Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Russia on Tuesday announced a series of sanctions targeting 25 prominent Americans including the family of President Joe Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell , a retaliatory step amid escalating U.S. and G-7 sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. Key Facts The wife and daughter of President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and Ashley Biden, were sanctioned as part of a cohort of Americans Moscow said is promoting an anti-Russian agenda. Moscow said the new sanctions are a direct response to the “ever-expanding” U.S. sanctions against Russian figures. Those included will be barred indefinitely from entering Russian territory, the country’s foreign ministry said. A host of high-profile politicians have also been targeted, including McConnell, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), Sen. Benjamin Sass (R-Neb.), Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and … [Read more...] about Russia Targets First Lady Jill Biden, Daughter Ashley And Mitch McConnell In Latest Sanctions Wave
Biden student loans
Biden Administration Will Use Medication Abortion, Civil Rights Office To Help Protect Abortion Rights, Health Secretary Says
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline The Biden administration will take steps to help shore up access to medication abortion and protect patients and providers in response to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade on Friday, Health Secretary Xavier Becerra said Tuesday, as Democrats and abortion rights advocates have demanded action from the White House after the court’s monumental ruling. Key Facts Calling the court’s decision “despicable” but not “unpredictable,” Becerra said the Department of Health and Human Services will take steps to increase access to medication abortion, including making sure states cannot ban abortion pills because they’re protected under federal law for federal programs to provide them in cases of rape, incest and when the mother’s life is at risk. The agency will also provide increased guidance on medication abortion to providers. Becerra didn’t rule out that the White House could sue states that try to … [Read more...] about Biden Administration Will Use Medication Abortion, Civil Rights Office To Help Protect Abortion Rights, Health Secretary Says
Biden Vaccine Mandate For Federal Employees Blocked Again As Appeals Court Dissolves Earlier Ruling
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline The Biden administration’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate for federal employees has once again been blocked in court—at least for now—as a federal appeals court ruled Monday it will rehear the case and threw out its previous decision that upheld the vaccine requirement. Key Facts The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the vaccine mandate in April, after a district court judge blocked the requirement in January, siding with the anti-vaccine organizations and federal employees who brought a lawsuit challenging it. The court accepted a request Monday from the challengers to rehear the case en banc, which means that the court will issue a judgment from all the judges on the appeals court, rather than a panel of a few judges, as was the case with the April ruling. Because they’re rehearing the case, the court dissolved its ruling from April, which means the district judge’s ruling blocking … [Read more...] about Biden Vaccine Mandate For Federal Employees Blocked Again As Appeals Court Dissolves Earlier Ruling
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Biden’s ICE Nominee, Withdraws
Harris County, Texas, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, President Joe Biden’s pick to run U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), withdrew Sunday. Biden nominated Gonzalez in April 2021 and he quickly faced questions from Republicans who voiced concerns that he had opposed an ICE screening database. The voluntary database allows for inmates to be screened to determine immigration status, and Gonzalez ultimately opted to end the program for his office in 2017, the Houston Chronicle reported at the time. (RELATED: Texas County Approves $2.5 Million Of Taxpayer Money For Illegal Immigrant Defense Fund) Gonzalez wrote Biden a letter detailing his decision to withdraw from consideration for the position, The Washington Post reported on Monday. In addition to questions over his decisions as Harris County sheriff, Gonzalez’s nomination was stalled amid unconfirmed allegations of domestic violence, ABC 13 reported . “ I arrive at this difficult decision with the understanding … [Read more...] about Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Biden’s ICE Nominee, Withdraws
Finance sector sees healthy rise in assets in first half
Financial Supervisory Service building in Yeouido, western Seoul. [YONHAP] Assets of financial holding companies increased 7.4 percent in the first half compared to six months earlier as demand for loans rose, Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) data showed Tuesday. Total assets of the 10 financial holding companies increased 194 trillion won ($164 billion) to reach 2,823 trillion won. The 10 companies are KB, Shinhan, Nonghyup, Woori, Hana, BNK, DGB, JB, Korea Investment and Meritz Holdings. By categories, assets owned by investment firms grew the fastest — increasing 18.9 percent or 48.3 trillion won. This was due to an increase in the value of equities they hold and increases in deposits by retail investors for stock trading. Assets of commercial banks increased by 6.5 percent or 128.6 trillion won from a surge in loans. At credit card companies, assets grew by 7.1 percent or 10.3 trillion won from January to June. For insurance companies, assets increased by 3.7 percent … [Read more...] about Finance sector sees healthy rise in assets in first half
What To Expect For July 4th Gas Prices
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Gas prices are steadily but slowly dropping ahead of July Fourth and further relief at the pump may be coming ahead of one the most popular driving days of the year, though prices are still elevated compared to 2021. Key Facts The average national gas price Monday is $4.897 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association, which is down 12 cents from its peak of $5.016 on June 14. Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, predicted Sunday the national average for gas prices could fall to as low as $4.75 by July Fourth as crude oil prices fall. That would still represent a more than 50% increase from last July Fourth, when the national average gallon of gas was $3.13, per AAA. Still, AAA forecasts a record-high 42 million Americans will travel 50-plus miles over the holiday weekend – a telling sign as demand for gas remains largely unfazed by the historic … [Read more...] about What To Expect For July 4th Gas Prices
Russia Says Putin Will Be Part Of G20 Summit—Setting Stage For Showdown With Western Leaders
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to participate in this year’s Group of 20 Summit, the Kremlin said Monday, setting up a potentially dramatic first meeting between Putin and his critics since he ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February. Key Facts Yuri Asharov, an advisor to Putin, confirmed the plans to Russian state media but said it is still being determined whether Putin will travel to the summit in-person, citing Covid-19 concerns. The G20 Summit will be held in Bali, Indonesia, over November 15 and16 and will bring together leaders from 19 countries and the European Union. Indonesian President Joko Wodido said in April he invited Putin to the summit and also extended a special invite to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose country isn’t a member of G20. The meeting would be the first known contact between Putin and Zelensky or President Joe Biden or since the war … [Read more...] about Russia Says Putin Will Be Part Of G20 Summit—Setting Stage For Showdown With Western Leaders
Malaysia, Australia reaffirm commitment to strengthen strategic partnership
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (right) shakes hands with Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong after holding a press conference at Wisma Putra on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. (Bernamapix) - A + A PUTRAJAYA (June 28): Malaysia and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation in multifaceted areas of mutual interest, driven by Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) that both countries will build on. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah said he and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong had discussed in depth the various positive growth areas under the CSP. The areas of growth include economy, people-to-people relations, technology as well on stability and security in the region, especially in the post Covid-19 pandemic period and beyond. “We expressed our delight and satisfaction towards the positive growth of our multifaceted cooperation, especially in the post Covid-19 pandemic period. “Malaysia is confident … [Read more...] about Malaysia, Australia reaffirm commitment to strengthen strategic partnership
Walgreens abandons Boots sale amid volatile debt market
- A + A LONDON (June 28): Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc is abandoning the sale of the Boots drugstore chain in the UK citing "unexpected and dramatic change" in the global financial markets since launching the sales process in January. The American healthcare group had been in talks with a consortium between Reliance Industries Ltd and Apollo Global Management Inc over the more than £5 billion (US$6.1 billion) sale of Britain's biggest pharmacy chain. As a result of "market instability severely impacting financing availability, no third party has been able to make an offer that adequately reflects the high potential value of Boots", Walgreens said in a statement on Tuesday. The recent strong performance of Boots, and its key No7 beauty brand, is also behind the decision to retain the business, the company added in the statement. The Boots sale was considered a litmus test for dealmaking in the UK with credit markets becoming increasingly fragile. The easy financing … [Read more...] about Walgreens abandons Boots sale amid volatile debt market
Malaysian Bar: Shafee more qualified than Queen’s Counsel to lead Najib’s SRC appeal
- A + A KUALA LUMPUR (28 June): The Malaysian Bar, who is objecting to Datuk Seri Najib Razak's bid to hire a lawyer from the United Kingdom for his final appeal in the SRC International corruption case, has said that the former prime minister's current lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah is more experienced and qualified to lead the appeal. In an affidavit against Najib's bid to appoint Queen's Counsel (QC) Jonathan Laidlaw to handle his appeal at the Federal Court, Bar Council secretary Anand Raj said that there are 21,659 advocates and solicitors in Malaysia who are in valid possession of a "Sijil Annual and Practicing Certificate". "Local advocates and solicitors have the requisite expertise and experience in the various aspects of the law and jurisprudence in respect of the appeal and any other cause or matter related thereto," he said. Anand said that Laidlaw does not have the experience of practising in the country's local courts and he would need to … [Read more...] about Malaysian Bar: Shafee more qualified than Queen’s Counsel to lead Najib’s SRC appeal