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☆ South Korea says leaked US intel document 'untrue' amid US spying allegations
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Erin ScottSEOUL, April 11 (Reuters) - A senior South Korean security official said on Tuesday that information contained in purportedly leaked U.S. confidential documents that appeared to be based on internal discussions among top South Korean officials is "untrue" and "altered." But internally, top South Korean officials were worried that the U.S. would divert them to Ukraine. South Korea has said its law forbids supplying weapons to countries engaged in conflict, meaning it can't send arms to Ukraine. Earlier, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held phone talks with his South Korean counterpart on Tuesday and discussed recent media reports on the leak of confidential U.S. documents, South Korea's defence ministry said. During the phone conversation, which took place at the request of Austin, the Pentagon chief vowed to closely communicate and cooperate with South Korea on the issue, the ministry said.

☆ Ukraine wants tighter ties with India, visit by Modi
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

India holds the rotating presidency of the Group of 20 this year and hosts a leaders summit in September. Dzhaparova, who is on a four-day visit to New Delhi, told the broadcaster: "We believe India should be engaged and involved in the Ukraine issue to a great extent". India has sought a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine, while Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin in September that now is "not an era of war". India has also boosted its purchases of Russian oil, taking advantage of the deep discounts following a European ban on Russian oil imports. Dzhaparova will meet India's deputy national security adviser and a junior foreign minister during her visit and address a world affairs think tank.

☆ Hillary Clinton's 2016 aides say they're too sad and scared for the country to really enjoy watching Trump's legal problems unfold
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Hillary Clinton's former aides say they can't enjoy Donald Trump's current legal problems. Trump called for Clinton to be jailed when the two squared off in the 2016 presidential race. But her former aides now say they're sad and scared for the country as he faces possible charges. Still, Trump managed to weave "crooked Hillary" references into his stump speech Saturday during his first 2024 campaign rally in Waco, Texas. A federal judge in January imposed nearly $1 million in sanctions on him and his lawyer for filing a "completely frivolous" lawsuit against her and others, claiming they tried to rig the 2016 election in her favor.

☆ Saudi-Iran detente: a setback for Israel and wake-up call on US ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( Dan Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

An Israeli official who requested anonymity described the detente as an unsurprising and preliminary process that should not hinder any parallel progress toward normalisation between Israel and Saudi Arabia. WAKE-UP CALLAmos Yadlin, a former military intelligence chief under Netanyahu, said the Saudi-Iran detente should be a wake-up call. Saudi Arabia remained aware of the key U.S. role in the region and of the value of bilateral ties with Israel, he said. Saudi Arabia has linked any move by the kingdom to normalise ties with Israel to a resolution of Palestinian statehood goals. For its part, the White House appeared to downplay China's involvement in Friday's development.

☆ Xi Jinping is not concerned with the growth of the Chinese economy, says China expert Matt Pottinger
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailXi Jinping is not concerned with the growth of the Chinese economy, says China expert Matt PottingerMatt Pottinger, former deputy national security advisor and distinguished visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss whether businesses can still operate in China in good conscience, China's aspirations, and more.

☆ Biden aims billions in taxpayer money at companies' labor, supply practices
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

"What Biden and his advisers are doing is solving problems that exist in the economy. They are pushing forward an agenda aimed at building things in America again ... and taking on corporate power," he said. A Department of Energy provision in the act requires companies to focus on workforce training, ensure diversity and engage "environmental justice" communities in planning. Key provisions on universal child care and better working conditions for child care workers were stripped out of bills last year. Julie Su, just tapped to be labor secretary, launched a campaign against "wage theft" by employers as a labor activist.

☆ Watch live: U.S. House China panel holds first hearing after lawmakers push seven bills targeting Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Gallagher and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., ranking member of the select committee, called the balloon a "violation of American sovereignty" in a joint statement. The administration's move prompted the advancement of several bills designed to bolster U.S. national security against China. Seven out of 10 bills passed by the House Financial Services Committee Tuesday addressed China or its neighbor, Taiwan. The Select Committee will not allow the CCP to lull us into complacency or maneuver us into submission." Matthew Pottinger, former U.S. Deputy national security adviser; former U.S. National Security Adviser H.R.

Instead the opposite happened," said Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, the top Democrat on the select committee, in his opening remarks. McMaster said the United States must put a priority on expediting delivery of billions of dollars of weapons and munitions that Taiwan has already purchased. Although the committee is bipartisan, some Democratic lawmakers have voiced concerns that it could fuel anti-Asian sentiment within the United States. The select committee has 13 Republican and 11 Democratic members. It will not write legislation, but will draw attention to competition between the United States and China on a range of fronts and make policy recommendations.

☆ An Austin Powers movie helped inspire the US strategy of exposing Russia's tactics in Ukraine, a national security advisor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

advisor took inspiration from Austin Powers as Russia prepared its invasion, Politico said. The situation reminded him of a scene in the cult comedy movie where a steamroller moves forward. He said in November 2021, he had been discussing a scene in the 1997 spy comedy "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," with Deputy National Security Advisor Jonathan Finer. Sullivan said that he and other top national security officials settled on the unprecedented strategy of declassifying US intelligence about Russia's plans. It was a gamble that this would work," Emily Horne, a former National Security Council spokeswoman told the publication.

☆ White House to hold talks with Taiwan officials in Washington - FT
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Feb 18 (Reuters) - The White House will meet senior Taiwan officials next week in Washington for talks meant to be private to avoid an angry reaction from China, the Financial Times reported on Saturday. Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and National Security Adviser Wellington Koo would lead the delegation, the newspaper said, citing five people familiar with the talks whom it did not name. The Taiwanese team will meet U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, the FT said. Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Biden takes aim at Republican spending cuts plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

At issue is Republicans' refusal to raise the statutory $31.4 trillion U.S. debt limit unless Biden agrees to spending cuts. The White House has said such measures will only be discussed after the debt ceiling is lifted. In a speech at a union hall in suburban Maryland, Biden accused Republicans, who now control the House of Representatives, of pushing him to agree to spending cuts, while their own plans would add $3 trillion to the debt. Republicans argue that federal spending is too high and will fuel inflation while raising the U.S. debt level. They also plan a separate news conference on Wednesday aimed at highlighting House Republicans' planned budget cuts.

☆ Biden to blast Republican agenda as 'massive giveaway' to big companies
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

At issue is Republicans' refusal to raise the statutory $31.4 trillion U.S. debt limit unless Biden agrees to spending cuts, while the White House has said such measures will only be discussed after the debt ceiling is lifted. With his own approval ratings now at 36%, despite 53-year low unemployment and rising consumer sentiment, Biden will seek to flip the script and point the finger at a Republican agenda that he says will amount to "a massive giveaway to the super-rich, big corporations and Big Pharma," the White House said. By contrast, Biden says his administration's plans will cut U.S. debt by another $2 trillion on top of $1.7 trillion in reductions already made. Republicans argue that U.S. federal spending is too high and will fuel inflation while raising the U.S. debt level. Republican have discussed repealing the stock buyback tax entirely, which the White House says would add $74 billion to the federal debt.

☆ Ukraine's allies are finally sending the advanced tanks it asked for. Now they want it to embrace a rapid, aggressive style of warfare.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine's allies have agreed to send it advanced tanks after months of indecision. The group said Ukraine should move towards a style of mechanized maneuver warfare that "uses rapid, unanticipated movements against Russia," sources told CNN. The new tanks and armored vehicles committed by Ukraine's allies are supposed to help Ukraine make the switch, CNN reported. Tanks for UkraineUkraine had been requesting advanced tanks for months, but the US and Germany in particular had been reluctant to send the weapons. Even so, Ukraine's plans, and Western hopes for a new, more aggressive strategy, will be aided by other advanced weaponry that its allies have recently committed and sent.

☆ Matt Hill: White House aide leaving to be communications director for newly established CHIPS program office
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Matt Hill, a longtime communications aide to President Joe Biden, is leaving the White House for the Department of Commerce to steer communications for the implementation of the administration’s multi-billion-dollar investment in the semiconductor industry. Hill will serve as the communications director for the newly established CHIPS program office, which is responsible for implementing the $50 billion investment in semiconductor manufacturing authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act. “Matt has been a backbone of President Biden’s communications team since the very first day of the campaign,” said White House communications director Kate Bedingfield. Hill also advised Biden’s infrastructure czar Mitch Landrieu and Gina McCarthy, who served as Biden’s national climate adviser until earlier this year. “During my time in the White House, Matt proved himself to be a smart, savvy communications expert who helped transform the climate change narrative in ways that generated excitement, built hope and expanded engagement,” McCarthy said.

Starting with the Trump administration, the United States has been tightening the noose around China's high-tech ambitions. But why worry about older chip technology? “28 nanometer” refers to a chip technology commercially used since 2011. But it is a giant in older technology, including chips that regulate power flows in electronics. The importance of older chip technology hit the industry in the face in 2021 as a shortage of those chips prevented manufacturing of millions of cars and consumer electronics.

☆ Closing keynote: The White House is serious about cybersecurity
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Eamon Javers | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The Biden Administration has made strengthening U.S. cyber defenses a top priority in its first two years. Among its accomplishments: new legislation, including the Strengthening American Cybersecurity Act of 2022, executive orders to firm up the federal government's cybersecurity and the establishment of a new Office of the National Cyber Director. Kemba Walden left a job in Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit to come back to public service as part of that new office. She is now focused on giving private sector companies more clarity on when to report cyber breaches to the government, who to report those breaches to, and making sure that government agencies share information with each other and act on it. Kemba Walden, Principal Deputy National Cyber DirectorInterviewer: Eamon Javers, CNBC Senior Washington Correspondent

☆ Biden to host French President Macron at his first state dinner
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Peter Nicholas | Peter Nicholas Is A Senior National Political Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

White House executive chef Cris Comerford gave a media preview Wednesday of the state dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron. “You need France.”Then-President Trump hosted French President Macron at a state dinner in 2018. The state dinner may be the Biden administration’s way of apologizing for an unforced error of such magnitude, Fried said. “We owed the French one after that.”A dish is previewed for the Macron state dinner. The last state dinner at the White House was in 2019.

☆ China and the TikTok threat: How the White House cybersecurity team is thinking about it
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Ian Thomas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The Biden White House hasn't made any determination yet on a TikTok ban, Kemba Walden, Principal Deputy National Cyber Director, said at the CNBC Technology Executive Council Summit on Tuesday. With national defense the focus, she said the White House is looking at strategic investments to identify how to make domestic systems more resilient and counter information operations. Walden said she is concerned not only as a White House official but as a parent. The Office of the National Cyber Director was established by the Biden administration in 2021, with Chris Inglis being named the first National Cyber Director. Walden said increasing cybersecurity education is just one of the ways the White House is aiming to "get in front of the adversary."

☆ Cyber security education needs to be increased to ward off threats, Principal Deputy National Cyber Director says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Eamon Javers | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailCyber security education needs to be increased to ward off threats, Principal Deputy National Cyber Director saysWith the potential for national cyber security threats rising, Principal Deputy National Cyber Director Kemba Walden said there needs to be a focus not just on the technology and apps, but on educating people on how to counter those efforts.

☆ U.S., EU launch formal group to discuss conflict over EV subsidies
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - U.S. and European Union officials will formally launch a task force next week to discuss new American laws that Europeans fear will discriminate against foreign electric car makers, according to a statement on Tuesday. Among the law's provisions are requirements that EVs be assembled in North America to qualify for tax credits. The law also ends subsidies for other EV models and requires that a percentage of critical minerals used in those cars' batteries come from the United States or an American free-trade partner. The task force would "promote deeper understanding" on the "opportunities and concerns for EU producers," Watson said, and comes after high-level meetings between Biden administration officials and allied countries angered over the new law. Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Kenneth MaxwellOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Cuba shouldn't be on sponsor of terrorism list, former U.S. officials say
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Ed Augustin | Ed Augustin Is A British Journalist Based In Havana Who Has Written For The New York Times | The Guardian | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

HAVANA — Along with Iran, Syria and North Korea, Cuba is listed as a “state sponsor of terrorism” by the U.S. Department of State. Cuba has called the sponsor of terrorism designation "illegitimate and immoral," arguing that it deprives it of financing and credit sources. “‘Cuba is not a state sponsor of terrorism’ was a mantra from the moment I walked into the State Department to the moment I walked out,” he said. Throughout the 1980s, Cuba shared intelligence with, trained and apparently supplied weapons to revolutionary movements fighting military dictatorships in Central America. Cuba will once again be a “guarantor state.”The Biden administration has provided no evidence that Cuba sponsors terrorism.

Two former White House officials, deputy national security adviser Matthew Pottinger and deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews, testified publicly. : Trump tweets a video of his speech at the Ellipse, when he'd falsely claimed the election "stolen." 2:38 p.m.: Trump tweets: "Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. 3:13 p.m.: Trump tweets: "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. Trump tweets: "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful.

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