# United States
# Pennsylvania
Death toll from powerful explosion at chocolate factory in United States rises to seven
The explosion happened on Friday afternoon in the state of Pennsylvania.
Last week
19th March 2023 - 25th March 2023
# Syria
At least 19 killed in US strikes on Iran-linked groups in Syria after deadly drone attack
The Syrian government, closely allied with Iran, accused the US of lying about the targets of its air strikes to justify its ‘act of aggression’.
# United States
Two dead among 15 migrants found "suffocating" in a train in Texas
The US Border Patrol stopped the train after receiving an anonymous tip off.
# gathering support
Donald Trump to hold first rally of 2024 presidential campaign in Waco, Texas
Trump is staring down a possible indictment in New York.
# paul rusesabagina
'Hotel Rwanda' hero set to be released from prison after 25-year sentence is commuted
The jailing of Rusesabagina by Paul Kagame’s government had been a cause of concern for the West and global rights groups.
This month
March 2023
# Roe v Wade
Wyoming governor signs law outlawing use of abortion pills
Mark Gordon signed the bill into law last night.
# Joe Biden
PSNI arrest another man in connection with attempted murder of John Caldwell
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell remains in a critical but stable condition.
# New York
Donald Trump claims he will be arrested on Tuesday
Law enforcement officials have been making security preparations for the possibility that Trump could be indicted.
# Black Sea collision
What is known about the US-Russia military air crash over the Black Sea?
US and Russian officials had conflicting accounts of the collision between the MQ-9 Reaper drone and the Russian Su-27 fighter jet.
Last month
February 2023
# US
Republican Nikki Haley announces 2024 US presidential bid in first challenge to Trump
Haley, who served as a UN ambassador for two years under Trump, previously said she would not run against her former boss.
This year
2023
# memphis
Anger and protest in Memphis after police beating video released
Tyre Nichols died in hospital three days after he was stopped by officials on suspicion of reckless driving.
# Los Angeles
Adult film star Ron Jeremy found unable to stand trial for rape
Jeremy became recognisable through reality shows, public appearances and music videos.
Last year
2022
# Coronavirus
US to require negative Covid tests for travelers from China after country's sudden Covid pivot
The United States says China is not sharing enough information about the surge in coronavirus cases there.
# factcheck
Debunked: Call to take mRNA vaccines off the market relies on dodgy death data
A group, chaired by a US senator, couldn’t think of another explanation for deaths during the pandemic.
# Ukraine
Zelensky lands in Washington for first trip outside Ukraine since Russian invasion
The secretly arranged trip comes on the same day Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to meet his top military officials.
# Not happy
Iran complain to Fifa over removal of Islamic Republic symbol in US social media posts
The US infuriated their opponents by posting altered images of Iran’s flag.
# prince mbs
United States moves to shield Saudi crown prince over Jamal Khashoggi’s murder
It is a U-turn from Joe Biden’s campaign trail denunciations of Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the brutal killing.
# COP27
Joe Biden tells COP27 that the 'very life of the planet' is at stake in climate crisis
The US president told the summit that every country needs to “step up” and “renew and raise our climate ambitions”.
# US
Homes evacuated as Tropical Storm Nicole batters Florida
Officials in Daytona Beach Shores deemed multiple multi-story coastal residential buildings unsafe and went door-to-door telling people to leave.
# Biological weapons
UN Security Council rejects Russian call for biological weapons probe
Russia had circulated a document to council members alleging that this biological activity is taking place in Ukraine with support from the US Defence Department.
# mayor of easton
On the trail with MAGA-favourite Doug Mastriano as he hits the culture war notes in Pennsylvania
Mastriano is fighting an uphill battle to defeat his Democrat opponent Josh Shapiro.
# Connecticut
Police officer wounded in apparent ambush shot and killed attacker
Two other police officers were killed in the attack.
# US
Joe Biden pardons thousands for ‘simple possession’ of marijuana
The US President also urged governors to extend the clemency to the far bigger number of people
# Ukraine
Drone attack hits Ukraine as US warns Russia of ‘consequences’ over nuclear weapons
A massive fire and explosion was caused in the port of Odessa.
# United States
Ken Starr, whose investigation led to Bill Clinton impeachment, dies aged 76
Starr died at a hospital of complications from surgery.
# White House
Democracy in the US is ‘under assault’ by MAGA Republicans, Joe Biden says
The leader called Donald Trump and his allies an extremist threat to America and its future.
# FBI
Trump and US government lock horns in court over seized documents
A claim of obstructing the FBI search heaps further legal pressure on the former president, who denies all wrongdoing.
# tensions
China says troops 'remain on high alert' as two US warships sail through Taiwan Strait
It is the first transit since China staged unprecedented military drills around the island following the visit of US Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
# US
Iranian operative charged in plot to murder Trump security adviser John Bolton
Shahram Poursafi, identified by US officials as a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is wanted by the FBI.
THE MORNING LEAD
Some Irish soldiers 'refused entry to US after peacekeeping duties'
The issue has been raised with the US authorities by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
# Basketball
Russia is 'ready' to discuss US prisoner exchange - a day after basketball star sentencing
Brittney Griner was detained at a Moscow airport in February after she was found carrying vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her luggage.
# Tension
Missiles fired by China 'believed to have landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone'
China’s military drills were prompted by a visit to the island by Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.
# Ukraine
US says Russia trying to fabricate evidence after deadly strike on prisoners-of-war
The Ukrainians killed at the Donetsk prison included troops captured during the fall of Mariupol.
# Taiwan
27 Chinese warplanes enter Taiwan's air defence zone following Pelosi visit, Taipei says
China is gearing up for military exercises dangerously close to the island’s shores in retaliation for the visit.
# Wildfires
Wildfires in western US grow in size amid hot and windy conditions
A fire in California burned down at least a dozen homes and wildlife was seen fleeing the area to avoid the flames.
# United States
Death toll from Kentucky floods rises to 25, with more fatalities expected
Torrential rain earlier this week caused unprecedented flash flooding in the east of the state.
# us gun control
Assault rifle ban passes in US House of Representatives but likely doomed in Senate
It would ban the sale, import, manufacture or transfer of certain semi-automatic weapons such as those used in recent mass shootings.
# nukes
Kim Jong Un threatens to use nuclear weapons amid tensions with US and South Korea
Kim has this year been increasingly threatening rivals with his advancing nuclear programme.
# Wildfires
Emergency declared over massive wildfire near Yosemite National Park in US
It exploded in size into one of California’s largest wildfires of the year.
# covid diagnosis
Biden likely has highly contagious Covid-19 strain but symptoms improving, doctors say
The US president completed his first full day of Paxlovid, the antiviral therapy treatment meant to reduce the severity of Covid.
