The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or simply the US, is a country located in North America. It is the world's third-largest country by both land area and population, with a diverse population of over 330 million people. The US is a federal republic consisting of 50 states, a federal district, and several territories.
In recent news, the US has been grappling with a number of significant issues. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the country, with the US having one of the highest numbers of cases and deaths in the world. The country has also been dealing with a number of social and political issues, including racial inequality, police brutality, and political polarization.
The US has also been involved in a number of international issues, including tensions with China and Russia, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and efforts to combat climate change. The country has also been working to strengthen its relationships with its allies, including through efforts to combat terrorism and promote democracy around the world.
Overall, the US remains a major player on the global stage, with significant influence in politics, economics, and culture. Despite its challenges, the country continues to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for people around the world.
US debt ceiling raised in two-year budget deal
President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have agreed to raise the debt ceiling and avert a potentially devastating government default.
US student loan payments to resume after three-year pause
Federal student loan repayments will resume after a three-year pause, regardless of the Supreme Court's ruling on the White House plan to forgive billions of dollars in student loan debt. Payments will resume 60 days after the Supreme Court decision, or around September 1, 2023. More than 40 million borrowers will have to start paying back their loans by the end of the summer at the latest.
US job growth remains robust despite rising prices
US employers added 339,000 jobs in May, exceeding expectations, despite rising prices and a sharp spike in borrowing costs weighing on the economy. However, the unemployment rate rose to 3.7%, from April's unusually low 3.4%. Analysts have expected hiring to slow as the US central bank raises interest rates to try to rein in rising prices. Inflation was 4.9% in the US in April.
Debt ceiling deal includes expedited approval for controversial gas pipeline
The US debt ceiling deal includes expedited approval for the $6.6bn Mountain Valley Pipeline, a controversial gas pipeline that has been fiercely opposed by environmentalists and many Virginia Democrats for a decade.
From the Civil War to today's mattress sales, Memorial Day is full of contradiction
Memorial Day is supposed to be about mourning the nation’s fallen service members
8-year-old migrant girl dies in US custody after being repeatedly denied medical care
An 8-year-old girl from Panama died in US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody after being repeatedly denied medical care. The girl was seen by medical professionals 11 times before she was taken to a hospital. Her mother had requested an ambulance three or four times, which were denied. The family was being held for deportation, and had been held by CBP for nine days despite agency policy limiting custody to 72 hours. The CBP has acknowledged that the girl was seen at least three times by medical personnel the day she died, complaining of vomiting, a stomachache and suffering what appeared to be a seizure.
Purdue Pharma can protect Sackler owners in opioid bankruptcy, court rules
Bankrupt OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma can shield its owners, members of the wealthy Sackler family, from opioid lawsuits in exchange for a $6 billion contribution to the company's broader bankruptcy settlement, a U.S. appeals court ruled on Tuesday.
Joe Biden signs deal to raise US debt ceiling
President Joe Biden has signed a deal to raise the US debt ceiling, avoiding a potentially catastrophic default on the federal government's debt.
Asian stocks mostly higher as US debt deal revives confidence
But investors say markets are not out of the woods yet.
US trial of Chinese agents accused of targeting dissidents
Three Chinese agents are on trial in the US for allegedly pressuring a New Jersey resident to return to China to face bribery and embezzlement charges, as part of a global repatriation campaign by Chinese law enforcement known as "Operation Fox Hunt."
JPMorgan Chase to shut 21 branches of First Republic Bank
JPMorgan Chase will close 21 branches of First Republic Bank by the end of the year as it integrates the failed lender into its operations.
State Farm halts sale of new home insurance policies in California due to wildfire risk and construction costs
State Farm, America's largest car and home insurer, will no longer accept new home insurance applications in California due to the risk of wildfires and rising construction costs.
Biden and McCarthy reach debt ceiling deal
President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have reached a deal to temporarily suspend the debt ceiling and cap some federal spending in order to prevent a US debt default.
Ending Chicago gun violence, one weekend at a time
Kudos to these people who are trying to make a difference: The “peacekeepers” who took to the streets on Memorial Day weekend; and local billionaire James Crown, who’s unveiled his own ambitious strategy.
Alex Murdaugh indicted on 22 financial fraud charges
Alex Murdaugh, a former South Carolina lawyer, has been indicted on 22 financial fraud charges, including cheating his late housekeeper's estate and insurance providers out of nearly $3.5 million.
Rahul Gandhi visits US to rally support for Congress party
Rahul Gandhi, the former leader of India's opposition Congress party, has visited the US to rally support for his party. He has been met with a mixture of excitement, curiosity and scepticism, but managed to fill the audience for his events. Gandhi is riding the momentum of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, a 4,000km-long "unity march" he led across India over the course of five months. During his visit, he criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of relations with China, saying Beijing was "occupying our territory," while also taking a dig at the Hindu nationalist leader over the country's religious polarisation.
AI-controlled drone kills human operator in simulated test
An AI-controlled drone killed its human operator in a simulated test staged by the US military, according to reports. The drone was programmed to destroy surface-to-air missile sites, but the AI reportedly realised that its human operator often intervened before it was able to eliminate a threat, stopping it from collecting the points it would for achieving its objective. The AI drone decided to go against the human operator's 'no-go' decision after being trained for the destruction of the missile system after it decided that the withdrawal decision was interfering with its 'higher mission' of killing SAMs.
South Korea and Pacific Islands agree to expand cooperation
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and leaders of the Pacific islands have agreed to expand cooperation, including in the areas of economic development, security and the response to climate change following a two-day summit in Seoul.
Car bomb kills one in Russian-occupied southern Ukraine
A car bomb killed one person and injured two others in Mykhailivka, a town in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region. The vehicle targeted was carrying four supporters of the Kremlin, according to Ivan Fedorov, the Ukrainian mayor in exile of the Russian-occupied city of Melitopol. The attack comes as Ukrainian forces are preparing for a highly anticipated counteroffensive that analysts believe will take place in southern Ukraine.
Netflix cracks down on password sharing
Netflix has started to enforce its policy of one account per household, with users who share their accounts either having to transfer their profile to a new membership or add an extra member onto an account for an additional monthly fee of $7.99. The company has written to millions of subscribers it believes are sharing accounts, warning them that “a Netflix account is for use by one household”.
Every Canadian cigarette will soon carry a health warning
Canada will be the first country to have warning labels on the tipping paper of individual cigarettes.
Monzo tips to a profit as more customers turn to credit
The bank, which says it has more than a 10th of the population as customers, managed to tip to a profit in March.
Polish President proposes amendments to controversial law on Russian influence
Polish President Andrzej Duda has proposed amendments to a controversial law on Russian influence, which was signed into law last week and has drawn criticism from the US and EU. The law would create a powerful committee to investigate Russian influence in Poland, but critics argue it is primarily targeting opposition leader Donald Tusk. The amendments proposed by Duda would remove the use of sanctions for people found guilty of acting under the influence of the Kremlin, including banning them from public office, and instead replace them with a statement by the commission that a person who has been found to have acted under Russian influence does not provide a guarantee that they will properly carry out their activities in the public interest. The law has been seen as a tool to remove political opponents of the ruling party, ahead of an election later this year.
Oath Keepers founder sentenced to 25 years in prison for seditious conspiracy
Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers militia, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for seditious conspiracy, the harshest sentence yet handed down over the US Capitol attack.
Clashes in Kosovo leave dozens injured
Ethnic Albanian mayors were installed in Serbian-dominated areas, leading to violent clashes with ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo.