Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Close to 1,000 Americans from across the spectrum of politics, business, journalism, entertainment, faith and advocacy have been permanently banned from entering Russia , a largely symbolic move that has generated a lot of buzz about those included, and excluded. The 963 citizens, including president Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris—and her husband, Doug Emhoff —were named by Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry Saturday to Russian president Vladimir Putin’s “blacklist,” or what one translation called a “stop list.” It’s all in response to the United States’ historic sanctions and its humanitarian and military support of Ukraine, nearly three months into Moscow’s invasion. “In the context of response to the constantly imposed anti-Russian sanctions by the United States and in connection with incoming requests about the personal composition of our national ‘stop list,’ the Russian Foreign Ministry … [Read more...] about Who’s On Vladimir Putin’s ‘Blacklist’? Not Donald Trump Or Fox News
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Biden’s latest Taiwan gaffe stokes tensions with Beijing
- A + A (May 24): President Joe Biden is seeking to show US resolve against China, yet an ill-timed gaffe on Taiwan risks undermining his bid to curb Beijing’s growing influence over the region. Whether intentional or not, Biden provoked China with a vow to defend Taiwan militarily. After saying that US policy on Taiwan “had not changed at all” during a news conference in Tokyo, he then answered “yes” when asked if the US would act “militarily” to defend the island in the event of a Chinese attack. “It’s a commitment we made,” Biden added. White House officials later walked back the remark, saying the president was only promising US aid to help Taiwan defend itself in the event of hostilities. That would be akin to what the US is doing in Ukraine, where Biden has vowed not to send troops. “The policy has not changed at all, and I stated that when I made my statement,” Biden said Tuesday when pressed by reporters to clarify the US position. The president’s … [Read more...] about Biden’s latest Taiwan gaffe stokes tensions with Beijing
Jerome Powell Sworn In for New Term as Fed Chair
Jerome Powell was sworn in for a second four-year term as Federal Reserve Board (FRB) chair on May 23, 2022. FRB Vice Chair Lael Brainard administered the oath of office in the press briefing room of the FRB's Martin building. Renominated by President Joe Biden in November 2021, the United States Senate confirmed Powell by a vote of 80-19 on May 12, 2022. His new term as FRB chair ends on May 15, 2026, and his term as a member of the FRB ends on Jan. 31, 2028. Key Takeaways Jerome Powell was sworn in to his second term as Fed chair on May 23, 2022. This term runs until May 15, 2026. His term as a member of the Fed's Board of Governors (FRB) runs until Jan. 31, 2028. Powell's History at the Fed Powell has served on the FRB since May 25, 2012, after being nominated by President Barack Obama to fill an unexpired term. He was renominated by Obama and sworn in on June 16, 2014, for a term ending on Jan. 31, 2028. Powell first took office as FRB chair … [Read more...] about Jerome Powell Sworn In for New Term as Fed Chair
US must be ‘strategic’ on China tariffs, trade chief says
Katherine Tai - A + A WASHINGTON (May 24): The US must be "strategic" when it comes to a decision on whether to remove China tariffs, Trade Representative Katherine Tai said a day after President Joe Biden mentioned he would review Trump-era levies as consumer prices surged. "With respect to the tariffs, our approach as with everything in this relationship, is to be strategic," Tai said on Tuesday in an interview with Bloomberg Television's Shery Ahn and Haidi Lun. "We have to keep our eye on the ball in terms of how to effectively realign the US-China trade and economic relationship." Tai would not say whether the administration would remove the tariffs, or give a time frame for making a decision. "All options are on the table in terms of how we address our short-term economic needs, but our eye must be on the ball with respect to the medium and long term needs for the United States to realign this economic and trade relationship," she said. Biden on Monday … [Read more...] about US must be ‘strategic’ on China tariffs, trade chief says
Appeals Court Keeps Florida’s Social Media Censorship Law On Hold Due To 1st Amendment Concerns
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline A Florida law prohibiting social media companies from “deplatforming” political candidates will remain blocked—even after a similar law in Texas was allowed to take effect—as a federal appeals court sided Monday with a lower court’s ruling against the law and ruled it’s “substantially likely” the policy violates the First Amendment. Key Facts The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a district court order that blocked SB 7072 , which levies fines on any social media platform that bans or suspends political candidates and publications—a law passed in response to Republicans’ fears that the social networks discriminate against conservatives. The appellate court ruled that social media companies like Facebook and Twitter are “private actors” whose actions are protected under the First Amendment, meaning that they can take whatever actions they see fit against users. It did allow one aspect of … [Read more...] about Appeals Court Keeps Florida’s Social Media Censorship Law On Hold Due To 1st Amendment Concerns
School shooting unlikely to bring gun restrictions in Texas
Santa Fe High School freshman, Jai Gillard writes messages on each of the 10 crosses in front the school Monday, May 21, 2018, in Santa Fe. Gillard, was in the art class Friday morning, knew all of the victims of the shooting. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has called for a moment of silence at 10 a.m. and came to the school to participate. (Photo by STEVE GONZALES / Houston Chronicle via AP) AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has vowed to address school violence and safety in the wake of another mass school shooting. But Abbott’s call to do “more than just pray” for the victims comes in a state that has fully embraced its gun culture and resisted previous attempts to scale it back. Earlier this month at the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting in Dallas, Abbott himself said, “The problem is not guns. The problem is hearts without God. It is homes without discipline and communities without values.” The killing of eight students and two teachers last week at Santa Fe High … [Read more...] about School shooting unlikely to bring gun restrictions in Texas
Biden’s public approval falls to 36%, lowest of his presidency
U.S. President Joe Biden gestures as he boards Air Force One to depart from Yokota Air Base in Fussa, on the outskirts of Tokyo, Japan May 24, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon WASHINGTON — U.S. President Joe Biden’s public approval rating fell this week to 36%, the lowest level of his presidency, as Americans suffered from rising inflation, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll completed on Tuesday. The two-day national poll found that 59% of Americans disapprove of Biden’s job performance. His overall approval was down six percentage points from 42% last week. Biden’s approval rating has been below 50% since August, raising alarms that his Democratic Party is on track to lose control of at least one chamber of Congress in the Nov. 8 midterm election. In a sign of weakening enthusiasm among Democrats, Biden’s approval rating within his own party fell to 72% from 76% the prior week. Only 10% of Republicans approve of his job in office. As low as Biden’s overall approval … [Read more...] about Biden’s public approval falls to 36%, lowest of his presidency
Beijing hits back at Biden’s claims to militarily defend Taiwan
BEIJING (China Daily/Asia News Network): China has hit back at United States President Joe Biden's claims that Washington would militarily defend Taiwan, warning that no one should underestimate the nation's "firm resolve, staunch will and strong ability" to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Speaking at a regular news conference on Monday (May 23), Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that China expresses strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to Biden's remarks, stressing that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. Wang's comment came after Biden, who is visiting Japan, said earlier on Monday in Tokyo that the US would intervene militarily to defend Taiwan, a statement that was seen as a violation by Washington of its commitment to the one-China principle and a fresh challenge to China's core interests. The spokesman reiterated that the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair and so allows no foreign interference. "On … [Read more...] about Beijing hits back at Biden’s claims to militarily defend Taiwan
Tedros, from ‘child of war’ to two-term WHO chief
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is the first African to head the World Health Organization GENEVA - Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the first African to head the WHO, was re-elected on Tuesday, tearfully accepting a second term as he recalled his humble upbringing as "a child of war" and pleading for peace. His re-election was announced to thundering applause during the World Health Organization's main annual assembly, after receiving more than two-thirds of secret-ballot votes cast, as need to be appointed. The UN health agency did not provide a breakdown, but sources in the room said he had received 155 of the 160 votes cast. "I am really, really overwhelmed by the support," Tedros told the assembly. "I am really proud to be WHO." The Ethiopian former minister of health and of foreign affairs has become a familiar face worldwide as he spearheads the global response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The 57-year-old malaria expert has also increasingly been sounding the alarm over the … [Read more...] about Tedros, from ‘child of war’ to two-term WHO chief
North Korea fires three ballistic missiles, Seoul military says
People watch a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a railway station in Seoul on May 7, 2022 SEOUL - North Korea fired three ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan early Wednesday, Seoul's military said, just one day after President Joe Biden wrapped up his first Asia visit as US leader. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that it had "detected at around 0600 (2100 GMT), 0637 and 0642 the firings of ballistic missiles launched from Sunan area." Japan's coastguard warned of a "possible ballistic missile" launch from North Korea, telling vessels to stay away from fallen objects in the waters. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters that Tokyo was trying to confirm information about the launch. South Korea's new President Yoon Suk-yeol will oversee a meeting of the National Security Council at 0730 to discuss the launches, his office said. Yoon, who was sworn in earlier this month, has vowed to get tough … [Read more...] about North Korea fires three ballistic missiles, Seoul military says