7/10/2021

US Economy | July 10, 2021

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Biden Launches War on Lack of Competition in American Industry, White House Says

Jul 10 - US President Joe Biden has launched a war against the lack of competition in American industry, rolling out 72 actions to mitigate the crisis which the White House said was accelerating inflation in an economy rebounding from the coronavirus pandemic.

​“In over 75 percent of US industries, a smaller number of large companies now control more of the business than they did twenty years ago,” the White House said in a statement, citing sectors such as healthcare, financial services and agriculture. “That lack of competition drives up prices for consumers”...     more

Related Articles:
Biden Says US Economy 'On the Move' After New Jobs Data Revealed for June

JULY 9, 2021
President Biden Signs Economic Executive Order
President Biden signed an executive order aimed at promoting competition in the U.S. economy. He was joined by his Cabinet members in the White House State Dining Room. At the conclusion of the event, the president responded to a reporter question about his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Remarks by President Biden At Signing of An Executive Order Promoting Competition in the American Economy

JULY 09, 2021SPEECHES AND REMARKS

​State Dining Room 

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everyone.  They have a Cabinet meeting.  (Laughter.)  Please — please be seated.  Thank you.

​Well, it is not “good morning,” which my remarks say here, but — (laughter) — good afternoon.  We’re in the midst of a historic economic recovery.  And because our successful vaccination program strategy has been working and the immediate relief through the American Rescue Plan has brought back our economy from the worst economic crisis in nearly a century, America is now on track.  We’re now on track for the highest economic growth in 40 years and among the highest growth records on record.


We designed our ecomi- — our economic strategy to be durable through the ups and downs that come with recovery.  And there are ups and downs. 

That’s why the American Rescue Plan was designed to help people not just all at once, but over the course of a full year so we could continue supporting families, small businesses, state and local budgets to help them weather those ups and downs. 
And now that the economy is back on track, we’re making progress on the second phase of our strategy: ensuring long-term growth. 

​That’s what my Build Back Better agenda, including my Americans Family Plan and the bipartisan infrastructure agreement we reached last month — that’s what they’re all about: long term.

But to keep our country moving, we have to take another step as well — and I know you’re all tired of hearing me during the campaign and since I’m elected President talk about it — and that’s bringing fair competition back to the economy...     more
US President Joe Biden underscored the need for Russia to take action to disrupt ransomware groups.
Joe Biden dials Vladimir Putin on ransomware attack from Russia


Joe Biden spoke with Vladimir Putin about the ongoing ransomware attacks by criminals based in Russia that have impacted the US and other countries around the world.

Jul 10 - US President Joe Biden on Friday spoke with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the ongoing ransomware attacks from Russia, the White House said.

Biden spoke with Putin about the ongoing ransomware attacks by criminals based in Russia that have impacted the US and other countries around the world, the White House said in a readout of the call.

Biden underscored the need for Russia to take action to disrupt ransomware groups operating in Russia and emphasised that
he is committed to continued engagement on the broader threat posed by ransomware, it said.

During the call, Biden reiterated that the US will take any necessary action to defend its people and its critical infrastructure in the face of this continuing challenge, it said.

“The leaders commended the joint work of their respective teams following the US-Russia summit that led to the unanimous renewal of cross-border humanitarian assistance to Syria today in the UN Security Council,” the White House added.

Related Articles: 
Biden and Putin discuss rules of engagement for cyber war, want critical services off-limit to cyberattacks


JULY 9, 2021
White House Daily Briefing
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki held her daily briefing with reporters to discuss the president’s agenda. At the start, she provided an update on U.S. coordination efforts with Haiti in the wake of the assassination of the Haitian president. In addition, the press secretary spoke about President Biden’s recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which focused mainly on ransomware attacks. Reporters also asked about COVID-19 vaccinations, the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and voting rights legislation.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, July 9, 2021

JULY 09, 2021•PRESS BRIEFINGS

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

MS. PSAKI:
  Hi, everyone.  Happy Friday.  I have a couple of items for all of you at the top.

First, we welcome the unanimous adoption today in the U.N. Security Council to extend the mandate for a critical humanitarian aid lifeline to Syria.  This agreement, which will directly impact the lives of millions of Syrians, was the result of hard work among the members of the Council and intensive diplomacy following a detailed discussion at the Geneva summit between President Biden and President Putin.
    
Today’s resolution, which renews the cross-border agreement that would have expired on July 10th, will provide further lifesaving humanitarian assistance to the people of northwest Syria and is part of a broader humanitarian initiative led by the United Nations...     more

Biden signs order to tackle corporate abuses across U.S. economy

Jul. 10 - President Joe Biden signed a sweeping executive order on Friday to promote more competition in the U.S. economy, urging agencies to crack down on anti-competitive practices in sectors from agriculture to drugs and labor.

​If fully implemented, the effort will help lower Americans' internet costs, allow for airline baggage fee refunds for delayed luggage, among other steps.

The order instructs antitrust agencies to focus on labor, healthcare, technology and agriculture as they address a laundry list of issues that have irritated consumers, and in the case of drug prices, has bankrupted some.

​"No more tolerance of abusive actions by monopolies. No more bad mergers that lead to massive layoffs, higher prices and fewer options for workers and consumers alike," Biden said at a White House signing ceremony.


The president noted areas where advocates feel that prices are too high, wages are tamped down or new businesses excluded from competition. "Let me be very clear, capitalism without competition isn't capitalism, it's exploitation," he said.

The White House says the rate of new business formation has fallen by almost 50% since the 1970s as large businesses make it harder for Americans with good ideas to break into markets...     more



Jul 10 - The Taliban has taken readiness from Afghanistan not to attack a neighboring country. They also say they will do everything possible to prevent Islamic State from being present in the country and from operating on their territory.


The Taliban are in Moscow to legalize their “power” in the face of the biggest political and military factor in the region, Russia. That is why one of their first statements was that they would not attack the Tajik-Afghan border, which is of serious Russian interest.

The Afghan government rejects claims by the Taliban that they have control of two-thirds of the country’s territory. According to them, this is propaganda used at a time when the United States is withdrawing its troops from its 20-year presence in the country. The withdrawal is expected to be completed by the end of August this year, US President Joe Biden said in several interviews.

The World Health Organization predicts a large-scale humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan in the coming months. Although Kabul will receive drugs, vaccines for Covid-19, and respirators, dozens of medics and medical workers are fleeing places where the Taliban are attacking.

WHO Regional Director for Emergencies Rick Brennan said at least 18.4 million people needed humanitarian assistance, including 3.1 million children at risk of acute malnutrition.


The US decision to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan has received a positive international response, but what it leaves behind is not something to be proud of. The Taliban now control larger territories than in 2001, when the Pentagon sent its first troops.

Pentagon spokesman John F. Kirby said the main mission of “eliminating the terrorists responsible for 9/11 has been accomplished”, but there are currently at least 20 terrorist groups in Afghanistan operating in different parts of the country.

The United States supplied and continues to supply weapons and equipment to the Afghan army, conducting training and exercises. The problem that Washington has not decided to accept anyway, and has stubbornly considered it valid for 20 years, is that there are guerrilla wars in Afghanistan, and the United States has no experience in this type of war, except for Vietnam, which is unsuccessful.     source from

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7/09/2021

Taliban | July 9, 2021

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Taliban captures key Afghan border crossing with Iran: Officials
Group continues advances as foreign forces withdraw, with sources saying some Afghan security officials have fled to Iran.


Jul 9 - Taliban fighters have seized control of a key district in western Afghanistan that includes an important border crossing with Iran, Afghan security officials said, as the armed group continues its rapid military advances around the country.

In the last week, the Taliban has overrun areas bordering five countries – Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, China and Pakistan – as foreign forces end their 20-year intervention and the domestic security situation deteriorates.

Pitched battles between Taliban fighters and Afghan government forces were also under way in the northern Balkh province bordering Uzbekistan...     more

Related Articles:
Taliban attacks capital of northwest Afghan province of Badghis
Afghans say recent Taliban advances forced them to take up arms
Taliban may present written Afghan peace plan next month: Reuters
US left Bagram without telling new commander: Afghan officials

Biden Defends Decision To End War in Afghanistan
Jul 9, 2021
Rebuilding Afghanistan not US responsibility: President Biden

Jul 9 - US President Joe Biden on Thursday called on Afghan leaders to come together to drive Afghanistan towards the future Afghan people want and deserve making it clear that rebuilding Afghanistan was not US responsibility.


President Biden also announced that US military mission will continue till the end of August, American’s objectives to prevent a base against American interests and ridding bin Laden from his safe haven was accomplished.

The televised address, with a group of reporters in the East Room, came just hours after his security team briefed Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on the latest developments in Afghanistan.

On Tuesday, the U.S. military announced the withdrawal process was more than 90% complete. Officials have said the entire process is expected to finish by late August. NATO troops also are following suit, and most of them have left the country.

The US president said with partners to secure the airport, Blinken and Khalilzad are working with regional partners and the international community to pursue a peaceful settlement.

The US president also pledged to provide continue funding and equipment, capacity to maintain an air force.

Biden also said that efforts are being made to get translators, interpreters and other Afghans that worked with the US government out of the country. He said 2,500 special immigrant visas have been issued to allow them to come to the United States, but only half have come so far.

No US and coalition forces and personnel have been attacked in Afghanistan during the withdrawal terming the US-Taliban agreement as key to prevent any attacks against Western forces and personnel.

The US president said that US will pursue counter-terrorism efforts in South Asia and Africa o Intelligence sources are confident that Afghan forces will curb international terrorism with the support of the over-the-horizon capabilities.

US focus is on Chinese competition, curbing the spread of covid-19, fighting existential threats of climate change, he said.     source from

Biden Delivers Remarks On U.S. Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan | NBC News
July 9, 2021

Biden sets Aug 31 for US exit from Afghanistan

Jul 9 - President Joe Biden said on July 8 the U.S. military operation in Afghanistan will end on Aug. 31, delivering an impassioned argument for exiting the nearly 20-year war without sacrificing more American lives even as he bluntly acknowledged there will be no “mission accomplished” moment to celebrate.

Biden pushed back against the notion the U.S. mission has failed but also noted that it remains unlikely the government would control all of Afghanistan after the U.S. leaves. He urged the Afghan government and Taliban, which he said remains as formidable as it did before the start of the war, to come to a peace agreement.


“We did not go to Afghanistan to nation build,” Biden said in a speech from the White House’s East Room. “Afghan leaders have to come together and drive toward a future”...   more

China has stepped up its diplomacy with Pakistan and Afghanistan in the aftermath of the US and NATO troops withdrawing from Afghanistan.

Jul 9 - China has asked Pakistan to step up cooperation to contain the security risks rising from the US and NATO troops withdrawing from Afghanistan and the latest offensive by the Taliban.

China has also sought a "trilateral cooperation" between Beijing, Islamabad and Kabul.

"China, along with Pakistan, is willing to continue support for all parties in Afghanistan to seek a political solution through dialogue and lead to ethnic reconciliation and long-lasting peace," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was quoted as saying by Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post on Thursday...     more

July 8, 2021
White House Daily Briefing

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki held a briefing on the Biden administration’s policy agenda and news of the day. Reporters asked about the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. the assassination of Haiti’s president, ransomware attacks, voting rights legislation and COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, July 8, 2021

July 08, 2021 • Press Briefings

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

MS. PSAKI:  Hi, everyone.

Q    Hello.

MS. PSAKI:  Happy Thursday.  (Laughter.)  Is it Thursday?

Q    (Inaudible) “Happy Birthday”?

MS. PSAKI:  I said, “Happy Thursday.”  Well, I was going to say — I did hear it was Steve Holland’s 29th birthday.  (Laughter.)  So, happy 29th birthday.  I am a terrible singer, but I am willing to lead a song here if you are all game.  (Laughter.)

Q    Is this a good day to ask for an interview with the President?  (Laughter.) 

MS. PSAKI:  It may be.  It may be...     more

7/08/2021

Infrastructure | July 8, 2021

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The Biden Administration Is Selling Infrastructure As a Complete Win-Win

The authors noted that over time the new spending from the infrastructure framework will decline while IRS enforcement continues. This will prompt an increase in GDP and revenue growth. 

Jul 8 - The bipartisan infrastructure deal that the Biden administration agreed to last week would decrease government debt and add billions of dollars to the economy, according to a new analysis released Wednesday. 

The report, conducted by the Penn Wharton Budget Model, estimated that during the first decade of the bill’s framework, debt would increase by 0.4 percent compared to the baseline while GDP stays the same as under the current-law baseline, citing that spending would outpace the increases in revenue for the first ten years. 


“It will take us a long time for the infrastructure to become productive, but it will provide a small but significant increase in output over the long term,” Jonathan Huntley, one of the authors of the analysis, told The Hill

In 2050, however, government debt would decline by 0.9 percent compared to baseline and GDP would climb by 0.1 percent. 
The authors noted that over time the new spending from the infrastructure framework will decline while IRS enforcement continues. This will prompt an increase in GDP and revenue growth. 

The report comes as President Joe Biden and a bipartisan group of senators last week struck an infrastructure deal that proposes $579 billion in new spending over the next five years, with a total of $1.2 trillion in spending over eight years. The legislation focuses spending on traditional infrastructures, such as roads and bridges, water infrastructure, energy investments and climate resiliency.

The proposal calls for any “unused” coronavirus relief funds and increased IRS enforcement activities to help fund the new spending.

Biden traveled to Wisconsin on Tuesday to sell the infrastructure deal, where he argued that improving America’s infrastructure is a critical investment that would also help mitigate the climate change crisis and build millions of new jobs in the energy and transportation sectors.


“This deal isn’t just the sum of its parts. It’s a signal to ourselves, and to the world, that American democracy can come through and deliver for all our people,” Biden said. “America has always been propelled into the future by landmark investments.” 
He added. “We’re not just tinkering around the edges.” 

Biden and congressional Democrats are also reportedly considering passing a Democratic-only measure this year that includes investments that weren’t featured in the bipartisan infrastructure deal.     source from

JULY 7, 2021
President Biden Speaks at McHenry County College in Illinois
PresidAAent Biden delivered remarks at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, Illinois, on his Build Back Better Plan. The president highlighted key aspects of the plan, including investments in families, access to free education, affordable health care, clean energy, and job creation.

Remarks by President Biden During a Tour of McHenry County College

JULY 07, 2021SPEECHES AND REMARKS

McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, Illinois

Q Mr. President, Mitch McConnell says you’re in for a heck of a fight on this one.

THE PRESIDENT: Mitch McConnell loves our programs. Did you see what Mitch McConnel said? He told me he wasn’t going to get a single vote in order to allow me to get, with the help of everybody here, that $1.9 trillion tax cut — I mean, excuse me, program to — for economic growth.

Look it up, man. He’s bragging about in Kentucky: “It’s a great thing for Kentucky. It’s getting $4 billion to help poor.” It’s amazing. Check out Mitch McConnell. You can even see it on TV.


​Anyway, thanks. Thank you.     source from
Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jen Psaki Aboard Air Force One En Route Crystal Lake, IL

JULY 07, 2021PRESS BRIEFINGS

Aboard Air Force One
En Route Crystal Lake, Illinois

MS. PSAKI:  Hi, everyone.  Welcome to our trip to Crystal Lake, Illinois.  In Crystal Lake, the President will make the case for generational investments in human infrastructure and other critical priorities like clean energy that form his Build Back Better agenda, a combination of the American Families Plan, and policies from the American Jobs Plan that aren’t included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework.

At McHenry County College, which has workforce development programs and a childcare center, the President will underline the specific game-changing impacts of the Buil- — his Build Back Better agenda.

​He will argue that to build an economy from the bottom up and the middle out, we need to invest in our people by providing four additional years of public education to every student, increasing Pell Grants and investing in job training...     more


After the assassination of Haiti’s president, it’s unclear who will lead the country

Jul. 8 - ...There are still many questions about Wednesday’s assassination, but Haiti’s ambassador to the United States, Bocchit Edmond, said it “was carried out by well-trained professionals, killers … mercenaries.”

Videos of the assassination showed the gunmen speaking Spanish among themselves, Edmond said in a Zoom briefing with reporters in Washington, leading officials to believe that “they came from outside Haiti.” He said the president’s wife, Martine, was wounded in the attack and was being transported to a Miami hospital in critical but stable condition...

...Some critics have accused the Biden administration of essentially continuing Trump-era policies that turned a blind eye to the island’s desperation and allowed Moise to survive. In one reversal, however, President Biden renewed temporary protected status for tens of thousands of Haitians who have fled to the U.S., extending their legal stay in the country by 18 months.


Pierre Espérance, executive director of the National Human Rights Defense Network, an NGO in Port-au-Prince, said the international community should support civil society in its call for a transitional government.

“We’re not asking the Biden administration to solve everything, we’re asking them to listen to us,” he said.

The whole country, he said, was united in uncertainty. “For now it’s eerily quiet,” he said. “We don’t know what will happen today or tomorrow.”
     quoted from


Turkish, US defence chiefs discuss Kabul airport

Jul 8 - Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin have discussed Kabul airport operation and security.

​Akar and Austin had a “constructive and positive meeting” to discuss a plan for Turkey to operate and guard the Kabul airport after NATO’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Turkish Defence Ministry said.


Ankara has offered to run and guard the airport after NATO’s withdrawal, and has been in talks with allies on financial, political and logistical support.

Security of the airport is the key to operations of diplomatic missions out of Afghanistan after the withdrawal of international troops.

The Pentagon said in a statement Austin and Akar discussed the drawdown of the US forces from Afghanistan and both reasserted the importance of adequate security at the airport.

It said the two sides agreed to speak again in the near future on the issue. The talks would continue on Thursday, the statement added.     source from
US to Keep Ongoing Presence in Kabul: White House

Jul 8 - ​​White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Tuesday said that the US intentions are to maintain a continued presence in Kabul despite the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“Well, first, I would say that we have every intention of continuing an ongoing presence in Kabul, which is continuing even after we bring our military, who are serving, home by the end of August,” Psaki said.


“But we will also continue to be partners to the Afghan government. That’s something that the President reiterated when he met with leaders just a week and a half ago. That we — that includes security assistance, that includes humanitarian assistance, and that includes over-the-horizon capacity to ensure that we are working to address any threats that we face.”
“That will continue, and we intend to have a presence on the ground in our embassy there in Kabul,” she further said.

On the American troops withdrawal announcement by Joe Biden in April, she said: “if you take us back to when the President made this decision and announcement: We  he asked his team to do a clear-eyed assessment, not to sugarcoat it, of what the impact could be, of moving withdrawing our troops from Afghanistan after a 20-year war  a war that the President continues to feel does not have a military solution.”

“What the President is continuing to press on is a political solution and political negotiations and discussions, which we hope will reconvene soon, to move toward a political solution on the ground to bring greater peace and stability to the people of Afghanistan. That’s his hope,” he added.


This comes as the US has completed “more than 90 percent” of its withdrawal from Afghanistan, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.

and coalition forces left Bagram Airfield last week, which for nearly 20 years was the largest US base in Afghanistan.   About 650 troops are expected to remain to protect the US Embassy in Kabul, while others may be deployed to protect the capital’s airport alongside Turkish troops, according to reports.    source from


US President Joe Biden has renewed an emergency designation for Hong Kong put in place by his predecessor in response to Hong Kong’s national security law
US extends Hong Kong emergency rules citing China squeeze on the city
  • Sweeping sanctions power renewed by President Joe Biden who accuses Beijing of fundamentally undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy
  • Situation poses ‘unusual and extraordinary threat’ to US national security, foreign policy and economy

Jul 8 - Beijing’s tightening control over Hong Kong continues to pose an “extraordinary threat” to the United States’ security and interests, US President Joe Biden declared on Wednesday, as he extended a national emergency designation put in place by his predecessor one year ago.

“The situation with respect to Hong Kong, including recent actions taken by the People’s Republic of China to fundamentally undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy, continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States,” Biden wrote in a notice announcing the extension.

“For this reason, the national emergency declared on July 14, 2020, must continue in effect beyond July 14, 2021”...     more

Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Hong Kong

JULY 07, 2021PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS
​On July 14, 2020, by Executive Order 13936, the President declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 etseq.) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States constituted by the situation with respect to Hong Kong.   

The situation with respect to Hong Kong, including recent actions taken by the People’s Republic of China to fundamentally undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy, continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.  For this reason, the national emergency declared on July 14, 2020, must continue in effect beyond July 14, 2021.  Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13936 with respect to the situation in Hong Kong.

This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.     source from
NBC Nightly News Broadcast (Full) - July 7th, 2021
Jul 8, 2021
Tropical Storm Elsa moves north after landfall on Florida’s west coast, Haitian President Jovenel Moïse assassinated in attack at his home, and Delta variant becomes dominant Covid strain in the U.S.