US President Joe Biden fears Putin has no exit strategy from Ukraine conflict

US Senate Approves Climate, Drug Cost Legislation in Major Win for Dems

The $430 billion piece of legislation passed the Senate along party line by a vote of 51 to 50. Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote. The bill is the most significant federal legislation in history to address climate change. The bill will also give Medicare the right to negotiate drug prices, ... and will impose a significant tax increase aimed at the profits of major U.S. corporations. The legislation passed after a nearly 27-hour "vote-a-rama," in which Republicans attempted to curtail pieces of the bill. The measures of the bill are crafted to pay for themselves, so Democrats are hopeful its passage will help to reign in inflation. The bill made it to the Senate floor as Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) agreed to support the bill after concessions. It will now move to the House, which is expected to approve as soon as Aug. 12, before arriving at the president's desk for signature. Despite the concessions, President Joe Biden hailed the passage of the bill as a major victory for his administration.

Immigration Standoff Accelerates As Texas Governor Sends Migrants to New York City

Immigration Standoff Accelerates , As Texas Governor Sends , Migrants to New York City. Immigration Standoff Accelerates , As Texas Governor Sends , Migrants to New York City. Texas Governor Greg Abbott's plan to send buses carrying migrants to New York City and Washington has progressed. Texas Governor Greg Abbott's plan to send buses carrying migrants to New York City and Washington has progressed. On August 5, the first bus arrived at NYC's Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan. On August 5, the first bus arrived at NYC's Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan. Reuters reports that the move is an effort to share responsibility for immigration with Democratic mayors and U.S. President Joe Biden. Reuters reports that the move is an effort to share responsibility for immigration with Democratic mayors and U.S. President Joe Biden. Volunteers reportedly said some of the immigrants would be processed for admission to city homeless shelters. Reuters reports that Abbott has also sent over 6,000 migrants to Washington since April. According to Abbott, the buses are part of a broader effort to call out Democratic immigration policies. According to Abbott, the buses are part of a broader effort to call out Democratic immigration policies. Abbott said it was now up to New York City Mayor Eric Adams to provide services and housing for the new arrivals. Abbott said it was now up to New York City Mayor Eric Adams to provide services and housing for the new arrivals. I hope he follows through on his promise of welcoming all migrants with open arms so that our overrun and overwhelmed border towns can find relief, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, via Reuters. I hope he follows through on his promise of welcoming all migrants with open arms so that our overrun and overwhelmed border towns can find relief, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, via Reuters. In Arizona, Republican Governor Doug Ducey has also sent an additional 1,000 migrants to Washington. In Arizona, Republican Governor Doug Ducey has also sent an additional 1,000 migrants to Washington. New York City Mayor Adams' office has criticized the bussing efforts, accusing Abbott of using , "human beings as political pawns."

US Senate Approves NATO Membership for Finland and Sweden

US Senate Approves NATO Membership , for Finland and Sweden. US Senate Approves NATO Membership , for Finland and Sweden. The Senate overwhelmingly approved the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) by a vote of 95 to one. . The vote is considered a strong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his order to invade Ukraine. President Joe Biden hailed the vote as "historic.". This historic vote sends an important signal of the sustained, bipartisan U.S. commitment to NATO, President Joe Biden, via NPR News. This historic vote sends an important signal of the sustained, bipartisan U.S. commitment to NATO, President Joe Biden, via NPR News. ... and to ensuring our Alliance is prepared to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, President Joe Biden, via NPR News. I look forward to signing the accession protocols and welcoming Sweden and Finland, , President Joe Biden, via NPR News. ... two strong democracies with highly capable militaries, into the greatest defensive alliance in history, President Joe Biden, via NPR News. Senators from both sides of the aisle touted the vote as good for both democracies and for the U.S. It sends a warning shot to tyrants around the world who believe free democracies are just up for grabs, Sen Amy Klobuchar, (D-MN), via NPR News. Russia's unprovoked invasion has changed the way we think about world security, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), via NPR News. Their accession will make NATO stronger and America more secure. If any senator is looking for a defensible excuse to vote no, I wish them good luck, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Minority Leader, via NPR News. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), an ally of former President Donald Trump, cast the lone "no" vote. In explaining his vote, Hawley described his views on the matter as a "classic nationalist approach.". We can do more in Europe ... devote more resources, more firepower ... or do what we need to do to deter Asia and China. We cannot do both, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), Senate Minority Leader, via NPR News

Putin and Erdogan seek common ground as Turkey, Russia remain 'on opposite ends of major conflicts'

'I fear new famine,' Live Aid relief organiser Bob Geldof tells Euronews

In an interview for Euronews at the Sani music festival in Greece, the Irish rock star and activist accused Vladimir Putin of "using food as a weapon".

First Grain Shipment Leaves Ukraine After Months of Being Blocked by Russia

First Grain Shipment Leaves Ukraine , After Months of Being Blocked by Russia. NBC News reports that on Aug. 1, a ship carrying grain was finally able to leave the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa. . The development follows a deal made between Kyiv and Moscow last month. The cargo ship will transport 26,000 tons of Ukrainian corn toward Lebanon's port of Tripoli. . In a Facebook post, Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine's infrastructure minister, assured the vessel would be safe as it travels along a route established by the U.N. and Turkey. As 16 more ships wait to depart Odesa, Kubrakov called the first ship's passage "a colossal success for ensuring global food security.". Bridget A. Brink, U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, took to Twitter to announce the development. . Bridget A. Brink, U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, took to Twitter to announce the development. . NBC News reports that Russian forces continue to strike cities across Ukraine as Vladimir Putin's war rages on. NBC News reports that Russian forces continue to strike cities across Ukraine as Vladimir Putin's war rages on

Water crisis looms for Ukrainian city of Sloviansk

Fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces near the key city in the Donetsk region has damaged vital infrastructure that has cut residents off from gas and water for months.

Ukraine war: Four more grain ships set sail from Black Sea ports under Russia deal

The cargo ships carrying over 160,000 tonnes of corn and other foodstuffs left Chernomorsk and Odesa, heading for Turkey, Italy and China under an international deal struck in July.

Zaporizhzhia: Worker wounded in new Russian shelling at nuclear plant, says Ukraine

A worker was injured and radiation equipment damaged in Russian shelling on Saturday night, Ukrainian officials claim. Earlier the IAEA warned of "disaster" at the plant.