President Joe Biden had a message for lawmakers who defended the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol as he touted his Safer America Plan Tuesday.
"Let me say this to my 'MAGA Republican' friends in Congress," the president said, referring to former President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan. "Don't tell me to support law enforcement if you won't condemn what happened on the sixth."
"For God's sake, whose side are you on?" Biden said.
Biden admonished the lawmakers as he called for more funding for police before a crowd at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Investments in community policing and crime prevention are key policy components of his Safer America Plan, and the president urged communities to use federal funds to supplement local police as early as May.
Biden also chided Trump's supporters in the GOP for claiming the mantle as the "law and order" party while defending the insurrectionists who attacked police officers in Washington, D.C., last year.
"You can't be pro-law enforcement and pro-insurrection," he said. "You can't be a party of law and order and call the people who attacked the police on Jan. 6, patriots. You can't do it."
Biden recently slammed the "MAGA philosophy" as "like semi-fascism," which angered the Republican National Committee. RNC spokesperson Nathan Brand called the president's remarks "despicable."
Biden also renewed his commitment to banning assault weapons, saying America's lax gun laws contributed to mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas; Newtown, Connecticut; and Buffalo, New York, among other locations.
"It's time to hold every elected official's feet to the fire and ask them, 'Are you for banning assault weapons? Yes or no?' The answer's no, vote against them," he said.
Biden ended his speech by asking the crowd to vote for Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. and Democratic senatorial candidate, John Fetterman. Fetterman is running against Trump-endorsed candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz in a highly publicized Senate race.
The president is scheduled to return to Pennsylvania Thursday for a prime-time speech on the "continued battle for the soul of the nation" at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia.
American students largely hail plan that would likely eliminate debt entirely for millions of Americans and wipe away at least half for millions more.
Student loan borrowers in Washington, DC stage a rally in front of The White House to celebrate President Biden cancelling student debt.
(AFP)
US President Joe Biden's massive student debt cancellation plan has evoked mixed responses from indebted students, with some heaving a sigh of relief and others, who were expecting a complete loan forgiveness plan, partially dissatisfied.
"It's a good plan for low-income Americans but I think all student loans should be cancelled regardless of how much they owe. Just two years ago the government gave billions of dollars to companies so the economy wouldn't collapse during the Covid pandemic," Luis Torres, a political science student at the University of District of Columbia, toldTRT World.
"The government gives millions of dollars to Ukraine every day. If they can spend money on war, how can they not take students out of debt?" asked Torres, who owes around $10,000 and could see his debt slate wiped clean if the Biden plan survives possible court challenges.
On Wednesday, Biden announced students trying to pay off university loans will get $10,000 forgiven while acknowledging he was "not going to make everybody happy."
Under the relief plan, $10,000 will be cut from all loans owed by people earning a salary of less than $125,000. For some six million students from low-income families, who went to university with government aid known as Pell grants, the relief will be $20,000.
The White House estimates its plan could lead to about 20 million borrowers having their debt completely cancelled. Some 23 million Americans will still have student loan debt. The country’s federal student debt now tops $1.6 trillion.
As of now, more than 43 million people have federal student debt, with an average balance of $37,667, according to federal data. Nearly a third of borrowers owe less than $10,000, and about half owe less than $20,000.
Graduate student Liam Moore hailing the decision said the loan forgiveness was dangling at first but "it's nice to finally see it make it into the plan."
"I think that it will positively affect Americans because it will allow them to focus more on their needs than an extra bill to pay."
Biden's plan "marks the biggest and boldest action a president has ever taken to provide student debt relief to struggling families," said Rahna Epting, executive director of MoveOn, an advocacy group.
Biden ‘overpromised’
The proposed debt relief, however, falls far short of some Democrats' promise of complete loan forgiveness.
Many students said they were expecting complete loan relief.
"It's very disheartening to see that he (Biden) overpromised and is only forgiving $10,000 dollars, which is not enough for many students," Kenia Mazariegos, a content strategist and a recent master’s graduate from Columbia University, told TRT World.
"I don't think it's fair limiting the types of loans and also limiting people by salary because people who make $125,000 or less are not making much considering taxes," she said.
The debt doesn't only affect undergrad students but also casts a shadow on students who want to pursue a master’s degree, leaving them with a heavy burden to decide what to do and also massively limiting their options, she added.
"I think if I were any deeper in debt, I wouldn’t have taken up the master's degree because it wouldn't be financially viable," Hana Karkari, who studies art and history at the American University, told TRT World.
Welcoming Biden's plan, Karkari said that most people don't have a lot of options after they get a bachelor's degree because of the heavy debt, which ultimately "affects their decision."
"It's a step forward," Karkari said. "Acknowledging that many young Americans are in debt and need help might help them move forward and push back against tuition hikes."
Biden's main goal
Biden’s plan, however, will have to face a likely court challenge. Republicans who have rejected it argue it would power more inflation while benefitting many rich borrowers.
"If you’re saddled with debt, even as little as two or three thousand dollars, you make decisions differently. Cancelling debt lowers the cost of failure and anything that lowers the cost of failure increases innovation," William Hanff, a professor and student advisor at the University of the District of Columbia, told TRT World.
"It's great to have early career professionals burdened with less debt because deep down, debt is a means of social control."
Hanff said the proposal's main goal is to cancel the debts of many students who entered college but didn't finish their studies, which is the vast majority of students.
"In the US, more than 50 percent of people enter higher education, but only three percent or so finish, and the problem is you can end up not finishing your degree and still have the debt," Hanff said.
"This is what the Biden administration is targeting."
Source: TRT World
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Biden Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm suggested in a recent interview that the United States’ green energy push will be the "greatest peace plan" in world history.
"If we want to be energy secure and energy independent, that means we've got to produce our own energy," Granholm said in an interview with VOA News on Friday. "My counterpart in Ireland, the energy minister there, has said that no one has ever weaponized access to the sun. No one has ever weaponized the wind. Perhaps a move to clean energy will be the greatest peace plan the world has ever known."
Granholm’s comment immediately received criticism from conservatives on Twitter and was highlighted in a post from an account operated by the Republican National Committee.
"The war in Ukraine and ensuing energy crisis were entirely brought about by 'clean energy' and climate idiocy," author and Fox News contributor Steve Milloy responded. "Lying. Airhead."
ENERGY SEC. GRANHOLM CLAIMS BAN ON RUSSIAN OIL PROVES ‘WE CAN’T RELY ON THE VOLATILITY OF FOSSIL FUELS’
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington.
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Granholm’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Granholm has referenced the conversation with her Irish counterpart in the past including an instance in April that prompted Republican Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers to call her out on Twitter for a "dangerous" line of thinking.
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Nov. 23, 2021, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
SPECIAL COUNSEL RULES BIDEN'S ENERGY SECRETARY VIOLATED HATCH ACT
In the interview, Granholm said that the increasing oil production is what the administration is calling for "right now" but "ultimately we've got to move to clean."
"That's what the bill that the president signed yesterday, for the United States, it is the largest commitment to combating climate change of any country in the world," Granholm said, referring to the recently signed spending bill passed through Congress by Democrats. "It's by 10 the largest bill that we've ever passed in the United States to combat climate change. So it is so important for our energy security. And I know our European allies are trying to do the same."
U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm attends the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), in Glasgow, Scotland, Britain, November 4, 2021.
(Reuters/Phil Noble/File Photo)
Granholm was asked if the upcoming winter months will be "difficult" for Europe given efforts to cut back on Russian energy dependence that many fear will cause an energy crisis as temperatures drop and more Europeans require heating.
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"I think it will be," Granholm said, adding that NATO allies are united in their opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and will not back down on the effort to "wean" off of Russian fuel.
"There's no doubt it's going to be an expensive winter," Granholm said. "I know that the European leaders are looking for how they can alleviate the pain for real people in these increases in prices. But I know ultimately, they are determined to move away from Russian fuels and toward clean energy."
Andrew Mark Miller is a writer at Fox News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.
Taiwan said it had detected 66 Chinese aircraft and 14 warships conducting exercises in and around the Taiwan Strait on Sunday.
“14 PLAN (People's Liberation Army Navy) vessels and 66 PLA (People's Liberation Army) aircraft around our surrounding region were detected today until 1700 (GMT+8). #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded to these activities with aircraft in CAP, naval vessels, and land-based missile systems,” Taiwan’s Defense Ministry tweeted.
It added that “22 of the detected aircraft had flown on the east part of the median line of the Taiwan Strait and our SW ADIZ (Air Defense Information Zone).”
Taiwan, however, rejected allegations that a Chinese destroyer entered its territorial waters.
Taiwan’s CNA news agency, citing the Defense Ministry, said it is not true that the Chinese ship cruised off the coast of eastern Hualien County.
It is merely part of China’s psychological operations campaign, it argued.
Earlier Sunday, China announced that it would conduct live-fire military exercises in the Yellow and Bohai seas.
The drill in the Bohai Sea will be held from Aug. 8 to Sept. 8, while the one in the Yellow Sea will be conducted from Aug. 7-15, the Maritime Safety Administration said in a statement.
China launched massive military exercises surrounding Taiwan last week after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the self-ruled island, bucking Beijing’s warnings.
China views Taiwan as a "breakaway province" despite Taipei having governed itself since 1949. Beijing has vowed to reunify the island, including by force if necessary.
As part of its major military exercises near Taiwan and eight countermeasures to respond to the situation, China on Friday dispatched the largest number of military aircraft across the Taiwan Strait this year, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry.
KARACHI: The traffic police have Sunday issued the city’s traffic plan to help motorists choose the best available route for their travels ahead of Ashura processions and Muharram-related religious gatherings and programs, ARY News reported.
For the Muharram 08, 09 and 10 1444 A.H. that is August 07, 08 and 09 respectively, processions will be taken out from Nishtar Park and will end at Imambargah Hussania Iranian in Kharadar, said a press release of traffic police today.
On Muharram 08 procession starts from Nishter Park at 1:30 PM and will pass through Numaish, M.A. Jinnah Road, Saddar, it will again return to M.A. Jinnah Road and conclude at Imambargah Hussania Iranian in Kharadar. All vehicular traffic coming from the city side will be diverted to Soldier Bazar Road, to Coast Guards, Ankleseria Chowk to Jubilee or Nishtar Road.
The procession route for Muharram 8 (Aug. 07): Nishter Park, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto Road, Father Jaminis Road, Mehfil-e-Shah-e-Khurasan Road, Mansfield Street, Preedy Street, Tibet Chowk, M.A. Jnnah Road, Baba-e-Urdu Road, Chand Bibi Chowk, Nishtar Road, Nigar Cinema, Altaf Hussain Road, Denso Hall, again M.A. Jinnah Road, Kharadar Police Station, Bombay Bazar To Hussainan Iranian Imambargah.
The procession route for Muharram 9 (Aug. 08):
A procession will be taken out from Imambargah Shah-e-Najaf at Martin Road towards Nishtar Park.
After the majlis, a procession will move to Nishtar Park at About 12 noon and then will proceed to Imambargah Hussainia Iranian Kharadar.
Route Will Be: Nishter Park, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto Road. Father Jaminis Road Mehfil-e-Shah-e-Khurasan. M.A. Jinnah, Mansfield Street, Preedy Street Tibet Chowk,M.A.Jinnah Road, Boulton Market, Bombay Bazar, Kharadar, Nawab Mahabat Khanji Road To Hussainan Iranian Imambargah.
Muharram 10 (Aug. 09):
On Youm-e-Ashur after Majalis at Nishtar Park at 8 in the morning, the central mourning procession will be taken out that will conclude at Hussainan Iranian Imambargah in the evening.
Procession Route: Nishter Park, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto Road, Father Jaminis Road, Mehfil-e-Shah-e-Khurasan, M.A. Jinnah Mansfield Street, Preedy Street, Tibet Chowk,m.a.jinnah Road, Boulton Market, Bombay Bazar Kharadar, Nawab Mahabat Khanji Road, To Hussainan Iranian Imambargah.
General traffic will be prohibited on the routes of mourning processions on Muharram 08, 09 and 10, traffic police said. Citizens should take an alternate route. Traffic officials will be present at diversions to guide the public, according to the press release.
According to IRNA's parliamentary reporter, in the public meeting today - Tuesday, August 11 - the Islamic Council of Ministers reported the report of the Health and Treatment Commission on the review of the performance of the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education in the implementation of the "Darwar Project" in the presence of the Minister of Health, Bahram Ainullahi. Was investigated.
Zahra Sheikhi, the spokesperson of the Health Commission, in presenting the report of her respective commission and in introducing Darvar's plan, stated: Based on the fifth paragraph and the second part of the seventh paragraph of the general health policies (Communication of the Supreme Leader), efficient policy making and monitoring of production, consumption and the import of medicine as well as the management of health resources through the insurance system centered on the Ministry of Health, treatment and medical education are among the tasks of the government. Also, according to paragraph (Q) of note (1) of the budget law of 1401: "If the government intends to remove a product from the preferential currency basket, it must first make legal arrangements to compensate for the loss of consumer welfare for basic goods through the electronic goods list and medical matters from through insurances and reliable alternative methods, so that people can purchase these goods and services at the end of September price (1400) and within the set quota limit. Based on this, "Darwar Plan" has been implemented by the government since 23/04/1401.
Sheikhi stated: In this plan, the allocation of preferential currency has been transferred from the beginning of the health chain, i.e., importers and producers, to the end of the chain, and it has been allocated to the final consumer through insurances, and as a result, in accordance with the mandate of the budget law of 1401, out-of-pocket payment People will remain unchanged.
He added: Due to the removal of the government subsidy in the first stage of the implementation of the plan, domestically produced drugs have been subject to price increases, and the price of basic insurance obligations has been revised accordingly at the same time and in accordance with the announcement of the new prices. Therefore, after the currency reform Preferably, in the form of Darvar plan, the share paid by insurances will increase from the current 30% to 70%, and the share paid by the patient will decrease from the current 70% to 30%.
Referring to the increase in the number of drugs covered by insurance, the spokesperson of the health commission stated: the amount of insurance coverage for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs increased from zero to (119) and the number of drugs covered by insurance increased from (2,500) to (2,866) found. In the first phase of implementation of the Darvar project, the price of imported drugs, including special, rare and incurable imported drugs, did not increase and preferential currency allocation continued.
In the continuation of the report of the health commission on Daruvar plan was read, based on this report, it was announced that the health commission agreed with the reform of currency policies in the field of medicine and its implementation in the form of plans like "Darvar plan" is an inevitable necessity for the country. knows
Cairo lodges its protest at UN Security Council, objecting to Addis Ababa's unilateral filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam without a binding deal with downstream countries including Sudan.
Egypt and Sudan fear the dam could threaten their access to vital Nile waters and have demanded a written pact between the three countries.
(Reuters Archive)
Egypt has protested to the UN Security Council (UNSC) against the Ethiopian plan to fill the reservoir of a controversial Nile dam for a third year without agreement from downstream countries.
Egypt "received a message from the Ethiopian side on July 26, stating that Ethiopia would continue filling the reservoir of the Renaissance Dam during the current flood season," a Foreign Ministry statement said on Friday.
In response, Egypt wrote to the UNSC "to register its objection and complete rejection of Ethiopia's continuation of filling the Renaissance Dam unilaterally without a deal."
The ministry stressed that Egypt maintains its "legitimate right... to take all necessary measures to ensure and protect its national security, including against any risks that Ethiopia's unilateral measures may cause in the future."
The multi-billion dollar Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile is set to be the largest hydroelectric scheme in Africa but has been at the centre of a dispute with Egypt and Sudan ever since work began in 2011.
Cairo, Khartoum seek accord
Addis Ababa deems the GERD essential for the electrification and development of Africa's second most populous country.
But Cairo and Khartoum fear it could threaten their access to vital Nile waters and have demanded a written agreement between the three countries on the dam's filling and operation.
The $4.2-billion dam is ultimately expected to produce more than 5,000 megawatts of electricity, more than doubling Ethiopia's output. The first of 13 turbines began generating power in February.
The process of filling the GERD's vast reservoir began in 2020, with Ethiopia announcing in July that year it had hit its target of 4.9 billion cubic metres.
The reservoir's total capacity is 74 billion cubic metres, and the target for 2021 was to add 13.5 billion, a target Ethiopia said it had met.
US involvement
The new US envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mike Hammer, was in Ethiopia on Friday for talks that were expected to include the dispute over the dam.
The envoy already held talks in Egypt on Monday.
"We are actively engaged in supporting a diplomatic way forward under the African Union's auspices that arrive at an agreement that provides for the long-term needs of every citizen along the Nile," he said.
