7/22/2021

the Second White House Eviction Prevention Convening | July 22, 2021

 White House News in Chinese - About (weebly.com)

Housing activists erect a sign in October 2020 in Swampscott, Mass. A federal freeze on most evictions is set to expire soon. 
White House to hold second eviction-prevention meeting with local officials as housing concerns mount

​Gathering is set for July 21, 10 days before the final eviction moratorium from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expires

Jul 14 -  As concerns grow about a nationwide eviction crisis later this summer, the White House will once again convene city officials across the country to find ways to keep people in their homes and ramp up the amount of rental relief reaching tenants and landlords.

​The second meeting is set for July 21, according to a White House official — 10 days before the final eviction moratorium from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expires July 31. Similar to the initial meeting last month, the focus will be on bringing together state and local governments, courts, legal aid groups, landlords organizations and tenant advocates to make plans to keep evictions out of court, raise awareness about rental relief and expand other eviction-diversion programs...     more

Readout of the Second White House Eviction Prevention Convening

JULY 21, 2021STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

Today, the White House hosted a second virtual convening to help cities quickly deliver emergency rental assistance and develop plans to prevent evictions. The convening highlighted actions taken by cities since the first summit on June 30th and is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader efforts to ensure state and local governments disburse the more than $46 billion dollars in Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) made available to them to assist households in need. Today, Treasury released new data on the ERA program, which showed that more than $1.5 billion in assistance was delivered to eligible households in the month of June—more than what was provided in the previous three reporting periods combined. The number of households served in June grew by about 85 percent over the previous month and nearly tripled since April.

​White House American Rescue Plan Coordinator Gene Sperling opened today’s convening, reaffirming the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to do everything it can to make sure cities and states provide relief to renters and landlords as the CDC’s eviction moratorium comes to an end on July 31st. Sperling stressed that the Administration has provided new flexibilities to get emergency rental assistance out and that this is the time for state and local officials to step up...     more
Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jen Psaki Aboard Air Force One En Route Cincinnati, OH

JULY 21, 2021PRESS BRIEFINGS
 
MS. PSAKI:  Welcome to our trip to Cincinnati, Ohio — also known as the birthplace of my husband.  So, a special place in my heart.
 
A couple of announcements for you at the top:
 
Today, Treasury released new data on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which showed that more than $1.5 billion in assistance was delivered to eligible households in the month of June — more than what was provided in the previous three reporting periods combined.  The number of households served in June grew by about 85 percent over the previous month and nearly tripled since April.
 
The data demonstrates that the administration has heard from states and localities over the past months that ERA is helping develop a new national infrastructure for rental assistance and eviction prevention that did not previously exist.
 
I would also note that also today, as a part of this effort, the White House is hosting a second virtual convening on eviction prevention with over 2,000 participants from cities and states across the country, including the 46 cities that were the focus of the first summit on January 30th.  That is virtual; everyone can tune in...     more

JULY 21, 2021
Hearing on U.S.-Turkey Relations
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the Biden administration’s policy toward Turkey. She answered questions on a variety of topics including human rights concerns, sanctions against Turkey for purchasing and deploying a Russian missile defense system, and the guarantee of free and safe elections in the country. Also discussed was Turkish President Erdogan’s push for a two-state solution with Cypress, with focus on his recent visit to the U.N.-controlled, abandoned Cypress town of Varosha, which is in direct violation of U.N. Security Council Resolutions. Secretary Nuland also took questions on the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline and the recent negotiations between the U.S. and Germany on the project. 

Victoria Nuland testifies during a hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee June 20, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Nuland, now the undersecretary of state for political affairs, testified before Senate Foreign Relations Committee on July 21, 2021, about Turkey. Her 2018 testimony was about Russian Interference in the 2016 US elections. During the Obama administration's second term, Nuland was assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs. 
US senator says Turkish actions against pro-Kurdish party like ‘if Biden banned the Republican Party’

Democratic and Republican senators voiced heavy criticism of the Turkish government to a State Department official during a Wednesday hearing. The lawmakers accused Ankara of abusing the international police system, being an “aggressor” toward Greece, and much more.

Jul 22 - ...Many observers expected Biden to usher in a cooler era of US-Turkey relations, in part due to Biden’s criticism of the NATO ally while he was running for president. Turkey opposed Biden's April recognition of the Armenian genocide. The relationship appeared to somewhat improve after Biden and Erdogan met in person in June. 

Nuland was somewhat upbeat about US-Turkey ties at times during the hearing. She called Turkey’s ambassador to Washington, Murat Mercan, “very engaging” and lauded his efforts to repair the “obviously deteriorating” relationship. 

The hearing touched on numerous other issues, including US opposition to Turkey’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system. Republican Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho, who is the ranking member of the committee, called the deal “very troubling.” Nuland assured the senator that the administration would continue to exclude Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program in response. Nuland did not offer any updates on the imprisonment of Turkish employees of the US diplomatic mission in Turkey, but said their release is a “top concern” of the administration. 

She also declined to speak during the hearing about Turkey sending Syrian rebel forces to Azerbaijan last year during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia, pledging to address the matter in a separate session. 

On US support for Kurdish forces fighting the Islamic State in northeast Syria who are being targeted by Turkey, Nuland said, “At this stage, we’ve agreed to disagree.” She specifically referred to the People’s Protection Units, aka YPG, and the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces.     quoted from
​Following the agreement between Germany and the US over the contentious Nord Stream 2 pipeline, Ukraine may just become a major hydrogen exporter.
​Ukraine gets compensation in exchange for US-Germany deal on Nord Stream 2


Germany and the US struck a compromise on Wednesday (21 July) over the construction of the Russian-backed Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. According to the deal, Germany will provide assistance for Ukraine’s energy security, with an initial donation of €148.3 million.

Jul 22 - “Germany buys its way out,” titled German newspaper FAZ following the Germany-US deal over Nord Stream 2.
The agreement sees Germany funnel money towards Ukraine in exchange for the US withdrawing its threat to sanction the companies involved in the construction of the pipeline, which Washington sees as a menace to Europe’s energy security.

“It is good that we are once again pursuing our common goals and convictions with the USA, including in Russia and energy policy, and that we have also been able to agree constructive solutions on the issue of Nord Stream 2,” said Heiko Maas, Germany’s foreign minister.

For Ukraine, there is €2 billion of Russian gas transit income at stake. “For us, ‘energy security’ is not just a word,” said the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky as reported by FAZ.


The agreement does not foresee Germany matching those €2 billion in their entirety. However, it does commit Germany to uphold Ukraine’s role as a gas transit country and “utilise all available leverage to facilitate an extension of up to 10 years” of the country’s current gas transit arrangement, which expires in 2024.

Washington sees the agreement as a pragmatic way to settle the dispute, since the pipeline is already 98% completed and of strategic importance to Germany’s future gas supply.

The deal also comes as a follow-up to the climate partnership that Germany and the US signed on 15 July, which laid out the objective to further “Ukraine’s energy transformation, energy efficiency, and energy security”.

​“Obama, Trump, nor Biden could convince Germany to abandon the project. It was going to be built. Unfortunate but true,” tweeted Chris Murphy, a Democratic senator. Without this deal, Ukraine would have got nothing, he added...     more

Related Articles:

US, Germany to vow action on Russia in Nord Stream 2 dealThe United States and Germany will take action against Russia if it uses the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to harm Ukraine or other Eastern European countries, according to sources familiar with a bilateral agreement expected on Wednesday (21 July).

EU, Ukraine sign ‘strategic partnership’ on raw materialsKyiv will be invited on Tuesday (13 July) to join EU industrial alliances on batteries and raw materials, with a view to develop an entire value chain of the extraction, refining and recycling of minerals in Ukraine to supply the EU market for electric cars and digital equipment.


7/21/2021

Biden | July 21, 2021

 White House News in Chinese - About (weebly.com)

1 - White House News in Chinese (weebly.com)

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

 1 - White House News in Chinese (weebly.com)

White House News in Chinese - About (weebly.com)

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

Related Articles: 
Australia prepares for retaliation after blaming Beijing for Microsoft hack
PM renews call for COVID-19 origins investigation
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