1 White House Warns Companies To Be On Guard For Cyberattacks
Cyber ransomware attacks are a hot topic at the White House – as a number of commodities have come under attack by hackers in recent months. Press Secretary Jen Psaki told a briefing the U.S. government is working aggressively to strengthen the nation's defenses against cyberattacks. She also argued the government can't do it alone. Psaki said business leaders have a responsibility to strengthen their cyber defenses. She also noted FBI guidance that private companies should not pay ransoms to hackers. Psaki confirmed that global cyberattacks will be part of the discussion when President Biden sits down with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva later this month. Meanwhile, the White House is reportedly looking into an alternative way to retaliate. NBC News reports the Biden administration is considering offensive cyber attacks on Russia hackers. Intelligence agencies are reportedly already being utilized to spy on possible foreign criminals involved in those types of crimes.
2 CDC Says There’s Growing Concern About Teens And Covid
As summer gets into full swing, the C-D-C is pressing for parents to get their teens vaccinated for Covid-19. And not just because they Biden administration wants to meet their vaccination goals. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky says there’s new data showing “troubling data regarding the hospitalizations of adolescents with Covid-19.” A CDC weekly report set to be published today, says findings “force us to redouble our motivation to get our adolescents and young adults vaccinated.” The “Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report” is believed to suggest a severe level of disease leading to hospitalizations of teens. "Last month, FDA authorized, and CDC recommended a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19 that can be used in adolescents to prevent disease and hospitalization," she noted. “I strongly encourage parents to get their teens vaccinated, as I did mine.”
3 Biden Expected To Talk Again With Republicans About Infrastructure
The White House expects President Biden to have another discussion with Senator Shelley Moore Capito – and perhaps other Republicans – on infrastructure today. The West Virginian is leading a group of Republicans seeking a compromise on a sweeping infrastructure upgrade. Press Secretary Jen Psaki says the President is anxious to continue a dialogue with Republicans on finding avenues of agreement. But the two sides are miles apart on the scope of an infrastructure plan and how it would be paid for. There's speculation that Capito's group is preparing a revised counterproposal – but the respective plans are reportedly $750-billion apart. Psaki is also defending Biden's call to raise the corporate tax rate, which is described as a non-starter with Republicans.