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Second Round of Economic Support Payments Announced for 5 Million Australians

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Gordon Chang: On the Hong Kong Security Law, the India China Standoff, and Banning TikTok

Just over a week in, what do we know about the National Security Law imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing? Why hasn’t President Trump yet signed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act? How is the Chinese regime becoming increasingly belligerent internationally, from its border with India to the South China Sea? And, how does the Chinese regime mine and use the data of Americans? Should the U.S. ban Chinese-owned apps like TikTok? In this episode, we sit down with political commentator and China analyst Gordon Chang, author of “The Coming Collapse of China.” This is American Thought Leaders ??, and I’m Jan Jekielek. American Thought Leaders is an Epoch Times show available on Facebook and YouTube and The Epoch Times website.  Follow Jan on Twitter: @JanJekielek Focus News: Gordon Chang: On the Hong…

Second Round of Economic Support Payments Announced for 5 Million Australians

The Australian government has said it will go ahead with a second $750 economic support payment to low-income families out amid the CCP virus health crisis. Approximately five million Australians will receive the payment from July 15.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced the extra financial support on July 13, saying that the Morrison government is spending almost $4 billion (US$2.79 billion) on this round of support payments.

“The second $750 economic support payment will inject $3.8 billion into the economy and provide an economic lifeline to millions of Australians at a time when they need it most.

“The Morrison Government will continue to do all that is necessary to ensure Australia bounces back stronger on the other side,” Frydenberg said.

The payment will go to those who have not been receiving the JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments.

“This payment is providing additional support to eligible pensioners, families, veterans, and concession card holders who do not get the fortnightly Coronavirus Supplement as part of their current payment,” Senator Anne Ruston, minister for families and social services, said.

Second Round of Economic Support Payments Announced for 5 Million Australians

The first such economic support payment was delivered in March and April by the Morrison government as part of measures to cushion Australians from the initial financial impact of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus.

Minister for Government Services Stuart Robert said that people who are living in Australia and are eligible for the support funds on July 10 will get this payment automatically as payments are processed through the month of July.

“There is no need to do anything to get the second Economic Support Payment. If eligible, people will see the $750 payment arrive in their bank account,” Robert said.

Australian households are expected to receive over $9.4 billion in financial assistance through the first and second economic support payments.

The treasurer will be delivering an economic statement on July 23 where he will reveal the findings of a review into the JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments which are set to end in September.

More information on support from the government can be found at www.australia.gov.au.

Focus News: Second Round of Economic Support Payments Announced for 5 Million Australians

US Warns Americans in China of ‘Heightened Risk’ of Arbitrary Detention, Exit Bans

The U.S. state department has warned Americans to exercise “increased caution” in China due to an elevated risk of arbitrary law enforcement, including detention and bans on exiting the country. The security alert, issued on July 11 by the U.S. Embassy in China, said U.S. citizens “may be detained without access to U.S. consular services or information about their alleged crime.” It added that Americans may be subject to “prolonged interrogations and extended detention for reasons related to ‘state security.’” “Security personnel may detain and/or deport U.S. citizens for sending private electronic messages critical of the PRC [People’s Republic of China] government,” the alert said. It did not provide specific examples. The department did not say what prompted the notice. The move comes amid deteriorating relations between Washington and Beijing…