The US Department of Energy has concluded with "low confidence" that the Covid-19 pandemic "likely" originated from a laboratory leak in Wuhan, China, according to a classified report delivered to key lawmakers on the House and Senate Intelligence Committees. Intelligence agencies can make assessments with either low, medium or high confidence, but one source cautioned that the DOE's conclusion was not being viewed as hugely significant due to interagency disagreements. The US Department of Energy's assessment is the latest in a series of reports from the US government and other countries that have sought to determine the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Key takeaways: US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has warned China that there will be “real costs” if they provide lethal aid to Russia in…
A bipartisan group of House GOP members traveled to Ukraine this week to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky, as the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion approaches. The group is pushing for the President to send more advanced systems, such as long-range systems, tanks, and drones, to Ukraine, seen as crucial to Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. The outcome of the meeting is yet to be seen, but it is clear that the Republican Party is divided on how to handle the situation in Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on the international community to not let Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions become the "new normal" in a speech at the United Nations Security Council. The Biden administration has announced a $2 billion support package for Ukraine and is joining with partners in the Group of Seven countries to impose new financial penalties to stop the funding of Moscow's war machine. The US and its allies are hoping that the new measures will help to bring an end to the conflict.
US economic strength was demonstrated in January, as the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, rose 5.4% from a year earlier and 0.6% from December to January. Consumer spending also increased 1.8% from December, though goods prices declined 0.7%. The Core PCE index rose 0.2% from December to January, indicating that inflation remains entrenched in the US economy and the Fed is likely to keep raising interest rates.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have confirmed that the US will continue to support Ukraine in its war against Russia, while also revealing that Austin and his Chinese counterpart have not spoken in months due to the US shootdown of a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon. The US and China have been locked in a tense standoff, with no direct contact between the two countries' leaders, leaving the future of the conflict uncertain.
Key takeaways: US officials praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people and expressed confidence in their ultimate victory. The Biden administration is committed to helping…
A winter storm in the US has caused 1,771 flights to be canceled or delayed, with Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and SkyWest Airlines being the most affected. Airlines are advising passengers to check their flight status online and contact their airline directly for more information.