Russian Envoy Dmitriev Heads to US for Ukraine Talks 
Gaza Faces Evacuation Crisis as War-Damaged Buildings Risk Collapse 
US, China Extend Trade Truce to Jan. 10 Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit 
Burnham Eyes UK Leadership Role in AI Ahead of Trump Meeting 
US Invites Putin to Miami G20, Opening Door to Trump Summit 
Zelenskiy Warns Russia Preparing Major Attack on Ukraine 
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Near After UN Talks 
Trump to Press Xi on Release of US Nuclear Expert Held in China 
Taiwan Vows to Advance US Arms Sales Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting 
Marco Rubio to Meet Russia’s Lavrov in New York 
Venezuela Promises Elections as Delcy Rodriguez Pledges Democratic Transition 
Iran Vows ‘Crushing’ Response as US Talks Continue 
Trump Administration Plans Faster FDA Reviews for Smoke-Free Nicotine Products 
Ghana Says Western Support Growing for Slave Trade Reparations 
Kremlin Says No Grounds Yet for Ukraine Peace Talks 
US Officials Split Over Response to Israeli West Bank Settlements 
Trump Board of Peace Unveils $2.45 Billion Gaza Recovery Plan 
Add as a preferred source on Google
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected many Americans not only in terms of health but also financially. As businesses struggle to stay afloat at this time, President Joe Biden’s administration announced changes in eligibility of PPP loans.
Biden administration officials announced that there will be revisions made to the main COVID-19 aid program that will be aimed at small businesses owned by people or communities of color. For two weeks, the Small Business Administration will be accepting applications for forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans for companies that have less than 20 employees so as to ensure that they are not overcrowded by larger firms. The revisions come as small business bankers say that the demand for PPP loans is slowing down as the companies begin reopening.
Administration officials also noted that there are still many small businesses owned by minorities in low-income areas that have yet to receive federal aid. These recent changes seek to make it easier for companies with no employees - meaning sole proprietors, self-employed, and independent contractors - that could not qualify for aid due to business cost reductions.
The SBA will make changes in the rules to match with the approach that was used to allow farmers and ranchers to receive federal aid. The program will allocate $1 billion for businesses without employees in low-income and moderate-income areas, 70 percent of businesses in these areas are owned by people of color.
As well, the SBA will also include new guidance to assure that legal US residents who are not citizens like green-card holders will not be excluded from the program. The Biden administration will also eliminate exclusions that will restrict a business owner who still has student loans from availing of the program.
This week, Biden, first lady Dr. Jill Biden, vice president Kamala Harris, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff all participated in a candle vigil ceremony at the White House to mark the 500,000 deaths from the coronavirus. Biden addressed the nation, once again urging the country to unite in order to fight the pandemic.
“I ask all Americans to remember those we lost and those we left behind. But as we all remember, I also ask us to act, to remain vigilant, to stay socially distanced, to mask up, get vaccinated when it’s your turn,” said Biden.
