Month: July 2021

President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met on Thursday during what is likely to be her last visit to Washington as the head of state before she leaves office.  Biden praised Merkel, noting she was Germany’s first female chancellor, whose tenure lasted through four American presidents. At a White House news conference, Biden lauded Merkel’s tenure as “strong, principled leadership” and for “never failing to defend human dignity. Here’s an exemplary life of groundbreaking service to Germany, and I might add … to the world.”

However there were many issues on the political agenda when the two leaders sat down for a private one-on-one meeting, including the split between the U.S. and Germany over Nord Stream 2, the gas pipeline that would run from Russia to Germany. Biden said he raised concerns about the pipeline with Merkel and that the two leaders agreed to look for “practical measures” that could be taken to ensure energy is not used as coercive tool against Ukraine or other allies.

Other issues discussed was the United State’s refusal to lift its pandemic restrictions on travel, despite Germany, France and other EU countries seeing COVID cases plummet amid vaccination rollouts. Biden suggested a decision on the travel ban could be coming in a matter of days, answering a German reporter: “It’s in the process now. I’m waiting to hear from … our COVID team as to when that should be done.” Merkel noted the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus was a factor, saying it has been a challenge for both the U.S. and Germany.

Severe flooding in Western Europe after the area experienced levels of rain not seen in a century caused over 40 deaths in Germany as flash floods swept through the countries, causing buildings to collapse.  At least six died in Belgium, and the neighboring countries of Luxembourg and the Netherlands were also affected.

Authorities said at least 28 people died in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate and 18 people died in the district of Ahrweiler.  Police said as many as 50 people in Germany were trapped on rooftops while at least 70 people are missing. The German Weather Service on Wednesday had issued a warning of extreme precipitation for the western region of the country.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement: “I am shocked by the catastrophe that so many people in the flood areas have to suffer. My condolences go out to the relatives of the dead and missing. I thank the many tireless helpers and emergency services from the bottom of my heart.”

U.S. President Joe Biden, who met with Merkel as she visited the White House on Thursday, said: “I want to express to you and to the people of Germany my sincere condolences and the condolence of the American people for the devastating loss of life and the destruction due to the flooding over the past 24 hours in Germany and neighboring countries. It’s a tragedy and our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones.”

In a scathing report Wednesday, the Justice Department’s inspector general said FBI officials investigating allegations of sexual abuse by disgraced USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar violated the agency’s policies by making false statements and failing to properly document complaints by the accusers.

The inspector general opened an investigation in 2018; in June 2020, more than 120 of the survivors asked DOJ to release the inspector general’s findings. In a statement, the FBI said in a statement that the “actions and inactions of certain FBI employees described in the report are inexcusable and a discredit to this organization,” adding that it has taken action to “ensure and has confirmed that those responsible for the misconduct and breach of trust no longer work FBI matters.”

The 57-year-old Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University doctor, pleaded guilty in November 2017 to seven counts of criminal sexual conduct for using his profession as a cover to sexually abuse his patients. He also pleaded guilty to federal child pornography charges and separate state criminal sexual conduct charges.  Nassar is serving a 40-to-174-year state prison sentence after 156 women and girls said he sexually abused them over a course of 20 years; he is currently housed at the high security United States Penitentiary Coleman II in Sumterville, Florida.

Increasingly steady, dry winds on Wednesday contributed to the over 60 wildfires in the Western United States, still burning across several states and crews continue to fight and contain them. Gusts of up to 35 mph and extreme temperatures near 105 degrees, with only 7% humidity in the forecast, is causing concern for more than 16,000 firefighters in Northern California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho who are fighting to control the flames.

The National Interagency Fire Center said Wednesday that “more than one million acres have burned in 68 large fires and complexes across 12 states” with the largest blaze in the United States, the ‘Bootleg Fire’ in Oregon, destroying more than 200,000 acres. The fire has destroyed more than 50 structures and almost two dozen homes. Residents have evacuated in many areas, and Madera County, Calif. declared a state of emergency as a result of the River Fire, which has burned 9,500 acres, while still being less than 20% contained.

Drought conditions have contributed to the spread of the fires, as well as record-breaking heat in recent weeks. Poor air quality alerts have been issued from Colorado to Minnesota from the extreme smoke sweeping across those regions.