White House News in Chinese - About (weebly.com)
APRIL 5, 2021
President Biden Delivers Easter Message
President Biden delivered remarks on the tradition of Easter at the White House. The president was joined by First Lady Jill Biden and the Easter bunny, wearing a mask. He spoke about the importance of Easter and the impact COVID-19 has had on traditions.
President Biden Delivers Easter Message
President Biden delivered remarks on the tradition of Easter at the White House. The president was joined by First Lady Jill Biden and the Easter bunny, wearing a mask. He spoke about the importance of Easter and the impact COVID-19 has had on traditions.
Gold Gains as US Dollar, Treasury Yields Retreat – Biden’s Tax Comments Support
Apr. 6 - Gold is making gains in early trading on Tuesday, buoyed as the US dollar and Treasury yields slide lower, which has made it more attractive for holders of other currencies to purchase, driving up its demand and boosting its prices for now. At the time of writing, GOLD is trading at a little above $1,738.
The benchmark 10-year US Treasury yields have slid below 1.7% after rising to the highest level seen in 14 months over the past few sessions. This has also turned the dollar bearish, sending it to an almost two week low against most of its major rivals. While lower bond yields decrease the opportunity cost of bullion and make it more appealing as an investment, a weaker dollar drives up purchases of gold by holders of other currencies, helping push up its demand as a result.
The yellow metal is also trading bullish on the rising prospects for higher corporate taxes in the US, after President Biden stood by this proposal as a way to pay for his recently announced $2 trillion infrastructure plan. In addition, the precious metal’s safe haven appeal also enjoyed support from recent comments from Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester on the central bank’s plans to remain dovish to boost economic growth further.
However, gains in gold remain limited on rising optimism for rapid economic recovery in the US. Investor confidence in the world’s largest economy remains high on the back of stronger than expected data releases, including the most recent employment report late last week and a record surge in non-manufacturing activity across the US in March. source from
Apr. 6 - Gold is making gains in early trading on Tuesday, buoyed as the US dollar and Treasury yields slide lower, which has made it more attractive for holders of other currencies to purchase, driving up its demand and boosting its prices for now. At the time of writing, GOLD is trading at a little above $1,738.
The benchmark 10-year US Treasury yields have slid below 1.7% after rising to the highest level seen in 14 months over the past few sessions. This has also turned the dollar bearish, sending it to an almost two week low against most of its major rivals. While lower bond yields decrease the opportunity cost of bullion and make it more appealing as an investment, a weaker dollar drives up purchases of gold by holders of other currencies, helping push up its demand as a result.
The yellow metal is also trading bullish on the rising prospects for higher corporate taxes in the US, after President Biden stood by this proposal as a way to pay for his recently announced $2 trillion infrastructure plan. In addition, the precious metal’s safe haven appeal also enjoyed support from recent comments from Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester on the central bank’s plans to remain dovish to boost economic growth further.
However, gains in gold remain limited on rising optimism for rapid economic recovery in the US. Investor confidence in the world’s largest economy remains high on the back of stronger than expected data releases, including the most recent employment report late last week and a record surge in non-manufacturing activity across the US in March. source from
On the way to launching his infrastructure plan and batteries initiative.
Threaten His Battery Hopes
A Deadline This Week Adjudicating a South Korean Blood Feud
Apr. 6 - At a fragile moment in the global technological war, President Biden is on the cusp of an extraordinary decision that some say could influence how fast and robustly the U.S. begins to ramp up battery manufacture at a time rivals Europe and China are already well on their way.
By Saturday, Biden must decide whether to step in and set aside a February ruling by the International Trade Commission banning SK Innovation, an important South Korean company, from making lithium-ion batteries in the United States for a decade. The ruling sided with one of SKI’s blood enemies, LG Chemical, which accused SKI of stealing trade secrets in order to produce a battery it has sold to Ford for its coming electric F-150 pickup and to VW for its new ID.4 crossover SUV. SKI planned to make the batteries for both at a new, $2.6 billion plant in the Georgian town of Commerce, part of a battery awakening in the U.S.
But the law allows the President to intervene and set aside the verdict, something that has precedent — President Obama did so in a separate battery case during his administration. SKI is pushing Biden lieutenants hard to overturn the ban, arguing that the Commerce factory has national security implications since the U.S. is competing with China to dominate the technologies of the future. continue
Threaten His Battery Hopes
A Deadline This Week Adjudicating a South Korean Blood Feud
Apr. 6 - At a fragile moment in the global technological war, President Biden is on the cusp of an extraordinary decision that some say could influence how fast and robustly the U.S. begins to ramp up battery manufacture at a time rivals Europe and China are already well on their way.
By Saturday, Biden must decide whether to step in and set aside a February ruling by the International Trade Commission banning SK Innovation, an important South Korean company, from making lithium-ion batteries in the United States for a decade. The ruling sided with one of SKI’s blood enemies, LG Chemical, which accused SKI of stealing trade secrets in order to produce a battery it has sold to Ford for its coming electric F-150 pickup and to VW for its new ID.4 crossover SUV. SKI planned to make the batteries for both at a new, $2.6 billion plant in the Georgian town of Commerce, part of a battery awakening in the U.S.
But the law allows the President to intervene and set aside the verdict, something that has precedent — President Obama did so in a separate battery case during his administration. SKI is pushing Biden lieutenants hard to overturn the ban, arguing that the Commerce factory has national security implications since the U.S. is competing with China to dominate the technologies of the future. continue
APRIL 5, 2021
White House Daily Briefing
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki held a briefing on the Biden administration’s agenda. She discussed President Biden’s proposed infrastructure plan, including a possible corporate tax increase and Republican opposition to the bill. She also talked about Major League Baseball’s decision to move the All-Star game out of Georgia in response to their recently passed voting bill. She said the White House has not called on corporate businesses to boycott the state or other states considering similar laws. At the end of the briefing, the Easter Bunny joined the press to pass out Easter eggs.
White House Daily Briefing
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki held a briefing on the Biden administration’s agenda. She discussed President Biden’s proposed infrastructure plan, including a possible corporate tax increase and Republican opposition to the bill. She also talked about Major League Baseball’s decision to move the All-Star game out of Georgia in response to their recently passed voting bill. She said the White House has not called on corporate businesses to boycott the state or other states considering similar laws. At the end of the briefing, the Easter Bunny joined the press to pass out Easter eggs.
New U.S. State Department report shifts policy on the Israel-Palestinian conflict to the left
The Biden team’s acceptance of Palestinian recalcitrance, plus U.S. financial support—with no quid pro quo—is what ensures there will be no end to the conflict.
April 6, FLAME - Supporters of Israel have been rubbing holes in their Ouija boards guessing how much further to the left the Biden administration will push U.S. Middle East policy from Trump’s iconoclastic positions. A new report indicates there will indeed be leftward shifts, but probably not all the way back to Obama’s strategy.
Until now—aside from a few minor pronouncements, a smattering of political appointments and a delay in President Biden calling Prime Minister Netanyahu after assuming office—there has been little by which to gauge Washington’s new approach to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
However, the release of the 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices this week, which the State Department annually produces, does reveal pointed indications about what Middle East watchers can expect.
On the plus side, the Biden administration used the phrase “Israel, West Bank and Gaza,” introduced by the Trump administration, instead of “Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories,” the phrase used by the Obama administration.
On the negative side, the report reintroduced the term “occupied” to describe Israel’s liberation of territory over the Green Line during the 1967 Six-Day War.
This language shows what some have long suspected—that the new administration will be less friendly than the previous one, but not as unfriendly as that of President Obama, which was one of the most hostile to Israel in recent years.
Nonetheless, language matters. The use of the terms “occupied” and “occupation” reflects the Palestinian narrative that Israel’s presence in its historic heartland of Judea and Samaria is somehow illegitimate. more
The Biden team’s acceptance of Palestinian recalcitrance, plus U.S. financial support—with no quid pro quo—is what ensures there will be no end to the conflict.
April 6, FLAME - Supporters of Israel have been rubbing holes in their Ouija boards guessing how much further to the left the Biden administration will push U.S. Middle East policy from Trump’s iconoclastic positions. A new report indicates there will indeed be leftward shifts, but probably not all the way back to Obama’s strategy.
Until now—aside from a few minor pronouncements, a smattering of political appointments and a delay in President Biden calling Prime Minister Netanyahu after assuming office—there has been little by which to gauge Washington’s new approach to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
However, the release of the 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices this week, which the State Department annually produces, does reveal pointed indications about what Middle East watchers can expect.
On the plus side, the Biden administration used the phrase “Israel, West Bank and Gaza,” introduced by the Trump administration, instead of “Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories,” the phrase used by the Obama administration.
On the negative side, the report reintroduced the term “occupied” to describe Israel’s liberation of territory over the Green Line during the 1967 Six-Day War.
This language shows what some have long suspected—that the new administration will be less friendly than the previous one, but not as unfriendly as that of President Obama, which was one of the most hostile to Israel in recent years.
Nonetheless, language matters. The use of the terms “occupied” and “occupation” reflects the Palestinian narrative that Israel’s presence in its historic heartland of Judea and Samaria is somehow illegitimate. more
Overnight Defense: Iran talks set up balancing act for Biden | Pentagon on alert amid Russian saber rattling | Lawmakers urge Pentagon to be pickier about commanders' requests for more troops
Apr. 5 - All eyes are on Vienna this week as the United States and Iran participate in indirect talks to revive the flagging nuclear deal.
The talks, in which the United States and Iran will meet separately with the other signatories of the deal, are slated to start Tuesday.
Over the weekend, The Hill’s Laura Kelly took a look at how the talks set up a delicate balance for the Biden administration.
The meeting is likely to draw intense scrutiny from Capitol Hill, where hundreds of lawmakers have signed on to a handful of letters to the president and Secretary of State Antony Blinken over their concerns of engaging with Iran.
Why it matters: The United States and Iran are not expected to meet face-to-face, but the Vienna talks mark the most forward movement yet on the Biden administration’s goal to revive the 2015 deal limiting Iran’s nuclear program.
The Biden team and Iran have been in a “who goes first” conundrum over each side's demands.
At the meeting, U.S. officials will engage with European, Russian and Chinese counterparts over what steps the U.S. can take to achieve a “mutual return” for both America and Iran... more details
Apr. 5 - All eyes are on Vienna this week as the United States and Iran participate in indirect talks to revive the flagging nuclear deal.
The talks, in which the United States and Iran will meet separately with the other signatories of the deal, are slated to start Tuesday.
Over the weekend, The Hill’s Laura Kelly took a look at how the talks set up a delicate balance for the Biden administration.
The meeting is likely to draw intense scrutiny from Capitol Hill, where hundreds of lawmakers have signed on to a handful of letters to the president and Secretary of State Antony Blinken over their concerns of engaging with Iran.
Why it matters: The United States and Iran are not expected to meet face-to-face, but the Vienna talks mark the most forward movement yet on the Biden administration’s goal to revive the 2015 deal limiting Iran’s nuclear program.
The Biden team and Iran have been in a “who goes first” conundrum over each side's demands.
At the meeting, U.S. officials will engage with European, Russian and Chinese counterparts over what steps the U.S. can take to achieve a “mutual return” for both America and Iran... more details
Korea: The Impossible Country: South Korea's Amazing Rise from the Ashes: The Inside Story of an Economic, Political and Cultural Phenomenon
In just fifty years, South Korea has transformed itself from a failed state, ruined and partitioned by war and decades of colonial rule, into an economic powerhouse and a democracy that serves as a model for other countries.
How was it able to achieve this with no natural resources and a tradition of authoritarian rule? Who are the Koreans and how did they accomplish this second Asian miracle? Through a comprehensive exploration of Korean history, culture and society, and interviews with dozens of experts, celebrated journalist Daniel Tudor seeks answers to these and many other fascinating questions. In Korea: The Impossible Country, Tudor touches on topics as diverse as shamanism, clan-ism, the dilemma posed by North Korea, and the growing international appeal of South Korean pop culture.
This new edition has been updated with additional materials on recent events, including the impeachment of Park Geun-hye and the sinking of the Sewol Ferry. Although South Korea has long been overshadowed by Japan and China, Korea: The Impossible Country illuminates how this small country is one of the great success stories of the postwar period. source
In just fifty years, South Korea has transformed itself from a failed state, ruined and partitioned by war and decades of colonial rule, into an economic powerhouse and a democracy that serves as a model for other countries.
How was it able to achieve this with no natural resources and a tradition of authoritarian rule? Who are the Koreans and how did they accomplish this second Asian miracle? Through a comprehensive exploration of Korean history, culture and society, and interviews with dozens of experts, celebrated journalist Daniel Tudor seeks answers to these and many other fascinating questions. In Korea: The Impossible Country, Tudor touches on topics as diverse as shamanism, clan-ism, the dilemma posed by North Korea, and the growing international appeal of South Korean pop culture.
This new edition has been updated with additional materials on recent events, including the impeachment of Park Geun-hye and the sinking of the Sewol Ferry. Although South Korea has long been overshadowed by Japan and China, Korea: The Impossible Country illuminates how this small country is one of the great success stories of the postwar period. source
