Joe Biden is the 46th President of the United States, having taken office on January 20, 2021. Prior to his presidency, Biden served as Vice President under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017, and as a United States Senator from Delaware from 1973 to 2009. Biden is a member of the Democratic Party and has been involved in politics for over 50 years.
Since taking office, Biden has been in the news for a number of reasons. One of his first actions as President was to sign a series of executive orders aimed at reversing many of the policies of his predecessor, Donald Trump. These included rejoining the Paris climate agreement, ending the travel ban on predominantly Muslim countries, and halting construction of the border wall with Mexico.
Biden has also been focused on addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed over 600,000 Americans. He has overseen the distribution of vaccines and the implementation of measures to slow the spread of the virus, such as mask mandates and social distancing guidelines.
In addition to domestic issues, Biden has also been involved in foreign policy matters. He has sought to repair relationships with traditional allies, such as NATO and the European Union, and has taken a tough stance on Russia and China. He has also been involved in efforts to end the conflict in Afghanistan and to address the humanitarian crisis in Syria.
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.
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.
Biden trips and falls on stage at Air Force graduation; White House says he's 'fine'
President Joe Biden fell on stage at the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation on Thursday
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.
Missouri man arrested after crashing U-Haul truck into security barrier near White House
A 19-year-old man from Chesterfield, Missouri, has been arrested after intentionally crashing a U-Haul truck into security barriers near the White House.
US debt ceiling deal advances to full House of Representatives
The bipartisan debt ceiling deal brokered by Joe Biden and Kevin McCarthy passed an important hurdle yesterday evening, advancing to the full House of Representatives for debate and an expected vote on passage on Wednesday even amid opposition from far-right Republicans.
US debt ceiling deal reached by Biden and McCarthy
President Joe Biden and Republican leader Kevin McCarthy have reached a deal to raise the US debt ceiling, avoiding a potential catastrophic default.
Tara Reade seeks Russian citizenship after fleeing US
Former Senate staffer Tara Reade, who accused President Biden of sexual assault, has defected to Russia and is seeking Russian citizenship.
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.
They Still Love Him
Trump may be unpopular nationally, but within his own party, the devotion has not subsided.
US Congress set to vote on bipartisan debt ceiling deal
The US Congress is set to vote on a bipartisan deal to temporarily suspend the nation's debt ceiling, which would cap some federal spending and include extra work requirements for Americans who receive food aid.
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.
Labour pledges to ban new North Sea oil and gas fields
Labour has pledged to ban all new domestic oil and gas developments if it wins power, proposing instead to invest heavily in renewable sources such as wind and also in nuclear power.
Beau Biden: The story of Joe Biden’s late son
How did beau biden die
China declines US invitation for military talks
China has declined an invitation from the US to hold military talks on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The US had hoped to use the meeting to improve communication between the two countries, but China's defence ministry spokesperson said that the US was "entirely to blame" for current difficulties. The relationship between the US and China is at its lowest point in decades, with the two superpowers deeply divided over everything from the sovereignty of Taiwan to cyber espionage and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Ron DeSantis launches presidential campaign, positioning himself as Trump's leading rival
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has launched his bid to become the Republican candidate for US president, positioning himself as the leading rival to Donald Trump.
Deal approved, Biden will address budget, debt agreement from Oval Office Friday evening
President Joe Biden will speak Friday evening from the Oval Office as he addresses the nation on the budget deal that lifts the federal debt limit
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits US President Joe Biden
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits US President Joe Biden to discuss improving economic ties and sustaining military support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
US urges Turkey to drop objections to Sweden joining NATO
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on Turkey to drop its objections to Sweden joining NATO, stating that the time is now for Sweden's accession. President Biden has also linked Turkey's objections to Sweden's NATO membership with the provision of upgraded F-16 fighters to Turkey. Turkey's President Erdogan has expressed his willingness to buy F-16 fighter jets from the US, but has continued to block Sweden's request to join the alliance. Both leaders plan to speak again next week to discuss the issue.
US debt ceiling negotiations continue as Congress adjourns for Memorial Day weekend
Negotiations between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy over the US debt ceiling continue, with staff negotiators meeting to discuss the outlines of a budget that can win bipartisan support. The House adjourned for the Memorial Day holiday weekend without a deal, but Biden emphasised that default was not an option. The two sides have clashed over their competing visions for America, with Republicans pushing for steep cuts that would increase wait times for Social Security claims and cut teachers, police and border patrol agents.
NATO pressures Turkey to lift objections to Sweden joining the alliance
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will hold talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other senior Turkish officials this weekend as pressure mounts on Turkey to lift its objections to Sweden joining the military organization.
Sweden's NATO membership blocked by Turkey and Hungary
Sweden's accession to NATO is being blocked by Turkey and Hungary, despite the US urging for its approval. The US President, Joe Biden, is confident that Sweden will join NATO as soon as possible, but the country's membership has been held up by objections from Turkey and Hungary.
Debt ceiling negotiations include expanded work requirements for SNAP
Debt ceiling negotiations between President Joe Biden and Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy include expanded work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which would add a punitive and unnecessary barrier for poor Americans with only negligible savings for the federal government, according to advocacy groups. The new work requirements in SNAP would save money, but the added benefits pushed by Democrats would cost more and add almost 80,000 people to the rolls in an average month, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The compromise on the food aid requirements between House Republicans and President Joe Biden includes increasing work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and cash welfare but does not alter requirements for Medicaid. The Republican fixation on appending work requirements to these benefits are also ineffective: data shows these policies are not needed and don’t produce any substantial solutions.
US debt ceiling raised, but credit rating still at risk
The US Senate has passed legislation to raise the government's $31.4tn debt ceiling, averting a default on government debt. However, rating agencies warn that the possibility of a credit rating downgrade still remains, as eleventh-hour debt ceiling negotiations have become an almost regular feature in recent US history.