Tag: Joe Biden

  • Biden speeds up refugee admissions but doesn’t lift cap

    Although Biden is changing some of the Trump-era policies toward refugees, he has not lifted Trump’s low cap of 15,000 per year. He is adjusting the allocation limits, providing more slots from certain regions and lifting restrictions on others. The Associated Press has the story: Biden’s emergency determination speeds up refugee admissions without lifting Trump’s…

  • Russia expelling US diplomats in response to Biden

    After the Biden administration announced new sanctions, Russia announced it was expelling 10 U.S. diplomats and shutting down U.S. nongovernment organizations. The Biden administration imposed the sanctions over Russia interfering in the 2020 U.S. presidential election and involvement in the SolarWind hack of federal agencies. The Associated Press has the story: After US imposes new…

  • Background on the Iran nuclear talks

    Negotiations have begun to bring the U.S. back into the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. How did the deal come about, why did the U.S. leave the agreement, and what are the chances of reviving it? The Associated Press has the story: The history of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action deal with Iran over…

  • A closer look at the Russia-Ukraine border conflict

    Tensions between the two countries are back at high levels since Russia placed 41,000 troops near the border with eastern Ukraine a few days ago, the largest buildup since 2014. What started this conflict in 2014 and why? The Associated Press has the story: The history of the Russia-Ukraine feud over Crimea in eastern Ukraine…

  • Biden’s first speech to Congress full of restrictions

    Due to COVID-19 and security concerns, President Joe Biden’s first speech to Congress will look very different from previous presidential addresses. Only a limited number of members of Congress will be allowed to attend, with social distancing and masks in place. The Associated Press has the story: Biden to make the case to Congress for…

  • J&J shots paused; Biden says it’s a sign of safety

    Federal regulators have recommended pausing the distribution of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine shots after six women developed unusual blood clots. One died and another remains hospitalized. The Associated Press has the story: Biden assures Americans that temporarily halting the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a good sign WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s COVID-19…

  • Iran increases uranium enrichment after alleged Israeli attack

    After an assault that damaged centrifuges at its Natanz nuclear facility, Iran will be increasing the purity of its uranium enrichment up to 60%. Israel is widely believed to be behind the attack. This further jeopardizes negotiations with bringing the U.S. back into the 2015 nuclear deal, as it puts Iran in further breach of…

  • Russia: Troops on Ukraine border are response to NATO

    Responding to criticism for increasing the number of troops on its border with Ukraine, Russia said said it did so in reaction to aggression from NATO. NATO says this is the largest number of troops Russia has placed on the border since it first annexed the Crimean region from Ukraine in 2014. The Associated Press…

  • Biden brings up Ukraine border aggression with Putin

    Relations between President Vladimir Putin and President Joe Biden have been tense during Biden’s initial presidency, and Biden finally spoke to Putin about Russia placing additional troops on the border with Ukraine. Biden also told Putin that the U.S. would “act firmly in defense of its national interests” in regards to cyberattacks and election in…

  • Taliban not ready for talks with U.S. and Turkey

    Proposed talks set up by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken between the U.S., Turkish leadership and the Taliban to discuss a proposed peace plan drafted by Blinken are falling apart. The Taliban has said it will not attend the conference planned for later this week. The Associated Press has the story: Peace talks scheduled…