Saturday, August 14, 2021

Tunisia | Aug. 14, 2021

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

Tunisian President Kais Saied, who has suspended parliament, waves as he walks with security guards in central Tunis on August 1, 2021 

US envoys press Tunisia president on democracy

Aug. 14 - A US delegation on Friday urged Tunisian President Kais Saied swiftly to restore democracy more than a month after he suspended parliament, raising charges of a coup.

Jon Finer, the deputy national security advisor, and the top US diplomat for the Middle East, Joey Hood, traveled to Tunis and met both Saied and civil society leaders.

Finer delivered a message from President Joe Biden "urging a swift return to the path of Tunisia's parliamentary democracy," a White House statement said.

The White House advisor also "discussed with President Saied the urgent need to appoint a prime minister designate who would form a capable government able to address the immediate economic and health crises facing Tunisia," it said.

Saied on July 25 froze parliament for 30 days, lifted parliamentary immunity and sacked the prime minister as well as other top officials.


The largest party in parliament accused him of staging a coup, charges dismissed by Saied.

His intervention came amid mounting economic and public health concerns triggered by one of the world's worst outbreaks of Covid-19.

Tunisia was the birthplace of the Arab Spring revolts a decade ago and had often been described as the Arab world's biggest success story in transitioning to democracy.     source from
Tunisia,[a] officially the Republic of Tunisia,[b] is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a part of the Maghreb region of North Africa, and is bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east; covering 163,610 km2 (63,170 sq mi), with a population of 11 million. It contains the eastern end of the Atlas Mountains and the northern reaches of the Sahara desert, with much of its remaining territory arable land. Its 1,300 km (810 mi) of coastline include the African conjunction of the western and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Basin. Tunisia is home to Africa's northernmost point, Cape Angela; and its capital and largest city is Tunis, located on its northeastern coast, which lends the country its name.     from Wikipedia


U.S. Discusses Urgent Need For Tunisia Prime Minister-designate -White House

The U.S. deputy national security adviser met Tunisia's president on Friday and discussed the urgent need to appoint a prime minister designate to form a capable government, the White House said.


​Aug. 14 - The U.S. deputy national security adviser met Tunisia’s president on Friday and discussed the urgent need to appoint a prime minister designate to form a capable government, the White House said.

​The adviser, Jonathan Finer, delivered a message to President Kais Saied from U.S. President Joe Biden, “reaffirming his personal support, and that of the Biden-Harris Administration, for the Tunisian people and urging a swift return to the path of Tunisia’s parliamentary democracy," the statement said.

Finer traveled to Tunis with U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Joey Hood, the statement said.

It said he “discussed with President Saied the urgent need to appoint a prime minister designate who would form a capable government able to address the immediate economic and health crises facing Tunisia."

“Empowering a new government to stabilize the economy will also create space for an inclusive dialogue about proposed constitutional and electoral reforms," it added.     source from
The Roots of Tunisia’s Current Political Crisis

​As Tunisia’s political crisis continues, it is crucial to understand how the disputes between the President and legislative branch have unfolded over the past few months, contributing to Tunisia’s economic and public health emergencies.

Jul 30 - Since the parliamentary and presidential elections of 2019, Tunisia has experienced unprecedented political turmoil and fundamental divisions due to the weakened state of the Tunisian parliament and the political struggles between ruling institutions. These factors have dominated the overall scene and upset the priorities of those in power who were already in conflict, especially the power struggle between the two leaders of the executive authority—which has most recently expanded as president Kaïs Saïed removed the prime minister and suspended parliament.

This is the public unfolding of a behind-the-scenes war between the prime minister, the president, and parliament—one which has disrupted attempts at economic reform and revitalization to prepare for the post-COVID-19 phase and identify the country’s basic problems with regards to driving growth, providing job opportunities, and improving the purchasing power of citizens.​..     more

Readout from NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on Senior Administration Officials Travel to Tunisia

AUGUST 13, 2021•STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, joined by Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Joey Hood, traveled to Tunis and met today with President Kais Saied of Tunisia. During the visit, he delivered a message from President Biden reaffirming his personal support, and that of the Biden-Harris Administration, for the Tunisian people and urging a swift return to the path of Tunisia’s parliamentary democracy. Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Finer discussed with President Saied the urgent need to appoint a prime minister designate who would form a capable government able to address the immediate economic and health crises facing Tunisia. Empowering a new government to stabilize the economy will also create space for an inclusive dialogue about proposed constitutional and electoral reforms in response to the widely expressed demands of many Tunisians for improved living standards as well as honest, effective, and transparent governance. Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Finer also met with civil society leaders and conveyed U.S. support for civil society’s active participation in building a democratic and prosperous future for all Tunisians.
阿政府要跟塔利班谈分权 美英“脚底抹油”忙撤离 20210813 |《今日关注》CCTV中文国际
Aug 14, 2021

Friday, August 13, 2021

Lithuania & Taiwan | Aug. 13, 2021

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

Lithuania (/ˌlɪθjuˈeɪniə/ (listen) LITH-ew-AY-nee-ə;[13] LithuanianLietuva [lʲɪɛtʊˈvɐ]), officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Respublika), is a country in the Baltic region of Europe.[a] It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. It shares land borders with Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) to the southwest. Lithuania covers an area of 65,300 km2 (25,200 sq mi), with a population of 2.8 million. Its capital and largest city is Vilnius; other major cities are Kaunas and KlaipėdaLithuanians belong to the ethno-linguistic group of the Balts and speak Lithuanian, one of only a few living Baltic languages.Lithuania (/ˌlɪθjuˈeɪniə/ (listen) LITH-ew-AY-nee-ə;[13] LithuanianLietuva [lʲɪɛtʊˈvɐ]), officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Respublika), is a country in the Baltic region of Europe.[a] It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. It shares land borders with Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) to the southwest. Lithuania covers an area of 65,300 km2 (25,200 sq mi), with a population of 2.8 million. Its capital and largest city is Vilnius; other major cities are Kaunas and KlaipėdaLithuanians belong to the ethno-linguistic group of the Balts and speak Lithuanian, one of only a few living Baltic languages...     more

Diana Mickeviciene

Lithuania ambassador leaving China

​Aug. 13 - Lithuanian Ambassador to China Diana Mickeviciene on Wednesday said she had been asked to leave the country, one day after Beijing demanded that Vilnius recall its envoy over allowing Taiwan to set up an office under its own name in the EU member state.

The spat erupted last month when Taiwan said it was setting up a representative office in Vilnius under the name “Taiwanese” instead of “Taipei” — an act Beijing interpreted as a diplomatic insult...   more


China recalls...
​Aug. 11
(​Ned Price) White House spokesperson [says] We do stand in solidarity with our NATO ally Lithuania and we condemn the PRC’s recent retaliatory actions Both the EU and the U.S. expressed support for Lithuania strengthening ties with Taiwan. Lithuania’s relationship with China began to sour two years ago, when it condemned Chinese diplomats for disrupting a pro-Hong Kong democracy protest. Political tensions have been high since then, although Lithuania still has deep trade ties with Beijing.
What’s Behind Lithuania’s Outreach to Taiwan?

​Taiwan announced plans to open a new representative office in Lithuania, China responded by ordering Lithuania to withdraw its ambassador to Beijing.

Aug. 13 - A diplomatic row between China and Lithuania broke out earlier this week, with China ordering Lithuania to withdraw its ambassador in Beijing on Tuesday. China stated that it would do the same with its ambassador in Lithuania.


The diplomatic row centers around plans by Taiwan to open a new diplomatic office in Lithuania, which also intends to open a trade office in Taiwan this fall.

The move does not mean that Taiwan will establish official diplomatic relations with Lithuania. The new office would still be a representative office and not a formal embassy or consulate, even if it would de facto serve the functions of an embassy.

However, based on its statement, China seems to be angered that the new office would be called the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania, rather than the “Taipei Representative Office” or some variant thereof, as is often the case with Taiwan’s representative offices in countries with which it does not have formal diplomatic relations.

by Taiwan to open diplomatic offices abroad have led to reprisals from China before. In February, plans by Taiwan to open a new diplomatic office in Guyana were scrapped one day after they were announced due to displeasure from Beijing...     more

塔利班连攻十城直逼首都 阿富汗大战在即?20210812 |《今日关注》CCTV中文国际
​Aug 13, 2021
US invites allies to engage with Taiwan

​NO COERCION: Every nation should be allowed to define its own ‘one China’ policy without any external pressure, US Department of State spokesman Ned Price said

Aug. 12 - Washington supports its European partners and allies as they develop mutually beneficial relations with Taiwan, the US Department of State said on Tuesday, adding that each country should be able to interpret its own “one China” policy.

​US Department of State spokesman Ned Price made the remarks at a news conference when asked to comment on China demanding Lithuania to withdraw its ambassador from Beijing earlier that day.

In Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 20 announced its plan to establish a representative office in Lithuania — the first office in Europe to have “Taiwanese” in its name...     more

Thursday, August 12, 2021

James Blunt - Over

Over/吹了



Over
How could you do this?
We'll never be the same
You're gonna regret this
You're gonna remember my name
Cause in the end, girl
You just got yourself to blame
 
It was amazing
But now everything has changed
We had it all, babe
You've thrown it all away
I'll say it again, girl
You've just got yourself to blame
 
Don't try to lie 'cause I know where you've been
You made a choice when you made out with him
Now all I can see in my dreams is him touching your skin
 
Baby, it's too bad
You know that it's so sad
You should have known that
It would be over
Baby, it's too late
We had it so great
The moment a heart breaks
You know it's over
 
Don't say that you love me
You can just go to hell
Don't try to find me
This is our last farewell
I'm not gonna fall, no
I'm not gonna fall for your tears
 
Don't say that it didn't mean anything
You made a choice when you made out with him
Now all I can see in my dreams is him touching your skin
 
Baby, it's too bad
You know that it's so sad
You should have known that
It would be over
Baby, it's too late
We had it so great
The moment a heart breaks
You know it's over
 
All I can see is your dress as it falls
And him holding your hips and you begging for more
This is eating me up
This is tearing my soul apart
 
And him moving inside you on his bedroom floor
And you collapsed together wrapped up in his arms
This is eating me up
This is tearing my soul apart
 
Baby, it's too bad
You know that it's so sad
You should have known that
It would be over
Baby, it's too late
We had it so great
The moment a heart breaks
You know it's over
 
You know it's over
You know it's over
You know it's over
James Blunt - Over lyrics + Chinese translation (lyricstranslate.com)

《吹了》
妳怎麼可以這樣做
此後咱們再也不會一樣了
妳要因此後悔
妳要記得我的名字
因為到末了的時候,女孩
妳這要怪妳自己
 
令人驚訝的是
目前沒有太大的改變
曾有你我的關係,親愛的
妳已完全將它丟棄了
這個我要說,女孩
妳這要怪妳自己

別想騙我因我曉得妳去哪兒 
妳故意選擇要讓他跟妳
異象中我只見到他在摸妳

太糟了,親愛的 
那令人好傷心妳曉得嗎
妳早該料到那樣
咱們會吹了
太遲了,親愛的
咱曾未有過如此極其非常的
心碎時刻
妳曉得咱們現在吹了

別說妳愛我
妳可能會因此下地獄
別試著找我
這是咱們最後的一聲道別
我不會倒下去的,不
我不會因為你的眼淚倒下去的
 
別說那又沒什麼
妳故意選擇要讓他跟妳
異象中我只見到他在摸妳
 
太糟了,親愛的 
那令人好傷心妳曉得嗎
妳早該料到那樣
咱們會吹了
太遲了,親愛的
咱曾未有過如此極其非常的
心碎時刻
妳曉得咱們現在吹了
 
我只看見妳的衣服落在地上
還有他摟住妳的下腰然後妳央求要再繼續下去
這快把我吃掉了
快把我的靈魂完全地撕毀
 
在他房間的地板上他就對著妳下手
你們倆倒在一起他的雙臂裏住妳
這快把我吃掉了
快把我的靈魂完全地撕毀
 
太糟了,親愛的 
那令人好傷心妳曉得嗎
妳早該料到那樣
咱們會吹了
太遲了,親愛的
咱曾未有過如此極其非常的
心碎時刻
妳曉得咱們現在吹了

妳曉得咱們現在吹了
妳曉得咱們現在吹了
妳曉得咱們現在吹了

James Blunt - Over lyrics + Chinese translation (lyricstranslate.com)

EV | Aug. 12, 2021

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

An electric vehicle (EV[note 1]) is a vehicle that uses one or more electric motors for propulsion. An electric vehicle may be powered through a collector system by electricity from off-vehicle sources, or may be self-contained with a batterysolar panelsfuel cells or an electric generator to convert fuel to electricity.[1] EVs include, but are not limited to, road and rail vehicles, surface and underwater vessels, electric aircraft and electric spacecraft.
EVs first came into existence in the mid-19th century, when electricity was among the preferred methods for motor vehicle propulsion, providing a level of comfort and ease of operation that could not be achieved by the gasoline cars of the time. Internal combustion engines were the dominant propulsion method for cars and trucks for about 100 years, but electric power remained commonplace in other vehicle types, such as trains and smaller vehicles of all types.


In the 21st century, EVs have seen a resurgence due to technological developments, and an increased focus on renewable energy and the potential reduction of transportation's impact on climate change and other environmental issuesProject Drawdown describes electric vehicles as one of the 100 best contemporary solutions for addressing climate change.[2]
Government incentives to increase adoption were first introduced in the late 2000s, including in the United States and the European Union, leading to a growing market for the vehicles in the 2010s.[3][4] Increasing public interest and awareness and structural incentives, such as those being built into the green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, is expected to greatly increase the electric vehicle market. The International Energy Agency said in 2021 that governments should do more to meet climate goals, including policies for heavy electric vehicles.[5] Electric vehicle sales may increase from 2% of global share in 2016 to 30% by 2030.[6][7][8] Much of this growth is expected in markets like North America, Europe and China;[7] a 2020 literature review suggested that growth in use of electric 4-wheeled vehicles appears economically unlikely in developing economies, but that electric 2-wheeler growth is likely.[9] There are more 2 and 3 wheel EVs than any other type.   from Wikipedia

​Electric Cars for Everyone? Not Unless They Get Cheaper.

Biden has made conversion to E.V.s a pillar of climate policy. But government incentives mostly help affluent buyers, not average families.

Aug. 12 -  Robert Teglia bought a Tesla Model 3 sedan even though he knew it cost more than many luxury cars. He didn’t particularly care that it might be better than the others for the environment.

Mr.Teglia, a commercial real estate appraiser in San Diego, tallied the costs of a gasoline vehicle and a Tesla, and he realized that even after paying more to buy a battery-powered car, he would end up saving money on gas and maintenance.

“I’m a Tesla buyer who didn’t buy it for altruistic reasons,” Mr. Teglia said. “I bought it just because I think it’s awesome.” His wife, Dianne, bought one, too.


Their decision illustrates the challenge President Biden and automakers face as they push Americans to go electric to help address climate change. These cars cost much more than gasoline vehicles, which can make it hard for people who want to buy an E.V. — regardless of reason — to purchase one.

At the high end, a Tesla Model S starts at more than $80,000, and at the low end, a Chevrolet Bolt starts at $31,000 — nearly $10,000 more than a larger gasoline-powered sedan like the Chevy Malibu.

​A federal tax credit can lower the sticker price by as much as $7,500, but it no longer applies to Tesla and General Motors models. In addition, some Americans do not owe enough in income taxes to take advantage of the credit, and others can’t manage to pay thousands of dollars in anticipation of a refund the following year...     more
Biden's electric vehicle sales goal won't be too hard to reach by 2030

Aug. 6 - ​President Joe Biden announced an agreement Thursday that aims to push the US auto industry to sell more electric vehicles. The goals include a "shared aspiration" that 40% to 50% of vehicles sold in the US will be electric, plug-in hybrids or hydrogen-powered.

This will be a challenge, some experts say, but isn't really as hard as it might seem. Battery-powered vehicle sales, including both all-electric and plug-in hybrids, are expected to make up just 4.3% of all vehicles sold in the US this year, according to IHS Markit...     more
Why electric cars will take over sooner than you think

I know, you probably haven't even driven one yet, let alone seriously contemplated buying one, so the prediction may sound a bit bold, but bear with me.

Jun 1 - We are in the middle of the biggest revolution in motoring since Henry Ford's first production line started turning back in 1913.

​And it is likely to happen much more quickly than you imagine.

Many industry observers believe we have already passed the tipping point where sales of electric vehicles (EVs) will very rapidly overwhelm petrol and diesel cars.

It is certainly what the world's big car makers think...     more

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Mischief Reef |Mar. 25

  WH keeping public in dark on what Biden demanded of China’s Xi over arming Putin​ Mar. 18 - The White House was tight-lipped Friday about ...