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A2 UP FRONT
Wednesday 23 december 2020
Continued from front rus in the United States.
The breach of the Trea- He urged Americans to
sury Department began continue to take precau-
in July, but experts believe tions, particularly during the
the overall hacking opera- holidays when many typi-
tion began months ear- cally come together with
lier when malicious code family and friends. Noting
was slipped into updates the ways that the pan-
to popular software that demic has altered his own
monitors computer net- holiday celebrations, which
works of businesses and typically include up to two
governments. "The truth is, dozen relatives, Biden said
the Trump administration "not this year."
failed to prioritize cyberse- On Monday, Biden was
curity," Biden said. "This as- vaccinated on live televi-
sault happened on Donald sion as part of an effort to
Trump's watch, while he reassure people that the
wasn't watching." COVID-19 vaccine is safe.
Given Trump's reluctance "I look forward to the sec-
to publicly blame Russia, it ond shot, and I have abso-
appears likely that any for- lute confidence in the vac-
mal U.S. retaliation for the cine," Biden said. "But we're
hacking will fall to Biden. in short supply."
The president-elect said he This June 6, 2013 file photo, shows the sign outside the National Security Agency (NSA) campus in With about a month to go
Fort Meade, Md.All fingers are pointing to Russia as author of the worst-ever hack of U.S. govern-
would work with allies to ment agencies. until his inauguration, Biden
set up international rules to Associated Press is working through the holi-
hold nation states account- day to build out his Cabi-
able for cyberattacks and tion would make cyberse- Biden spoke a day after billion coronavirus aid bill net and White House team.
vowed that his administra- curity a top priority. Congress passed a $900 that includes direct pay- He's expected to nominate
ments to many Americans Miguel Cardona, Connect-
and aid for struggling small icut's education chief, to
businesses. He called the serve as education secre-
bill a "down payment" on a tary, according to people
broader relief bill he plans familiar with the matter.
to introduce when he takes Biden's transition team on
office in January. Tuesday also announced a
"Like all compromises, this new round of White House
is far from perfect," Biden staff appointments, led by
said. "Congress did their job longtime aide Bruce Reed
this week, and I can and I as deputy chief of staff.
must ask them to do it again Reed served as Biden's
next year." The president- chief of staff during his
elect also expressed em- first term as vice president
pathy for families who have and has long been a close
struggled this year through member of Biden's inner
the pandemic and result- circle of advisers.
ing economic uncertainty. But throughout the weeks
He singled out in particular of speculation over Biden's
frontline workers, scientists, Cabinet selections, pro-
researchers, clinical trial gressives have expressed
participants and those with concerns about what they
deployed family members see as Reed's moderate
during the holiday season. political views and fiscal
"Our hearts are always with conservatism. Progressives
you — keep the faith," said notched a win in the latest
Biden, even as he warned round of staff announce-
that the nation faces a ments, however, with the
"dark winter" as COVID-19 appointment of Gautam
cases rise across the coun- Raghavan as deputy di-
try. More than 320,000 peo- rector of the office of presi-
ple have died from the vi- dential personnel. q
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
The Aruba Today Newspaper announces that due to
the holidays, we will not be in circulation on Friday, De-
cember 25th, 2020 or Saturday, December 26th, 2020.
We will be back on newsstands everywhere bright
and early to serve our readers and advertisers first
thing in the morning, Monday, December 28th, 2020.
Until then: Season’s Greetings and Happy Holidays
from the team at the Aruba Today Newspaper and
the entire staff at Caribbean Speed Printing (CSP).