Category: USA

The dip in popularity comes as the administration deals with two bank failures and stubbornly high inflation, while trying to project a sense of stability….reports Asian Lite News

President Joe Biden’s approval rating has experienced a slight dip, according to a recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll indicates that the president’s approval rating is now at 38%, which is close to the lowest point of his presidency.

The dip in popularity comes as the administration deals with two bank failures and stubbornly high inflation, while trying to project a sense of stability.

Over the past few months, there have been fluctuations in support for Biden, with ratings hovering above 40%. However, his approval rating was at 45% in February and 41% in January.

In July 2021, his ratings hit their lowest point, with only 36% of respondents approving of his presidency, as rising costs began to impact US households.

The poll indicates that the public has mixed feelings about Biden, who is expected to announce his reelection bid this summer.

People’s opinions of the president generally do not swing between absolute loyalty and aggressive loathing, which has been a characteristic of the divided politics in recent times.

Fed is undaunted by banking problems

The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised interest rate by 25 basis points, which is modest compared to previous hikes aimed at curbing inflation but came amidst uncertainty about the banking system that has taken a hit in the last few weeks triggering fears of a larger problem.

This hike takes the target rate in the 4.75 per cent to 5 per cent range, which is the highest since the start of the recession in September 2007.

The Fed did address concerns about the banking system in a statement. “The US banking system is sound and resilient,” it said. “Recent developments are likely to result in tighter credit conditions for households and businesses and to weigh on economic activity, hiring, and inflation. The extent of these effects is uncertain.”

There was speculation that the Fed might not raise the interest rate at the end of its two-day meeting this week in view of the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank and trouble at another bank because of rising interest rates, among other reasons. And that it will put on hold its battle against inflation to take stock.

Equally, experts had said, that if the Fed did not hike rates, it would send out an even more dire message: that there was a indeed a problem with the banking system, enough for the central bank to pause anti-inflation interest rate hikes.

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The 76-year-old Republican would become the first former or sitting president to ever be charged with a crime if the panel eventually votes to indict…reports Asian Lite News

The drama surrounding Donald Trump’s possible indictment over hush money paid to a porn star took a new twist Wednesday, after a New York grand jury failed to convene as expected — pushing back a decision, potentially into next week.

Speculation that a historic indictment of a former president may be imminent has been building ever since Trump himself announced he was expecting to be arrested.

But Wednesday’s grand jury session was called off, unnamed law enforcement officials told multiple US outlets, without giving a reason. The New York Times reported that such interruptions are not unusual.

With barricades outside Trump Tower and police on high alert, New York has been holding its breath over an expected indictment for days — with tension peaking on Tuesday, the day Trump said he would be arrested. He wasn’t.

The jury panel usually meets on Thursdays too but Insider, which broke the news of the canceled meeting, quoted one source as saying it may not gather again this week, meaning the earliest a decision might come is Monday.

The 76-year-old Republican would become the first former or sitting president to ever be charged with a crime if the panel eventually votes to indict.

The unprecedented move would send shockwaves through the 2024 election campaign, in which Trump is running to regain office.

It would also raise the prospect of a former leader of the free world being arrested, booked, fingerprinted and possibly handcuffed.

The Times has reported that Trump favors the idea of being paraded in front of cameras by law enforcement, in what is known as a perp walk. Prosecutor Alvin Bragg likely wants to avoid any spectacle that could rile up Trump’s base.

Bragg formed the grand jury — a citizens’ panel tasked with deciding whether there is a case to answer — in January following his investigation into $130,000 paid to Stormy Daniels in 2016.

Grand juries operate behind closed doors to prevent perjury or witness tampering before trials, making it virtually impossible to follow their proceedings.

A spokesperson for Bragg said that she couldn’t comment “on grand jury matters.” Even once the panel takes a decision, it is unclear when Bragg would announce any charges.

Legal experts have suggested it could take some time before Trump, currently at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, is arraigned before a Manhattan Criminal Court judge.

The payment to Daniels was made weeks before the 2016 election, allegedly to stop her from going public about a liaison she says she had with Trump years earlier.

Trump denies the affair and has called the inquiry a “witch hunt.”

Trump’s ex-lawyer-turned-adversary Michael Cohen, who has testified before the grand jury, says he made the payment on his boss’s behalf and was later reimbursed.

If not properly accounted for, the payment could result in a misdemeanor charge for falsifying business records, experts say.

That might be raised to a felony if the false accounting was intended to cover up a second crime, such as a campaign finance violation, which is punishable by up to four years behind bars.

Analysts say that argument is untested and would be difficult to prove in court. Any jail time is far from certain.

An indictment would begin a lengthy process that could last several months, if not more. The case would face a mountain of legal issues as it moves toward jury selection and pose a security headache for Secret Service agents who protect Trump.

Trump has called for demonstrations if he is charged, fueling fears of unrest similar to the January 6, 2021 riot at the US Capitol, but so far protests have been small and muted.

New York police have erected barricades outside the courthouse and Trump Tower.

Trump is facing several criminal investigations at the state and federal level over possible wrongdoing that threaten his new run at the White House, many more serious than the Manhattan case.

They include his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state of Georgia, his handling of classified documents, and his possible involvement in the January 6 rioting.

Some observers believe an indictment bodes ill for Trump’s 2024 chances, while others say it could boost his support.

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White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that China cannot be seen as impartial in any way….reports Asian Lite News

The United States does not consider China to be an impartial mediator in the war in Ukraine between Moscow and Kyiv, a US official said.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that China cannot be seen as impartial in any way. This was the most direct US criticism yet of China’s aim to be a middleman in efforts to end the war.

He noted that China has not criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has continued to buy Russian oil despite the West imposing sanctions on Moscow’s energy industry to cut off funding for the war. Kirby also stated that China echoes “Russian propaganda” that blames the US and other Western countries for the conflict.

During a summit visit to Russia on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President Vladimir Putin, and the war in Ukraine was high on their agenda.

Putin praised Beijing’s 12-point peace roadmap, which includes a call for dialogue and respect for all countries’ territorial sovereignty, and said he was open to talks on Ukraine.

“We believe that many of the provisions of the peace plan put forward by China are consonant with the Russian stance and can be taken as a foundation for a peaceful settlement when they are ready for it in the West and in Kiev. However, so far we have not observed such readiness on their part,” Putin stated, RT reported.

Kirby claimed that Russia and China want to change the rules of the international order, but their relationship is more of a “marriage of convenience” rather than an alliance.

Although the US wants to maintain communication channels with China, Kirby emphasised that he did not know if China had provided military assistance to Russia. While the US has accused China of considering this step, China denies it.

Xi and Putin met behind closed doors first, with a number of top officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev and Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu taking part in the negotiations on the Russian side.

The two nations have reiterated their commitment to build a multipolar world and reinforce their relations, described as a “strategic partnership”. According to Xi, building closer ties with Russia is “a strategic choice China has made on the basis of its own fundamental interests and the prevailing trends of the world”, RT reported.

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