Biden announces US-China reset on military talks and fentanyl at APEC

Welcome to The Independent's US Morning Headlines newsletter

Thursday, November 16, 2023 1/ Biden and Xi discuss Taiwan, fentanyl and military talks at key San Francisco summit   President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have agreed to resume lines of communication between their respective countries' defence departments, more than a year after China cut off such exchanges following House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's August 2022 visit to Taiwan. Mr Biden appeared for a rare solo news conference after roughly four hours of talks at the historic Bourn-Roth Estate in San Mateo, California. "We're reassuming military-to-military contacts, direct contacts. That's been cut off. That's how accidents happen, misunderstanding. We're back to direct, open, clear, direct communications, on a direct basis," Mr Biden told reporters. A senior White House official told reporters about the agreement shortly after the two leaders wrapped roughly four hours of talks at the historic Bourn-Roth Estate in San Mateo, California. 2/ Biden and Xi agree new anti-drug initiative to fight fentanyl smuggling at summit Biden administration say that agreement would set back Latin American drug dealers 3/ Xi tells Biden that China has no plans for military action against Taiwan 'in coming years' Chinese leader also outlined Taiwan as biggest threat to US-China relations 4/ Georgia prosecutors want Trump's co-defendant jailed for witness intimidation The leader of Black Voices for Trump 'poses a significant threat of intimidating witnesses' 5/ Senator who threatened fight during hearing blames union boss: 'He started it' Markwayne Mullin, a former mixed martial arts fighter, said he 'did not deal good with bullies' THE BIG QUESTION Can Biden and Xi get the US-China relationship back on track? Given the fact that ties have been slipping towards hostility in the last couple of years, refreshing lines of communication will be the main aim of talks in San Francisco, writes Chris Stevenson.   Read the full article here Watch / Medics evacuate patients from al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City hours before Israeli raid NUMBER OF THE DAY 21 The mother of a six-year-old boy who shot a teacher in his elementary school with an illegal gun has been sentenced to 21 months in prison. Read more QUOTE OF THE DAY "We cannot move from building to building [and] the situation is really tense." Speaking to The Independent from inside al-Shifa during the raid, Dr Ahmed Makhalati, head of the hospital's burns unit said the situation is "very difficult". Read more OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE  Paul Pelosi hammer attack: What we learned as David DePape trial ends Sovereign citizen gets dose of reality in Florida police stop Over two dozen horses killed in New York arson attack Mark Hollingsworth: I was there for Diana & Dodi's love story – it wasn't like The Crown The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's US Morning Headlines newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's US Morning Headlines newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy notice and cookie policy