. It's not something that can be done in a presidential term or even two. Beating racism in America will be a generational battle and the way things are going, there is no guarantee of success.

As Biden administration set to complete 100 days, a look at key challenges

Former US President Donald Trump alleges Joe Biden over his weak foreign policy towards China. 'They (Joe Biden Administration) are going to give away our country to China', says Donald Trump. 'Biden's son has vested interest in China', he further added.

'They're going to give away our country to China', says Donald Trump

Amid growing pressure by the US administration on reclassifying ride-hail and food delivery workers as employees, gig economy companies are pushing to keep their drivers' independent contractor status.&nbsp;

These companies that include Uber, Instacart argue that surveys suggest that most of their workers do not want to be employees.

They also said that these workers want to remain flexible with the amount and type of work.&nbsp;

Gig companies also hope that US President Joe Biden will able to understand their point and drop the idea of reclassification, reports Al Jazeera.&nbsp;

However, US Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh on Thursday in an interview said that "a lot of gig workers should be classified as employees", reports news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

There was a fall of as much as 12 per cent on shares of Uber Technologies Inc, Lyft Inc and DoorDash after Walsh's remarks.&nbsp;

Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart and Postmates came together to form the App-Based Work Alliance less than two weeks after Biden was declared the winner of the presidential election 2020.&nbsp;

After Walsh's comments, the group on Thursday said it looked forward to working with the secretary to have "much-needed discussions about advancing modern policies that protect worker independence and flexibility while strengthening benefits and protections."

 
&nbsp;

Amid growing pressure by the US administration on reclassifying ride-hail and food delivery workers as employees, gig economy companies are pushing to keep their drivers' independent contractor status.

Amid growing pressure by the US administration on reclassifying ride-hail and food delivery workers as employees, gig economy companies are pushing to keep their drivers' independent contractor status. These companies that include Uber, Instacart argue that surveys suggest that most of their workers do not want to be employees. They also said that these workers want to remain flexible with the amount and type of work. Gig companies also hope that US President Joe Biden will able to understand their point and drop the idea of reclassification, reports Al Jazeera. However, US Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh on Thursday in an interview said that "a lot of gig workers should be classified as employees", reports news agency Reuters. There was a fall of as much as 12 per cent on shares of Uber Technologies Inc, Lyft Inc and DoorDash after Walsh's remarks. Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart and Postmates came together to form the App-Based Work Alliance less than two weeks after Biden was declared the winner of the presidential election 2020. After Walsh's comments, the group on Thursday said it looked forward to working with the secretary to have "much-needed discussions about advancing modern policies that protect worker independence and flexibility while strengthening benefits and protections."

Gig companies seek to convince US govt over worker status reclassification

Former US President Donald Trump accused Joe Biden for giving away America to China. Trump also accused Biden administration for taking credit of his vaccine efforts and called himself the 'Father of vaccine'.

Donald Trump accused Biden for giving away America to China

As the world celebrated the 10th anniversary of terrorist Osama Bin Laden’s death, his terrorist network and group Al Qaeda has vowed war against the US till the forces are "expelled from the rest of the Islamic world".

While US President Joe Biden prepares to withdraw all American troops from Afghanistan, Al Qaeda has detached itself from the promise made by the Taliban and has instead vowed war with the US.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/10-years-after-death-al-qaeda-chief-osama-bin-laden-still-mobilises-jihadists-380730">10 years after death, al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden still mobilises jihadists</a>

Two al Qaeda operatives have told CNN in an exclusive interview that "war against the US will be continuing on all other fronts unless they are expelled from the rest of the Islamic world".

The comment from the al Qaeda operatives has come as a warning that the group might be looking to re-enter Afghanistan as the US troops prepare to move out, as per the deal made with the Taliban.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-pullout-surge-in-insider-attacks-in-afghan-army-says-us-government-report-381730">Afghanistan pullout: Surge in insider attacks in Afghan army, says US government report</a>

"The United States is not a problem for our Afghan brothers, but due to the sacrifices in the Afghan war, the Americans are now defeated. Whether Republicans or Democrats — both have made final decision to pull out from the Afghan war," they said.

In fact, the members of the terrorist group have also thanked the Taliban for keeping the fight against the US going. "Thanks to Afghans for the protection of comrades-in-arms, many such jihadi fronts have been successfully operating in different parts of the Islamic world for a long time," the operative said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-to-deploy-additional-military-assets-to-afghanistan-as-withdrawal-underway-381534">US to deploy additional military assets to Afghanistan as withdrawal underway</a>

The spokesperson has also hinted that the deal between the Taliban and America might be based on a sham as, al Qaeda claims, the Taliban is not being completely honest with the Biden administration.

They also claimed to have "masterminded" the 2009 attack, which led to the killing of seven CIA operatives. The operatives claimed that the Pakistani Taliban (TP) was their junior partner in the attack and "was in its learning stages” due to which “many mistakes were made by them".

However, now, the group is proud of its influence over the infamous TTP. "Now the organization of Pakistani Taliban and their leadership not only moving forward in the light of Sharia but also making better decisions based on past experiences and recent successes have been made possible by the same unity and adherence to Sharia and Wisdom," they said.

As the world celebrated the 10th anniversary of terrorist Osama Bin Laden’s death, his terrorist network and group Al Qaeda has vowed war against the US till the forces are "expelled from the rest of the Islamic world".

As the world celebrated the 10th anniversary of terrorist Osama Bin Laden’s death, his terrorist network and group Al Qaeda has vowed war against the US till the forces are "expelled from the rest of the Islamic world". While US President Joe Biden prepares to withdraw all American troops from Afghanistan, Al Qaeda has detached itself from the promise made by the Taliban and has instead vowed war with the US. Also read | 10 years after death, al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden still mobilises jihadists Two al Qaeda operatives have told CNN in an exclusive interview that "war against the US will be continuing on all other fronts unless they are expelled from the rest of the Islamic world". The comment from the al Qaeda operatives has come as a warning that the group might be looking to re-enter Afghanistan as the US troops prepare to move out, as per the deal made with the Taliban. Also read | Afghanistan pullout: Surge in insider attacks in Afghan army, says US government report "The United States is not a problem for our Afghan brothers, but due to the sacrifices in the Afghan war, the Americans are now defeated. Whether Republicans or Democrats — both have made final decision to pull out from the Afghan war," they said. In fact, the members of the terrorist group have also thanked the Taliban for keeping the fight against the US going. "Thanks to Afghans for the protection of comrades-in-arms, many such jihadi fronts have been successfully operating in different parts of the Islamic world for a long time," the operative said. Also read | US to deploy additional military assets to Afghanistan as withdrawal underway The spokesperson has also hinted that the deal between the Taliban and America might be based on a sham as, al Qaeda claims, the Taliban is not being completely honest with the Biden administration. They also claimed to have "masterminded" the 2009 attack, which led to the killing of seven CIA operatives. The operatives claimed that the Pakistani Taliban (TP) was their junior partner in the attack and "was in its learning stages” due to which “many mistakes were made by them". However, now, the group is proud of its influence over the infamous TTP. "Now the organization of Pakistani Taliban and their leadership not only moving forward in the light of Sharia but also making better decisions based on past experiences and recent successes have been made possible by the same unity and adherence to Sharia and Wisdom," they said.

'War is not over': Al Qaeda warns US as American troops prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan

The Indo-US ties in the first 100 days of the administration of US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden </a>has intensified, the state department said.&nbsp;

"There's been a concerted focus on India over the past 100 days. President Biden, of course, did make mention of India in his (State of the Union) address last night, and I think you can look at that deep partnership and commitment to partnership through any number of lenses," State Department spokesperson Ned Price was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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The engagement between both the nations during these 1000 days reflects a global comprehensive partnership, he added.&nbsp;

He also underscored various engagements of officials from both the countries, including Biden's talks with Indian PM <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/narendra-modi">Narendra Modi </a>and engagement between Secretary of State Tony Blinken and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-stands-with-india-first-of-100-million-covid-aid-from-us-arrives-in-india-381605">US stands with India: First of $100 million Covid aid from US arrives in India&nbsp;</a>

Special Envoy on Climate Change John Kerry and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's also visited India, Price said, referring to the importance the US places on ties with India.&nbsp;

"I have mentioned our climate cooperation, but also our health cooperation, and this was something that predates the pandemic but has intensified with the onset of the pandemic and even further with the uptick in cases that we have seen in India in recent days," he said.

"So, I think it is this engagement that reflects our global comprehensive partnership."&nbsp;

The Indo-US ties in the first 100 days of the administration of US President Joe Biden has intensified, the state department said. "There's been a concerted focus on India over the past 100 days.

The Indo-US ties in the first 100 days of the administration of US President Joe Biden has intensified, the state department said. "There's been a concerted focus on India over the past 100 days. President Biden, of course, did make mention of India in his (State of the Union) address last night, and I think you can look at that deep partnership and commitment to partnership through any number of lenses," State Department spokesperson Ned Price was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Watch | The engagement between both the nations during these 1000 days reflects a global comprehensive partnership, he added. He also underscored various engagements of officials from both the countries, including Biden's talks with Indian PM Narendra Modi and engagement between Secretary of State Tony Blinken and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar. Also read | US stands with India: First of $100 million Covid aid from US arrives in India Special Envoy on Climate Change John Kerry and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's also visited India, Price said, referring to the importance the US places on ties with India. "I have mentioned our climate cooperation, but also our health cooperation, and this was something that predates the pandemic but has intensified with the onset of the pandemic and even further with the uptick in cases that we have seen in India in recent days," he said. "So, I think it is this engagement that reflects our global comprehensive partnership."

Indo-US ties intensified in Biden administration's first 100 days: State Department

Joe Biden addressed the U.S Congress on the eve of completing 100 days as President. Biden talked up his vaccine rollout and unveiled a $2 trillion spending spree. But what is the President's plan to tackle America's biggest threat - racism?

Gravitas: Biden addresses Congress ahead of 100 days in office

South&nbsp;Korean President&nbsp;Moon&nbsp;Jae-in will&nbsp;visit&nbsp;US President Joe&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;in Washington&nbsp;on&nbsp;May&nbsp;21, the White House said Thursday.&nbsp;

"President&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;looks forward to working with President&nbsp;Moon&nbsp;to further strengthen our alliance and expand our close cooperation," White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.&nbsp;

"Moon's&nbsp;visit&nbsp;will highlight the ironclad alliance between the United States and the&nbsp;Republic of Korea, and the broad and deep ties between our governments, people and economies," she said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-us-show-differences-over-japan-governments-fukushima-plans-378353">South Korea, US show differences over Japan government's Fukushima plans&nbsp;</a>

Moon&nbsp;will be the second world leader to&nbsp;visit&nbsp;the White House since&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;took office in January after Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga met with the US leader earlier this month.&nbsp;

The meetings reflect&nbsp;Biden's priority&nbsp;on&nbsp;relationships with Asian allies as his administration continues to focus&nbsp;on&nbsp;competition with China.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin visited Seoul in March to reaffirm the two countries' united force against North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;and Beijing's growing ambitions.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-koreas-moon-replaces-pm-cabinet-ministers-after-election-defeat-377919">South Korea's Moon replaces PM, cabinet ministers after election defeat</a>

In a recent interview with The New York Times,&nbsp;Moon&nbsp;called&nbsp;on&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;to re-open negotiations with Pyongyang&nbsp;on&nbsp;the denuclearization of North&nbsp;Korea.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in will visit US President Joe Biden in Washington on May 21, the White House said Thursday. "President Biden looks forward to working with President Moon to further strengthen our alliance and expand our close cooperation," White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in will visit US President Joe Biden in Washington on May 21, the White House said Thursday. "President Biden looks forward to working with President Moon to further strengthen our alliance and expand our close cooperation," White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. "Moon's visit will highlight the ironclad alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea, and the broad and deep ties between our governments, people and economies," she said. Also read | South Korea, US show differences over Japan government's Fukushima plans Moon will be the second world leader to visit the White House since Biden took office in January after Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga met with the US leader earlier this month. The meetings reflect Biden's priority on relationships with Asian allies as his administration continues to focus on competition with China. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin visited Seoul in March to reaffirm the two countries' united force against North Korea and Beijing's growing ambitions. Also read | South Korea's Moon replaces PM, cabinet ministers after election defeat In a recent interview with The New York Times, Moon called on Biden to re-open negotiations with Pyongyang on the denuclearization of North Korea.

South Korean President Moon to meet Biden at White House on May 21

The United States on Tuesday ordered government employees out of its embassy in the Afghan capital of&nbsp;Kabul&nbsp;if their work can be done elsewhere, citing increasing violence in the city.

The order came in an updated State Department travel advisory for Afghanistan, where the Biden administration is beginning a drawdown of US&nbsp;combat troops on May 1.

"In light of increasing violence and threat reports in&nbsp;Kabul, the Department has approved Ordered Departure status affecting a relatively small number of employees at the US&nbsp;Embassy in&nbsp;Kabul&nbsp;effective immediately," a State Department spokeswoman said by email. She declined to discuss the exact number of staff affected.

"We do not anticipate any changes to our operations and capabilities resulting from this action," she added.

President Joe Biden this month set a deadline for withdrawing all 2,500 US&nbsp;troops remaining in Afghanistan of September&nbsp;11, the 20th anniversary of al Qaeda's attacks on the United States that triggered the war.

The United States on Tuesday ordered government employees out of its embassy in the Afghan capital of Kabul if their work can be done elsewhere, citing increasing violence in the city.

The United States on Tuesday ordered government employees out of its embassy in the Afghan capital of Kabul if their work can be done elsewhere, citing increasing violence in the city. The order came in an updated State Department travel advisory for Afghanistan, where the Biden administration is beginning a drawdown of US combat troops on May 1. "In light of increasing violence and threat reports in Kabul, the Department has approved Ordered Departure status affecting a relatively small number of employees at the US Embassy in Kabul effective immediately," a State Department spokeswoman said by email. She declined to discuss the exact number of staff affected. "We do not anticipate any changes to our operations and capabilities resulting from this action," she added. President Joe Biden this month set a deadline for withdrawing all 2,500 US troops remaining in Afghanistan of September 11, the 20th anniversary of al Qaeda's attacks on the United States that triggered the war.

State Department orders some US government employees out of Kabul

The Biden administration is considering a near wholesale rollback of some of the most stringent Trump-era sanctions imposed on Iran in a bid to get the Islamic Republic to return to compliance with a landmark 2015 nuclear accord, according to current and former US officials and others familiar with the matter.

As indirect talks continue this week in Vienna to explore the possibility of reviving the nuclear deal, American officials have become increasingly expansive about what they might be prepared to offer Iran, which has been driving a hard line on sanctions relief, demanding that all US penalties be removed, according to these people.

American officials have refused to discuss which sanctions are being considered for removal. But they have said they are open to lifting any sanctions that are inconsistent with the nuclear deal or that deny Iran the relief it would be entitled to should it return to compliance with the accord. Because of the complex nature of the sanctions architecture, that could include non-nuclear sanctions, such as those tied to terrorism, missile development and human rights.

Biden administration officials say this is necessary because of what they describe as a deliberate attempt by the Trump administration to stymie any return to the deal. Under the 2015 agreement, the United States was required to lift sanctions tied to Iran's nuclear programme, but not non-nuclear sanctions.

Administration officials deny they will remove all non-nuclear sanctions, but have declined to identify those which they believe Trump improperly imposed on terrorism and other grounds.

Any return to the JCPOA would require sanctions relief, but we are considering removing only those sanctions that are inconsistent with the JCPOA,&nbsp;said State Department spokesman Ned Price.

Even if we rejoin the JCPOA which remains hypothetical we would retain and continue to implement sanctions on Iran for activities not covered by the JCPOA, including Iran's missile proliferation, support for terrorism, and human rights abuses.

When President Donald Trump re-imposed sanctions after withdrawing from the deal in 2018, he not only put the nuclear sanctions back in but also added layers of terrorism and other sanctions on many of the same entities. In addition, the Trump administration imposed an array of new sanctions on previously unsanctioned entities.

This has put the current administration in an awkward position: Iran is demanding the removal of all sanctions. If the US doesn't lift at least some of them, Iran says it won't agree to halt its nuclear activities barred by the deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA.

But if the Biden administration makes concessions that go beyond the nuclear-specific sanctions, Republican critics and others, including Israel and Gulf Arab states, are likely to seize on them as proof that the administration is caving to Iran. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has led the charge among Trump alumni to denounce any easing of sanctions.

Former Trump administration officials say all the sanctions are legitimate. Gabriel Noronha, a former State Department senior adviser on Iran, said all the Trump-era sanctions had been approved by career Justice Department lawyers and would have been rejected if they weren't legitimate.

But a senior State Department official involved in the negotiations said officials now have to go through every sanction to look at whether they were legitimate or not legitimately imposed.

The official, who like the others spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private talks, also said the US&nbsp;Would be prepared to lift sanctions that would otherwise deny Iran the benefits of the deal. Those sanctions could include restrictions on Iran's ability to access the international financial system, including dealing in dollar-based transactions.

There are sanctions that are inconsistent with the JCPOA and as we have said if Iran resumes its compliance with the nuclear deal ... We would be prepared to lift those sanctions that are inconsistent with the JCPOA,&nbsp;Price said last week. He declined to elaborate on what might be inconsistent&nbsp;with the deal.

Those comments suggest that sanctions imposed on Iran's Central Bank, its national oil and shipping companies, its manufacturing, construction and financial sectors are on the block. Deal critics briefed on aspects of the Vienna negotiations say they suspect that is indeed the case.

That's because the bank, oil, shipping and other sanctions, all ostensibly imposed by the Trump administration for terrorism, ballistic missile and human rights concerns, also affect nuclear sanctions relief.

Current officials say no decisions have yet been made and nothing will be agreed upon in Vienna until everything regarding sanctions relief and Iran's return to compliance with the nuclear deal has been settled.

But critics of the nuclear deal fear the administration will go beyond even what has been suggested by the administration's oblique comments. They suspect that sanctions on people, companies, government agencies or other entities identified for nuclear sanctions relief in the 2015 deal will be cleared; even if they were subsequently penalized on other grounds.&nbsp;

The Biden administration is considering a near wholesale rollback of some of the most stringent Trump-era sanctions imposed on Iran in a bid to get the Islamic Republic to return to compliance with a landmark 2015 nuclear accord, according to current and former US officials and others familiar with the matter.

The Biden administration is considering a near wholesale rollback of some of the most stringent Trump-era sanctions imposed on Iran in a bid to get the Islamic Republic to return to compliance with a landmark 2015 nuclear accord, according to current and former US officials and others familiar with the matter. As indirect talks continue this week in Vienna to explore the possibility of reviving the nuclear deal, American officials have become increasingly expansive about what they might be prepared to offer Iran, which has been driving a hard line on sanctions relief, demanding that all US penalties be removed, according to these people. American officials have refused to discuss which sanctions are being considered for removal. But they have said they are open to lifting any sanctions that are inconsistent with the nuclear deal or that deny Iran the relief it would be entitled to should it return to compliance with the accord. Because of the complex nature of the sanctions architecture, that could include non-nuclear sanctions, such as those tied to terrorism, missile development and human rights. Biden administration officials say this is necessary because of what they describe as a deliberate attempt by the Trump administration to stymie any return to the deal. Under the 2015 agreement, the United States was required to lift sanctions tied to Iran's nuclear programme, but not non-nuclear sanctions. Administration officials deny they will remove all non-nuclear sanctions, but have declined to identify those which they believe Trump improperly imposed on terrorism and other grounds. Any return to the JCPOA would require sanctions relief, but we are considering removing only those sanctions that are inconsistent with the JCPOA, said State Department spokesman Ned Price. Even if we rejoin the JCPOA which remains hypothetical we would retain and continue to implement sanctions on Iran for activities not covered by the JCPOA, including Iran's missile proliferation, support for terrorism, and human rights abuses. When President Donald Trump re-imposed sanctions after withdrawing from the deal in 2018, he not only put the nuclear sanctions back in but also added layers of terrorism and other sanctions on many of the same entities. In addition, the Trump administration imposed an array of new sanctions on previously unsanctioned entities. This has put the current administration in an awkward position: Iran is demanding the removal of all sanctions. If the US doesn't lift at least some of them, Iran says it won't agree to halt its nuclear activities barred by the deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. But if the Biden administration makes concessions that go beyond the nuclear-specific sanctions, Republican critics and others, including Israel and Gulf Arab states, are likely to seize on them as proof that the administration is caving to Iran. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has led the charge among Trump alumni to denounce any easing of sanctions. Former Trump administration officials say all the sanctions are legitimate. Gabriel Noronha, a former State Department senior adviser on Iran, said all the Trump-era sanctions had been approved by career Justice Department lawyers and would have been rejected if they weren't legitimate. But a senior State Department official involved in the negotiations said officials now have to go through every sanction to look at whether they were legitimate or not legitimately imposed. The official, who like the others spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private talks, also said the US Would be prepared to lift sanctions that would otherwise deny Iran the benefits of the deal. Those sanctions could include restrictions on Iran's ability to access the international financial system, including dealing in dollar-based transactions. There are sanctions that are inconsistent with the JCPOA and as we have said if Iran resumes its compliance with the nuclear deal ... We would be prepared to lift those sanctions that are inconsistent with the JCPOA, Price said last week. He declined to elaborate on what might be inconsistent with the deal. Those comments suggest that sanctions imposed on Iran's Central Bank, its national oil and shipping companies, its manufacturing, construction and financial sectors are on the block. Deal critics briefed on aspects of the Vienna negotiations say they suspect that is indeed the case. That's because the bank, oil, shipping and other sanctions, all ostensibly imposed by the Trump administration for terrorism, ballistic missile and human rights concerns, also affect nuclear sanctions relief. Current officials say no decisions have yet been made and nothing will be agreed upon in Vienna until everything regarding sanctions relief and Iran's return to compliance with the nuclear deal has been settled. But critics of the nuclear deal fear the administration will go beyond even what has been suggested by the administration's oblique comments. They suspect that sanctions on people, companies, government agencies or other entities identified for nuclear sanctions relief in the 2015 deal will be cleared; even if they were subsequently penalized on other grounds.

US eyes major rollback in Iran sanctions to revive nuke deal

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden </a>has continued where his predecessor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump </a>has left when it comes to the nuclear ambitions of the United States as the first design phase of a multibillion-dollar project has been approved.&nbsp;

The National Nuclear Security Administration on Wednesday announced that planning and building of the project to manufacture key components of nuclear arsenal could cost upwards of USD 4 billion initially, news agency AP reported.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rouhani-says-zarif-leak-aimed-to-create-discord-during-iran-nuclear-talks-381027">Rouhani says Zarif leak aimed to create 'discord' during Iran nuclear talks</a>

For the project, the Los Alamos National Laboratory will begin manufacturing 30 plutonium cores per year.

The debate to increase the US's nuclear arsenal has been raised in many administrations with supporters arguing that Washington needs it amid global security concerns.&nbsp;

The nuclear agency also has stated that a majority of the cores in the stockpile are from the 1970s and 1980s.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nuclear-talks-make-some-progress-interim-deal-possible-say-iranian-officials-378667">Nuclear talks make some progress, interim deal possible, say Iranian officials&nbsp;</a>

Democrats belonging to New Mexico's congressional delegation have backed the production at Los Alamos over the billions of dollars in federal funding and thousands of jobs that are at stake.

However, watchdogs have raised concerns over potential security and safety lapses at the northern New Mexico lab and adverse effects on the environment.&nbsp;

Nuclear waste that is likely to be generated by the project is also a concern.&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden has continued where his predecessor Donald Trump has left when it comes to the nuclear ambitions of the United States as the first design phase of a multibillion-dollar project has been approved.

US President Joe Biden has continued where his predecessor Donald Trump has left when it comes to the nuclear ambitions of the United States as the first design phase of a multibillion-dollar project has been approved. The National Nuclear Security Administration on Wednesday announced that planning and building of the project to manufacture key components of nuclear arsenal could cost upwards of USD 4 billion initially, news agency AP reported. Also read | Rouhani says Zarif leak aimed to create 'discord' during Iran nuclear talks For the project, the Los Alamos National Laboratory will begin manufacturing 30 plutonium cores per year. The debate to increase the US's nuclear arsenal has been raised in many administrations with supporters arguing that Washington needs it amid global security concerns. The nuclear agency also has stated that a majority of the cores in the stockpile are from the 1970s and 1980s. Also read | Nuclear talks make some progress, interim deal possible, say Iranian officials Democrats belonging to New Mexico's congressional delegation have backed the production at Los Alamos over the billions of dollars in federal funding and thousands of jobs that are at stake. However, watchdogs have raised concerns over potential security and safety lapses at the northern New Mexico lab and adverse effects on the environment. Nuclear waste that is likely to be generated by the project is also a concern.

Despite concerns, US pushes policy to improve nuclear arsenal

US President Joe Biden made his first joint address to Congress, outlining his vision for the country and speaking to what he sees as his administration's initial accomplishments as he nears 100 days in office.

Biden's delivers first address to Congress, says America is dreaming & leading the world again

Biden delivers first joint address to Congress, says America on the move again

NATO has begun withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan, reported AFP quoting a senior official of the alliance.

"NATO Allies decided in mid-April to start the withdrawal of Resolute Support Mission forces by May 1 and this withdrawal has begun. This will be an orderly, coordinated, and deliberate process," a NATO official told AFP.&nbsp;

The United States and the allied forces are in the process of withdrawing their forces from Afghanistan. Though the US had said initially that troop withdrawal will take place on May 1, US President Joe Biden has previously said that keeping the date would be difficult.

The US had been engaged with Taliban, widely perceived to gain control of the country in peace talks. However, Taliban attacks and the assassination of prominent Afghan figures have raised alarm everywhere.

Members of the US-backed alliance NATO agreed this month to wrap up their 9,600-strong mission in Afghanistan after Biden made the call to end Washington's longest war.

The decision -- which delayed by several months a deadline agreed by former US leader Donald Trump -- came despite fears it could allow the Taliban to regain power in the country.

The NATO official said the safety of the alliance's troops "will be a top priority every step of the way, and we are taking all necessary measures to keep our personnel from harm". &nbsp;

"Any Taliban attacks during the withdrawal will be met with a forceful response. We plan to have our withdrawal completed within a few months," the official said, refusing to give any f

Biden said the US withdrawal would be completed by September 11, the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America that sparked its military involvement in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Germany's defence ministry has said it plans to get its 1,300 troops out of the country by early July.&nbsp; 
NATO's training and support mission, which includes some 2,500 US troops and relies heavily on Washington's military assets, has personnel from 36 alliance member nations and partner countries.

The US has said it is temporarily deploying extra troops to protect international forces as they withdraw and has prolonged the presence of an aircraft carrier in the region to support the pull-out.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

NATO has begun withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan, reported AFP quoting a senior official of the alliance. "NATO Allies decided in mid-April to start the withdrawal of Resolute Support Mission forces by May 1 and this withdrawal has begun.

NATO has begun withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan, reported AFP quoting a senior official of the alliance. "NATO Allies decided in mid-April to start the withdrawal of Resolute Support Mission forces by May 1 and this withdrawal has begun. This will be an orderly, coordinated, and deliberate process," a NATO official told AFP. The United States and the allied forces are in the process of withdrawing their forces from Afghanistan. Though the US had said initially that troop withdrawal will take place on May 1, US President Joe Biden has previously said that keeping the date would be difficult. The US had been engaged with Taliban, widely perceived to gain control of the country in peace talks. However, Taliban attacks and the assassination of prominent Afghan figures have raised alarm everywhere. Members of the US-backed alliance NATO agreed this month to wrap up their 9,600-strong mission in Afghanistan after Biden made the call to end Washington's longest war. The decision -- which delayed by several months a deadline agreed by former US leader Donald Trump -- came despite fears it could allow the Taliban to regain power in the country. The NATO official said the safety of the alliance's troops "will be a top priority every step of the way, and we are taking all necessary measures to keep our personnel from harm". "Any Taliban attacks during the withdrawal will be met with a forceful response. We plan to have our withdrawal completed within a few months," the official said, refusing to give any f Biden said the US withdrawal would be completed by September 11, the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America that sparked its military involvement in Afghanistan. Germany's defence ministry has said it plans to get its 1,300 troops out of the country by early July. NATO's training and support mission, which includes some 2,500 US troops and relies heavily on Washington's military assets, has personnel from 36 alliance member nations and partner countries. The US has said it is temporarily deploying extra troops to protect international forces as they withdraw and has prolonged the presence of an aircraft carrier in the region to support the pull-out. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan troop withdrawal has begun, says senior NATO official

China on Thursday warned the United States for "forcing other countries" to accept its democratic ideals after US President Joe Biden's speech in which he criticised "autocrats".&nbsp;

Biden, in his first address to Congress, said that the US was in competition with China, adding that "autocrats think democracies can't compete".&nbsp;

Watch |

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/biden-delivers-first-joint-address-to-congress-says-america-on-the-move-again-381271/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Responding to Biden's speech, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that it was normal for both countries to compete in some fields.&nbsp;

"But this kind of competition should be a track and field race, not a duel to the death," he added in a press briefing on Thursday as quoted by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-it-does-not-seek-conflict-with-china-welcomes-competition-381252">US says it 'does not seek conflict' with China, welcomes 'competition'</a>

He also warned that imposing other nations to "accept one's democratic system... will only create divisions, intensify tension, and undermine stability."

Earlier Biden also said that Washington would stand up to discriminatory trade practices and intellectual property theft.&nbsp;

However, the Chinese spokesperson slammed the US for "violating the market principle of fair competition" and "politicising" economy, trade and other issues, in a reference to the trade war.&nbsp;

The US president also said that the country welcomes competition and not eyeing conflict, to which even Wang said that, "China is committed to developing a relationship with the US based on non-conflict and non-confrontation". &nbsp;&nbsp;

Biden also said that he told Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that Washington would continue to keep a strong military deployment in the Indo-Pacific to prevent conflict, to which China highlighted issues with this US approach. &nbsp;

China's defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian on Thursday said that since Biden's inauguration, there has been a 20 per cent increase in the frequency of US warships sent to the Chinese maritime region.&nbsp;

He added that the frequency of reconnaissance aircraft activity in the territory has also spiked by 40 per cent, adding that Beijing &nbsp;"resolutely opposes this".

"The US frequently sends warships and planes to carry out activities in maritime waters and airspace near China, advancing regional militarisation and threatening regional peace and stability," the defence spokesperson said.

 
(With inputs from agencies)

China on Thursday warned the United States for "forcing other countries" to accept its democratic ideals after US President Joe Biden's speech in which he criticised "autocrats".

China on Thursday warned the United States for "forcing other countries" to accept its democratic ideals after US President Joe Biden's speech in which he criticised "autocrats". Biden, in his first address to Congress, said that the US was in competition with China, adding that "autocrats think democracies can't compete". Watch | Responding to Biden's speech, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that it was normal for both countries to compete in some fields. "But this kind of competition should be a track and field race, not a duel to the death," he added in a press briefing on Thursday as quoted by news agency AFP. Also read | US says it 'does not seek conflict' with China, welcomes 'competition' He also warned that imposing other nations to "accept one's democratic system... will only create divisions, intensify tension, and undermine stability." Earlier Biden also said that Washington would stand up to discriminatory trade practices and intellectual property theft. However, the Chinese spokesperson slammed the US for "violating the market principle of fair competition" and "politicising" economy, trade and other issues, in a reference to the trade war. The US president also said that the country welcomes competition and not eyeing conflict, to which even Wang said that, "China is committed to developing a relationship with the US based on non-conflict and non-confrontation". Biden also said that he told Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that Washington would continue to keep a strong military deployment in the Indo-Pacific to prevent conflict, to which China highlighted issues with this US approach. China's defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian on Thursday said that since Biden's inauguration, there has been a 20 per cent increase in the frequency of US warships sent to the Chinese maritime region. He added that the frequency of reconnaissance aircraft activity in the territory has also spiked by 40 per cent, adding that Beijing "resolutely opposes this". "The US frequently sends warships and planes to carry out activities in maritime waters and airspace near China, advancing regional militarisation and threatening regional peace and stability," the defence spokesperson said. (With inputs from agencies)

After Biden's speech, China warns US against imposing 'democratic ideals'

'US provided 220 million covid shots in 100 days, that's a milestone': Joe Biden

As India battles the second wave of the Covid pandemic, US President Joe Bidn has said that his "intention" is to send vaccines to the country.

The development comes a&nbsp;day after the United States announced it will make&nbsp;60 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine available to other countries within two&nbsp;months.&nbsp;Before any AstraZeneca doses can be shipped from the United States, US FDA needs to give its nod.

Recalling his talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, President Biden said,&nbsp;"I spoke at length with PM Modi, we are sending immediately a whole series of help that it (India) needs including providing for those Remdesivir and other drugs that are able to deal" with the disease and help recovery."&nbsp;

On vaccines, he said, "we are sending actual mechanical parts that are needed for the machinery they have to build a vaccine", adding, "I have also discussed with him (PM Modi) when we will be able to send actual vaccines to India which will be my intention to do".

The&nbsp;United States has approved&nbsp;three&nbsp;vaccines so far, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson &amp; Johnson. And while AstraZeneca is being used in many parts of the world, it has not been authorised for use in the US yet. But despite no authorisation yet, the country still has stockpiled the vaccine doses as part of its strategy to be ready for a range of scenarios.&nbsp;

Biden said,&nbsp;"I think we will be in a position to share vaccines as well as knowhow with other countries who are in real need. That is the hope and expectations."

In the backdrop of the Covid crisis in India, the US over the weekend announced assistance including&nbsp;providing raw material for Indian manufactures to produce the Covishield vaccine. Other than that, the US will send therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment.

The president also lauded India's support of last year, saying, "when we were in a bind at the very beginning, India helped us." In 2020, India had sent HCQ to the US when it was battling the Covid pandemic.

As India battles the second wave of the Covid pandemic, US President Joe Bidn has said that his "intention" is to send vaccines to the country. The development comes a day after the United States announced it will make 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine available to other countries within two months.

As India battles the second wave of the Covid pandemic, US President Joe Bidn has said that his "intention" is to send vaccines to the country. The development comes a day after the United States announced it will make 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine available to other countries within two months. Before any AstraZeneca doses can be shipped from the United States, US FDA needs to give its nod. Recalling his talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, President Biden said, "I spoke at length with PM Modi, we are sending immediately a whole series of help that it (India) needs including providing for those Remdesivir and other drugs that are able to deal" with the disease and help recovery." On vaccines, he said, "we are sending actual mechanical parts that are needed for the machinery they have to build a vaccine", adding, "I have also discussed with him (PM Modi) when we will be able to send actual vaccines to India which will be my intention to do". The United States has approved three vaccines so far, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. And while AstraZeneca is being used in many parts of the world, it has not been authorised for use in the US yet. But despite no authorisation yet, the country still has stockpiled the vaccine doses as part of its strategy to be ready for a range of scenarios. Biden said, "I think we will be in a position to share vaccines as well as knowhow with other countries who are in real need. That is the hope and expectations." In the backdrop of the Covid crisis in India, the US over the weekend announced assistance including providing raw material for Indian manufactures to produce the Covishield vaccine. Other than that, the US will send therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment. The president also lauded India's support of last year, saying, "when we were in a bind at the very beginning, India helped us." In 2020, India had sent HCQ to the US when it was battling the Covid pandemic.

Intend to send COVID-19 vaccines to India, says US President Joe Biden

The US Capitol is on high alert as it braces for President Joe Biden's first address to a joint session of Congress. Security has been ramped up as the deadly attack on the Capitol was carried out by former President Donald Trump's supporters on 6 January.

US Capitol on high alert for Biden’s first address to Congress

It's an idea championed by US President Joe Biden, leading economists and even the International Monetary Fund -- make the rich pay more taxes to replenish public coffers and narrow huge wealth gaps.

Biden wants to end his predecessor Donald&nbsp;Trump's&nbsp;tax&nbsp;cuts for the rich and close what US officials see as loopholes benefiting the wealthiest Americans in order to fund a $1.8 trillion middle-class families spending programme.

But even as other governments seek to revive economies pummelled by the coronavirus pandemic, such initiatives would face an uphill battle as&nbsp;tax&nbsp;rates for the rich have been coming down everywhere for the past 40 years.

The prominent French economist Thomas Piketty called for a global&nbsp;tax&nbsp;of two per cent on all fortunes exceeding 10 million euros in a column in the newspaper Le Monde earlier this month.

Such a levy would raise 1.0 trillion euros ($1.2 trillion) per year, Piketty told AFP.

He said the funds could be used to narrow the gap between the world's richest and poorest nations since "the sums would be shared among all countries as a proportion of their population."

Also this month, Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman, professors at the University of California, Berkeley, wrote a column in The Washington Post titled "Don't wait for billionaires to sell their stock.&nbsp;Tax&nbsp;their riches now."&nbsp;

The combined fortunes of the 400 richest Americans amount to the equivalent of 18 per cent of US gross domestic product, twice the level seen in 2010.

But Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Elon Musk of Tesla, Larry Page of Google and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook "contribute little to the public coffers," the two Frenchmen wrote.

"They structure their affairs so as to have little taxable income," by forgoing huge salaries and holding on to shares in their companies to avoid capital gains taxes, the economists argued.

Saez and Zucman suggest therefore that billionaires should be taxed on "unrealised capital gains" in the form of an exceptional levy that could raise as much as $1.0 trillion.

Biden's plan, which he will present in his first speech to Congress on Wednesday evening, would nearly double the capital gains&nbsp;tax&nbsp;to 39.6 per cent for households making over $1 million, the top 0.3 per cent of Americans.

And it would also close what the White House says is a loophole allowing the wealthiest Americans to pass down their accumulated gains to their heirs&nbsp;tax-free.

The IMF has backed the idea of raising more revenue from individuals and companies which have thrived during the pandemic.

One option would be a "Covid-19 recovery contribution" in the form of a surcharge on the personal or corporate income&nbsp;tax&nbsp;given that some "have done very well and have done very well in terms of stock market valuation," said Vitor Gaspar, head of the IMF's Fiscal Affairs Department, earlier this month.

"There is an opportunity there, and that is one of the options that is on the table," he said while also suggesting closing loopholes in capital income taxation, property taxes and inheritance taxes.

In a blog in January, World Bank senior adviser Jim Brumby said most countries are "extremely hesitant" to introduce wealth taxes.

"But if ever there were a time that wealth taxes could help, it may be now," he wrote, noting that inequality was "out-of-hand", with the wealthy getting "far wealthier" while Covid-19 pushed 100 million people into poverty.

However, apart from Argentina and Bolivia which have introduced an exceptional "Covid contribution" on large fortunes,&nbsp;purely symbolic in the case of La Paz,&nbsp;few countries seem willing to impose a wealth&nbsp;tax, even in the form of a one-off levy.

It is certainly not on the table in Australia, Britain or Germany, even though 54 per cent of Britons are in favour, according to a recent poll.

France, which eliminated a wealth&nbsp;tax&nbsp;in 2018 after almost three decades, has ruled out fresh hikes.

But not all economists believe a wealth&nbsp;tax&nbsp;is a good idea.

Nobel prize-winning economist Angus Deaton told Bloomberg News earlier in April that such a&nbsp;tax&nbsp;would be "very difficult to implement" and give the wealthy "huge incentives to avoid it...and avoid it they will".

It's an idea championed by US President Joe Biden, leading economists and even the International Monetary Fund -- make the rich pay more taxes to replenish public coffers and narrow huge wealth gaps.

It's an idea championed by US President Joe Biden, leading economists and even the International Monetary Fund -- make the rich pay more taxes to replenish public coffers and narrow huge wealth gaps. Biden wants to end his predecessor Donald Trump's tax cuts for the rich and close what US officials see as loopholes benefiting the wealthiest Americans in order to fund a $1.8 trillion middle-class families spending programme. But even as other governments seek to revive economies pummelled by the coronavirus pandemic, such initiatives would face an uphill battle as tax rates for the rich have been coming down everywhere for the past 40 years. The prominent French economist Thomas Piketty called for a global tax of two per cent on all fortunes exceeding 10 million euros in a column in the newspaper Le Monde earlier this month. Such a levy would raise 1.0 trillion euros ($1.2 trillion) per year, Piketty told AFP. He said the funds could be used to narrow the gap between the world's richest and poorest nations since "the sums would be shared among all countries as a proportion of their population." Also this month, Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman, professors at the University of California, Berkeley, wrote a column in The Washington Post titled "Don't wait for billionaires to sell their stock. Tax their riches now." The combined fortunes of the 400 richest Americans amount to the equivalent of 18 per cent of US gross domestic product, twice the level seen in 2010. But Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Elon Musk of Tesla, Larry Page of Google and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook "contribute little to the public coffers," the two Frenchmen wrote. "They structure their affairs so as to have little taxable income," by forgoing huge salaries and holding on to shares in their companies to avoid capital gains taxes, the economists argued. Saez and Zucman suggest therefore that billionaires should be taxed on "unrealised capital gains" in the form of an exceptional levy that could raise as much as $1.0 trillion. Biden's plan, which he will present in his first speech to Congress on Wednesday evening, would nearly double the capital gains tax to 39.6 per cent for households making over $1 million, the top 0.3 per cent of Americans. And it would also close what the White House says is a loophole allowing the wealthiest Americans to pass down their accumulated gains to their heirs tax-free. The IMF has backed the idea of raising more revenue from individuals and companies which have thrived during the pandemic. One option would be a "Covid-19 recovery contribution" in the form of a surcharge on the personal or corporate income tax given that some "have done very well and have done very well in terms of stock market valuation," said Vitor Gaspar, head of the IMF's Fiscal Affairs Department, earlier this month. "There is an opportunity there, and that is one of the options that is on the table," he said while also suggesting closing loopholes in capital income taxation, property taxes and inheritance taxes. In a blog in January, World Bank senior adviser Jim Brumby said most countries are "extremely hesitant" to introduce wealth taxes. "But if ever there were a time that wealth taxes could help, it may be now," he wrote, noting that inequality was "out-of-hand", with the wealthy getting "far wealthier" while Covid-19 pushed 100 million people into poverty. However, apart from Argentina and Bolivia which have introduced an exceptional "Covid contribution" on large fortunes, purely symbolic in the case of La Paz, few countries seem willing to impose a wealth tax, even in the form of a one-off levy. It is certainly not on the table in Australia, Britain or Germany, even though 54 per cent of Britons are in favour, according to a recent poll. France, which eliminated a wealth tax in 2018 after almost three decades, has ruled out fresh hikes. But not all economists believe a wealth tax is a good idea. Nobel prize-winning economist Angus Deaton told Bloomberg News earlier in April that such a tax would be "very difficult to implement" and give the wealthy "huge incentives to avoid it...and avoid it they will".

Biden puts taxing rich back in spotlight

US President Joe Biden said that fully vaccinated Americans can go outdoors without a face mask, but not in crowd. President Biden touted the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions as another reason for people to get vaccinated.

US: Biden says fully vaccinated people can go without masks outdoors

President Joe Biden said that the United States is sending a whole series of help that India needs in its battle against COVID-19, reiterating that New Delhi had done the same when his country was in need last year.

World leaders reaffirms commitment to helping India

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