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Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia March 17, 2021.
Putin tells Belarus' president that criticism over his arrest of journalist is 'an outburst of emotions'
May, 29 - Russian President Vladimir Putin supported Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko as he faces criticism for the arrest of Roman Protasevich, a 26-year-old journalist and opposition activist.
Belarusian authorities took Protasevich into custody after having his Lithuania-bound Ryanair flight grounded.
Lukashenko gave an "unequivocal order" to have the passenger plane ground in Minsk.
In a call between the two leaders, Putin said the criticism of Minsk was "an outburst of emotions," according to a record of the call released by the Kremlin.
"We have things to discuss even without these events. I mean to say that in the first quarter of this year, our trade grew by a considerable 18.4 percent, and Russia remains a key trade and economic partner of Belarus. This is a good trend, and it is important to keep it going along with the Government's active work," Putin said.
The support from Putin comes as the European Union agreed to impose sanctions on Belarus. The sanctions include a ban on its airlines from using the airspace and airports of EU member states.
The US also said it will re-impose full blocking sanctions against nine Belarusian state-owned enterprises and the Treasury Department said it will develop a new Executive Order for President Joe Biden to review that will give the US more power to impose sanctions on Lukashenko's regime. source from
Putin tells Belarus' president that criticism over his arrest of journalist is 'an outburst of emotions'
May, 29 - Russian President Vladimir Putin supported Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko as he faces criticism for the arrest of Roman Protasevich, a 26-year-old journalist and opposition activist.
Belarusian authorities took Protasevich into custody after having his Lithuania-bound Ryanair flight grounded.
Lukashenko gave an "unequivocal order" to have the passenger plane ground in Minsk.
In a call between the two leaders, Putin said the criticism of Minsk was "an outburst of emotions," according to a record of the call released by the Kremlin.
"We have things to discuss even without these events. I mean to say that in the first quarter of this year, our trade grew by a considerable 18.4 percent, and Russia remains a key trade and economic partner of Belarus. This is a good trend, and it is important to keep it going along with the Government's active work," Putin said.
The support from Putin comes as the European Union agreed to impose sanctions on Belarus. The sanctions include a ban on its airlines from using the airspace and airports of EU member states.
The US also said it will re-impose full blocking sanctions against nine Belarusian state-owned enterprises and the Treasury Department said it will develop a new Executive Order for President Joe Biden to review that will give the US more power to impose sanctions on Lukashenko's regime. source from
May 28, 2021
Senator Schumer News Conference
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) held a news conference after the Senate voted to block debate over a bill that would have created a bipartisan, independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The senator vowed in the coming weeks to force a vote again on investigating the attack as well as other Democratic legislative priorities including President Biden’s economic agenda, voting rights legislation, gun violence prevention bills and others. “Reconciliation is certainly a serious consideration to get that big, bold action if we can’t get it with Republicans,” said the majority leader about using a rule to allow the party in control of Congress to pass budget legislation with a simple 51-vote majority.
Senator Schumer News Conference
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) held a news conference after the Senate voted to block debate over a bill that would have created a bipartisan, independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The senator vowed in the coming weeks to force a vote again on investigating the attack as well as other Democratic legislative priorities including President Biden’s economic agenda, voting rights legislation, gun violence prevention bills and others. “Reconciliation is certainly a serious consideration to get that big, bold action if we can’t get it with Republicans,” said the majority leader about using a rule to allow the party in control of Congress to pass budget legislation with a simple 51-vote majority.
'The truth is hard': Senate Republicans block commission to study Capitol riot of Jan. 6
May 29 - ...Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., opposed the commission. He said the Justice Department is already prosecuting 445 suspects in the attack, with more arrests expected. Legislative committees are already holding hearings and drafting recommendations to prevent another attack, he said.
McConnell accused Democrats of wanting to relitigate Trump, who was impeached in the House and charged with inciting the insurrection. The Senate acquitted Trump.
"Obviously the role of the former president has been litigated exhaustively – exhaustively – in the high-profile impeachment trial we had here in the Senate several months ago," McConnell said. “I do not believe the additional extraneous commission that Democratic leaders want would uncover crucial new facts or promote healing."
Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rob Portman of Ohio, Mitt Romney of Utah and Ben Sasse of Nebraska joined Democrats in supporting the commission.
Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said the Justice Department could never share its information about the cases until they are prosecuted, but that he would support a commission once those investigations are complete.
"As a practical matter, I don't think that we can do this thing until after a lot of those criminal probes are completed," Rounds said. "I still would like to see a commission go through, just for history's sake. I'd like to see it, but I think we're going to have to wait until after the criminal prosecutions are completed"... more
May 29 - ...Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., opposed the commission. He said the Justice Department is already prosecuting 445 suspects in the attack, with more arrests expected. Legislative committees are already holding hearings and drafting recommendations to prevent another attack, he said.
McConnell accused Democrats of wanting to relitigate Trump, who was impeached in the House and charged with inciting the insurrection. The Senate acquitted Trump.
"Obviously the role of the former president has been litigated exhaustively – exhaustively – in the high-profile impeachment trial we had here in the Senate several months ago," McConnell said. “I do not believe the additional extraneous commission that Democratic leaders want would uncover crucial new facts or promote healing."
Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rob Portman of Ohio, Mitt Romney of Utah and Ben Sasse of Nebraska joined Democrats in supporting the commission.
Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said the Justice Department could never share its information about the cases until they are prosecuted, but that he would support a commission once those investigations are complete.
"As a practical matter, I don't think that we can do this thing until after a lot of those criminal probes are completed," Rounds said. "I still would like to see a commission go through, just for history's sake. I'd like to see it, but I think we're going to have to wait until after the criminal prosecutions are completed"... more
A photo taken on Sunday shows a Ryanair passenger plane that was intercepted and diverted to Minsk by Belarus authorities. Minsk diverted the flight so that it could arrest opposition activist Roman Protasevich.
White House Slaps Sanctions On Belarus Following Brazen Arrest Of Opposition Figure
May 29 - The White House on Friday night announced a series of sanctions against Belarus for its forced landing of a Ryanair commercial flight and the subsequent removal and arrest of opposition journalist Roman Protasevich.
In a statement, White House press secretary Jen Psaki called the country's action "a direct affront to international norms."
The Sunday flight diversion, made under the false pretense of a bomb being onboard the aircraft, comes as the government of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko faces growing outcry from the West for the nation's recent crackdowns on free speech and public dissent.
"These events took place amid an escalating wave of repression by the Lukashenka regime against the aspirations of the people of Belarus for democracy and human rights," Psaki said in a statement.
In response to Protasevich's arrest, Psaki said the United States had issued a travel advisory urging U.S. citizens not to travel to Belarus, would reimpose sanctions on nine Belarusian state-owned enterprises, and would develop increased sanctions against the Eastern European nation's government, among other actions.
"We take these measures, together with our partners and Allies, to hold the regime accountable for its actions and to demonstrate our commitment to the aspirations of the people of Belarus," Psaki said. "We call on Lukashenka to allow a credible international investigation into the events of May 23, immediately release all political prisoners, and enter into a comprehensive and genuine political dialogue with the leaders of the democratic opposition and civil society groups that leads to the conduct of free and fair Presidential elections under [Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe] auspices and monitoring."
The 26-year-old Protasevich became a political activist as a teenager. During widespread anti-government protests last year, Protasevich became a key figure among opposition activists, utilizing the encrypted messaging app Telegram to organize demonstrations.
Lukashenko, a six-term authoritarian whose most recent election win was marred by accusations of ballot rigging, has fashioned himself as an international strongman and is often referred to as Europe's last dictator. In last year's Belarusian presidential election, Lukashenko declared himself the winner of the race, claiming a landslide victory with a jaw-dropping 80% of the vote.
His widely disputed reelection sparked international outrage and was the impetus of massive protests on the streets of Minsk. Thousands of protesters were arrested for their involvement in the civil unrest and others were exiled from the state.
While a number of developed nations have sharply criticized Lukashenko's harsh rejection of fundamental democratic principles like free speech, Lukashenko has found allyship in fellow a authoritarian leader, Russian President Vladimir Putin. source from
White House Slaps Sanctions On Belarus Following Brazen Arrest Of Opposition Figure
May 29 - The White House on Friday night announced a series of sanctions against Belarus for its forced landing of a Ryanair commercial flight and the subsequent removal and arrest of opposition journalist Roman Protasevich.
In a statement, White House press secretary Jen Psaki called the country's action "a direct affront to international norms."
The Sunday flight diversion, made under the false pretense of a bomb being onboard the aircraft, comes as the government of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko faces growing outcry from the West for the nation's recent crackdowns on free speech and public dissent.
"These events took place amid an escalating wave of repression by the Lukashenka regime against the aspirations of the people of Belarus for democracy and human rights," Psaki said in a statement.
In response to Protasevich's arrest, Psaki said the United States had issued a travel advisory urging U.S. citizens not to travel to Belarus, would reimpose sanctions on nine Belarusian state-owned enterprises, and would develop increased sanctions against the Eastern European nation's government, among other actions.
"We take these measures, together with our partners and Allies, to hold the regime accountable for its actions and to demonstrate our commitment to the aspirations of the people of Belarus," Psaki said. "We call on Lukashenka to allow a credible international investigation into the events of May 23, immediately release all political prisoners, and enter into a comprehensive and genuine political dialogue with the leaders of the democratic opposition and civil society groups that leads to the conduct of free and fair Presidential elections under [Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe] auspices and monitoring."
The 26-year-old Protasevich became a political activist as a teenager. During widespread anti-government protests last year, Protasevich became a key figure among opposition activists, utilizing the encrypted messaging app Telegram to organize demonstrations.
Lukashenko, a six-term authoritarian whose most recent election win was marred by accusations of ballot rigging, has fashioned himself as an international strongman and is often referred to as Europe's last dictator. In last year's Belarusian presidential election, Lukashenko declared himself the winner of the race, claiming a landslide victory with a jaw-dropping 80% of the vote.
His widely disputed reelection sparked international outrage and was the impetus of massive protests on the streets of Minsk. Thousands of protesters were arrested for their involvement in the civil unrest and others were exiled from the state.
While a number of developed nations have sharply criticized Lukashenko's harsh rejection of fundamental democratic principles like free speech, Lukashenko has found allyship in fellow a authoritarian leader, Russian President Vladimir Putin. source from
Statement by President Joe Biden on the Rise of Anti-Semitic Attacks
May 28, 2021 • Statements and ReleasesIn the last weeks, our nation has seen a series of anti-Semitic attacks, targeting and terrorizing American Jews.
We have seen a brick thrown through window of a Jewish-owned business in Manhattan, a swastika carved into the door of a synagogue in Salt Lake City, families threatened outside a restaurant in Los Angeles, and museums in Florida and Alaska, dedicated to celebrating Jewish life and culture and remembering the Holocaust, vandalized with anti-Jewish messages.
These attacks are despicable, unconscionable, un-American, and they must stop... more
May 28, 2021 • Statements and ReleasesIn the last weeks, our nation has seen a series of anti-Semitic attacks, targeting and terrorizing American Jews.
We have seen a brick thrown through window of a Jewish-owned business in Manhattan, a swastika carved into the door of a synagogue in Salt Lake City, families threatened outside a restaurant in Los Angeles, and museums in Florida and Alaska, dedicated to celebrating Jewish life and culture and remembering the Holocaust, vandalized with anti-Jewish messages.
These attacks are despicable, unconscionable, un-American, and they must stop... more
Biden condemns anti-Semitic attacks against American Jews
The United States is facing an uptick on attacks on Jewish people in the wake of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
May 29 - US President Joe Biden on Friday thoroughly condemned a spate of recent attacks on Jewish people in the United States since this month’s conflict between Israel and Gaza.
“We have seen a brick thrown through window of a Jewish-owned business in Manhattan, a swastika carved into the door of a synagogue in Salt Lake City, families threatened outside a restaurant in Los Angeles, and museums in Florida and Alaska, dedicated to celebrating Jewish life and culture and remembering the Holocaust, vandalized with anti-Jewish messages,” Biden said in a statement, saying the attacks are “despicable, unconscionable, un-American, and they must stop.”
“I will not allow our fellow Americans to be intimidated or attacked because of who they are or the faith they practice,” he said.
Incidents of anti-Semitic vandalism, harassment and violence have nearly doubled in the United States amid Israel’s 11-day war with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, according to data from the Anti-Defamation League.
The conflict halted May 21 after US- and regional governments pushed Israel and Hamas to accept a cease-fire proposal put forth by Egypt’s government. More than 240 Palestinians, including a significant number of women and children, were killed. Twelve people in Israel died as a result of rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.
In New York City’s Times Square on May 20, fighting broke out between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protesters. Police arrested 27 people, with two people hospitalized.
A majority of the recent attacks against Jewish people and properties were not directly related to protests over the conflict in Gaza, however, and the connection between the conflict and the attacks remains unclear. source from
The United States is facing an uptick on attacks on Jewish people in the wake of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
May 29 - US President Joe Biden on Friday thoroughly condemned a spate of recent attacks on Jewish people in the United States since this month’s conflict between Israel and Gaza.
“We have seen a brick thrown through window of a Jewish-owned business in Manhattan, a swastika carved into the door of a synagogue in Salt Lake City, families threatened outside a restaurant in Los Angeles, and museums in Florida and Alaska, dedicated to celebrating Jewish life and culture and remembering the Holocaust, vandalized with anti-Jewish messages,” Biden said in a statement, saying the attacks are “despicable, unconscionable, un-American, and they must stop.”
“I will not allow our fellow Americans to be intimidated or attacked because of who they are or the faith they practice,” he said.
Incidents of anti-Semitic vandalism, harassment and violence have nearly doubled in the United States amid Israel’s 11-day war with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, according to data from the Anti-Defamation League.
The conflict halted May 21 after US- and regional governments pushed Israel and Hamas to accept a cease-fire proposal put forth by Egypt’s government. More than 240 Palestinians, including a significant number of women and children, were killed. Twelve people in Israel died as a result of rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.
In New York City’s Times Square on May 20, fighting broke out between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protesters. Police arrested 27 people, with two people hospitalized.
A majority of the recent attacks against Jewish people and properties were not directly related to protests over the conflict in Gaza, however, and the connection between the conflict and the attacks remains unclear. source from
May 28, 2021
President Biden Delivers Remarks at Military Base in Norfolk, Virginia
President Joe Biden delivered remarks at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia. He thanked the military and their family members for their sacrifice, calling them the “backbone of the country.” Joining the president on stage for brief remarks was First Lady Jill Biden who said, “military families are as important as a rudder is to ship.”
President Biden Delivers Remarks at Military Base in Norfolk, Virginia
President Joe Biden delivered remarks at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia. He thanked the military and their family members for their sacrifice, calling them the “backbone of the country.” Joining the president on stage for brief remarks was First Lady Jill Biden who said, “military families are as important as a rudder is to ship.”
Statement by Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Memorial Day Weekend Gas Prices
May 28, 2021 • Statements and ReleasesAcross America, the pandemic is in retreat. As we continue to make progress, and our life returns to normal, Americans are eager to make up for lost time, and more people are traveling this Memorial Day weekend.
And as Americans are hitting the road, they are paying less in real terms for gas than they have on average over the last 15 years—and they’re paying about the same as they did in May 2018 and May 2019.
The Administration’s success in beating the pandemic and getting our economy back on track has led to increased demand for gas as the country re-opens. But, while prices have increased from the lows last year—as demand drastically dipped—prices at just about $3 per gallon are still well in-line with what they’ve been in recent decades... more
May 28, 2021 • Statements and ReleasesAcross America, the pandemic is in retreat. As we continue to make progress, and our life returns to normal, Americans are eager to make up for lost time, and more people are traveling this Memorial Day weekend.
And as Americans are hitting the road, they are paying less in real terms for gas than they have on average over the last 15 years—and they’re paying about the same as they did in May 2018 and May 2019.
The Administration’s success in beating the pandemic and getting our economy back on track has led to increased demand for gas as the country re-opens. But, while prices have increased from the lows last year—as demand drastically dipped—prices at just about $3 per gallon are still well in-line with what they’ve been in recent decades... more
