President Joe Biden and Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy held their first talks as the White House seeks authorization to raise borrowing limits. The opposition is believed to be seeking promises to cut spending.

Talking Europe hosts Mark Gitenstein, the US ambassador to the EU and a close confidant of President Joe Biden since the 1970s. Gitenstein took up his position in Brussels a year ago, and it proved to be a baptism of fire, with the war in Ukraine starting just a few weeks into his job.

For months, European leaders have sought a united response to the US Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA. That plan, announced by the White House last year, favours American-made climate technology through subsidies and tax credits. But EU chiefs say the policy discriminates against Washington's closest partner, Europe.

For months, European leaders have sought a united response to the US Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA. That plan, announced by the White House last year, favours American-made climate technology through subsidies and tax credits. But EU chiefs say the policy discriminates against Washington's closest partner, Europe.

The second "surveillance balloon" announcement comes after the first sighting prompted the top US diplomat to postpone a trip to Beijing. China claims the balloons are used for scientific purposes.

Social media posts and articles link Microsoft founder Bill Gates to widespread egg scarcity in the United States, citing his funding in plant-based egg industries and major investment in US farmland and agriculture. Vedika Bahl cracks the code in this episode of Truth or Fake.

China said the device deviated from its route, and "accidentally strayed over Latin America and the Caribbean." This comes even as the US is seaching for the remains of the suspected surveillence balloon it shot down.

Several cities in the northeastern United States enacted emergency measures to protect the homeless population. The Arctic blast also caused "frostquakes" from sudden snaps in frozen soil.

The US has shot down a Chinese balloon that had been floating over the mainland for days. China has claimed the US overreacted by downing what it said was a civilian aircraft and threatened repercussions.

The US announced that it will allow the first transfer of a Russian oligarch's confiscated funds to Ukraine. In the meantime, Germany says it has evidence of over 100 war crimes in Ukraine.

Sarah McCoy is an American who honed her songwriting and singing skills touring the US and New Orleans in particular, before moving to France several years ago. Unlike Emily (of "Emily in Paris" fame), she speaks French and has charmed her way into the hearts of the locals. She has just released her second album "High Priestess", which she is about to tour extensively throughout France and other European countries.

In his State of the Union address, US President Joe Biden underlined slowing inflation and low unemployment as signs that the country's economy is resilient and ready to compete with China in key sectors. Looking forward, he aims to reduce the deficit and raise the debt ceiling by increasing taxes on wealth.