Washington DC

Washington, Dec 20 (AP-PTI) An arcane battle over emergency Federal Reserve powers foiled efforts on Saturday to lock down an agreement on an almost USD 1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package.

Saturday's deadlock was just the latest stumble in a partisan, months-long fight over pandemic relief and the lack of progress is backing lawmakers once again up against a government shutdown deadline Sunday night.

19 Dec 2020; MEMO: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo affirmed that the aim of the sanctions on Turkey is to prevent Russia from gaining influence and not to undermine Ankara's military capabilities. Pompeo considers that the acquisition of the S-400 missile system: "Allows Russia to access Turkish forces and their defensive industries."

Washington, Dec 17 (AP-PTI) US long-term mortgage rates declined this week to record low levels for the 15th time this year against the backdrop of an economy ravaged by the pandemic.

Mortgage finance giant Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on the 30-year fixed-rate home loan fell to 2.67 per cent from 2.71 per cent last week. A year ago, the benchmark rate stood at 3.73 per cent.

Washington, Dec 18 (PTI) US President-elect Joe Biden has announced his climate and energy team, which the transition said is ready on day one to advance his agenda and lead the world to confront the undeniable, accelerating and punishing reality of climate change.

The nominees are Congresswoman Deb Haaland as Secretary of Interior, Jennifer Granholm as Energy Secretary, Michael Regan as administrator for Environmental Protection Agency and Brenda Mallory as Chair of the Council of the Council on Environmental Quality.

16 Dec 2020; MEMO: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has expressed his concern about the detention of US citizens and human rights activists in Saudi Arabia.

Pompeo said during a phone call with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal Bin Farhan, that he is "concerned over wrongful detention of US citizens and human rights activists in the Kingdom," calling for a fair and expeditious resolution of the cases.

Washington, Dec 15 (AP-PTI) A crush of sign-ups expected Tuesday on the last day of open enrolment for HealthCare.gov could help solidify the standing of Obamacare as an improbable survivor in the Donald Trump years.

In 36 states that use HealthCare.gov,- December 15 is deadline day for coverage that starts January 1, while another 14 states and Washington, D.C., have later dates. Analysts and advocates who follow the annual insurance sign-ups say interest has gotten stronger with the coronavirus pandemic gripping the nation.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Electoral College decisively confirmed Joe Biden on Monday as the nation’s next president, ratifying his November victory in an authoritative state-by-state repudiation of President Donald Trump’s refusal to concede he had lost.

The presidential electors gave Biden a solid majority of 306 electoral votes to Trump’s 232, the same margin that Trump bragged was a landslide when he won the White House four years ago.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The United States reported over 244,000 new COVID-19 cases in a single day on Friday, setting a gloomy new record as the country is preparing distribution of the first COVID-19 vaccine to states.

A total of 244,011 new cases and 3,013 deaths were reported across the country on Friday, according to data updated Saturday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), setting new world records.

PARIS (AP) — U.S. President-elect Joe Biden pledged Saturday to rejoin the Paris climate accord on the first day of his presidency, as world leaders staged a virtual gathering to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the international pact aimed at curbing global warming.

Heads of state and government from over 70 countries took part in the event — hosted by Britain, France, Italy, Chile and the United Nations — to announce greater efforts in cutting the greenhouse gas emissions that fuel global warming.

Washington, Dec 13 (AP-PTI) Thousands of supporters of President Donald Trump returned to Washington for rallies to back his desperate efforts to subvert the election that he lost to Joe Biden. They cheered as Trump flew overhead on the Marine One helicopter on his way out of town for the Army-Navy football game in West Point, New York.