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close Video Iran blames Israel for 'sabotage' attack on Natanz nuclear facility 'Special Report' panel discusses Biden's handling of growing tensions in the Middle East Negotiations to bring the United States back into a landmark nuclear deal with Iran resumed Thursday in Vienna amid signs of progress — but also under the shadow of an attack this week on Iran’s main nuclear facility . WHAT IS THE DEAL THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT? In 2015, Iran signed an agreement with the U.S., Russia , China , Germany , France and Britain that was intended to set limits on Tehran’s nuclear program in order to block it from building a nuclear weapon — something it insists it doesn’t want to do. IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER: VIENNA OFFERS 'NOT WORTH LOOKING AT' In exchange, Iran received relief from sanctions that those powers had imposed, including on its exports of oil and access to the global banking system . Iran was allowed to continue … [Read more...] about What are the Iran nuclear talks about?

The following is the full text of an interview with Koji Tomita, the Japanese ambassador in Washington, conducted this week in advance of a visit to the White House by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. An article based on the interview is also being published. VOA: What is the significance to Japan of the upcoming summit between President (Joe) Biden and Prime Minister (Yoshihide) Suga? What would Japan like to see happen at the summit? Will we see new evidence of closer cooperation between Tokyo and Washington in regional and global affairs? AMBASSADOR KOJI TOMITA: This is the first in-person Japan-U.S. summit for both leaders, an event that has always been important in setting a positive tone for our overall diplomatic relationship. We are also honored that Prime Minister Suga will be the first leader of a foreign nation to hold a face-to-face meeting with President Biden since he took office in January. Considering the circumstances with the COVID-19 pandemic and … [Read more...] about Ambassador Lays Out Japan’s Summit Priorities

ROME — Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin underscored the importance of “multilateral action” Thursday, asserting that it translates brotherhood “into courage and generosity.” A multilateral commitment “is a privileged way to promote the common good of the human family and to develop original ideas and innovative strategies,” Cardinal Parolin declared in an address to a virtual event on Fraternity, Multilateralism, and Peace in Geneva. Multilateral action through diplomacy, negotiation, and multilateral institutions helps achieve “a truly universal common good and the protection of the weakest states,” he said. One place this multilateralism is especially important, the cardinal asserted, is the area of immigration. “Attention to the most needy and those who find themselves in situations of vulnerability, in particular for refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons, is not only a testimony of brotherhood, but an observation of attention to the real … [Read more...] about Vatican Chief: Multilateralism Is ‘Privileged Way to Promote the Common Good’

President Biden Joe Biden House panel approves bill to set up commission on reparations Democrats to offer bill to expand Supreme Court Former Israeli prime minister advises Iran to 'cool down' amid nuclear threats MORE has started his administration with a sprint to address climate disruption. On his first day in office, he announced a slew of new measures aimed at reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience to impacts like worsening droughts, more extreme rainfall and heat, and rising sea levels. Biden is hosting a Climate Summit on Earth Day, April 22, with 40 world leaders discuss ing, among other things, “opportunities to strengthen capacity to protect lives and livelihoods from the impacts of climate change.” But despite all the activity, the approach to adaptation or building resilience — defined as helping individuals, companies and government entities cope as effectively as possible with climate impacts that cannot be avoided — … [Read more...] about Climate adaptation: The gaping hole in American environmental policy

Bold goals to address climate change are emerging globally, and the U.S. will undoubtedly announce its own shortly. Many target clean electricity due to strong momentum and potential for immediate and long-term success, including decarbonizing other high-emitting sectors like transportation. The technical pathways to meet net-zero emissions goals demonstrate an accelerating role for renewable energy, thanks to tremendous recent cost declines. The future for clean electricity systems thus seems assured — almost. A key challenge remains in siting and building the massive amount of infrastructure needed to transport electricity to meet demand where and when it is needed . While regulatory and social barriers are widely acknowledged, solutions are few and far between, even as significant funding may soon become available through Congress’s pending “kitchen sink” infrastructure bill. To achieve 100 percent clean electricity , we need swift action to deploy distributed energy … [Read more...] about Biden can decarbonize electricity with these quick wins