WASHINGTON DC: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and other Asean leaders were hosted by US President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday. The US leader met with the leaders from Asean for a two-day Asean-US Special Summit. For Malaysia, the historic meeting is seen as the starting point of bringing a positive impact to the diplomatic, trade and economic relations between both sides. Ismail Sabri emphasised Asean-US cooperation and hoped that the special summit would be the strategic cornerstone for Asean and the United States to study and explore pragmatic cooperation to strengthen existing ties. The Prime Minister also joined Biden and Asean leaders for a group photo at the White House grounds. They then proceeded to an official dinner hosted by Biden at the White House on Thursday, Bernama reported. Other Asean leaders at the event were Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore, … [Read more...] about Biden hosts Asean leaders at White House
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White House hits back after Bezos knocks Biden on economy
AFP Washington, United States ● Tue, May 17, 2022 2022-05-17 17:45 0 53ea05b5fe2e13733519dbf4e30d9248 2 Americas US,Biden-administration,Joe-Biden,White-House,Amazon,labor Free The White House on Monday uncharacteristically lashed out at Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, after he openly criticized the Biden administration's fiscal and economic policies on Twitter. "It doesn’t require a huge leap to figure out why one of the wealthiest individuals on Earth opposes an economic agenda for the middle class," said Andrew Bates, deputy press secretary. "It's also unsurprising that this tweet comes after the president met with labor organizers, including Amazon employees," he added. Bates was referring to President Joe Biden's recent White House meeting with Christian Smalls, the president of the Amazon Labor Union, which caused a shock in early April when it became the company's first labor union in the United States. The White House released a video of the … [Read more...] about White House hits back after Bezos knocks Biden on economy
‘I-I-I-I-I’ — Joe Biden Stumbles Over AANHPI Term During White House Asian-American Celebration
President Joe Biden stumbled over the AANHPI term on Tuesday during a White House event celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Biden spoke about the AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) community but stumbled over the inclusive term by referring to the “A-A-N-I-N-H-A-P-I community in the United States” even though he was reading from a teleprompter. “I,I,I,I,I,” he added as the crowd chuckled. “As they say in Claymont, Delaware, ‘All yous guys,'” Biden concluded, recalling his home state. He also spoke about his own Irish heritage. “Jill is going to get mad at me for reminding… I happen to be Irish. It’s a problem sometimes with Jill…” “I’m only joking. I’m teasing,” Biden added after his wife protested. He recalled that his mother believed that mothers should get the gifts on children’s birthdays instead of children. “I didn’t realize, it was both Asian and Irish, but at least in my house,” Biden … [Read more...] about ‘I-I-I-I-I’ — Joe Biden Stumbles Over AANHPI Term During White House Asian-American Celebration
Only the Right Can Defeat White Nationalism
The massacre in El Paso, Texas, has, for the moment, reminded Americans of the danger posed by far-right terrorists. Former national-security officials have demanded that the U.S. government “make addressing this form of terrorism as high a priority as countering international terrorism has become since 9/11.” Retired Marine General John Allen and the former senior U.S. diplomat Brett McGurk have argued that far-right extremism poses “an equal threat” as jihadist groups such as ISIS. This is incorrect. White nationalism is a far greater threat to American democracy than jihadism, and always has been. But there are actually two challenges posed by white nationalism: One is the threat posed to American communities by attacks like the one in El Paso, which law enforcement can and should prevent. The other is the threat the ideology the attackers support poses to American democracy, which can be defeated only through politics, and only by the American people themselves. “There’s an … [Read more...] about Only the Right Can Defeat White Nationalism
Biden’s Struggling to Find an Antidote to the ‘Poison’ of White Supremacy
After the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol made clear the stakes of neglecting homegrown extremist movements in the United States, President Joe Biden appeared to have the greatest opportunity in decades to meaningfully combat domestic extremism. But nearly 18 months in, the murder of 10 people in Buffalo by an 18-year-old white supremacist is the latest violent demonstration of the administration’s limited ability to combat far-right terrorism—and, longtime foes of racist extremism say, its mixed success in fully implementing strategies to address the root causes of radicalization. “In the wake of a tragedy, we have to keep the pressure on,” said Susan Corke, director of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Project, which monitors the radical right. “There’s a lot of things that could be done that are already kind of initiated, they just need to take them further. It’s about the political will and commitment to see it through.” Biden’s vow to dismantle white … [Read more...] about Biden’s Struggling to Find an Antidote to the ‘Poison’ of White Supremacy
Biden congratulates Australian PM-elect Albanese: White House
AFP Washington, United States ● Sun, May 22, 2022 2022-05-22 16:57 0 e16ff64e7ecc29b41741491223119149 2 Asia and Pacific Joe-Biden,US,Quad,White-House,Anthony-Albanese,Japan,summit Free US President Joe Biden on Sunday called Australia's incoming prime minister Anthony Albanese to congratulate him on his election victory and underline the strength of their countries' alliance, the White House said. The two leaders will meet Tuesday at the Quad group summit in Tokyo and the White House has praised Albanese for deciding to make the trip. "President Biden reaffirmed the United States' steadfast commitment to the US-Australia alliance and his intent to work closely with the new government to make it stronger still," it said in a statement. "President Biden expressed deep appreciation for the prime minister-designate's own early commitment to the alliance, reflected in his decision to travel almost immediately to Tokyo to attend the Quad Summit." … [Read more...] about Biden congratulates Australian PM-elect Albanese: White House
Joe Biden’s gaffes are causing the White House a communications headache
President Joe Biden is causing a communications headache for White House staff some experts have said, following his recent comments about the U.S. defending Taiwan if it were to be attacked by China. The president said on Monday that the U.S. had a "commitment" to defend Taiwan militarily—the third time he's made remarks that appear to signal a shift in the U.S. policy of "strategic ambiguity." However, Biden also said that U.S. policy had not changed. That policy has seen the U.S. not publicly committing to defend Taiwan from a Chinese attack but not saying the U.S. wouldn't intervene either. China considers Taiwan to be part of its sovereign territory, while the U.S. pursues a One China policy that recognizes only one Chinese government—the one based in Beijing. Taiwan's official name is the Republic of China. This isn't the first time Biden's comments have proven controversial. On two previous occasions, the White House sought to clarify the president's statements … [Read more...] about Joe Biden’s gaffes are causing the White House a communications headache
BTS To Meet Joe Biden At White House Next Week To Discuss Anti-Asian Hate Crimes With US President
BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook are set to meet the US President Joe Biden next week at The White House. The two-time Grammy-nominated K-pop group will be discussing anti-Asian hate crimes and celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month. According to Deadline, The White House confirmed the development on Thursday. “President Biden has previously spoken about his commitment to combating the surge of anti-Asian hate crimes and signed into law the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act in May 2021 to provide law enforcement with resources to identify, investigate, and report hate crimes and ensure that hate crimes information is more accessible to AA and NHPI communities,” the White House said. “President Biden and BTS will also discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion and BTS’ platform as youth ambassadors who spread a message of hope and positivity across the world,” The White House added. NEW: White House says “global K-pop phenomenon and Grammy-nominated musical … [Read more...] about BTS To Meet Joe Biden At White House Next Week To Discuss Anti-Asian Hate Crimes With US President
‘Never Say Never’: Melania Trump Hints She Could Return To The White House In 2024
Former US First Lady Melania Trump in an interview with Fox News last week hinted that her husband Donald Trump may run for president in 2024. In the interview, Fox News’ Pete Hegseth asked her if she believed that the White House could be her home again. “Never say never,” replied Melania Trump. Melania Trump’s response was subtle compared to that of her husband, the former president of US Donald Trump. Donald Trump has earlier said that he is considering his bid for the US president in 2024. However, many believe that Republican lawmaker and Florida governor Ron DeSantis could mount a tough challenge. During the interview, Melania expressed her love for Washington as well. “I like Washington, DC. I know it operates completely differently than any other city. To be the First Lady of the United States was my greatest honor, and I think we achieved a lot in the four years of the Trump administration,” Melania said during her interview, the first since Donald Trump left White … [Read more...] about ‘Never Say Never’: Melania Trump Hints She Could Return To The White House In 2024
House Oversight Chair on Whether Feds Could Have Acted on Formula Sooner: ‘We Are Reacting Now’
On Friday’s “CNN Newsroom,” House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) responded to questions on whether the White House and the federal government could have acted on the baby formula shortage sooner by stating “the White House has come out with solutions.” And “we are reacting now.” Co-host Alisyn Camerota asked, “Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) says that the White House has basically been asleep at the switch on this. Could they have engaged sooner?” Maloney responded, “Well, the White House has come out with solutions. They’re working now to import. They’re doing all kinds of things. Congress is responding. There will be a hearing, not in my committee, but in another committee next week. We have asked for a briefing by the end of the month. Our briefing will come from the private sector. I invite the Republicans to join us in trying to solve the problem. They can write their own letters. They can write their own — have their own investigations or join in ours, as … [Read more...] about House Oversight Chair on Whether Feds Could Have Acted on Formula Sooner: ‘We Are Reacting Now’