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2021.01.20 08:07 GMT+8

Live updates: Biden unveils national strategy to combat COVID-19 on first full day in office

Updated 2021.01.22 11:41 GMT+8
CGTN

What we know so far:

• U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday unveiled his national strategy for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. He signed several executive orders including requiring quarantine for international passengers upon arrival and ramping up coronavirus vaccine distribution to meet his goal of administering 100 million doses of two-stage vaccines in his first 100 days in office.

• Biden will also seek a five-year extension to the New START arms control treaty with Russia due to expire on February 5.

• House and Senate on Thursday approved a waiver for Biden's Pentagon chief nominee Lloyd Austin, clearing the way for his confirmation to the job.

• Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday proposed a delay on former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial and asked the House to give Trump two weeks to prepare his case.

Biden signed a series of executive orders in his first action as president on Wednesday, reversing some of Trump's key policies including rejoining the Paris climate accord.

• Biden has been sworn in as the 46th U.S. president at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. without former President Donald Trump in attendance. 

Kamala Harris has taken her oath as vice-president, the first woman and first person of color to hold that position.

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