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Showing posts from February, 2021

balancing nation's grief and hope

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  President Biden mourns 500,000 dead, balancing nation's grief and hope With sunset remarks and a national moment of silence, President Joe Biden on Monday confronted head-on the country's once-unimaginable loss — half 1,000,000 Americans within the COVID-19 pandemic — as he tried to strike a balance between mourning and hope. Addressing the "grim, heartbreaking milestone" directly and publicly, Biden stepped to a lectern within the White House Cross Hall, unhooked his mask and delivered an emotion-filled eulogy for 500,071 Americans he said he felt he knew. "We often hear people described as ordinary Americans. there's no such thing," he said Monday evening. "There's nothing ordinary about them. The people we lost were extraordinary." "Just like that," he added, "so many of them took their last breath alone." A president whose own life has been marked by family tragedy, Biden spoke in deeply personal terms, referencing

‘anti-China alliance’

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  Biden may face an uphill task trying to form an ‘anti-China alliance’ in Asia U.S. President Joe Biden may find it difficult to collect Asian “swing states” into a coalition against China, a political analyst told CNBC. Part of that challenge stems from Biden’s promise to rebuild the American bourgeoisie — which could hamper efforts to push economic and trade policies that Asian countries would check in to, said James Crabtree, a professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore. “What the U.S. has done traditionally is, it’s tried to use both its security and economic power to entice allies into its camp. So as an example , it found out the first TPP trade agreement,” Crabtree told CNBC’s “Street Signs Asia” on Friday. TPP refers to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade pact negotiated by former President Barack Obama and 11 other countries — most of them in Asia-Pacific, which excludes China. The deal in its original form would be the world’s largest trade agreeme

Biden’s Immigration Plan

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  Biden’s Immigration Plan Would Offer Path to Citizenship For Millions President Biden’s allies on Capitol Hill formally introduced his immigration overhaul within the House on Thursday morning, making good on his campaign promise to hunt to modernize the nation’s immigration system and supply a path to citizenship for many undocumented Americans. “We’re here today because last November 80 million Americans voted against Donald Trump and against everything he stood for,” Senator Bob Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey, said at a virtual news conference. “They voted to revive common sense, compassion, and competence in our government. And part of that mandate is fixing our immigration system, which is a cornerstone of Trump’s hateful horror show.” The unveiling puts a spotlight on a high-profile and thorny political issue that Mr. Biden is hoping to deal with , despite the steep political challenges related to moving immigration legislation in Congress. It comes at a time when the preside

Biden and Harris Push $1.9 Trillion

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  Biden and Harris Push $1.9 Trillion Relief Plan and Preview Other Priorities President Biden on Wednesday afternoon met with a gaggle of labor leaders he described as “close friends” to debate his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan and to urge input on an attempt to bolster American infrastructure that's expected to follow. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said Tuesday that the president views infrastructure as “one of the areas where there’s opportunity to work together” with Republicans, but she didn't provide details on what would happen after the stimulus bill. “We haven’t yet determined what the next priority forward would be, but he is engaging with his policy team,” Ms. Psaki said. She also wouldn’t say whether he planned to move forward with his broad economic agenda or a bill focused on infrastructure. Mr. Biden met Wednesday with several labor leaders including Richard Trumka, the president of the A.F.L.-C.I.O.; Sean McGarvey, president of North Americ

China will face repercussions for human rights abuses

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  China will face repercussions for human rights abuses, says Joe Biden US President Joe Biden on Tuesday (local time) said that China will have to face repercussions over human rights abuses. "The US must speak up on human rights abuses and that there will be repercussions for China, and (Xi Jinping) knows that," Biden said during CNN town hall. "What I'm doing is, making it clear that, we, in fact, are going to continue to reassert our role as spokespersons for human rights at the UN and other agencies that have an impact on their attitude," CNN quoted Biden as saying. Biden went on to explain what he told the Chinese leader with regards to human rights abuses and the United States' stance during his phone call to President Xi jinping. "I point out to him no American President can be sustained as a President if he doesn't reflect the values of the United states. then the thought is, that i'm not getting to speak out against what he's doing

Biden Pitches Stimulus Plan

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  Biden Pitches Stimulus Plan at Wisconsin Town Hall President Biden said on Tuesday that every American who wants a Covid-19 vaccine will be able to get one by the end of July, striking a more optimistic tone than he delivered last week when he warned that logistical and distribution hurdles would most likely mean that many people would still not have been vaccinated by the end of the summer. Mr. Biden made the comment in Milwaukee during a town hall-style meeting hosted by CNN. When the host, Anderson Cooper, asked him when every American who wants a vaccine was “going to be ready to get a vaccine?” Mr. Biden replied without hesitation: “By the top of July this year.” He then tempered the remark slightly, telling Mr. Cooper that the doses would “be available” by that time. But he also said he did not expect it to take months to get the shots into people’s arms. At a time when Americans are yearning to urge back to what life was like before the pandemic, Mr. Biden sought to supply rea

Biden Should Finish Trump’s One Good Trade Idea

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  Biden Should Finish Trump’s One Good Trade Idea The Biden administration is within the middle of a review of its predecessor’s record on China, including its national trading policy actions. the decision won’t be positive. Former President Donald Trump’s tariffs on $550 billion worth of Chinese imports and Beijing’s commitment to increased purchases of U.S. products under the Phase One agreement signed in January 2020—prominent samples of the previous White House’s “negotiate bilaterally, punish unilaterally” approach to trade policy—did nothing to vary the foremost troublesome aspect of China’s economic behavior: its subsidies to its state-owned enterprises. By creating unfair competition for U.S. workers, these subsidies still threaten equity reception . And by undermining multilateral rules, they weaken the planet Trade Organization (WTO) through which the US has traditionally pursued its interests within the global economy. It would be an error , however, for the Biden administra

"Democracy Is Fragile,"

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  "Democracy Is Fragile," Joe Biden Says After Trump Acquittal Washington, United States: President Joe Biden said Saturday that despite Donald Trump's acquittal within the US Capitol insurrection trial the fees against him aren't at issue and therefore the attack shows "democracy is fragile." "While the ultimate vote didn't lead to a conviction, the substance of the charge is not in dispute," Biden said after the Senate voted 57-43 to acquit Trump in his second impeachment trial. "This sad chapter in our history has reminded us that democracy is fragile. That it should be defended. That we must be ever vigilant," Biden said in a statement after Trump's trial on charges he incited the mob that overran Congress on january 6. Read more at Biden President

Biden seeks more foreign workers

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  Biden seeks more foreign workers while skirting H-1B visa uproar Joe Biden’s immigration overhaul seeks to permit more skilled foreign workers into the U.S. without stirring widespread protest from labor groups, whose opposition would ruin prospects for what's already one among the president’s most precarious priorities. The sweeping proposal Biden sent to Congress on his first day in office drew quick Republican opposition over its centerpiece: a faster path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants within the U.S. Another provision would allow more foreign students and workers to enter the U.S. by increasing the amount of employment-based green cards. Business groups view the proposal as how to extend the availability of coders and other skilled tech workers for U.S. companies without raising caps on programs like the H-1B visa for high-skilled workers. Companies like Alphabet Inc.’s Google, Apple Inc. and Facebook Inc. have for years pressed to increase the number

US President Biden

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  US President Biden says he won't watch Trump's impeachment proceedings US President Joe Biden on Tuesday (local time) told reporters within the Oval Office that he has no plans to observe former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial within the Senate, adding that he features a job to try to to in providing assistance to people that are affected thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and depression . "I am not," Biden said when asked if he will watch the trial at the start of a meeting with business leaders, reported the hill. "I tell people that I have a job...We have already lost over 450,000 people and we could lose a whole lot more if we don't act and act decisively. a lot of people, as I have said before, children are going to bed hungry. a lot of families are food insecure. they're in trouble. That's my job," the US President further said. Biden added that the Senate has their job and will conduct themselves well. Earlier today, Biden me

President Biden at White House

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  Jamie Dimon, other CEOs meet with President Biden at White House as relief plan advances WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden met at the White House on Tuesday with JPMorgan Chase Chief military officer Jamie Dimon and other leading business executives to debate the administration’s $1.9 trillion economic relief package, as Democrats work to hurry the plan through Congress. The meeting also included Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart; Sonia Syngal from GAP; Marvin Ellison, CEO of Lowe’s; and Tom Donohue, of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. vice president Kamala Harris and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also took part. The meeting with the business executives comes as the White House accelerates its push for Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief proposal amid increasing opposition from congressional Republicans. House Democrats have unveiled key portions of the legislation and on Tuesday began holding what is going to be a lengthy series of committee meetings in the week to vote on various portions of th

Biden Admin welcomes India's emergence

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  Biden Admin welcomes India's emergence as a leading global power Describing India together as one of the foremost important partners of the US within the Indo-Pacific region, the Biden Administration on Tuesday said that it welcomes India's emergence as a number one global power and its role as a net security provider within the region. "India is one among the foremost important partners within the Indo-Pacific region to us. We welcome India's emergence as a number one global power and its role as a net security provider within the region," State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily press conference . Earlier in the day, he said, Secretary of State Tony Blinken spoke with his Indian counterpart, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, for the second time in less than a fortnight. During the call, the two leaders reaffirm the strength of the US-India partnership and discussed issues of mutual concern, including the situation in Myanmar. B

Joe Biden's virus relief

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  Dems propose $1,400 payments as part of Joe Biden's virus relief Democrats on a pivotal House panel have proposed an additional USD 1,400 in direct payments to individuals, bolstered unemployment benefits and more generous tax breaks for families with children and for lower earners as Congress began piecing together a USD 1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package on Monday. The plan is expected to closely follow President Joe Biden's proposed package to deal with the tolls of the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed over 460,000 Americans, and the nation's still staggering economy, which has lost 10 million jobs since the crisis began last year. Biden, but three weeks into his presidency, has declared that defeating the virus and fixing the economy are his top priorities. The proposal by the Ways and Means Committee, which plans to vote on it by week's end, would also expand tax credits for families with children, for lower-earning people and for Americans who buy insura

A Few Things Have Changed.

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  Joe Biden Commutes to Home delaware. A Few Things Have Changed. WILMINGTON, Dell. — Another work week had come to an end, and men and ladies throughout Delaware returned to their homes for a couple of days faraway from the office. one among them just happened to be the president of the US . As he had done countless times in his long career in public office, Joseph R. Biden Jr. returned to the Wilmington suburbs from Washington on Friday — this point , because the commander in chief. In keeping with the overall tone of his presidency thus far , little commotion ensued. There were no Twitter outbursts or golf outings, though the winter weather wouldn't have allowed for hitting the links anyway. there have been not many Biden sightings, either. Instead, it had been a weekend where Mr. Biden was in his most natural state: reception in Delaware, where everyone seems to understand everyone, the new president included. Asked his plans for the weekend, Mr. Biden told reporters, “To see m

here’s the new Democratic plan

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  Here’s the new Democratic plan for $1,400 stimulus checks President Biden promised to get more relief to Americans quickly to help people survive financially until the pandemic is in check . A key part of Biden’s proposal is to send another round of money payments on to U.S. households. Some economists, Republicans and moderate Democrats have argued that this third round of “economic impact payments” — more commonly mentioned as “stimulus checks” or “relief payments” — should go only to the hardest-hit families. Some say the payments are a waste of taxpayer dollars. Biden and Democratic leaders in Congress argue a third round of stimulus checks is necessary to ensure people who have lost their jobs or taken a pay cut still have enough money to buy food, pay rent and get the medical care they need during a pandemic. But the White House has signaled the president is willing to narrow who gets them, sending checks only to low- and moderate-income families this time around. The latest pr

Biden administration plan

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  Biden administration weighs plan to directly send masks to all Americans WASHINGTON — The Biden White house is considering sending masks directly to American households, consistent with three people conversant in the discussions, an action the Trump administration explored but scrapped. The Covid-19 Response Team is evaluating the logistics of mailing out many face coverings, but no decision has been made, and the proposal hasn't yet reached President Joe Biden for final approval, a White House official said. The idea has been raised in several meetings among Biden's top health experts in recent days, particularly as Biden continues to urge Americans to use masks as a primary defense against the spread of the coronavirus. Biden has asked all Americans to wear masks for the primary 100 days of his term, and he has signed several executive actions that mandate wearing face coverings on federal property and aboard transportation systems , moves President Donald Trump never enact

America Is Back'

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  America Is Back': Biden Says US Will Repair Alliances, Engage With World "We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again, not to meet yesterday's challenges, but today's and tomorrow's. American leadership must meet this new moment of advancing authoritarianism, including the growing ambitions of China to rival the United states and the determination of Russia to damage and disrupt our democracy," Biden said in his remarks to State Department employees. The US, he said, must meet the new moment accelerating global challenges -- from the pandemic to the climate crisis to nuclear proliferation -- challenging the will only to be solved by nations working together and in common. "We cannot do it alone," he said. "We must start with diplomacy rooted in America's most cherished democratic values: defending freedom, championing opportunity, upholding universal rights, respecting the rule of law and treating every person with di

House votes to speed stimulus passage

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  House votes to speed stimulus passage after Biden meets with Dems President Joe Biden met with Democrats on Wednesday because the House took its initiative toward passing his sprawling $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package through Congress with none Republican help. The lower chamber approved a budget measure in the 218-212 vote, directing a dozen committees to start out drafting the pieces of Biden’s bill, including $1,400 stimulus checks, $350 billion in state and native aid and more controversial provisions, sort of a $15 wage hike. Biden told Democrats earlier on Wednesday that he’s hospitable refining key elements of his nearly $2 trillion proposal, while stressing the urgency of delivering a huge relief bill quickly to the pandemic-stricken nation. During a call with the House Democratic Caucus, Biden said he was willing to compromise on who is going to be eligible for subsequent round stimulus checks — but remained firm on the dimensions of the $1,400 payment, consistent wi

Economic Aid Package

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  Democrats Speed Ahead on Economic Aid Package Democrats are taking steps to erupt President Biden’s $1.9 trillion economic rescue plan, employing a budgetary maneuver that would eventually allow the measure to become law without Republican support. The move advanced the two-track strategy that Mr. Biden and Democratic leaders are employing to hurry the help package through Congress: show Republicans that they need the votes to pass an ambitious spending bill with only Democratic backing, but offer to barter some details in hopes of gaining Republican support. “We are not going to dilute, dither or delay,” Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of new York and the majority leader, said on the Senate floor. “There’s nothing about the process itself that prevents bipartisanship.” Read more at biden president

President Joe Biden threatens

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  President Joe Biden threatens sanctions on Myanmar after military coup Calling the military's seizure of power in Myanmar an immediate assault on its transition to democracy, US President Joe Biden on Monday threatened to slap new sanctions on the country after the junta detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and other political leaders. According to media reports, an announcer on Myanmar's military-owned Myawaddy TV declared on Monday morning that the military had taken control of the country for one year. Myanmar's leader Suu Kyi and other senior figures from the ruling party were detained in an early morning raid, the spokesman for the governing National League for Democracy (NLD) was quoted as saying within the media. The military's seizure of power in Burma (Myanmar), the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian officials, and the declaration of a national state of emergency are a direct assault on the country's transition t