Democrats start reining in expectations for immigration bill

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y, takes the elevator in the U.S. Capitol, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, in Washington. It's taken only days for Democrats gauging how far President Joe Biden's bold immigration proposal can go in Congress to acknowledge that if anything emerges, it will likely be significantly more modest. Photo Courtesy: AP

WASHINGTON (AP): It’s taken only days for Democrats gauging how far President Joe Biden’s bold immigration proposal can go in Congress to acknowledge that if anything emerges, it will likely be significantly more modest. As they brace to tackle a politically flammable issue that’s resisted major congressional action since the 1980s, Democrats are using words… Continue reading Democrats start reining in expectations for immigration bill

Biden’s 17 Executive Orders and Other Directives in Detail

President Biden signed executive orders during his first few minutes in the Oval Office on Wednesday. Photo Courtesy: The New York Times

WASHINGTON (The New York Times): In 17 executive orders, memorandums and proclamations signed hours after his inauguration, President Biden moved swiftly on Wednesday to dismantle Trump administration policies his aides said have caused the “greatest damage” to the nation. Despite an inaugural address that called for unity and compromise, Mr. Biden’s first actions as president… Continue reading Biden’s 17 Executive Orders and Other Directives in Detail

Biden takes the helm as president facing pandemic, divisions

President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden arrive for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol for Biden in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP): Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States on Wednesday, swearing the oath of office just before noon to take the helm of a deeply divided nation while inheriting a confluence of crises arguably greater than any faced by his predecessors. Biden’s inauguration came at a time of national tumult and… Continue reading Biden takes the helm as president facing pandemic, divisions

Biden DNI pick says no room for politics in intel agencies

Former Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats, left, and President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for national intelligence director Avril Haines attends a confirmation hearing for Haines before the Senate intelligence committee on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Washington. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)

WASHINGTON (AP): President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the intelligence community, Avril Haines, promised Tuesday to “speak truth to power” and keep politics out of intelligence agencies to ensure their work is trusted. “When it comes to intelligence, there is simply no place for politics — ever,” she told the Senate Intelligence Committee. Haines, a… Continue reading Biden DNI pick says no room for politics in intel agencies

Biden aims for unifying speech at daunting moment for US

President-elect Joe Biden speaks during an event at The Queen theater, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Wilmington, Del. Photo courtesy: AP

(AP): President-elect Joe Biden will take the stage for his inaugural address at perhaps the most difficult starting point for a president since Franklin Roosevelt began his first term by assuring a nation scarred by the Great Depression that “we have nothing to fear but fear itself.” But memorable turns of phrase like Roosevelt’s are… Continue reading Biden aims for unifying speech at daunting moment for US

Afghanistan conflict: Female judges shot dead in Kabul

The assassinations are the latest in a string targeting women in high-profile jobs (file photo). Photo Courtesy: EPA via BBC

(BBC): Two women judges working for the Afghan Supreme Court have been shot dead. They were killed by unidentified gunmen on their way to work on Sunday. The deaths are the latest in a string of assassinations targeting journalists, activists and other political figures. The violence comes as President Donald Trump continues a drawdown of… Continue reading Afghanistan conflict: Female judges shot dead in Kabul

Biden inauguration: All 50 US states on alert for armed protests

Photo Courtesy: BBC

(BBC): All 50 US states and the District of Columbia (DC) are on alert for possible violent protests this weekend, ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday. National Guard troops from across the country are being sent to Washington DC, to discourage any repeat of the deadly riot that unfolded on 6 January. The… Continue reading Biden inauguration: All 50 US states on alert for armed protests

Trump on verge of 2nd impeachment after Capitol siege

Hundreds of National Guard troops hold inside the Capitol Visitor's Center to reinforce security at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. The House of Representatives is pursuing an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump for his role in inciting an angry mob to storm the Capitol last week. Photo Courtesy: AP

WASHINGTON (AP): President Donald Trump is on the verge of being impeached for a second time in a fast-moving House vote, just a week after he encouraged loyalists to “fight like hell” against election results and then a mob of supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. “We are debating this historic measure at a crime scene,”… Continue reading Trump on verge of 2nd impeachment after Capitol siege

Trump says ‘tremendous anger’ in nation over impeachment

President Donald Trump listens during an event in the briefing room of the White House in Washington, Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, on prescription drug prices. Photo Courtesy: AP

WASHINGTON (AP): With the House set to impeach, President Donald Trump is blaming Democratic congressional foes for “tremendous anger” in the country and last week’s deadly attack on the Capitol by his supporters after he urged them on their way. The embattled president, in his first remarks to reporters since last week’s attack, took no… Continue reading Trump says ‘tremendous anger’ in nation over impeachment

Bird flu spread across India

File Photo Photo Courtesy: Reuters

Kathmandu: Outbreaks of bird flu have been on the rise in India . At least nine states in India have been infected with bird flu, while some are yet to be tested. Bird flu has also been confirmed in Delhi and Maharashtra, according to Indian media. The Ghazipur Wholesale Poultry Market in New Delhi has… Continue reading Bird flu spread across India