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Biden says China and Russia trying to ‘drive a wedge’ between Nato partners – live Biden says China and Russia trying to ‘drive a wedge’ between Nato partners – live
(32 minutes later)
Biden emphasizes ‘rock-solid and unshakable’ commitment to Nato and says Erdoğan meeting ‘positive and productive’– follow all the day’s newsBiden emphasizes ‘rock-solid and unshakable’ commitment to Nato and says Erdoğan meeting ‘positive and productive’– follow all the day’s news
As the US approaches 600,000 coronavirus deaths, as tracked by Johns Hopkins University, the Associated Press has updated details on the racial disparities in who has been most likely to lose most family members and loved ones to the pandemic.
A toll of 600,000 people, the Associated Press notes, is greater than the population of Baltimore or Milwaukee. It is about equal to the number of Americans who died of cancer in 2019. The racial disparities in the death rates have shifted over time:
In the first wave of fatalities, in April 2020, Black people were slammed, dying at rates higher than those of other ethnic or racial groups as the virus rampaged through the urban Northeast and heavily African American cities like Detroit and New Orleans.
Last summer, during a second surge, Hispanics were hit the hardest, suffering an outsize share of deaths, driven by infections in Texas and Florida. By winter, during the third and most lethal stage, the virus had gripped the entire nation, and racial gaps in weekly death rates had narrowed so much that whites were the worst off, followed closely by Hispanics.
Now, even as the outbreak ebbs and more people get vaccinated, a racial gap appears to be emerging again, with Black Americans dying at higher rates than other groups.
Family identifies woman struck and killed by a car at a Minneapolis protest
This is Lois Beckett, picking up our live politics coverage from Los Angeles.
A family member has identified the person killed after being struck by a car at a protest in Minneapolis near the site of Winston Smith’s killing by members of a US Marshals task force: she was Deona Knajdek, 31, a local news outlet reports.
Knajdek’s brother told KARE 11 that “friends of his sister told him she had parked her car at the scene of the demonstration to shield fellow activists who were protesting and block traffic from coming through.”
Knajdek’s employer, a company that manages living facilities for adults with mobility issues, said in a statement that “she was one of the most selfless people we have ever had the pleasure of knowing.”
A 35-year-old man from neighboring St. Paul was booked in a local jail on probable cause of Criminal Vehicular Homicide, KARE 11 reported.
The White House press secretary turned Fox News contributor Kayleigh McEnany claimed on Sunday she “never lied” while speaking for Donald Trump.The White House press secretary turned Fox News contributor Kayleigh McEnany claimed on Sunday she “never lied” while speaking for Donald Trump.
Addressing a conservative group in Dallas, McEnany said of her first steps in the role: “And then there was the question, ‘Will you ever lie to us?’, and I said without hesitation, ‘No’, and I never did, as a woman of faith.Addressing a conservative group in Dallas, McEnany said of her first steps in the role: “And then there was the question, ‘Will you ever lie to us?’, and I said without hesitation, ‘No’, and I never did, as a woman of faith.
“As a mother of baby Blake, as a person who meticulously prepared at some of the world’s hardest institutions, I never lied. I sourced my information, but that will never stop the press from calling you a liar.”“As a mother of baby Blake, as a person who meticulously prepared at some of the world’s hardest institutions, I never lied. I sourced my information, but that will never stop the press from calling you a liar.”
The press has questioned the veracity of McEnany’s claims. So have political factchecking sites. For instance, Politifact gave McEnany a “pants on fire” rating last September after she told reporters: “The president never downplayed the virus.”The press has questioned the veracity of McEnany’s claims. So have political factchecking sites. For instance, Politifact gave McEnany a “pants on fire” rating last September after she told reporters: “The president never downplayed the virus.”
She was responding to questions about reporting by Bob Woodward of the Washington Post, to whom Trump said in March 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic took hold: “To be honest with you, I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down, because I don’t want to create a panic.”She was responding to questions about reporting by Bob Woodward of the Washington Post, to whom Trump said in March 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic took hold: “To be honest with you, I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down, because I don’t want to create a panic.”
Politifact said: “The record shows she’s wrong.”Politifact said: “The record shows she’s wrong.”
In a wide-ranging press conference in Brussels, Joe Biden did something he often skirts around. He criticized Donald Trump by name in public. The 46th US president sometimes likes to refer obliquely to Trump, the Trump administration and his politics, but not always explicitly and not always addressing the 45th president directly.In a wide-ranging press conference in Brussels, Joe Biden did something he often skirts around. He criticized Donald Trump by name in public. The 46th US president sometimes likes to refer obliquely to Trump, the Trump administration and his politics, but not always explicitly and not always addressing the 45th president directly.
Following the NATO summit, Biden weighed in on Trump’s style and the Republican Party’s apparent blind loyalty to their former president, despite his resounding defeat and numerous humiliations (twice impeached, eg). Following the NATO summit, Biden weighed in on Trump’s style and the Republican party’s apparent blind loyalty to their former president, despite his resounding defeat and numerous humiliations (twice impeached, eg).
Biden said: “It is a shock and a surprise that what’s happened in terms of the consequences of President’s Trump’s phony populism has happened.Biden said: “It is a shock and a surprise that what’s happened in terms of the consequences of President’s Trump’s phony populism has happened.
“And it is disappointing that so many of my Republican colleagues in the Senate, who I know know better, have been reluctant to take on, for example, an investigation [into the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol by rapid supporters of Trump], because they are worried about being primaried.“And it is disappointing that so many of my Republican colleagues in the Senate, who I know know better, have been reluctant to take on, for example, an investigation [into the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol by rapid supporters of Trump], because they are worried about being primaried.
“But at the end of the day we have been through periods like this in American history before where there has been this reluctance to take a chance on your reelection because of the nature of your party’s politics at the moment.“But at the end of the day we have been through periods like this in American history before where there has been this reluctance to take a chance on your reelection because of the nature of your party’s politics at the moment.
“I think this is passing, I don’t mean easily passing, but that’s why it’s important that I succeed in my agenda, whether it’s dealing with the vaccine, the economy, infrastructure, it’s important that we demonstrate we can make progress...and I think we are going to be able to do that.” “I think this is passing, I don’t mean easily passing, but that’s why it’s important that I succeed in my agenda, whether it’s dealing with the vaccine, the economy, infrastructure, it’s important that we demonstrate we can make progress … and I think we are going to be able to do that.”
The Reuters news agency has a little more:The Reuters news agency has a little more:
Joe Biden said Ukraine still has more work to do before it can become a member of the Nato alliance.Joe Biden said Ukraine still has more work to do before it can become a member of the Nato alliance.
“It depends on whether they meet the criteria,” Biden told reporters in Brussels. “The fact is, they still have to clean up corruption. ... School’s out on that question.”“It depends on whether they meet the criteria,” Biden told reporters in Brussels. “The fact is, they still have to clean up corruption. ... School’s out on that question.”
A tweet today from the Ukrainian president had led some reporters to think that the Nato summit had approved adding Ukraine as a member, but it seems that will not yet happen.A tweet today from the Ukrainian president had led some reporters to think that the Nato summit had approved adding Ukraine as a member, but it seems that will not yet happen.
Biden’s press conference at the Nato headquarters has now concluded, after he took just a handful of questions from reporters.Biden’s press conference at the Nato headquarters has now concluded, after he took just a handful of questions from reporters.
A reporter asked Joe Biden how it would impact US-Russian relations if Alexei Navalny, a critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin, died in prison.A reporter asked Joe Biden how it would impact US-Russian relations if Alexei Navalny, a critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin, died in prison.
“Navalny’s death would be another indication that Russia has little or no intention of abiding by basic fundamental human rights,” Biden said.“Navalny’s death would be another indication that Russia has little or no intention of abiding by basic fundamental human rights,” Biden said.
In an interview with NBC News ahead of his Wednesday summit with Biden, Putin would not guarantee that Navalny would survive his prison sentence.In an interview with NBC News ahead of his Wednesday summit with Biden, Putin would not guarantee that Navalny would survive his prison sentence.
No surprise here: the first question at Joe Biden’s press conference focused on his upcoming summit with Russian president Vladimir Putin and what he hoped to get out of the meeting.No surprise here: the first question at Joe Biden’s press conference focused on his upcoming summit with Russian president Vladimir Putin and what he hoped to get out of the meeting.
The US president emphasized that he wanted to see whether there are areas where he and Putin can work together to promote the interests of their countries and the world at large.The US president emphasized that he wanted to see whether there are areas where he and Putin can work together to promote the interests of their countries and the world at large.
But Biden declined to provide many specific details, saying he did not want to negotiate in public with reporters.But Biden declined to provide many specific details, saying he did not want to negotiate in public with reporters.
Noting he has met Putin before, Biden said of the Russian president, “He’s bright, he’s tough, and I have found that he is – as they say when I used to play ball – a worthy adversary.”Noting he has met Putin before, Biden said of the Russian president, “He’s bright, he’s tough, and I have found that he is – as they say when I used to play ball – a worthy adversary.”
Joe Biden said he had a “positive and productive meeting” with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, much of which was a one-on-one discussion.Joe Biden said he had a “positive and productive meeting” with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, much of which was a one-on-one discussion.
The president expressed confidence that his administration will make “real progress” in improving US-Turkish relations.The president expressed confidence that his administration will make “real progress” in improving US-Turkish relations.
Biden also emphasized his loyalty to the Nato alliance, saying, “The US commitment to article five of the Nato treaty is rock-solid and unshakable.”Biden also emphasized his loyalty to the Nato alliance, saying, “The US commitment to article five of the Nato treaty is rock-solid and unshakable.”
The US president accused China and Russia of trying to “drive a wedge in our trans-Atlantic solidarity”.The US president accused China and Russia of trying to “drive a wedge in our trans-Atlantic solidarity”.
Looking ahead to his Wednesday summit with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Biden said, “I’m not looking for conflict with Russia but we will respond if Russia continues its harmful activities, and we will not fail to defend the trans-Atlantic alliance.”Looking ahead to his Wednesday summit with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Biden said, “I’m not looking for conflict with Russia but we will respond if Russia continues its harmful activities, and we will not fail to defend the trans-Atlantic alliance.”
About two and a half hours later than scheduled, Joe Biden is now holding his press conference at Nato headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.About two and a half hours later than scheduled, Joe Biden is now holding his press conference at Nato headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
The US president opened his remarks by reflecting on his country’s coronavirus death toll, which is expected to soon surpass 600,000.The US president opened his remarks by reflecting on his country’s coronavirus death toll, which is expected to soon surpass 600,000.
Biden offered his condolences to the millions of Americans who have lost loved ones in the pandemic, and he urged anyone who has not yet gotten vaccinated to do so as quickly as possible.Biden offered his condolences to the millions of Americans who have lost loved ones in the pandemic, and he urged anyone who has not yet gotten vaccinated to do so as quickly as possible.
“If you’ve not been vaccinated, get vaccinated. Get vaccinated as soon as possible,” Biden said. “We have more work to do to beat this virus, and now’s not the time to let our guard down.”“If you’ve not been vaccinated, get vaccinated. Get vaccinated as soon as possible,” Biden said. “We have more work to do to beat this virus, and now’s not the time to let our guard down.”
Secretary of state Antony Blinken and defense secretary Lloyd Austin are now also waiting with reporters in the room where Joe Biden will soon hold his press conference.Secretary of state Antony Blinken and defense secretary Lloyd Austin are now also waiting with reporters in the room where Joe Biden will soon hold his press conference.
The US president was scheduled to start his press conference at the Nato headquarters in Brussels about two and a half hours ago. No sign of him yet, but stay tuned.The US president was scheduled to start his press conference at the Nato headquarters in Brussels about two and a half hours ago. No sign of him yet, but stay tuned.
Vladimir Putin has refused to give any guarantee that the opposition leader Alexei Navalny will get out of prison alive, saying his continued detention was not his decision and noting the poor state of medical care in Russian jails.
In an extended and testy interview with NBC News before Putin’s Geneva summit with Joe Biden, the Russian president deflected a string of allegations about his government’s role in cyber-attacks on the west. He also fended off questions about his government’s human rights record by making counter-allegations against the US.
Navalny was the victim of poisoning with the Russian-made nerve agent novichok and then jailed for more than two years. He faces further prosecution, suggesting the Kremlin is ready to extend his jail term. His political movement was outlawed last week as part of a wider suppression of opposition groups.
Asked whether he could guarantee that Navalny would be released alive, Putin replied: “Look, such decisions in this country are not made by the president. They’re made by the court whether or not to set somebody free.
“As far as the health, all individuals who are in prison, that is something that the administration of the specific prison or penitentiary establishment is responsible for. And there are medical facilities in penitentiaries that are perhaps not in the best condition. And they are the ones whose responsibility it is.”
Update: there is still no sign of Joe Biden in the room where he was supposed to start holding his press conference nearly two hours ago.
The US press pool is still waiting for the president to take reporters’ questions after meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan today on the sidelines of the Nato summit in Brussels.
The blog will have updates whenever Biden does start speaking, so stay tuned.
The Guardian’s Edward Helmore reports:
Reality Winner, a former intelligence contractor convicted of leaking a report about Russian interference in the US election in 2016, has been released from prison.
Winner’s attorney, Alison Grinter Allen, made the announcement via Twitter, saying the former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor had been released into a residential re-entry programme for good behavior.
In a statement, Allen said: “We are relieved and hopeful. Her release is not the result of the pardon or compassionate release process, but rather the time earned through exemplary behavior while incarcerated.”
Allen said Winner was still barred from making public statements, and she and her family had asked for privacy “during the transition process as they work to heal the trauma of incarceration”.
The US press pool has moved into the auditorium where Joe Biden will soon hold his press conference at Nato headquarters in Brussels.
According to the latest pool report, there are at least 100 journalists filling the auditorium seats, which are spaced about three feet apart.
The president is expected to start speaking at any moment, so stay tuned.
The US press pool was finally let in to the room where Joe Biden and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan were meeting, after waiting nearly two hours.
Biden was seated at a table with secretary of state Antony Blinken, defense secretary Lloyd Austin and national security adviser Jake Sullivan.
“We had a very good meeting,” Biden said of his conversation with Erdoğan.
When a reporter thought he had missed some of what Biden said, he asked the president to repeat himself. “I didn’t say anything,” Biden replied.
The US president is expected to soon hold a press conference, so stay tuned.
Boris Johnson has announced a four-week delay to the final lockdown easing and a speeding up of second vaccine doses, saying the extra time could prevent thousands of unnecessary deaths.
No 10 said the data was now clear that two doses of the vaccine were needed to combat the new Delta variant and said it was right to allow more time to give millions more people second doses. Johnson slashed the interval between the first and second jabs from 12 weeks to eight for the over-40s, a step which has already been taken for older adults.
Hospitalisations could hit the peak of the first wave if step 4 of the roadmap proceeds, according to modelling by the government’s SPI-M committee. The data presented to ministers suggested that because vaccine effectiveness increases significantly after two doses, thousands of deaths could be prevented by delay.
“At some stage we are going to have to live with this virus, as we do with flu, but when we have effective vaccines, and a variant that needs two doses for maximum protection, it is right to allow more time to save lives,” a Downing St spokesman said.
“These are preventable deaths. That’s a very important point – they can be prevented. Because we have the vaccine program. So that’s why it is right to take this approach.”
Here’s where the day stands so far:
Joe Biden is now meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the Nato summit in Brussels. US-Turkish relations have been particularly strained in recent months, after Biden became the first American president to officially recognize the genocide of Armenians by Ottoman troops.
The Nato communique warned that the rising power of China presents “systemic challenges to the rules-based international order”. “We remain concerned with China’s frequent lack of transparency and use of disinformation,” the Nato document says. “We call on China to uphold its international commitments and to act responsibly in the international system, including in the space, cyber, and maritime domains, in keeping with its role as a major power.” Biden reportedly pushed for a mention of China in the communique as he met with Nato allies in recent days.
John Demers, the assistant attorney general of the National Security Division, is reportedly leaving the justice department. According to the New York Times, the departure of Demers, who was nominated by Donald Trump, was in the works for months, but his exit comes amid intensified scrutiny of the department because of the records seizure of top Democrats and reporters as part of a leaks investigation.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Joe Biden is now meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the Nato summit in Brussels.
Erdoğan’s office shared photos from the meeting, although the US press pool has not yet been let in to the room where the two leaders are holding their talks.
The press pool will likely have a chance to shout a few questions at the two presidents when they are let in to the room, and the White House will later release a readout of the meeting.
Stay tuned.
Joe Biden wants to create international blocs of democratic nations to act as a counterweight to China’s authoritarian system and its fast-growing economic and military might, and the topic was also high on the agenda at the weekend’s G7 meeting.
“There is a growing recognition over the last couple years that we have new challenges,” Biden said in brief remarks made shortly after his arrival in Brussels for the Nato summit. “We have Russia, which is acting in a way that is not consistent with what we had hoped, and we have China.”
Other countries have highlighted the importance of striking a balance. Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, said as he arrived at the gathering: “I think when it comes to China, I don’t think anybody around the table today wants to descend into a new cold war.”
Jens Stoltenberg, Nato’s secretary general, said it was important to engage with Beijing “on issues like climate change, arms control”. But, he added, “China’s military buildup, growing influence and coercive behaviour also poses some challenges to our security”.
As expected, the newly released Nato summit communique indicates that leaders view China’s rising power as a security threat.
“China’s stated ambitions and assertive behaviour present systemic challenges to the rules-based international order and to areas relevant to Alliance security. We are concerned by those coercive policies which stand in contrast to the fundamental values enshrined in the Washington Treaty,” the Nato document says.
“We remain concerned with China’s frequent lack of transparency and use of disinformation. We call on China to uphold its international commitments and to act responsibly in the international system, including in the space, cyber, and maritime domains, in keeping with its role as a major power.”
National security adviser Jake Sullivan previewed this language yesterday, telling reporters, “China will feature in the communiqué really in a more robust way than we’ve ever seen before.”
Asked about reports that Joe Biden pushed for the mention of China in the communique, Sullivan said, “There is a broad view that China represents a significant challenge to the world’s democracies on a number of different dimensions, and that we need a common agenda that is mostly affirmative but also has elements where we are going to stand up and counter and compete.”