7/13/2021

Biden to Cuban Peole | July 13, 2021

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Cubans take to streets in rare protests over lack of freedoms and worsening economy

Jul 13 - Thousands of Cubans took to the streets on Sunday to protest a lack of food and medicine as the country undergoes a grave economic crisis aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic and US sanctions.


Demonstrators complained about a lack of freedom and the worsening economic situation during the rare protests, according to people who spoke to CNN and videos from multiple cities, including capital Havana.

Many chanted for "freedom" and called for President Miguel Díaz-Canel to step down.

​Multiple protesters were arrested by police, who used tear gas to break up some demonstrations. In Havana, a CNN team witnessed demonstrators being forcibly arrested and thrown into the back of vans by police officers. There were also violent clashes, where protesters turned over a police car and threw rocks at officers.In a nationally televised address, President Díaz-Canel said US trade sanctions had created economic misery on the communist-run island...

...Calls for restraint

On Monday, US President Joe Biden called on the Diàz-Canel government to "hear their people and serve their needs."
"We stand with the Cuban people and their clarion call for freedom and relief from the tragic grip of the pandemic and from the decades of repression and economic suffering to which they have been subjected by Cuba's authoritarian regime," Biden said in a statement.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also tweeted on Sunday night, "the U.S. supports freedom of expression and assembly across Cuba, and would strongly condemn any violence or targeting of peaceful protesters who are exercising their universal rights"...
      quoted from
President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting on reducing gun violence
Joe Biden Praised Cuban Citizens On Their 'Call For Freedom' Protests


US President at the start of the law enforcement and increasing crime rate meeting with mayors presented his opinion on Cuba's protest and the horrific assassination of Haiti's President.

Jul 13 - President Joe Biden on Monday called protests in Cuba “remarkable" and a “clarion call for freedom,” praising thousands of Cubans who took the streets to protest food shortages and high prices amid the coronavirus crisis — one of the island's biggest anti-government demonstrations in recent memory.

“The Cuban people are demanding their freedom from an authoritarian regime. I don't think we've seen anything like this protest in a long long time, if, quite frankly, ever,” Biden said in a brief exchange with reporters at the start of a meeting with mayors and law enforcement officials to discuss gun violence in the U.S...     more

JULY 12, 2021
President Biden Holds Meeting on Reducing Gun Crimes
President Biden met with Attorney General Merrick Garland, along with lawmakers and law enforcement officials, to discuss efforts to reduce gun violence. At the start, the president addressed the current political situations in Cuba and Haiti.

Remarks by President Biden Discussing His Administration’s Comprehensive Strategy to Reduce Gun Crimes

JULY 12, 2021SPEECHES AND REMARKS

Roosevelt Room

THE PRESIDENT:  Folks, I want to start by recognizing the remarkable protests that are taking place in Cuba, with the Cuban people demanding their freedom from an authoritarian regime.  And I don’t think we’ve seen anything like this protest in a long, long time — if, quite frankly, ever.

The United States stands firmly with the people of Cuba as they assert their universal rights.  And we call on the government — the government of Cuba to refrain from violence or attempts to silence the voice of the people of Cuba. 


And we’re also closely following the developments in Haiti in the wake of the horrific assassination of the President that recently took place.  The people of Haiti deserve peace and security, and Haiti’s political leaders need to come together for the good of their country.

Over the weekend, I dispatched a high-level, expert delegation to assess the situation and to determine where the United States can offer our support.

​And finally, as a close neighbor and friend of the people of both Cuba and Haiti, the United States stands ready to continue to provide assistance, and I’ll have more for you as we move on...     more

Statement by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on Protests in Cuba

July 12, 2021•STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

​We stand with the Cuban people and their clarion call for freedom and relief from the tragic grip of the pandemic and from the decades of repression and economic suffering to which they have been subjected by Cuba’s authoritarian regime. The Cuban people are bravely asserting fundamental and universal rights. Those rights, including the right of peaceful protest and the right to freely determine their own future, must be respected. The United States calls on the Cuban regime to hear their people and serve their needs at this vital moment rather than enriching themselves.     source from
JULY 12, 2021
White House Daily Briefing
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki talked to reporters about the president’s agenda. Topics included anti-government protests in Cuba, COVID-19 booster shots, voting rights and

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, July 12, 2021

JULY 12, 2021PRESS BRIEFINGS

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

MS. PSAKI:  Hi, everyone.  Happy Monday.  Okay, just two items for all of you at the top.  
This afternoon, the President will be joined by Attorney General Garland, as well as law enforcement leaders, elected officials, and a community violence intervention expert to discuss his comprehensive plan to reduce gun violence and violent crime.  During the meeting, the President will discuss his crime reduction stragedy [sic] — strategy, which gives cities and states historic funding through the American Rescue Plan and a range of tools they can use to improve public safety in co- — their communities, including support for community violence intervention programs, summer employment opportunities, and other proven methods to reduce crime...     more  

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on U.S. Government Delegation to Haiti

JULY 12, 2021STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

On July 11, a United States interagency delegation with representatives from the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, and National Security Council traveled to Haiti in response to the Haitian government’s request for security and investigative assistance following the July 7 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. The delegation reviewed the security of critical infrastructure with Haitian government officials and met with the Haitian National Police, who are leading the investigation into the assassination. The delegation also met with Acting Prime Minister Claude Joseph and Prime Minister-Designate Ariel Henry in a joint meeting, as well as Senate President Joseph Lambert, to encourage open and constructive dialogue to reach a political accord that can enable the country to hold free and fair elections. In all their meetings the delegation committed to supporting the Haitian government as it seeks justice in this case and affirmed the United States’ support for the people of Haiti in this challenging time. The United States stands with Haiti in becoming a safer, more democratic country...     source from 


Zelensky wants to talk to Biden about U.S. involvement in settlement in eastern Ukraine

Jul 12 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he wants the United States to join the peaceful settlement of the situation in eastern Ukraine, either in the Normandy format or another format.He stated this at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin late on Monday, July 12, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"I would really like the United States to help us resolve the issue of a peaceful settlement in the Donbas and the de-occupation of our territories. It will be done in the Normandy format if the participants in the Normandy format are in favor [of this format]. Ukraine definitely supports such a format. Or it will be done in another format - this is a matter of negotiations," Zelensky said.

He added that he would raise this issue at his upcoming meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden.
Zelensky was on a working visit to Germany on July 11-12...     quoted from





Protesters march in Tampa against government in Cuba

Jul 13 - Cuban-Americans in Tampa are not slowing down when it comes to standing with those on the island.


“We want the dictatorship of Cuba to be done and over with,” Moses Valdivia said.
Many are demanding countries like the United States to intervene as Cuba is suffering through one of its worst socio-economic states since the fall of the Soviet Union.
Now many people fear for their loved ones who are fighting against this communist
system.

“Five years ago that was unimaginable. It wasn’t you’d be arrested.. you’d either be killed or shot.. certainly imprisoned,” Daniel Perez said.

The current uprising led authorities in Cuba to shut down the internet. Perez tells 8 On Your Side he hasn’t heard from his cousins since.


“Hopefully today, tonight or tomorrow they’ll get through and we can get a message that they’re okay. I think they’ll be okay if they’re not out in the streets but it’s really an unimaginable response so who knows what kind of response the government is going to give to this,” Perez said.

Eight On Your Side spoke with Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera who is drafting up a resolution for the city council to assist.     quoted from

7/12/2021

Trump | July 12, 2021

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Fox Runs All-Caps Disclaimer Over Trump’s Lies About Stolen Election at CPAC

Jul 12 - ​Fox News ran a disclaimer during Donald Trump’s speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference Sunday as the former president said yet again that the 2020 election had been “rigged.” The banner flashing across the screen read, “THE VOTING SYSTEM COMPANIES HAVE DENIED THE VARIOUS ALLEGATIONS MADE BY PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS COUNSEL REGARDING THE 2020 ELECTION.” CNN’s Oliver Darcy reported the notice ran for roughly 40 seconds during Trump’s speech. Trump has repeatedly lied that the election was stolen from him by nefarious means, claims that have morphed into bizarre and baseless conspiracy theories targeting voting machine manufacturers. Earlier this year, Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic, both makers of voting machines, sued Fox News for billions of dollars over the baseless theory that the election was rigged. Fox has said it is “proud of its election coverage” and vowed to fight the suits. According to Trump, the “election fraud of 2020” has been the topic supporters have called upon him to talk about more than anything else, above border security and crime. He announced that he and his team will never give up their search for “truth and justice” regarding the “corrupt” election.     source from


AOC mocks Boebert’s ‘good conservative values’ after GOP lawmaker rejects government benefits in CPAC speech

Colorado Republican attacks vaccine campaign despite her districts’s dismal inoculation rate


Jul 12 - US Representative Lauren Boebert told a crowd at the nation’s largest Republican conference that “we’re here” to reject government benefits and federal vaccination efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.
We’re here to tell government we don’t want your benefits. We don’t want your welfare,” she said at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, Texas on 10 July. “Don’t come knocking on my door with your Fauci ouchie. You leave us the hell alone.”

Her remarks – taking aim at Dr Anthony Fauci, a frequent target for the right – followed a Twitter post in which she compared vaccination outreach to Nazism and amplified the false claim that Covid-19 vaccines are “experimental” after the White House announced wider campaigns to directly provide information about how to get vaccinated.

“Biden has deployed his Needle Nazis to Mesa County,” she said on Twitter on 8 July.

In that county in Ms Boebert’s congressional district, only 41 per cent of residents aged 12 and older have received at least one dose of three available Covid-19 vaccines, according to the county’s health department.

Her CPAC remarks were widely condemned – invoking the so-called “third rail” of American politics by attacking federal benefits critical to millions of Americans...     more

Related Articles:

Who were the two South Florida men arrested in connection with Moïse assassination?

​Jul 14 - Two men with South Florida ties are accused of taking part in the assassination of Haiti’s president. Like much about this week’s shocking murder in the troubled country, mystery shrouds the few details about them.


Haitian authorities on Thursday identified Haitian-American James J. Solages, 35, as one of those captured in the manhunt for the killers of President Jovenel Moïse. They later identified a second Haitian-American man, Vincent Joseph, 55, as well as four Colombian nationals.

In all, there were 28 presumed assassins, Haiti National Police said, noting that 26 are Colombians and only two Haitian Americans. During a press conference late Thursday, the men were brought out to a conference room with journalists, where police singled out Solages and Joseph, and at one point moved them closer to the center of a wall where they were seated on the floor with their hands restrained behind their backs.

Not far from the men were two long tables filled with weapons, machetes, bulletproof vests and cell phones.
It remains unclear why the Haitian government believes Solages and Joseph are involved, how long they’d been in the country, how and when they arrived there or even what their motive was. U.S. officials said they are aware of accusations against U.S. citizens, but could not address the charges with any specifics due to privacy concerns.     source from
Haiti in turmoil after president's assassination
Jul 12, 2021
Haiti's interim prime minister and its Senate president are struggling for control after President Jovenel Moise was assassinated last week. New York Times foreign correspondent Catherine Porter joins CBSN to talk more about the investigation and what comes next.

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