7/21/2021

Biden | July 21, 2021

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Biden launches first airstrike in Somalia targeting Al-Shabaab terrorists

The U.S. military conducted an airstrike against Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab jihadists on Tuesday, the first airstrike in the country since President Joe Biden took office

​Jul 21 - The U.S. military conducted an airstrike against Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab jihadists on Tuesday, the first airstrike in the country since President Joe Biden took office, the Pentagon said.


The US military command for Africa (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Somali government, 'conducted one air strike in the vicinity of Galkayo, Somalia today against al-Shabaab,' Pentagon spokeswoman Cindi King told AFP...     more details

JULY 20, 2021
President Biden Cabinet Meeting
President Joe Biden touted his administration’s achievements during a cabinet meeting marking his first six months in office. He highlighted the pandemic response, the economic recovery, and bipartisan infrastructure discussions. The president also pointed to more work that needed to get done on voting rights, immigration, and police reform and crime reduction. 

Remarks by President Biden Before Cabinet Meeting to Mark Six Months in Office

JULY 20, 2021SPEECHES AND REMARKS

Cabinet Room
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Well, look, today — today’s Cabinet meeting, I want to give a brief progress report as to where I think we are and the job you’re doing in the first six months.
 
First, the pandemic.  I know folks are watching the number of cases rising again and wondering, quite frankly, what it means to them.  But overall — overall, COVID-19 deaths are down dramatically — dramatically.  And these last six months, about 90 percent down due to our vaccination program.  And I want to thank you all for the great job you did in getting that done. 
 
But we have to stay vigilant, especially with the Delta variant that’s out there.  While COVID-19 cases are rising, virtually all of the COVID death — virtually all of the COVID deaths and hospitalizations are from unvaccinated people.  Let me say it again: Virtually all are from unvaccinated people.
 
And that means the safest thing to do is to get vaccinated — get vaccinated.  And that’s why we’re focusing, on our next phase, on getting the unvaccinated vaccinated.  I know it seems like a constant uphill climb, but it’s gradually — we’re making progress, but we’ve got a way to go yet.
 
Secondly, the economy...     more
Biden urges US to stay vigilant about Delta variant

​President stresses on the need to get vaccinated, says 'virtually all' of Covid deaths and hospitalisations are among the unvaccinated


Jul 21 - President Joe Biden has said that even though the United States has seen a dramatic drop in the number of COVID-19 deaths due to its vaccination program, the country needs to remain vigilant about the Delta variant of coronavirus.

Stressing the need for people to get vaccinated, he said "virtually all" of the Covid deaths and hospitalisations are among the unvaccinated.

The highly contagious Delta variant, also known as B.1.617.2, was first detected in India in December and is spreading quickly across the globe. In some parts of America, the Delta strain accounts for more than 80 per cent of new infections, including some Midwestern states like Missouri, Kansas and Iowa.

Earlier this month, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had said that new Covid infections with the Delta variant account for 51.7 per cent of the infections in the US.

Addressing his second Cabinet meeting on the completion of six months of his administration on Tuesday, Biden said that overall, COVID-19 deaths have come down dramatically. And in the last six months, they have come down by about 90 per cent due to the vaccination program.

​"But we have to stay vigilant, especially with the Delta variant that's out there. While COVID-19 cases are rising, virtually all of the Covid deaths and hospitalisations are from unvaccinated people. Let me say it again: virtually all are from unvaccinated people," he said...     more

JULY 20, 2021
​White House Daily Briefing
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki held a briefing with reporters on the Biden administration’s policy agenda. At the start, she confirmed that a fully vaccinated White House official tested positive for COVID-19. Ms. Psaki went on to say the official remains off campus and there was no close contact among White House principals, staff or the president. Reporters also asked about White House vaccination efforts, bipartisan infrastructure negotiations, voting rights, and the political situations in Haiti and Cuba.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, July 20, 2021

JULY 20, 2021PRESS BRIEFINGS

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

MS. PSAKI:  Hi, everyone.  Good morning.  All right.  Exciting day today.  Oh, afternoon — sorry.  We’re a little — a little delayed, given all of the events. 

​A couple of items for all of you at the top.  Today marks six months under President Biden’s — since President Biden was inaugurated as President of the United States.  Time flies when we’re having fun.  Right, everyone?  (Laughter.)  Okay. 

And this afternoon, he’ll be holding his second meeting with the full Cabinet.  This meeting will be the first to take place in the Cabinet Room, and the President will discuss several important topics with Cabinet members, including COVID-19, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework and the Build Back Better agenda, climate, and a national security update following up from the Europe trip, and our latest cybersecurity efforts.  So, a robust agenda.

Since taking office, the President has acted to get America back on track by addressing the crises facing this nation: vaccinating America to beat the pandemic, delivering much needed help to American families, making transformative investments to rescue and rebuild our economy, and fundamentally showing that government can deliver for the American people.  Of course, he’ll discuss a range of topics at the meeting...     more


Biden administration reaches preliminary agreement with Germany over Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline

Jul 21 - US President Joe Biden’s administration has reached a preliminary agreement with Germany over a controversial Russia-to-Europe natural gas pipeline that is vehemently opposed by Ukraine and Poland as well as both Republicans and Democrats in Congress, AP reported.

Congressional aides briefed on the outlines of the deal said it would allow the completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline without either Germany or Russia facing new U.S. sanctions. In return, the U.S. and Germany will make certain concessions to Ukraine and Poland, although it was not immediately clear if those would be welcomed.

Administration officials declined to comment on specifics of the matter pending an announcement that could come as early as Wednesday. The State Department said Monday that a senior diplomat would be visiting both Poland and Ukraine this week in part to discuss Nord Stream 2 in what are expected to be contentious talks.

​The Nord Stream 2 project has posed a major foreign policy dilemma for the Biden administration. U.S. officials from both parties have long feared that it would give Russia too much power over European gas supplies, potentially shutting off gas to Russian adversaries Ukraine and Poland. But the pipeline is almost completed and the U.S. has been determined to rebuild ties with Germany that were damaged during the Trump administration.     source from

Iraqis light candles at the site of the explosion in a popular market in the mostly Shiite neighbourhood of Sadr City, east of Baghdad, on July 19, 2021.
ISIS claims responsibility for Iraq suicide attack that left dozens dead​

Jul 20 - ​SIS have claimed responsibility for an suicide attack that ripped through a busy market in the Iraqi capital on Monday, killing 30 people and wounding 50.

Children and women were among the dead and wounded, according to health and security officials. The attacker detonated his explosive vest in the Wahailat outdoor market in Sadr City, a predominantly Muslim Shia neighborhood in the east of Baghdad.

​Police officials said a number of shops and stores were also damaged in the blast...     more

7/20/2021

Cyber Attack by China | July 20, 2021

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China has engaged in a series of ‘very serious’ and ‘reckless’ acts online
Jul 20, 2021
The Chinese Ministry of State Security has been engaged in a series of “very serious” and “reckless” acts online, according to CyberCX Chief Strategy Officer Alastair MacGibbon. This comes after the Australian government – along with allies in the United States and United Kingdom – accused Beijing of a major cyber-attack on Microsoft software. “It’s not the first time Australia and its allies have accused China of egregious acts online,” Mr MacGibbon said. “It’s not common of course, but in the last four years the Australian government and its allies have attributed malicious cyber activities to China, Russia, North Korea and Iran on a number of occasions. “This is a very serious and, in many respects, reckless series of acts by the Chinese Ministry of State Security and its private contractors that it’s used. “Western governments from Japan, New Zealand, NATO – first time in its history it’s ever accused China of this type of act – are saying that the private contractors that the Ministry of State Security used, in their own time and for their own personal gain also committed crimes using these same exploits. “So it’s not just accusing a nation state here, it’s accusing a nation state of also working with criminals to carry out its activities.”
Microsoft's email servers were targeted by a hack purportedly supported by the Chinese government.
China accuses Australia of hypocrisy over Microsoft server hack accusation


Jul 20 - ​China has accused Australia of hypocrisy over the Federal Government's accusation that Beijing is responsible for a massive hack of Microsoft email server software.

Overnight the Australian government blamed China's Ministry of State Security for the cyber attack.

The Chinese embassy in Canberra has now issued a statement declaring the accusation "groundless", and accused the Australian government of "parroting the rhetoric of the US"...     more

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Aussies hit with 'sextortion' scam demanding Bitcoin
Dating app match ends with woman designing web of lies to ruin ex's life

Man jailed over 'nightmare' attack on lone Adelaide woman
​​Scammers continuing to impersonate Australia Post

JULY 19, 2021
President Biden Meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan
​President Biden met with King Abdullah II of Jordan to discuss relations between the two nations in the Oval Office.

Remarks by President Biden and His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Before Bilateral Meeting

JULY 19, 2021•SPEECHES AND REMARKS
Oval Office

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Well, I’m — I want to welcome back to the White House a good, loyal, and decent friend, His Majesty.  And we’ve been hanging out together for a long time.  I met him back when he was in the situation his son is, when his father was alive and I was a young senator.  And it’s good to have him back in the White House. 

You know, I want to thank you, Your Majesty, for your enduring and strategic relationship with the United States.  You’ve always been there, and we will always be there for Jordan. 

And in addition to that, we — we were talking — we had an opportunity to speak just a moment in the Diplomatic Room.  And we talked about how our — our children and my children were —  had to finish off their senior year in college on Zoom. 

​And we talked about the COVID pro- — crisis.  We were able to be a little bit of help to Jordan, and we hope to be able to help some more and — in this pandemic...     more

Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan

​JULY 19, 2021•STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan to reaffirm the enduring strength of the partnership between the United States and Jordan. President Biden confirmed unwavering U.S. support for Jordan and His Majesty’s leadership. He was proud to announce the delivery of over 500,000 COVID-19 vaccines to Jordan, underscoring the U.S. commitment to bringing the same urgency to international vaccination efforts that we have demonstrated at home.

The leaders discussed pressing economic challenges exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, both at home and across the globe.  They focused on the benefits of investing in infrastructure, and discussed the President’s infrastructure plan as well as Jordan’s plans for a desalination project and Jordan’s potential for greater regional economic integration through investments in energy infrastructure. 

The leaders also consulted on opportunities to enhance peace and stability in the Middle East. In that regard, the President expressed his strong support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and respect for Jordan’s special role as custodian of Muslim holy places in Jerusalem. The President expressed U.S. support for engagement between Jordan and the new Israeli Government, as demonstrated by their bilateral agreement earlier this month to improve Jordan’s access to fresh water and increase Jordan’s exports to the West Bank.

President Biden commended the important role Jordan plays in the wider stability of the region and welcomed the recent trilateral summit in Baghdad between Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt. The two leaders discussed the enormous challenges in Syria and the importance of a broad humanitarian initiative to reach all Syrians in need.

​The leaders reflected on the strategic U.S.-Jordan defense relationship. They discussed U.S. support for the modernization of Jordan’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets, which will allow for greater interoperability and effectiveness of the Jordanian Armed Forces.  President Biden thanked Jordan for its important early contributions to the successful campaign to defeat ISIS, and honored the memory of Captain Muath al-Kasasbeh as an example of Jordanian courage and heroism. 

​President Biden reaffirmed that his administration looks forward to strengthening bilateral cooperation in multiple areas over the coming months, including the promotion of economic opportunities that will be vital for a bright future in Jordan.
JULY 19, 2021
President Biden Remarks on the Economy
​President Biden delivered remarks on the economy and his administration’s infrastructure proposal from the White House. He acknowledged the inflationary concerns and said his administration is monitoring it carefully. He also took a few questions from reporters on topics including social media and misinformation, immigration policy and cyber attacks from China and Russia. 

Remarks by President Biden on the Economy

JULY 19, 2021SPEECHES AND REMARKS11:43 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, good morning.  Tomorrow marks exactly six months since my administration began.  I think it’s a fitting moment to take a look at our economy — where we were six months ago, what we’ve achieved since then, and what I believe we’ve — I believe where we’re headed. 

​Before I took office, there was a lot of folks out there — a lot of folks out there making some pretty bold predictions about how things would turn out.  You might remember some of the predictions.  That if I became President, we’d, quote, “see a depression the likes of which we’ve never seen.”  End of quote. 

Well, it’s true that the economy was sputtering before I got here, adding only 60,000 jobs per month for the three months before I was sworn in.  But now, six months later, we’ve changed that. 

We’ve gone from 60,000 jobs per month to 60,000 jobs every three days — more than 600,000 jobs per month since I took office.  More than 3 million new jobs all told.  That’s the fastest growth, I’m told, at this point in any administration’s history.

Another prediction — that is my favorite one, I must add — is that if I got elected, I’d bring the end to capitalism.  (Laughs.)  I never understood that one, but we’ve heard — we’ve heard it an awful lot.  Well, in six months into my administration, the U.S. economy has experienced the highest economic growth rate in nearly 40 years...     more
JULY 19, 2021
White House Daily Briefing
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki talked about the president’s agenda with reporters. She responded to a variety of questions including the administration’s response to cyber attacks, releasing detainees from Guantanamo Bay, infrastructure bill negotiations, and vaccination efforts. 

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, July 19, 2021

​JULY 19, 2021PRESS BRIEFINGS1:06 P.M. EDT

MS. PSAKI: Hi, everyone. Good morning — or good afternoon. Happy Monday.

Okay, one item for all of you at the top. The United States continues its tremendous efforts to donate COVID-19 vaccines from the U.S. global supply. Today, we can announce that we have over a million Johnson & Johnson vaccines headed to Gambia, Senegal, Zambia, and Niger.

We’re also pleased to announce 3 million vaccines going to Guatemala tomorrow, continuing our prioritization of Latin American countries.

As these shipments demonstrate, the United States is fulfilling our promise to be an arsenal of vaccines for the world, and we’re proud to be donating these doses to save lives and help those in need.

Josh, why don’t you kick us off.


Q Thanks, Jen. Two subjects. First, the President’s remarks on why China didn’t face sanctions for cyberattacks but Russia did: Could you clarify, since both countries are accused of protecting criminal hacker groups? And then, along the same lines, the U.S. imports about $435 billion dollars in goods from China. To what degree do economic concerns play a role in how to address cyberattacks?

​MS. PSAKI: Well, first, let me say that, today, an unprecedented group of allies and partners — including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, and NATO — are joining the United States in exposing and criticizing the PRC’s Ministry of State Security’s malicious cyber activities. And this is the first time NATO has condemned PRC cyber activities...     more

NBC Nightly News Broadcast (Full) - July 20th, 2021
July 19, 2021
Pediatrics group says all students should wear masks in school, U.S. accuses China of cyberattacks, and Jeff Bezos poised to be second billionaire in space.
00:00 Intro
01:25 Back-To-School Mask Guidance
06:25 Inside New Covid Surge
08:16 Biden Blames China For Cyberattack
10:05 Deadly Floods
11:50 Billionaire Space Race: Jeff Bezos Prepares For Launch
14:57 Restoring Notre Dame
16:11 Inspiring America: MLB History Being Made

7/19/2021

Afghanistan | July 19, 2021

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U.S., Afghanistan, Pakistan Uzbekistan create platform for regional cooperation

Jul 17 - ​The United States, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan formed a new diplomatic platform to support peace and stability in Afghanistan and foster regional trade and business ties, the State Department said Friday as U.S. troops continue their planned withdrawal from the country.
"The parties consider long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan critical to regional connectivity and agree that peace and regional connectivity are mutually reinforcing," it said in a statement. The parties agreed to meet in coming months.     source from
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on Senior Administration Delegation Trip to Uzbekistan

​JULY 17, 2021•STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

This week, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, led a US delegation with representatives from the White House National Security Council, Department of Defense, and Department of State to a high-level international conference in Tashkent, Uzbekistan to promote security, prosperity, and regional connectivity between Central and South Asia and to strengthen cooperation with the United States.


Dr. Sherwood-Randall delivered opening remarks recognizing 30 years of partnership between the United States and the countries of Central Asia, as well as the U.S. Government’s commitment to realizing the region’s potential as a transit, trade, and energy hub. Dr. Sherwood-Randall emphasized the importance of infrastructure development that safeguards the environment and meets the highest international standards, consistent with the aims of the new G7-led Build Back Better World initiative.


She participated in a roundtable meeting of the C5+1 diplomatic platform for Central Asia, where member countries had the opportunity to discuss the significant challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and instability in Afghanistan, as well as the need to enhance regional cooperation on economic and security matters of shared interest. Members of the C5+1 issued a Joint Statement outlining their goals for further collaboration.

Dr. Sherwood-Randall had the opportunity to meet with the conference host, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and also held bilateral meetings with officials from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan to identify concrete opportunities to enhance security in the region, address humanitarian concerns, and increase vaccinations in order to stem the spread of Covid-19.  She was joined by U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and US Ambassador to Uzbekistan Daniel Rosenblum.  The delegation met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Afghan Foreign Minister Haneef Atmar to discuss the evolving security situation in Afghanistan, U.S. support for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, and U.S. diplomatic support for a negotiated political settlement to the conflict.  The delegation also met with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss regional security for Afghanistan and counterterrorism cooperation.

Related Articles:
Announcing the U.S. – Afghanistan – Uzbekistan – Pakistan Quad Regional Support for Afghanistan-Peace Process and Post Settlement

Joint Statement of the C5+1 on the International Conference “Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities”

Secretary-General's Message for 2021
(Jul 18, 2021) Video message by António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, on the occasion of Nelson Mandela International Day 2021.

Nelson Mandela International Day is an opportunity to reflect on the life and legacy of a legendary global advocate for dignity, equality, justice and human rights.


Each year, on this day, Nelson’s Mandela’s birthday, we pay tribute to this extraordinary man who embodied the highest aspirations of the United Nations and the human family.

Madiba’s calls for solidarity and an end to racism are particularly relevant today, as social cohesion around the world is threatened by division.

Societies are becoming more polarized, with hate speech on the rise and misinformation blurring the truth, questioning science and undermining democratic institutions.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made these ills more acute and rolled back years of progress in the global fight against poverty.


As always in times of crises, it is the marginalized and discriminated against who suffer the most, often while being blamed for problems they did not cause.

The pandemic has shown the vital importance of human solidarity and unity, values championed and exemplified by Nelson Mandela in his lifelong fight for justice.

No one is safe until all are safe. And each of us has a part to play.
Let us be inspired by Madiba’s message that each of us can make a difference in promoting peace, human rights, harmony with nature and dignity for all.

Let us all honour Madiba’s call to action and be empowered by his legacy.

Statement by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on Nelson Mandela International Day

JULY 18, 2021•STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

For the last 12 years, the world has celebrated July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day to honor the memory of a truly transformative leader and to shine a light on the legacy of South Africa’s first President elected by its citizens of all races. Nelson Mandela fought apartheid, presided over a new, democratic constitution for all the people of South Africa, and showed the world the power of leadership that prioritized human dignity above all—that lifted up the rights of everyone rather than seeking to elevate oneself. Today, I join people around the world in commemorating and honoring Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary global legacy by renewing our commitment to root out systemic racism and to champion equity and equality for all people.

Mandela’s commitment to justice, peace, and democracy allowed him to build bridges that spanned the artificial lines and divisions that tear people apart. Through dialogue, partnership, and respect for the capacity of every individual, he helped deliver a rainbow nation of all South Africans that was able to grow and thrive—but the work he began is never finished. I extend my condolences to the families of the victims of recent violence in South Africa. South Africa’s efforts to heal divisions are Nelson Mandela’s legacy carried forward, and it is in this spirit we reiterate our unwavering support to equity, peaceful dialogue, and respect for the rule of law.

​On behalf of the people of the United States, we honor Nelson Mandela, and his vision for Africa and a brighter world.

7/17/2021

Facebook | July 17, 2021

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President Joe Biden's message to social media companies where vaccine misinformation has spread: 'They're killing people'
Biden: Social media ‘killing people’ with COVID misinformation

Misinformation about the virus and vaccines has spread on platforms including Facebook and Twitter.
Jul 17 - President Joe Biden has said that social media companies are “killing people” by failing to police misinformation on their platforms about COVID-19 vaccines.

​Biden’s comments came a day after US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared misinformation about the vaccines a threat to public health and as US officials advised that deaths and serious illness from the virus are almost entirely preventable because of the vaccines.

​Biden, asked if he had a message for platforms like Facebook where false or misleading information about the coronavirus vaccines has spread, told reporters on Friday:  “They’re killing people.”

“The only pandemic we have is among the unvaccinated,” he said...     more

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US steps up fight against COVID-19 misinformation
Fake news proliferating online during Cuba protests
Brazil: Battling Bolsonaro’s COVID misinformation
Facebook freezes Maduro’s page for COVID misinformation

JULY 16, 2021
White House Daily Briefing
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki talked about the president’s agenda with reporters. She responded to a variety of questions including monitoring COVID-19 misinformation, vaccination efforts, spending negotiations, and troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. 

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, July 16, 2021

JULY 16, 2021PRESS BRIEFINGSJames S. Brady Press Briefing Room


MS. PSAKI:  Hi, everyone. 

Q    Hello.

MS. PSAKI:  Happy Friday.

Q    Happy Friday.

MS. PSAKI:  Brian Karem has got some sunglasses on.  Everybody is ready for the weekend.
Okay, I have a couple of items for all of you at the top.


​Last week, we launched the Supply Chain Disruption Task Force to monitor, engage, and act on current and emerging supply chain disruptions and bottlenecks. 

​This afternoon, the White House is hosting a convening of the Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force with Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge, Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese, Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice, Council of Economic Advisers Chair Cecilia Rouse, and groups representing the full range of the homebuilding supply chain, from loggers and log- — and lumber contractors, labor leaders, realtors, and affordable housing advocates.

At this convening, these administration officials and key stakeholders will discuss strategies to address short-term supply chain disruptions in the homebuilding sector and how they can work together to address them.


I also wanted to note that yesterday, senior White House officials, led by Susan Rice and Julie Rodriguez, launched the Community Violence Intervention Collaborative announced by the President on June 23rd as part of his comprehensive plan to reduce gun crime...     more
The unprecedented online talks involving heads of state from the 21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group was called at short notice by New Zealand MANDEL NGAN
​Biden, Xi join APEC talks on pandemic response

Jul 17 - ​Washington has accused Beijing of lacking transparency about the origins of the pandemic, adding to existing tensions on issues such as trade tariffs and the treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

Ardern has signalled she wants greater powers for the World Health Organisation, as well as the establishment of cross-border systems to rapidly identify and respond to future pandemics.

The New Zealand leader has also pushed for improved vaccine cooperation internationally, arguing that runaway outbreaks of the Delta variant in Thailand and Indonesia show why it is a mistake for countries to simply prioritise inoculating their own populations.

A key plank of Ardern's plan is increased resources for the Covax programme, which was set up to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines but has struggled to secure enough doses for low-income nations.

As this year's APEC host, she has already ordered officials to work on expediting the trade of Covid-19 vaccines and medical material across the region.

​But Ardern this week played down expectations of major announcements from Friday's meeting, saying it was primarily an opportunity to bring leaders together to collectively discuss current challenges.     quoted from

Picture
Rochelle Walensky, CDC director, says places with high percentages of vaccinated individuals are ‘generally faring well’
Top US health official warns of ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’

Facebook hits back at Biden after he accuses platform of ‘killing people’ by spreading misinformation

Jul 17 - The US is experiencing a “pandemic of the unvaccinated”, the head of the country’s top public health agency warned, as new coronavirus cases have jumped 70 per cent in the past week.

More than 33,000 infections were reported across the US on Thursday, Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a press briefing on Friday morning.

That boosted the seven-day average of new cases to about 26,300 a day, from a rate of roughly 15,500 a week ago.

“This is becoming a pandemic of the unvaccinated,” Walensky said.

“We are seeing outbreaks of cases in parts of the country that have low vaccination coverage because unvaccinated people are at risk.”

Communities that have a higher share of fully vaccinated residents are “generally faring well”, she said, but health officials at federal and state levels have increasingly been pointing to high proportions of new Covid-19 hospitalisations and deaths among unvaccinated individuals.

​ “We know that 99.5 per cent of people who are in the hospital are people who are unvaccinated, and people who are dying of Covid are unvaccinated,” Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, said on Friday. “The data is very clear,”

Related Articles:
COVID-19 pandemic in U.S. ‘is among the unvaccinated’, Biden says​
C.D.C. Director Warns of a ‘Pandemic of the Unvaccinated’
Treating the Unvaccinated


Although the number of new cases remains far below the peak of the pandemic, the latest increase has raised concerns that new restrictions may once again be needed to keep healthcare systems from being overwhelmed, especially as the pace of vaccinations slows.

After a blistering start, the US’s inoculation campaign has lost momentum, with some people afraid or unwilling to get the jab despite plentiful supply.

The Biden administration has also expressed concern that vaccine hesitancy is being fuelled by misinformation shared on social media platforms, prompting a public spat with Facebook. Asked about the social network’s role on Friday, Joe Biden said: “They’re killing people . . . The only pandemic we have is among the unvaccinated and they’re killing people.” The US president’s comments came a day after the White House criticised social media groups for failing to clamp down on so-called misinformation superspreaders.

Facebook hit back at the president’s remarks on Friday in an unusually strident statement, saying that it would “not be distracted by accusations which aren’t supported by the facts”.

It added: “The fact is that more than 2bn people have viewed authoritative information about Covid-19 and vaccines on Facebook . . . more than 3.3m Americans have also used our vaccine finder tool. The facts show that Facebook is helping save lives. Period.” In a follow-up statement, a Facebook official accused the White House of “looking for scapegoats for missing their vaccine goals”. 

“In private exchanges the surgeon general [Dr Vivek Murthy] has praised our work, including our efforts to inform people about Covid-19. 

They knew what they were doing,” the official said.  The US has fully vaccinated 48.3 per cent of its population, according to the CDC.

The rate of doses administered nationally dropped from a daily average of more than 3.4m in mid-April to about 421,000 a day in the week ended July 10. Four states — Florida, Texas, California and Missouri — accounted for more than 40 per cent of new coronavirus cases in the US over the past week, according to Jeff Zients, the White House’s coronavirus task force co-ordinator. Florida alone accounted for one in five new infections over the past week.


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​In Mississippi, unvaccinated individuals made up 94 per cent of new Covid cases, 87 per cent of hospitalisations and 93 per cent of deaths this week, according to Thomas Dobbs, the state’s top health officer. Mississippi has the lowest level of vaccine coverage in the US, with just 33.6 per cent of its residents fully vaccinated.

​Arkansas, Missouri, Florida, Nevada and Louisiana are all averaging more than 20 new cases per 100,000 people a day, according to the CDC, compared to a national average of almost eight, although vaccination rates in those states were now increasing, Zients said. The rise in cases has also been linked to the highly transmissible Delta variant of Covid-19, which now accounts for more than half of new infections, according to the CDC.

Walensky’s warning comes as some US counties and cities have brought back pandemic-era guidelines to guard against further outbreaks, particularly those linked to the Delta variant. Los Angeles on Thursday announced it would reinstate its mask mandate this weekend, requiring individuals to again wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

The decision comes barely a month after the county, alongside the rest of California, lifted the restriction on June 15 for fully vaccinated residents. Chicago this week placed restrictions on unvaccinated travellers from Missouri and Arkansas, which are hotspots for the Delta variant.