President Joe Biden says he stressed human rights issues in his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
That includes the cases of two Americans who Biden says are “wrongfully imprisoned” in Russia.Biden also says he’ll continue to raise concerns about cases like Alexei Navalny, the jailed leader of the Russian opposition to Putin.
Joe Biden's opening up about his mental health struggles ... saying he once considered taking his own life in one particularly low moment -- but, his kids saved.. TMZ.com
Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday as he wrapped up a three-day visit to China dominated by contentious issues and warnings from his hosts of another “downward spiral” in relations. The two met Friday afternoon local time at the Great Hall of the People, an ornate and cavernous building next to Tiananmen Square. Blinken told Xi that President Joe Biden had sent him to China to “seek to deepen areas of cooperation as well as to responsibly manage the differences that we have.” Xi noted that this year is the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and China, and said the two countries “should be partners rather than adversaries.”
#BlinkenXiMeeting #ChinaUSRelations #DiplomaticTalks #GlobalIssues #BilateralRelations #ForeignPolicy #Diplomacy #InternationalRelations #USChinaDialogue #XiJinpingMeeting
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Kim Kardashian went back to the White House to advocate for criminal justice reform -- only here, it was with Biden's camp ... proving she's loyal to the cause,.. TMZ.com
Russia Vetoes UN Resolution , to Prevent Nukes in Space.
The resolution was sponsored
by Japan and the United States.
It called on all nations to refrain from developing or deploying nuclear weapons "or other weapons of mass destruction in space," 'The Guardian' reports. .
A 1967 international treaty
already bans such weapons in space.
Russia’s U.N. Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia,
vetoed the resolution, calling it "absolutely absurd and politicized," as well as a "dirty spectacle.".
China abstained from voting, while the rest of the 15-member council voted in favor of the resolution. .
Today’s veto begs the question:
Why? Why, if you are following the
rules, would you not support a
resolution that reaffirms them?
What could you possibly be hiding, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. ambassador to the U.N., via 'The Guardian'.
Russia and China would rather establish an
amendment calling on all nations "to prevent for
all time the placement of weapons in outer space, and the threat of use of force in outer spaces.".
We want a ban on the placement of
weapons of any kind in outer space, not
just WMDs [weapons of mass destruction].
But you don’t want that. And let me ask
you that very same question. Why?, Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s U.N. ambassador, via 'The Guardian'.
Nebenzia went on to say, "if we recall that the U.S. and their allies announced some time ago plans to place weapons … in outer space.".
The U.S.-Japan resolution was announced in March after it was determined that Russia was in possession of "a 'troubling' anti-satellite weapon capability," 'The Guardian' reports.
However, earlier this year, Putin said, , "Our position is clear and transparent: We have always been categorically against and are now against the deployment of nuclear weapons in space."
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Senate Passes $95 Billion , Foreign Aid Package.
On April 23, the U.S. Senate voted
79-18 to approve foreign aid for Ukraine,
Israel and Taiwan, 'The Guardian' reports. .
Today the Senate sends a unified
message to the entire world:
America will always defend
democracy in its hour of need, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
Make no mistake, America will deliver
on its promise to act like a leader on the
world stage, to hold the line against
autocratic thugs like Vladimir Putin. , Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine,
$26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan.
The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine,
$26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan.
The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine,
$26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan.
A provision to ban TikTok
after the election if ByteDance refuses
to sell the platform is also included.
The legislation will now head to President Biden, who told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on
April 23 that he will "move quickly" to provide aid.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised House Speaker Mike Johnson, .
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised House Speaker Mike Johnson, .
with whom he worked "hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder to get this bill done.".
A lot of people inside and
outside the Congress wanted this
package to fail. But today those in
Congress who stand on the side of
democracy are winning the day, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell also issued a statement.
Today’s action is overdue, but our work
does not end here. Trust in American
resolve is not rebuilt overnight. Expanding
and restocking the arsenal of democracy
doesn’t just happen by magic, Senate Majority Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
A Russian priest who held a memorial service for the late opposition leader and Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny has been suspended from clerical duties for.. Sky News
O.J. Simpson's official cause of death has been revealed ... one of the most infamous, high-profile Americans of all-time died from prostate cancer, TMZ has.. TMZ.com
FTC to Decide , Whether Noncompete Agreements , Should Be Banned.
After receiving over 26,000 public comments about the issue, the Federal Trade Commission is set to deliver its verdict on April 30, NPR reports. .
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
Approximately one in five Americans, spanning minimum wage workers to CEOs, are subject to noncompete agreements, the FTC estimates. .
The Biden administration says that these types of agreements hurt workers by decreasing wages.
The White House also argues that these
agreements harm the U.S. economy because entrepreneurship isn't allowed to freely flourish. .
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan issued a statement when
the proposed ban was initially introduced.
The freedom to change jobs is
core to economic liberty and to
a competitive, thriving economy, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Noncompetes block workers from
freely switching jobs, depriving
them of higher wages and better
working conditions, and depriving
businesses of a talent pool that
they need to build and expand, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Businesses argue that noncompete agreements are essential for safeguarding investments and proprietary information.
Those businesses also question whether
the agency has the power "to regulate
such agreements," NPR reports. .
If the FTC votes to issue a final rule, enforcement wouldn't occur for 180 days,
and legal challenges would likely ensue.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Millennials Want a 4-Day Workweek, , Poll Indicates.
Redfield and Wilton Strategies recently conducted a poll for 'Newsweek' to find
out how Americans feel about the idea of moving toward a four-day workweek.
4,000 U.S. voters were
surveyed between April 6 and 7.
63% were in favor of a four-day workweek.
46% think the model makes
employees more productive.
Out of all age groups surveyed,
millennials accounted for 74% of those
who want to work less hours.
Of that 74%, 44% "were strongly in favor of a shorter working week," 'Newsweek' reports.
50% of people born in 1964 and before supported a four-day workweek.
The results come as more companies are adopting shorter workweeks, and politicians are pushing to advance the trend in Congress.
The results come as more companies are adopting shorter workweeks, and politicians are pushing to advance the trend in Congress.
The sad reality is, Americans now
work more hours than the people
of most other wealthy nations, Bernie Sanders, via March 2024 health committee hearing.
Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of non-profit JVS, called a 5-day, 40-hour workweek outdated.
The five-day workweek was created in a
different time. It served its purpose, but
today's world is more fast-paced and
technology-driven than our workplace
predecessors could have imagined, Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of non-profit JVS, via 'Newsweek'.
Since implementing a
four-day workweek, our
results have been incredible. , Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of non-profit JVS, via 'Newsweek'.
We've found our employees are more
productive, report better work-life balance,
and experience less burnout. Incredibly, our
turnover rate has been cut nearly in half, Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of non-profit JVS, via 'Newsweek'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Biden Looks to Energize , Young Voters With Earth Day , Solar Energy Grants.
Biden Looks to Energize , Young Voters With Earth Day , Solar Energy Grants.
NBC reports that President Joe Biden will mark
Earth Day with the announcement of $7 billion
in federal grants for residential solar projects.
NBC reports that President Joe Biden will mark
Earth Day with the announcement of $7 billion
in federal grants for residential solar projects.
The grants will bring solar energy
to over 900,000 households in both
low- and middle-income communities. .
According to senior administration officials, the
projects receiving additional funding will reduce emissions
by 30 million metric tons and save $350 million every year. .
According to senior administration officials, the
projects receiving additional funding will reduce emissions
by 30 million metric tons and save $350 million every year. .
NBC reports that solar power has gained
traction as a clean energy source that could
help reduce U.S. reliance on fossil fuels.
However, the high cost of initial installation
makes solar energy inaccessible
for many households in the U.S.
However, the high cost of initial installation
makes solar energy inaccessible
for many households in the U.S.
49 of the new grants will be awarded at
the state level, six more will serve Native American
tribes and another five are multi-state awards.
The grants will be used for renewable
investments that include rooftop solar
and community solar gardens. .
The grants will be used for renewable
investments that include rooftop solar
and community solar gardens. .
Officials say that the latest environmental
announcements are part of an effort to energize
young voters ahead of his upcoming reelection campaign.
Biden also reportedly plans to expand the
American Climate Corps green jobs training program,
which was created last year by executive action. .
Biden also reportedly plans to expand the
American Climate Corps green jobs training program,
which was created last year by executive action. .
The corps, which will offer nearly 2,000 positions across
36 states, is meant to offer young Americans the chance
to help enact the Biden administration's climate agenda. .
The corps, which will offer nearly 2,000 positions across
36 states, is meant to offer young Americans the chance
to help enact the Biden administration's climate agenda.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
March Retail Sales , Exceeded Expectations.
New Commerce Department data surprised
some analysts on April 15, 'The Hill' reports. .
The agency's latest estimates indicate
that March retail sales increased by 0.7%.
They were only expected
to rise 0.3% last month.
While sales exceeded estimates for March, the jump
was still below the 0.9% increase in February.
Compared to the same time last year, total sales
for the first three months of 2024 were up 2.1%.
On April 10, the Labor Department released data showing that inflation rose last month. .
The consumer price index (CPI)
increased 0.4% in March and 3.5% annually.
In February, consumer prices
increased 3.2% year-over-year. .
Still, the newest Commerce Department data suggests that Americans continue to spend despite prolonged inflation, 'The Hill' reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Austrian graffiti duo Joel Gamnou painted the portraits, receiving mostly positive feedback from the public, although criticism arose from certain groups alleging political misuse of the wall.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:11Published
A lawsuit filed by the mother of the late Russian opposition figure, Alexei Navalny, alleging inadequate medical care during his time in the Arctic penal colony where he passed away, has been dismissed. The court in the town of Labytnangi, near the penal colony, rejected the suit, citing Navalny's absence as the plaintiff. Ivan Zhdanov, a former aide to Navalny, expressed dismay over the decision, highlighting Navalny's history of filing lawsuits regarding medical care in prisons. The dismissal, Zhdanov noted, comes with a tone of mockery, given Navalny's tragic demise.
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Vladimir Putin Secures 5th Term , as Russia’s President.
On March 18, Russia's Central
Election Commission confirmed that
Putin won reelection by a landslide.
He reportedly received over 87% of the vote.
Countries that congratulated him include
Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, North Korea,
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.
However, critics say that Putin
didn't have any credible opposition,
and free speech against him was stifled.
For example, Alexei Navalny, a fierce opponent of Putin's, died last month in an Arctic prison, and his other critics have either been jailed or exiled, 'USA Today' reports. .
For example, Alexei Navalny, a fierce opponent of Putin's, died last month in an Arctic prison, and his other critics have either been jailed or exiled, 'USA Today' reports. .
Independent media outlets
have also been shuttered. .
The elections took place in an
ever-shrinking political space, which
has resulted in an alarming increase
of violations of civil and political rights.., Josep Borrell, the European Union's
top foreign policy official, via statement.
... and precluded many candidates
from running, including all those opposed to
Russia’s illegal war of aggression, deprived
Russian voters of a real choice and heavily
limited their access to accurate information, Josep Borrell, the European Union's
top foreign policy official, via statement.
The United States referred to the
vote as "neither free nor fair," while
Germany called it a "pseudo-election.".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Putin is "sick with power and is doing everything in his power to rule forever.".
Putin is currently Russia's "longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin," 'USA Today' reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Hong Kong authorities have used the new national security law as a "pretext to curb dissent" and justify censorship, harassment, arrests and prosecutions that crush human rights, Amnesty International..
US-Burmese journalist Nathan Maung tells CNN of torture and conditions in Myanmar’s notorious Insein prison after he was detained for spreading “fake news”. Maung is safely in the US, but fears..
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