Tag Archives: Dept

US

Biden Signals Break With Trump Foreign Policy in a Wide-Ranging State Dept. Speech

Leave a comment

But Mr. Biden also made clear that while he was seeking to force the Saudis to face up to the huge human toll of their intervention in Yemen, he was not leaving them alone to deal with a hostile Iran. He said he would continue sales of defensive weapons to Saudi Arabia that were designed to protect against missiles, drones and cyberattacks from Tehran.

“We’re going to continue to support and help Saudi Arabia defend its sovereignty and its territorial integrity and its people,” the president said. He said nothing about the possibilities of imposing sanctions on the crown prince for his involvement in the Khashoggi killing, though Mr. Biden’s director of national intelligence, Avril D. Haines, has said she plans to declassify intelligence about the killing.

In another reversal of Trump-era policy, Mr. Biden also announced he was “stopping any planned troop withdrawals from Germany,” halting Mr. Trump’s order to redeploy 12,000 troops stationed in Germany.

National security experts from both parties had called that order shortsighted, saying it was rooted in Mr. Trump’s dislike of Chancellor Angela Merkel and his determination to force NATO nations to pay more for their own defenses, no matter what the strategic costs to the United States.

But strategically, it is Mr. Biden’s warning to Moscow that may, over the long run, say more about the redirection of American foreign policy than the decision to limit Saudi Arabia’s ability to prosecute a regional war. He is the first president since the fall of the Soviet Union who has decided against trying a “reset” with Russia, instead announcing what amounts to a new strategy of deterrence, if not containment.

Mr. Biden hardened his vow to respond to Russian efforts to disrupt American democracy and to the SolarWinds hacking, a vast intrusion into American government and private networks whose dimensions are still a mystery. He said that in a call with Mr. Putin last week, he told the Russian leader “in a manner very different from my predecessor, that the days of the United States rolling over in the face of Russia’s aggressive actions — interfering with our elections, cyberattacks, poisoning its citizens — are over.”

Mr. Biden called on Moscow to release the imprisoned dissident Aleksei A. Navalny, adding, “We will not hesitate to raise the cost on Russia.” But he did not specify how he would accomplish that, and his options may be limited. While the president hinted at a response “in kind” to the cyberattack, that could set off a round of escalation that has many American officials concerned.

Read original article here

Business

PA. DEPT. OF LABOR to resume unemployment payments for PUA

Leave a comment

TOM: PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TYPICALLY GOES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT USUALLY ELIGIBLE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS. THESE PEOPLE ARE USUALLY GIG WORKERS, FREELANCERS, OR SELF-EMPLOYED. PENNSYLVANIA SAYS PAYMENTS ARE NOW GOING OUT ONCE AGAIN FOLLOWING THE CARES ACT FUNDING EXTENSION. TO BEGIN FILING FOR THEY ADDITIONAL WEEKS, HAD TO YOUR ONLINE UNEMPLOYMENT DASHBOARD AND CLAIM THE ADDITIONAL WEEKS. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO FILE FOR JANUARY 2, JANUARY 9, JANUARY 16, AND JANUARY 23. YOU MUST FILE BY JANUARY 29. IF YOU MISS THE DEADLINE, YOU WILL NEED TO EMAIL UCPUA@PA.GOV. THE STATE SAYS IF YOU HAVE NOT FILED CLAIMS BEFORE AND ARE PLANNING TO DO SO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2021, YOU CANNOT FILE YET AND THE STATE WILL NOTIFY YOU WHEN YOU CAN. PENNSYLVANIA SAYS IT IS IN THE FINAL STAGES OF GETTING READY TO SEND OUT PAYMENTS FOR PANDEMIC EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AS WELL. THE LABOR AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SAYS YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO ANYTHING SPECIAL TO GET THE EXTRA $300 APPLIED TO UNEMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS AND THAT THE EXTRA MONEY IS GOING TO BE

Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to resume unemployment payments for PUA program

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program part of latest stimulus package

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry says unemployment benefits will resume for residents making claims under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.The PUA payments, which are part of the latest federal stimulus package, had been delayed for weeks as L&I worked to update their computer system to meet new federal requirements. It’s estimated that about 400,000 Pennsylvanians are relying on the PUA benefits. The Department of Labor and Industry released the following statement Friday, Jan. 22:”Today, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier announced that payments for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program in the new federal CARES Act extension are resuming. “’Since the federal legislation for the new CARES Act extension was unveiled, L&I’s dedicated team has been working tirelessly to update our processing systems,’” said Berrier. “’We know that more than 400,000 Pennsylvanians and their families are relying on these PUA benefits to get through this terrible pandemic and have worked as quickly as possible to complete the implementation and resume payments.’” “Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program Extension “PUA assists workers who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and are not typically eligible for other unemployment compensation programs. This includes gig workers, freelancers, and self-employed workers. “Important PUA program extension information for claimants follows. You can begin filing for the additional 11 claim weeks today, January 22. Follow the same process as before to log onto your dashboard and claim the additional weeks, which will be added to your account.You must file by January 29. If you miss this deadline, you will need to email ucpua@pa.gov to request backdating.You will be able to file for the weeks of January 2; 9; 16; and 23.If you no longer had claim weeks or did not file for the week ending December 26, 2020, for any reason, you MUST REOPEN your claim before you can proceed. To do this, log onto your dashboard and click on the link to reopen a claim.If you tried to open a new claim while the PUA program was inactive, you will have error codes that the UC staff must fix before you can proceed. Please be patient while we work quickly to resolve your issue. If you are a new, first-time PUA claimant opening a claim in 2021, you cannot yet file. We are still adding 2020 as a base wage year in the system and will notify you when you are able to file for benefits. You will automatically receive the extra $300 weekly Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) – you do not need to take any action to get this boost. “Claimants who have questions about their enrollment in PUA should email ucpua@pa.gov. “The original CARES Act programs, including Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), expired the end of December 2020. L&I is in the final stages of the PEUC implementation and will be providing an update to those claimants very soon.”Department of Labor links for claimants Important Updates and News about the PUA Program Federal CARES Act Important L&I Updates Related to COVID-19 Report Unemployment Fraud and Identity Theft 2020 Tax Forms for Claimants

HARRISBURG, Pa. —

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry says unemployment benefits will resume for residents making claims under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.

The PUA payments, which are part of the latest federal stimulus package, had been delayed for weeks as L&I worked to update their computer system to meet new federal requirements. It’s estimated that about 400,000 Pennsylvanians are relying on the PUA benefits.

The Department of Labor and Industry released the following statement Friday, Jan. 22:

“Today, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier announced that payments for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program in the new federal CARES Act extension are resuming.

“’Since the federal legislation for the new CARES Act extension was unveiled, L&I’s dedicated team has been working tirelessly to update our processing systems,’” said Berrier. “’We know that more than 400,000 Pennsylvanians and their families are relying on these PUA benefits to get through this terrible pandemic and have worked as quickly as possible to complete the implementation and resume payments.’”

“Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program Extension

“PUA assists workers who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and are not typically eligible for other unemployment compensation programs. This includes gig workers, freelancers, and self-employed workers.

“Important PUA program extension information for claimants follows.

  • You can begin filing for the additional 11 claim weeks today, January 22.
  • Follow the same process as before to log onto your dashboard and claim the additional weeks, which will be added to your account.
  • You must file by January 29. If you miss this deadline, you will need to email ucpua@pa.gov to request backdating.
  • You will be able to file for the weeks of January 2; 9; 16; and 23.
  • If you no longer had claim weeks or did not file for the week ending December 26, 2020, for any reason, you MUST REOPEN your claim before you can proceed. To do this, log onto your dashboard and click on the link to reopen a claim.
  • If you tried to open a new claim while the PUA program was inactive, you will have error codes that the UC staff must fix before you can proceed. Please be patient while we work quickly to resolve your issue.
  • If you are a new, first-time PUA claimant opening a claim in 2021, you cannot yet file. We are still adding 2020 as a base wage year in the system and will notify you when you are able to file for benefits.
  • You will automatically receive the extra $300 weekly Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) – you do not need to take any action to get this boost.

“Claimants who have questions about their enrollment in PUA should email ucpua@pa.gov.

“The original CARES Act programs, including Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), expired the end of December 2020. L&I is in the final stages of the PEUC implementation and will be providing an update to those claimants very soon.”

Department of Labor links for claimants

Read original article here

World

State Dept. to review Trump admin’s decision to label Houthis a terrorist organization

Leave a comment

The State Department said Friday it will review an eleventh-hour decision by the Trump administration to label the Houthi rebels in Yemen a foreign terrorist organization.

The quick decision to launch a review of the last-minute move under then-Secretary of State Mike PompeoMike PompeoState Dept. to review Trump admin’s decision to label Houthis a terrorist organization VOA reinstates White House reporter reassigned after questioning Pompeo Jilani: China ‘sending clear message’ to Biden officials with sanctions that opposition could lead to ‘future pay cut’ MORE comes after critics said the designation could exacerbate a dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen by hindering the distribution of aid in areas the Houthis control.

“Ansarallah, sometimes known as the Houthis, bears significant responsibility for the humanitarian catastrophe and insecurity in Yemen. We strongly believe that Ansarallah needs to change its behavior,” a State Department spokesperson told The Hill. 

“At the same time, we must also ensure that we are not impeding the provision of humanitarian assistance. As noted by Secretary-Designate Blinken, the State Department has initiated a review of Ansarallah’s terrorist designations,” the spokesperson added, referring to Antony BlinkenAntony BlinkenNew Israeli envoy arrives in Washington, turning page on Trump era What Biden’s Cabinet picks mean for the hardest-hit US industry The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden takes office, calls for end to ‘uncivil war’ MORE, President Biden’s pick to helm the State Department.  

Incoming Biden administration officials had sounded the alarm about the designation and indicated that the Trump-era move could be reversed soon after inauguration.

Blinken, who the Biden administration hopes will be confirmed in the coming days, told senators during his confirmation hearing this week that he would push to review the designation “immediately.”

He said his “deep concern about the designation that was made is that at least on its surface it seems to achieve nothing particularly practical in advancing the efforts against the Houthis and to bring them back to the negotiating table, while making it even more difficult than it already is to provide humanitarian assistance to people who desperately need it.”

The State Department spokesperson told The Hill that it will “not publicly discuss or comment on internal deliberations regarding that review; however, with the humanitarian crisis in Yemen we are working as fast as we can to conduct the review and make a determination.” 

Yemen’s years-long civil war between the Houthis, which have ties to Iran, and the government backed by Saudi Arabia — a key U.S. ally — has plunged the country into one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history. Thousands of civilians have been killed in the fighting, and a famine has spread across all corners of the country.

Pompeo instituted the designation on his way out of office in a signal of the U.S.’s support for the operations against the Houthis. However, health experts warned that the label could impede the delivery of aid to civilians in Houthi-held areas by humanitarian groups who would cut back help to avoid running afoul of the sanctions.

Pompeo said in his announcement that the United States was “planning to put in place measures to reduce their impact on certain humanitarian activity and imports into Yemen.”

“We have expressed our readiness to work with relevant officials at the United Nations, with international and non-governmental organizations, and other international donors to address these implications,” he said, though criticism continued.

“This is coming at the absolute most difficult time when over 16 million Yemeni women, children and men are living in severe and worsening food insecurity,” Michelle Nunn, CEO of CARE USA, an international nongovernmental organization focusing on combating global poverty and world hunger, told The Hill this week.

“This particular designation is tantamount to a cease-and-desist order for the humanitarian response in northern Yemen and its impacts will lead to more despair and lives lost across the whole of the country.”

Blinken told senators Tuesday that Biden plans on ending U.S. support for the Saudi offensive in Yemen, chiefly over humanitarian concerns.

“The president-elect has made clear that we will end our support for the military campaign led by Saudi Arabia in Yemen,” he said.

“But I want [to] make clear, I think we have to be in close contact with Saudi Arabia, with our partner there. We need to be very clear about what we are doing, why we are doing something and talk it through,” he added. “But the main point is that for reasons that we have discussed we believe that continuing that support is not the national interest.”



Read original article here

Health

Allegheny County Health Dept. to start vaccinating people 65 and older at its Monroeville clinic

Leave a comment

The Allegheny County Health Department announced Friday that individuals 65 years old and older will be able to be vaccinated at its Monroeville clinic starting Monday.Officials said an appointment is required for the site, and appointments will be extremely limited as the Health Department continues to vaccinate eligible health care workers and those returning for the second shot in the vaccination series. The appointment links provided by the ACHD were sent out at 7:16 p.m. Friday and all available slots were filled within minutes, Allegheny County spokeswoman Amie Downs confirmed. “Notification of this went out first through Allegheny Alerts and it appears that all available slots have been claimed. Users may try to find an appointment at the Monroeville POD on another day and may check back often to see if an appointment becomes available,” a tweet from the Allegheny County Health Department said Friday evening. Click here to sign up for Allegheny Alerts. The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced this week that Phase 1A of its vaccination plan was expanded to include anyone 65 and older and those 16 to 64 with specific health conditions. As the number of vaccines remains limited, the ACHD said it is unable at this time to provide vaccines to those 16 to 64 with specific health conditions. Until supply increases, individuals in that category are encouraged to speak with their primary care provider about other options to receive a vaccine.The ACHD’s clinic is located inside the DoubleTree Hotel in Monroeville. The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment only. Those without appointments will be turned away.Individuals 65 and older and eligible healthcare workers can register for appointments for the week of Jan. 25 using the links below:Jan. 25: https://cw2-pennsylvania-production.herokuapp.com/clinic/private_registration/uJ3AgvJan. 26: https://cw2-pennsylvania-production.herokuapp.com/clinic/private_registration/g1cCdNJan. 27: https://cw2-pennsylvania-production.herokuapp.com/clinic/private_registration/wPuDhOJan. 28: https://cw2-pennsylvania-production.herokuapp.com/clinic/private_registration/2G0meFJan. 29: https://cw2-pennsylvania-production.herokuapp.com/clinic/private_registration/pY84VxvJan. 30: https://cw2-pennsylvania-production.herokuapp.com/clinic/private_registration/QJDATK If there are no slots available for a given day, users will be taken to the PA DOH’s Getting the COVID Vaccine guide. This guide contains an eligibility quiz and a map to help individuals locate a vaccine provider. If someone cancels a scheduled appointment, their appointment will be made available. If users cannot keep a vaccination appointment, please cancel or reschedule in order to provide the appointment to someone else.The vaccine registration system will not work on Internet Explorer but works on other web browsers. Users will be asked about insurance during registration, but insurance is not required for the vaccine. The vaccine will be provided at no cost. The links above connect users to the PrepMod scheduling system used by ACHD and PA DOH. If a vaccination slot is available for a given day, the link will redirect to a page titled “Sign Up for Vaccinations – DoubleTree Monroeville” with the date of the clinic. Individuals will be able to enter their information and select a time for vaccination. Selecting a time for vaccination is the last step of the registration process. After scheduling an appointment, users will receive a confirmation email to the address provided during registration. An email address is not required for registration but is strongly suggested because reminders for second doses will be sent via email. At this time, ACHD does not have the capability to schedule vaccine appointments over the phone. Once that capability becomes available, the Health Department will publicize the phone number. At the clinic (POD), individuals will be asked to provide verification of their age, or employment if a healthcare worker. Anyone who is not able to provide verification, who is under 65 or who is not an eligible healthcare worker, will be turned away. Registering for a vaccine appointment when a person knowingly does not fit the criteria takes away appointments from others in the community in need of appointments. It also hinders the Health Department’s vaccination efforts. Individuals are asked not to register for an appointment at the Monroeville POD if they do not meet the criteria. Individuals who received a first dose of the vaccine through a different vaccine provider should not use the links above to schedule a second dose of the vaccine at the Monroeville POD. Instead, contact the vaccination provider that administered the first dose to arrange the second dose.More information about the COVID-19 vaccines and Allegheny County’s vaccination efforts is available at www.alleghenycounty.us/COVIDvaccine. To receive updates about Allegheny County’s vaccination efforts, sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Information subscription in Allegheny Alerts at www.alleghenycounty.us/alerts.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. —

The Allegheny County Health Department announced Friday that individuals 65 years old and older will be able to be vaccinated at its Monroeville clinic starting Monday.

Officials said an appointment is required for the site, and appointments will be extremely limited as the Health Department continues to vaccinate eligible health care workers and those returning for the second shot in the vaccination series.

The appointment links provided by the ACHD were sent out at 7:16 p.m. Friday and all available slots were filled within minutes, Allegheny County spokeswoman Amie Downs confirmed.

“Notification of this went out first through Allegheny Alerts and it appears that all available slots have been claimed. Users may try to find an appointment at the Monroeville POD on another day and may check back often to see if an appointment becomes available,” a tweet from the Allegheny County Health Department said Friday evening.

Click here to sign up for Allegheny Alerts.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced this week that Phase 1A of its vaccination plan was expanded to include anyone 65 and older and those 16 to 64 with specific health conditions.

As the number of vaccines remains limited, the ACHD said it is unable at this time to provide vaccines to those 16 to 64 with specific health conditions. Until supply increases, individuals in that category are encouraged to speak with their primary care provider about other options to receive a vaccine.

The ACHD’s clinic is located inside the DoubleTree Hotel in Monroeville.

The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment only. Those without appointments will be turned away.

Individuals 65 and older and eligible healthcare workers can register for appointments for the week of Jan. 25 using the links below:

Jan. 25: https://cw2-pennsylvania-production.herokuapp.com/clinic/private_registration/uJ3Agv

Jan. 26: https://cw2-pennsylvania-production.herokuapp.com/clinic/private_registration/g1cCdN

Jan. 27: https://cw2-pennsylvania-production.herokuapp.com/clinic/private_registration/wPuDhO

Jan. 28: https://cw2-pennsylvania-production.herokuapp.com/clinic/private_registration/2G0meF

Jan. 29: https://cw2-pennsylvania-production.herokuapp.com/clinic/private_registration/pY84Vxv

Jan. 30: https://cw2-pennsylvania-production.herokuapp.com/clinic/private_registration/QJDATK

If there are no slots available for a given day, users will be taken to the PA DOH’s Getting the COVID Vaccine guide. This guide contains an eligibility quiz and a map to help individuals locate a vaccine provider.

If someone cancels a scheduled appointment, their appointment will be made available. If users cannot keep a vaccination appointment, please cancel or reschedule in order to provide the appointment to someone else.

The vaccine registration system will not work on Internet Explorer but works on other web browsers. Users will be asked about insurance during registration, but insurance is not required for the vaccine. The vaccine will be provided at no cost.

The links above connect users to the PrepMod scheduling system used by ACHD and PA DOH. If a vaccination slot is available for a given day, the link will redirect to a page titled “Sign Up for Vaccinations – DoubleTree Monroeville” with the date of the clinic. Individuals will be able to enter their information and select a time for vaccination. Selecting a time for vaccination is the last step of the registration process. After scheduling an appointment, users will receive a confirmation email to the address provided during registration.

An email address is not required for registration but is strongly suggested because reminders for second doses will be sent via email. At this time, ACHD does not have the capability to schedule vaccine appointments over the phone. Once that capability becomes available, the Health Department will publicize the phone number.

At the clinic (POD), individuals will be asked to provide verification of their age, or employment if a healthcare worker. Anyone who is not able to provide verification, who is under 65 or who is not an eligible healthcare worker, will be turned away. Registering for a vaccine appointment when a person knowingly does not fit the criteria takes away appointments from others in the community in need of appointments. It also hinders the Health Department’s vaccination efforts. Individuals are asked not to register for an appointment at the Monroeville POD if they do not meet the criteria.

Individuals who received a first dose of the vaccine through a different vaccine provider should not use the links above to schedule a second dose of the vaccine at the Monroeville POD. Instead, contact the vaccination provider that administered the first dose to arrange the second dose.

More information about the COVID-19 vaccines and Allegheny County’s vaccination efforts is available at www.alleghenycounty.us/COVIDvaccine. To receive updates about Allegheny County’s vaccination efforts, sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Information subscription in Allegheny Alerts at www.alleghenycounty.us/alerts.



Read original article here