Washington DC

02 Oct 2021; MEMO: The US has urged Turkey on Friday not to buy more Russian S-400 air defence systems, warning of further risks if the purchase goes ahead, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told journalists.

02 Oct 2021; MEMO: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday expressed his concerns about the expulsion of Palestinian families from Sheikh Jarrah and increasing tension at Al-Aqsa Mosque, fearing that this could lead to a new war.

Speaking to Israeli Walla! news website, Blinken stated that the US understands the necessity to return Israeli soldiers captive in Gaza to their homes and that the US will help.

30 Sep 2021; MEMO: The United States has no plans to "normalise or upgrade" diplomatic relations with the government of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and also does not encourage others to do so, a State Department spokesperson said yesterday.

Washington, Sep 27 (AP-PTI) Instagram is putting a hold on the development of Instagram kids, geared towards children under 13, so it can address concerns about the vulnerability of younger users.

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, wrote in a blog post Monday that a delay will give the company time to work with parents, experts, policymakers and regulators, to listen to their concerns, and to demonstrate the value and importance of this project for younger teens online today".

24 Sep 2021; MEMO: The window is still open to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal but won't be forever, a senior US official said yesterday, saying Iran has yet to name a negotiator, set a date for talks or say whether it would resume where they left off in June, Reuters reports.

Washington was prepared to be patient, the US official told reporters, but said at some point Iran's nuclear advances would overtake the deal and the United States and its partners would have to decide whether Iran was willing to revive it.

24 Sep 2021; MEMO: The US House of Representatives has approved $1 billion in new funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system, just days after the funding was removed from a broader spending bill.

Legislators passed the bill in a 420-9 vote yesterday, meaning the bill now goes to the Senate for a vote.

Washington, Sep 24 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described India and America as "natural partners" as he held the first in-person meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House during which they decided to further cement the Indo-US strategic partnership and discussed global issues of common interest, including threats to democracy, Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific.

23 Sep 2021; MEMO: The leader of the US House of Representatives Appropriations Committee yesterday introduced legislation to provide $1 billion to Israel to replenish its Iron Dome missile defence system, a day after the funding was removed from a broader spending bill, Reuters reports.

22 Sep 2021; MEMO: US President Joe Biden said yesterday that he backs the two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stating this is the "best way" to ensure the future of Israel as a Jewish state, news agencies reported.

22 Sep 2021; MEMO: The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) yesterday condemned the removal of $1 billion in military aid intended for Israel from the US government's spending bill.

This came after the US House of Representatives removed the article related to the military fund for Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system after a number of progressive Democrats threatened they would not allow the bill to pass.