White House News (白宮消息) | Dec. 23, 2020

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The Nisour Square Massacre occurred on September 16, 2007, when employees of Blackwater Security Consulting (now Academi), a private military company contracted by the US government to provide security services in Iraq, shot at Iraqi civilians, killing 17 and injuring 20 in Nisour Square, Baghdad, while escorting a U.S. embassy convoy.[1][2][3] The killings outraged Iraqis and strained relations between Iraq and the United States.[4] In 2014, four Blackwater employees were tried[5] and convicted in U.S. federal court; one of murder, and the other three of manslaughter and firearms charges.[6]

Blackwater guards claimed that the convoy was ambushed and that they fired at the attackers in defense of the convoy. The Iraqi government and Iraqi police investigator Faris Saadi Abdul stated that the killings were unprovoked.[7][8] The next day, Blackwater Worldwide's license to operate in Iraq was temporarily revoked.[9] The U.S. State Department has said that "innocent life was lost",[10] and according to The Washington Post, a military report appeared to corroborate "the Iraqi government's contention that Blackwater was at fault".[11] The Iraqi government vowed to punish Blackwater.[12] The incident sparked at least five investigations, including one from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.[13] The FBI investigation found that, of the 17 Iraqis killed by the guards, at least 14 were shot without cause.[14]

Source From Wikipedia

A burnt car at the site where Blackwater guards opened fire on a crowd in Baghdad, Iraq, in 2007. Donald Trump has pardoned the four contractors jailed over the killing of 14 civilians.
Trump pardons Blackwater contractors jailed for massacre of Iraq civilians

Four guards fired on unarmed crowd in Baghdad in 2007, killing 14 and sparking outrage over use of private security in war zones

Dec. 23 - President Donald Trump has pardoned four Blackwater security guards who were given lengthy prison sentences for killing 14 civilians in Baghdad in 2007, a massacre that caused international uproar over the use of private contractors in war zones.

The four – Paul Slough, Evan Liberty, Dustin Heard and Nicholas Slatten – were part of an armoured convoy that opened fire indiscriminately with machine-guns and grenade launchers on a crowd of unarmed people in the Iraqi capital. Known as the Nisour Square massacre, the slaughter was seen as a low point in the conflict in Iraq.     continue to read

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Trump announces wave of pardons, including Papadopoulos and former lawmakers Hunter and Collins

Dec. 23 - (CNN)President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a wave of lame duck pardons, including two for men who pleaded guilty in Robert Mueller's investigation, as well as ones for Republican allies who once served in Congress and military contractors involved in a deadly shooting of Iraqi civilians.

The pardons of former campaign aide George Papadopoulos, former US congressmen Duncan Hunter and Chris Collins, and the four Blackwater guards involved in the Iraq massacre kick off what is expected to be a flurry of pardons and commutations in the coming weeks as Trump concludes his term.     continue to read

Ex-Blackwater contractors convicted
Jury: Ex-Blackwater contractors guilty in 'outrageous' Nusoor Square shooting

Date Published on Oct. 23, 2014
CNN)After marathon deliberations, a federal jury found four ex-Blackwater Worldwide contractors guilty Wednesday in a deadly 2007 mass shooting in Baghdad's Nusoor Square.

Nicholas Slatten, 30, of Sparta, Tennessee, the team's sniper, was found guilty of first-degree murder while armed in the slaying of the river of a white Kia sedan in the Baghdad traffic circle. Prosecutors said Slatten

..."Seven years ago, these Blackwater contractors unleashed powerful sniper fire, machine guns and grenade launchers on innocent men, women and children. Today, they were held accountable for that outrageous attack and its devastating consequences for so many Iraqi families."   more details

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GOP lawmaker to resign amid plans to plead guilty
Former Rep. Chris Collins, the first member of Congress to endorse Trump, sentenced to 26 months in prison in insider trading case

Date Published on January 18, 2020
(CNN)The first sitting congressman to support President Donald Trump's bid for the White House was sentenced to 26 months in prison on Friday after pleading guilty to federal charges in an insider trading case.

Former New York Rep. Chris Collins' sentence from Judge Vernon Broderick in a New York federal court comes after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and making false statements in October. Federal prosecutors on Monday recommended that Collins be sentenced to nearly five years in prison.

"You had a duty and you betrayed that duty," Broderick said, additionally slapping Collins with a $200,000 fine and a year of supervised probation upon his release.Collins, 69, admitted to sharing non-public information with his son about a failed drug trial they were investing in. He emotionally addressed the court, saying in part "now I stand here today as a disgraced former member of Congress."     continue to read

White House News (白宮消息) | Dec. 22, 2020

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

美遇史上最严重黑客入侵 蓬佩奥：俄是幕后黑手 20201220|
《今日关注》CCTV中文国际
Dec 21, 2020

In 2020, the world corners China in the South China Sea
China's ongoing campaign in the vital waterway, in spite of the pandemic, prompts blowback from Southeast Asia and beyond

Dec. 22 - In a year fraught with uncertainty and an unending stream of challenges, not even a pandemic was enough to stop China’s aggressive behavior in the South China Sea. 

Out in high waters, rather than a slow down of patrols or reported military activity,  defense and foreign ministries across the world seemed active as ever. 
A recent study from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (AMTI-CSIS) in Washington tracked this, finding that the China Coast Guard (CCG) continually deployed ships around “symbolically important features” on a nearly daily basis in 2020 – just like it did last year.
 
These features include Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal) and Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea, as well as Luconia Shoals off of Malaysia and Vanguard Bank off of Vietnam.

In some cases, patrols even increased, especially in the case of Panatag Shoal, with at least one CCG vessel spotted in 287 of the last 366 days, AMTI said, marking a climb from the 162 days recorded in 2019.      continue to read

Support for Trump in Hong Kong and Taiwan Is Unsurprising (But Misguided)
Worry about the reliability of Democratic presidents is based on a selective reading of past and current events.

Dec. 17 - Much has been made of the support for U.S. President Donald Trump and his recent bid for re-election among small but vocal segments in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Such sentiment appears surprising at first blush, given that many of those articulating such positions also claim to oppose authoritarianism, support democratic practices such as the rule of law, and would even be likely targets for white supremacists. These seemingly incongruent stands come, above all, from deep apprehensions about the Chinese state – the People’s Republic of China – and trepidation about the consistency of U.S. support, but ultimately rest on a selective reading of current and past events. Overlooked, too, are the broader, structural drivers of U.S.-China relations and the agency of actors based in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Such dynamics likely have a much stronger effect on U.S. foreign policy than the role of any single political party or individual in the White House, especially at a time of increasingly strained U.S.-China relations and the fraught regional conditions that result.    more details

Jerome Michael Adams[3] (born September 22, 1974) is an American anesthesiologist and a vice admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps who currently serves as the 20th Surgeon General of the United States. Prior to becoming Surgeon General, he served as the Indiana State Health Commissioner, from 2014 to 2017. On June 29, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Adams to become Surgeon General of the United States.[4][5] Adams was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 3, 2017.[6] He assumed office on September 5, 2017...


Indiana State Health Commissioner[edit]
In October 2014, Adams was appointed Indiana State Health Commissioner. He was originally appointed by Governor Mike Pence and re-appointed by newly elected Governor Eric Holcomb in 2017.[16] In this role, he oversaw the Public Health Protection and Laboratory Services, Health and Human Services, Health Care Quality and Regulatory, and Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commissions. He also served as Secretary of Indiana State Department of Health's Executive Board, as Chairman of the Indiana State Trauma Care Committee, as President of the Healthy Hoosier Foundation, and as Co-chairman of the Indiana Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative Governing Council.[12] During an HIV epidemic in 2015, Adams initially opposed needle-exchange programs on "moral" grounds, but he later changed his position as cases continued to mount.[17]

White House News (白宮消息) | Dec. 21, 2020

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

An American flag flies at the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, the US, December 20 2020.
US legislators reach deal on $900bn stimulus package
Covid-19 relief bill gives $600 in direct payments to individuals and boosts unemployment payments by $300 a week

Dec. 20, Washington  —  US congressional leaders said on Sunday they had reached agreement on a $900bn package to provide the first new aid in months to an economy hammered by the coronavirus pandemic, with votes likely on Monday.

“At long last, we have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed,” Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor, after months of contentious debate.

The package would be the second-largest economic stimulus in US history, after a $2.3-trillion aid bill passed in March. It comes as the pandemic accelerates, infecting more than 214,000 people in the country each day. More than 317,000 Americans have already died.

Democratic Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said the package should have enough support to quickly pass both chambers of Congress. He said Democrats would push for more aid after  president-elect Joe Biden takes office on January 20.

“It will establish a floor, not a ceiling, for coronavirus relief in 2021,” Schumer said on the Senate floor.

The package, which must be signed into law by President Donald Trump, would give $600 direct payments to individuals and boost unemployment payments by $300 a week. It also includes billions for small businesses, food assistance, transit and health care. It extends a moratorium on foreclosures and provides $25bn in rental aid.     continue to read

Lawmakers unveil bipartisan $900 billion coronavirus stimulus
Dec. 3, 2020

Arizona Politicos React To News Of Coronavirus Relief Deal

Dec. 21 - On Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that a deal on a coronavirus relief bill has been reached. The House and Senate are expected to vote on the legislation on Monday.

The bill had stalled, according to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, because Democratic leaders had thought earlier passage would benefit President Donald Trump and his chances for a second term.

“President Trump has pushed hard for months to send Americans badly needed financial relief. We look forward to Congress sending a bill to his desk imminently for signature,” said Special Assistant to the President Ben Williamson in a statement.

According to several media reports, the latest bill would establish temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefits and $600 direct stimulus payments to most Americans.

While individuals receive a reduced amount from the last round of relief, schools and health care providers will receive the lion’s share of the massive spending bill

Few of Arizona’s representatives weighed in on social media on Sunday night when the news broke. The most vocal on Twitter was Rep. Debbie Lesko, who expressed her displeasure about the timing.

...On the other hand, Rep. Andy, who has shared his concerns about the bill, said once again he would be a no vote.

A few reasons why conservatives will be voting NO tomorrow. @chiproytx https://t.co/jotS3uO1Pp pic.twitter.com/sMi2CteuZd
— Andy Biggs (@andybiggs4az) December 21, 2020

Rep. Raul Grijalva spoke out early against the proposed $600 payment.

Republicans didn’t care about the deficit when it came to giving tax cuts to big corporations & the wealthy.

But when it comes to aid for families facing economic hardship, some Republicans suddenly seem to care again.
The people need survival checks. https://t.co/TTBMky7zAR
— Raul M. Grijalva (@RepRaulGrijalva) December 18, 2020

Two roomies heading to late Sunday votes. And no, the tan coats are not required apparel on the House floor. pic.twitter.com/CecWNZYHFO
— Rep. Jason Crow (@RepJasonCrow) December 21, 2020
more to read

White House News (白宮消息) | Dec. 20, 2020

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From Wikipedia:

Christopher Charles Miller (born October 15, 1965)[1] is the acting United States Secretary of Defense and the former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center. Prior to serving in civilian leadership at the Department of Defense, Miller was a Green Beret, commanding 5th Special Forces Group in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a defense contractor.

Miller was initially the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, a role to which he was confirmed by the Senate by voice vote on August 6, 2020.[2][3][4] He was named Acting Secretary of Defense by President Donald Trump on November 9, 2020, following Trump's firing of Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.[5][6][7][8]

Acting Secretary of Defense[edit]
On November 9, 2020, Miller was appointed as Acting Secretary of Defense, following the termination of Mark Esper.[4][25] Miller's first overseas trip occurred in the third week of November when he visited multiple military units in the Middle East and Africa to include a three-hour stopover in Mogadishu. Miller said that in addition to meeting senior military and foreign officials during the trip, he wanted to visit troops and thank them for their service on the Thanksgiving holiday.[26]

In December 2020, it was reported that Miller had ordered the Pentagon to postpone 40 meetings the incoming Joe Biden administration.[27][28]

Pentagon chief announces Iraq, Afghanistan troop reductions | ABC News
Nov 18, 2020
NEW: Acting Defense Sec. Chris Miller announces reductions in troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan by January 15, 2021. "This is consistent with our established plans and strategic objectives...and does not equate to a change in U.S. policy or objectives."

Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller.
Scoop: Pentagon halts Biden transition briefings

Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller ordered a Pentagon-wide halt to cooperation with the transition of President-elect Biden, shocking officials across the Defense Department, senior administration officials tell Axios.

Dec. 18 -  Biden transition director Yohannes Abraham contradicted the Pentagon's official response to this story on Friday afternoon, telling reporters, "Let me be clear: there was no mutually agreed upon holiday break."

• "In fact, we think it’s important that briefings and other engagements continue during this period as there’s no time to spare, and that’s particularly true in the aftermath of ascertainment delay," Abraham continued, referring to the Trump administration's delay in recognizing Biden as president-elect.
• Miller had said in a statement following the publication of this story: "At no time has the Department cancelled or declined any interview. ... After the mutually-agreed upon holiday, which begins tomorrow, we will continue with the transition and rescheduled meetings from today."

Behind the scenes: Trump administration officials left open the possibility cooperation would resume after a holiday pause. The officials were unsure what prompted Miller's action, or whether President Trump approved.
Why it matters: Miller's move, which stunned officials throughout the Pentagon, was the biggest eruption yet of animus and mistrust toward the Biden team from the top level of the Trump administration.

• Fury at the Biden team among senior Pentagon officials escalated after the Washington Post published a story on Wednesday night revealing how much money would be saved if Biden halted construction of Trump's border wall.
• Trump officials blame the leak on the Biden transition team (Though, it should be noted, they have no evidence of this, and both reporters on the byline cover the Trump administration and have historically been prolific beneficiaries of leaks.)

What happened: Meetings between President Trump's team and the Biden team are going on throughout the government, after a delayed start as the administration dragged its feet on officially recognizing Biden as president-elect.

• Then on Thursday night, Miller — who was appointed Nov. 9, when Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper right after the election — ordered officials throughout the building to cancel scheduled transition meetings.

A senior Defense Department official sought to downplay the move, calling it "a simple delay of the last few scheduled meetings until after the new year."

• "We had fewer than two dozen remaining meetings on the schedule today and next week," the official said, adding that "the DoD staff working the meetings were overwhelmed by the number of meetings."
• "These same senior leaders needed to do their day jobs and were being consumed by transition activities. ... With the holidays we are taking a knee for two weeks. We are still committed to a productive transition."

This story has been updated with responses from Miller, the Biden transition and new details about frustrations at the Biden team over a Washington Post story.     source

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Nicolas Maduro (2nd R) speaks with Joe Biden (C) in 2015. © REUTERS
Biden ignores calls from Venezuela's self-styled president Guaido, eyes talks with Maduro – reports

Dec. 19 - The Biden administration has reportedly been refusing to talk to Juan Guaido, the man the US considers to be Venezuela’s legitimate president, and may drop the demand for President Nicolas Maduro to step down from power.

The incoming Democratic government in the US will take a somewhat new approach to Venezuela, a nation that the Trump administration designated as part of a Latin American “troika of tyranny” and pounded with relentless sanctions. According to Bloomberg, Joe Biden is willing to negotiate with President Maduro and is not setting his resignation as a precondition, unlike Trump.

The Biden administration will offer sanctions relief in exchange for “free and fair elections” and other concessions, the report said, adding that the US will seek assistance from foreign backers of Venezuela, including Russia, China, Iran and Cuba.     continue to read

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White House News (白宮消息) | Dec. 18, 2020

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From Wikipedia:
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is a standalone United States federal agency, an operational component under Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversight.[2] Its activities are a continuation of the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD). The CISA was established on November 16, 2018 when President Donald Trump signed into law the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2018.[3][2]

Former NPPD Under-Secretary Christopher Krebs was CISA's first Director, and former Deputy Under-Secretary Matthew Travis was its first Deputy Director.[4][5] The expected role of CISA is to improve cybersecurity across all levels of government, coordinate cybersecurity programs with states, and improve the government's cybersecurity protections against private and nation-state hackers.[2]In this file photo an exterior view of the building of US Department of the Treasury is seen on March 27, 2020 in Washington.

Dec. 18 - Federal authorities expressed increased alarm Thursday about an intrusion into U.S. and other computer systems around the globe that officials suspect was carried out by Russian hackers. The country’s cybersecurity agency warned of a “grave” risk to government and private networks.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said in its most detailed comments yet that the intrusion had compromised federal agencies as well as “critical infrastructure” in a sophisticated attack that was hard to detect and will be difficult to undo.

CISA did not say which agencies or infrastructure had been breached or what information was taken in an attack that it previously said appeared to have begun in March.

“This threat actor has demonstrated sophistication and complex tradecraft in these intrusions,” the agency said in its unusual alert. “CISA expects that removing the threat actor from compromised environments will be highly complex and challenging.”     continue to read

中俄导弹发射通报协定延期10年 美研发小型核弹威胁安全 20201216 |
《今日关注》CCTV中文国际
17, 2020

PEERING INTO THE FUTURE OF SINO-RUSSIAN CYBER SECURITY COOPERATION
Date published on Aug. 10, 2002

Beijing and Moscow have long wanted to control their domestic internets. Now they are working together to remake global cyberspace in their own image. The two launch widespread cyber operations that threaten U.S. interests, and they want to reshape the internet to reduce U.S. influence. Chinese hackers have mounted a long campaign to steal intellectual property, as well as military and political secrets, and are a growing threat to U.S. critical infrastructure. Russian hackers pose the threat of cyber espionage, influence operations, and attacks on the infrastructure of the United States and its allies. Moreover, China and Russia have over the past five years worked together to tighten controls on their domestic internet and promoted the idea of cyber sovereignty to diminish U.S. sway over the global governance of cyberspace.     continue to read