Steak, cherry blossoms and Paul Simon will be featured at the White House state dinner for Japan

Steak, cherry blossoms and Paul Simon will be featured at the White House state dinner for Japan

WASHINGTON — Dry-aged rib eye steak, cherry blossoms and the music of Paul Simon are on tap for more than 200 guests who are expected to attend a swanky White House state dinner on Wednesday to celebrate the relationship between the United States and Japan. A lavish state dinner is a tool of U.S. diplomacy, … Read more

Many cancer drugs remain unproven 5 years after accelerated approval, a study finds

Many cancer drugs remain unproven 5 years after accelerated approval, a study finds

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s accelerated approval program is meant to give patients early access to promising drugs. But how often do these drugs actually improve or extend patients’ lives? In a new study, researchers found that most cancer drugs granted accelerated approval do not demonstrate such benefits within five years. “Five years after … Read more

Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders join forces to promote lower health care costs, including for inhalers

Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders join forces to promote lower health care costs, including for inhalers

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden teamed up with Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday to promote his administration’s efforts to lower the cost of inhalers and other health care needs, as the White House continues its effort to highlight Biden’s legislative achievements to voters ahead of the November elections. “Bernie, you and I have been fighting … Read more

ALS drug will be pulled from US market after study showed patients didn’t benefit

ALS drug will be pulled from US market after study showed patients didn’t benefit

WASHINGTON — The maker of a drug for Lou Gehrig’s disease that recently failed in a large study said Thursday it will pull the medicine from the market, acknowledging it didn’t help patients with the deadly neurological condition. Amylyx Pharmaceuticals announced it will voluntarily halt sales and marketing of the drug in the U.S. and … Read more

Bill Clinton reflects on post-White House years in the upcoming memoir ‘Citizen’

Bill Clinton reflects on post-White House years in the upcoming memoir ‘Citizen’

NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton has a memoir coming out this fall about his years since leaving public office in 2001. “Citizen: My Life After the White House” will cover everything from the presidential campaigns of his wife, Hillary Clinton, to his views on events ranging from the Jan. … Read more

As international travel grows, so does US use of technology. A look at how it’s used at airports

As international travel grows, so does US use of technology. A look at how it’s used at airports

WASHINGTON — The Belgian family of four was on their fourth trip to the United States. They had been dreading the long line at passport control when they entered the country but had heard about a new app they could use to ease their way and decided to give it a shot. Within minutes, they … Read more

Lawsuit seeks to force ban on menthol cigarettes after months of delays by Biden administration

Lawsuit seeks to force ban on menthol cigarettes after months of delays by Biden administration

WASHINGTON — Anti-smoking groups sued the U.S. government Tuesday over a long-awaited ban on menthol cigarettes, which has been idling at the White House for months. The lawsuit is the latest effort to force the government to ban menthols, which are disproportionately used by Black smokers and young people. It comes amid growing concerns from … Read more

The pioneer of America’s embattled global HIV program recalls the hope after years of despair

The pioneer of America’s embattled global HIV program recalls the hope after years of despair

WASHINGTON — Through his office window at what was then one of Africa’s few modern clinics dealing with HIV and AIDS, the man who now oversees the United States’ threatened global AIDS effort used to hear the sound of taxis pulling up throughout the day. If he turned his head to look out the window, … Read more

Biden is announcing a new rule to protect consumers who purchase short-term health insurance plans

Biden is announcing a new rule to protect consumers who purchase short-term health insurance plans

President Joe Biden on Thursday announced new steps to protect consumers who buy short-term health insurance plans that critics say amount to junk. A new rule finalized by the Democratic president’s administration will limit these plans to just three months. And the plans can only be renewed for a maximum of four months, instead of … Read more

The White House expects about 40,000 participants at its ‘egg-ucation’-themed annual Easter egg roll

The White House expects about 40,000 participants at its ‘egg-ucation’-themed annual Easter egg roll

Some 40,000 people are expected to participate in Monday’s “EGG-ucation”-themed White House Easter Egg Roll, about 10,000 more people than last year. A teacher for more than 30 years, Jill Biden is transforming an annual tradition first held in 1878 into an “EGG-ucational” experience. Various stations on the South Lawn and Ellipse will help children … Read more