UN press release issued 12/ 15/ 17
Secretary of State Rejects Nuclear-Armed Pyongyang, as Delegate Calls United States ‘Ring Leader of Proliferation’
The risk of an accidental escalation of tensions leading to conflict was being multiplied by misplaced overconfidence, dangerous narratives and rhetoric, as well as a lack of communication channels, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council today.
Briefing Council members on non-proliferation/Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, he emphasized that it was time for the immediate re-establishment and strengthening of communications channels, including inter-Korean and military-to- military ones, so as to lower the risk of miscalculation or misunderstanding.
“Any military action would have devastating and unpredictable consequences,” he stressed. “Diplomatic engagement is the only pathway to sustainable peace and denuclearization,” he added, stressing: “We must do everything we can to reach that objective and avoid a level of danger that would be unpredictable in its trajectory and catastrophic in its consequences.”
Underlining the essential role of Council unity in achieving denuclearization, he said it would help to create the space for diplomatic initiatives aimed at realizing that goal in a peaceful manner. “The Secretariat and I are your partner in this effort,” he said, adding: “My good offices are available”. The Secretariat brought impartiality and the norms of peaceful resolution, in accordance with international law, as well as channels of communication with all parties to narrow differences and encourage confidence.
After a year of blatant disregard for the will and resolutions of the Council through accelerated testing of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles, he continued, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had heightened tensions, he said, reiterating his call for that country’s leadership to comply with resolutions and “allow space for the resumption of dialogue on denuclearization and sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula”.
Reiterating the importance of disassociating the security situation from the humanitarian imperative, he confirmed the severity of the food insecurity crisis in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, noting that humanitarian appeals were only 30 per cent funded. He appealed to all Member States to “carefully consider the humanitarian principles that underpin our work” and demonstrate their generosity to that country’s people.
Council members echoed the Secretary-General’s call for unity and avoidance of military conflict, while also expressing sympathy for the plight of the citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Most delegates stressed the severity of the threat posed by that country in light of its continued flouting of Council resolutions, its accelerated development of dangerous weapons and its bellicose rhetoric.
Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs said that the launch of a missile in November had made it clear that Pyongyang was not interested in returning to meaningful dialogue, which could only resume if the regime demonstrated signs of reversing its current course. Given its provocations, including the abduction of Japanese citizens, pressure on Pyongyang must be maximized through full implementation of the existing sanctions and severing diplomatic ties, he said. “Let us send a clear and unified message together here that the international community will never accept a nuclear-armed [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea].”
The Secretary of State of the United States also said a nuclear [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] was unacceptable, calling for further unilateral action and appealing to China and the Russian Federation to increase pressure on Pyongyang. He also objected to the Russian Federation’s use of labourers from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in conditions resembling slavery. Urging all nations to join efforts to achieve complete and verifiable denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, he emphasized that all his country’s options for countering the threat were on the table. The United States did not seek or want war and hoped that pressure and diplomacy would produce a resolution, he said. He added that continuing to allow labourers from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to toil in conditions resembling slavery inside the Russian Federation called Moscow’s commitment to peace into question.
Representatives of China, Russian Federation and Bolivia underlined the need to understand that the sanctions had been imposed in order to spark negotiations, and were not an end in themselves. All parties must seek to reduce tensions in order for negotiations to succeed. They expressed support for the China-Russian Federation road map entailing Pyongyang’s suspension of nuclear-weapons development, accompanied by the suspension of large-scale military exercises by the United States and others. They added that the imposition of unilateral sanctions undermined Council actions, while warning that there was no military solution to the situation.
China’s representative called for an end to provocative rhetoric and actions on all sides by all parties, urging calm, restraint and the creation of the conditions for turning the situation around. China had implemented the Council sanctions comprehensively, paying a higher price than any other States for its compliance, and no one should cast doubt on its actions, he emphasized, calling on all parties to abandon the “cold war thinking” that hung over the issue.
The Russian Federation’s representative rejected the image of slavery evoked by the Secretary of State of the United States, saying that the “most dramatic situation” before the Council was exacerbated by military exercises and confrontational rhetoric. Taunts could lead to irreversible consequences, he warned.
Following statements by Council members, the representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea described today’s meeting as nothing but a desperate measure plotted by the United States, which was terrified by his country’s “incredible might”, and was pouring astronomical sums into modernizing its nuclear arsenal. Japan also sought to produce such armaments, he added. In that context, Pyongyang’s possession of nuclear weapons was a self-defence measure intended to protect national sovereignty, he said, explaining that it was for that reason that his country had justifiably withdrawn from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
The Republic of Korea’s representative said the international community must uphold its principles while firmly responding to Pyongyang’s reckless behaviour. At the same time, the doors to dialogue and peace should not be shut, he emphasized, urging the neighbouring country to join the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games. The event should be considered an “Olympics for peace”, he said, urging Pyongyang to seize that opportunity for dialogue.
PAGE 2: President Donald J. Trump’s Weekly Address
White house press release dated 12/ 16/ 17Transcript:
My Fellow Americans,
This week I signed the National Defense Authorization Act – a historic step forward to rebuild our military. Now, it is critical for Congress to pass the Clean Government Appropriations Bill that fully funds our Military Needs. We must not play politics with our troops – we should pass a clean funding bill and leave the politics aside. We must protect our nation.
I’d also like to take a moment today to discuss our immigration system, and how we can reform it to make it work for everyday Americans.
Our current immigration system helps special interests, but hurts American workers, taxpayers and national security.
For decades now, U.S. immigration rules have been based on an outdated system known as Chain Migration. Under chain migration, foreign nationals can come to the United States and bring in unlimited numbers of foreign relatives. A single immigrant can begin a chain that could ultimately bring in dozens of increasingly distant relations.
Because these individuals are admitted solely on the basis of family ties – not skill or not merit – most of this immigration is lower-skilled, putting great strain on federal welfare.
And because there is no real selection criteria, the current system is totally incompatible with national security.
This week, a terrorist exploded a pipe bomb on a busy subway passage during rush hour in New York City, injuring innocent Americans. This individual arrived through chain migration.
In October, another terrorist drove a truck into pedestrians and cyclists in New York City, killing 8 people and wounding many others. That individual came through a visa lottery.
It is time to create a merit-based immigration system that makes sense for a modern economy – selecting new arrivals based on their ability to support themselves financially and to make positive contributions to U.S society. Base it on love of our country. We want people that come in, that can love our country.
This process begins with Congress passing a bill to end chain migration and also end the visa lottery.
I have called on Congress to do exactly that. Ending chain migration and also ending the visa lottery will allow us to have commonsense immigration rules that promote assimilation and wage growth. It also promotes, most importantly, safety. It’ll help Americans both old and new to thrive, flourish and prosper.
Thank you, and God Bless America.
Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with President Vladimir Putin
White House press release date 12/ 17/ 18President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia called President Donald J. Trump today to thank him for the advanced warning the United States intelligence agencies provided to Russia concerning a major terror plot in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Based on the information the United States provided, Russian authorities were able to capture the terrorists just prior to an attack that could have killed large numbers of people. No Russian lives were lost and the terrorist attackers were caught and are now incarcerated. President Trump appreciated the call and told President Putin that he and the entire United States intelligence community were pleased to have helped save so many lives. President Trump stressed the importance of intelligence cooperation to defeat terrorists wherever they may be. Both leaders agreed that this serves as an example of the positive things that can occur when our countries work together. President Putin extended his thanks and congratulations to Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Mike Pompeo and the CIA. President Trump then called Director Pompeo to congratulate him, his very talented people, and the entire intelligence community on a job well done!
PAGE 3: MONDAY'S BUSINESS AND FINANCE REPORT
US CHAMBER COMMERCE BLOG POST: Regulatory Relief: The Untold Story of 2017By, THOMAS J. DONOHUE President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
After coming into office on the heels of a relentless regulatory onslaught from the Obama administration, President Trump and leaders in Congress worked diligently throughout 2017 to rein in the regulatory state. These actions didn’t always make big headlines, but their results certainly have. Soaring business confidence, a robust stock rally, and consecutive quarters with growth rates of 3% tell the story of an economy finally feeling relief from overregulation.
President Trump started quickly upon entering office, promptly halting all pending regulations and signing executive orders to ensure that new rules were issued only if old ones were eliminated. Congress also took bold action early to seize a narrow window of opportunity to invalidate regulations using the Congressional Review Act (CRA).
Under the CRA, Congress reversed 14 midnight regulations issued in the waning days of the Obama administration. One example was the Federal Contracts Blacklisting Rule, a devastating regulation that could have barred businesses from federal contracts for mere allegations of labor violations. Congress more recently used the CRA process to rescind the anti-arbitration rule, which would have effectively banned arbitration clauses in consumer contracts and forced all disputes to be dealt with in court. It would have amounted to an enormous gift to the trial bar.
The Environmental Protection Agency was another bright spot for rule reversals. It took action to repeal harmful regulations like the sweeping Waters of the U.S. rule, which broadly expanded the definition of federally regulated bodies of water, and the Clean Power Plan (CPP), which sought to regulate large swaths of the economy.
Harmful labor regulations were also rescinded, including the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) joint employer rule, which created confusion and threatened the ability of businesses to work with each other, particularly in the franchising setting. DOL also delayed key portions of the Fiduciary Rule, which would have further increased costs and limited choices for retirement savers.
A final example was a court’s blocking of the overtime rule owing to a legal challenge brought by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The rule would have doubled the salary level for exemption from overtime pay, raising costs for businesses and causing workers to have their hours cut.
The Chamber set the table for this historic regulatory relief through many years of lobbying Congress, engaging with agencies, and fighting in the courts. Heading into 2018, we stand ready to build on these results and advance a smart regulatory approach that will allow businesses to invest, expand, and hire with confidence.
What a Small Milwaukee Flower Shop Teaches Us About Trade and NAFTA---From the US Chamber of Commerce
A year after she moved Floral Alchemy from her basement to a small storefront shop on Milwaukee’s North Avenue, Liz Egan hasn’t had a chance to finish decorating.There are a few mounted ferns on the wall. But that’s about it. There’s work going on in the small boutique flower shop. Exotic flowers lay on desks and sit in vases amid rows of assorted jars. There’s a chalk checklist on the wall of things that need to get done, and the built-in cooler and large utility sinks that she uses to wash buckets have been busy. After years of sweat and tears, dreaming, working two jobs and surviving running a flower business out of her house, this is just how Egan likes it.
It isn’t easy carving out space in the flower industry. The sector is worth $31.3 billion in the United States alone – and growing. But more than anything, the flower business can be erratic.
Trade accounts for 64% of the fresh flowers sold in the country and has allowed shops like Egan’s to look globally for product, allowing her to succeed in a marketplace that used to be reserved for the giants of the industry, she says. Sometimes that means sourcing her product from her home state, California, or from states as far as Alaska. And sometimes that means looking to South America, Mexico or Holland, depending on the season.
The reality: The flower business is complicated. There is so much to know. From which flowers do well in which season, which flowers perform well in cold Milwaukee nights or 90-degree summer days. Knowing which flowers don’t need water, and which flowers always do, what’s in season and when, and above all, how to get these flowers perfect for her clients’ weddings so they don’t have to think about any of that. (read more from link source)
A Quality Job and a Wonderful Life
From the Dept. of Labor blog dated 12/ 14/ 17Katelyn St. Pierre is an electrical apprentice with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 7 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Currently in the fourth year of a five-year apprenticeship, the 28-year-old Westfield native has already found a stable job working for Coghlin Electrical Contractors of Worcester.
After attending college briefly, Katelyn worked odd jobs and apprenticed for her father doing electrical work. By working with him, she became passionate about electricity. She was attracted to the IBEW apprenticeship by the training opportunities, as well as the wages and benefits.
As an apprentice, she has learned how to install pipe runs, wireways, lights, outlets, and electrical panels, and bring power to elevators. She has also completed OSHA 10- and 30-hour safety classes, and the National Fire Protection Association 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace course.
“What I like most about my job is the ability to make things work,” said Katelyn. “I take a lot of pride in making my work look nice, and when everything is installed and hooked up, and the power gets turned on, it really is a great feeling to see things light up.”
During the second year of her apprenticeship, Katelyn gave birth to a daughter.
“I was able to work through much of my pregnancy and was treated with the utmost respect by my coworkers and the staff of the apprenticeship program,” she said. “You can still have a family and live a wonderful life when you are a tradeswoman. I have a wonderful job that allows me to provide my daughter with everything she wants and needs.”
Local 7’s apprentice program is a part of the Springfield Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, and is networked with the National Electrical Contractors Association.
To find out more about apprenticeship opportunities in your area, or to learn how to start a program, visit www.dol.gov/apprenticeship.
PAGE 4: Standard Mileage Rates for 2018 Up from Rates for 2017
From an IRS press release dated 12/ 14/ 17WASHINGTON ― The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2018 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2018, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
54.5 cents for every mile of business travel driven, up 1 cent from the rate for 2017.
18 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, up 1 cent from the rate for 2017.
14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.
The business mileage rate and the medical and moving expense rates each increased 1 cent per mile from the rates for 2017. The charitable rate is set by statute and remains unchanged.
The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs.
Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.
A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle. In addition, the business standard mileage rate cannot be used for more than four vehicles used simultaneously. These and other requirements are described in Rev. Proc. 2010-51.
Notice 2018-03, posted today on IRS.gov, contains the standard mileage rates, the amount a taxpayer must use in calculating reductions to basis for depreciation taken under the business standard mileage rate, and the maximum standard automobile cost that a taxpayer may use in computing the allowance under a fixed and variable rate plan.
Treasury International Capital Data for October
From the Dept. of Treasury dated 12/ 15/ 17WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury today released Treasury International Capital (TIC) data for October 2017. The next release, which will report on data for November 2017, is scheduled for January 17, 2018.
The sum total in October of all net foreign acquisitions of long-term securities, short-term U.S. securities, and banking flows was a monthly net TIC inflow of $151.2 billion. Of this, net foreign private inflows were $154.8 billion, and net foreign official outflows were $3.7 billion.
Foreign residents increased their holdings of long-term U.S. securities in October; net purchases were $7.5 billion. Net purchases by private foreign investors were $25.6 billion, while net sales by foreign official institutions were $18.1 billion.
U.S. residents decreased their holdings of long-term foreign securities, with net sales of $15.7 billion.
Taking into account transactions in both foreign and U.S. securities, net foreign purchases of long-term securities were $23.2 billion. After including adjustments, such as estimates of unrecorded principal payments to foreigners on U.S. asset-backed securities, overall net foreign purchases of long-term securities are estimated to have been $7.9 billion in October.
Foreign residents increased their holdings of U.S. Treasury bills by $33.0 billion. Foreign resident holdings of all dollar-denominated short-term U.S. securities and other custody liabilities increased by $47.6 billion.
Banks’ own net dollar-denominated liabilities to foreign residents increased by $95.7 billion.
THE FED: Vice Chairman Quarles will voluntarily recuse himself from participating in matters specific to Wells Fargo to avoid even the potential appearance of a conflict of interest
The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced that Vice Chairman Randal K. Quarles will recuse himself from participating in matters specific to Wells Fargo & Company. While this action is voluntary and is not legally required, it is being taken to avoid even the potential appearance of a conflict of interest.Upon his confirmation as a Board Member, Vice Chairman Quarles divested all applicable stock holdings related to Wells Fargo. However, in light of his extended family's prior sale of their interest in a bank to Wells Fargo, he has chosen to recuse himself from matters specifically involving the firm.
As a result, Vice Chairman Quarles will not vote on, or participate by decision or recommendation in, matters specifically involving Wells Fargo. He will continue to oversee the Board's supervision and regulation responsibilities as Vice Chairman for Supervision, including the development of supervisory policies and rules applicable to banking organizations generally.
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/other20171215a.htm
PAGE 5: Washington State Office of Homeless Youth awards $18.4 million in grants
WASH. Dept. of Commerce press release dated 12/ 14/ 17
OLYMPIA, WA – The Office of Homeless Youth has completed three separate competitive funding processes to award $18.4 million over the next year and a half. Funding will expand shelter and housing services and launch six new “innovation grants” for homeless youth and young adults.
The awards will fund all of the Office’s core programs: Street Youth Services, HOPE centers, Secure and Semi-Secure Crisis Residential Centers, the Independent Youth Housing Program, the Young Adult Housing Program and Young Adult Shelter.
The competitive process reinforced that there is significant need across the state to address youth and young adult homelessness. The Office received $28 million in funding requests for these programs and services and awarded $17.5 million for grants that will be effective from Jan. 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.
“Through these grants to community-based organizations, we are increasing services and support across the state with the goal of making sure that no young person spends a single night without a safe, stable place to call home,” said Kim Justice, Office of Homeless Youth director.
“With these grants for both established and innovative programs to reduce youth and young adult homelessness, we are renewing our commitment to the young people of our state, and to the communities they live in,” said Commerce Director Brian Bonlender. “We look forward to partnering on these new projects to improve the lives of young people and strengthen communities across Washington.”
The Office is expanding core services to reach more youth and young adults struggling with homelessness and housing instability. Funding supports:
Services and/or housing in 22 counties of the state.
$838,000 for new “integrated services” to provide onsite family reconciliation and behavioral health services.
106 HOPE and Crisis Residential Center beds, including 13 new HOPE beds in south King County, Snohomish County and Walla Walla.
Eleven Street Youth Services programs, including two new programs in Skagit and Yakima counties.
Five Young Adult Shelter programs, including two new programs in King County, with a total of 32 beds.
Seven Young Adult Housing Programs, including one new program in King County.
New and Innovative approaches
In addition to funding core services to help youth and young adults across Washington state achieve safety and stability, the Office is investing in new and innovative approaches to prevent and end youth homelessness.
In partnership with the Raikes Foundation, the Office is funding six new “innovation grants” to prevent youth from exiting public systems into homelessness. A June 2017 report documented that 1,800 youth and young adults experienced housing instability within 12 months of exiting foster care, behavioral health or criminal justice systems.
“Too many young people end up homeless after leaving detention, jail, foster care or hospitalization,” said Casey Trupin, Raikes Foundation youth homelessness program officer. “It’s a tragic, entirely preventable outcome, and this partnership is a major step toward fulfilling our promise to ensure every young person Washington has a fair shot at success.”
These grants are a targeted effort to ensure stability for young people exiting these systems and protect against housing instability and other harmful outcomes that stem from a lack of stable housing and support.
Innovation grants were awarded to:
Coffee Oasis, Kitsap County
YouthCare, King County
Oasis Youth Center, Pierce County
Leam Child, Pierce County
All Home Youth Engagement Team, King County
Legal Counsel for Youth and Children, King County
The Office is supporting local community approaches by providing a $200,000 grant to YouthCare to partner with the University of Washington to launch the “Doorway Project”, an effort to establish a neighborhood hub and navigation center specifically for homeless young people in Seattle’s University District.
The Washington State Legislature created the Office of Homeless Youth in the Department of Commerce through the Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Act in 2015. A 12-member advisory committee composed of eight governor-appointed members and four state legislators guides the Office’s work.
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Daily Bible Verse: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began,
Luke 1:68-70 NKJV
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