Taiwan Faces Invasion of American Iguanas
Thousands of invasive iguanas up to 1.5 meters long are spreading in Taiwan, with authorities complaining that pet owners abandon the reptiles when they grow to look like dinosaurs.
Bernie Sanders Praises Efforts to End Yemen War
US Senator Bernie Sanders was among those welcoming the White House announcement that the United States will limit its role in the Saudi-led war on Yemen by ending support for “offensive operations,” with the Vermont Independent calling the development “a tribute to the work of so many activists over the years.”
US Task Force Proposes Endless War in Afghanistan
In order to achieve a lasting peace in Afghanistan, the United States needs to keep waging its longest-ever war there. That’s the conclusion of a report published Wednesday by the Afghanistan Study Group.
Warren Blasts “Unconscionable” US$740 Billion Pentagon Budget
“We continue to overinvest in defense while underinvesting in public health and so much more.” That’s what US Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) said during a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing for Kathleen Hicks, President Joe Biden’s nominee for deputy defense secretary.
Military Coup Unfolds in Myanmar
Long-simmering fears of a military-led subversion of Myanmar’s recent steps toward democracy became reality this week as the nation’s armed forces arrested civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and announced a one-year state of emergency that transfers power to Min Aung Hlaing, the Southeast Asian country’s top general.
Bread & Roses: Foreigners Wander the Streets in the Age of Covid
My family and I often patronized a Chinese restaurant a couple of minutes away from our apartment. It’s open late at night and serves great food at decent prices. It just went out of business.
GameStop Trading Curbs Reveal Wall Street Hypocrisy
“The moment regular folks beat [Wall Street] at their own rigged game, it’s SHUT IT DOWN.” US Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) expressed the views of many progressives as the country and the world absorbed the impact of the “short squeeze” on GameStop and other stocks.
Biden Freezes US Arms Sales to Saudis
Many Democrats in the US Congress and others hailed reports that the Biden administration is imposing a temporary freeze on arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, pending a review of billions of dollars worth of weapons deals with the repressive regimes approved during the presidency of Donald Trump.
Biden Executive Order Ends DOJ Private Prison Contracts
Criminal justice reform advocates welcomed an executive order from US President Joe Biden phasing out US Department of Justice contracts with private prisons as a meaningful first step, even as the president faced criticism over the order’s limited scope and impact.
Biden Government Issues Surprise Statement on Taiwan
The Biden administration surprised over the weekend, issuing a statement on Taiwan through the US State Department on Sunday in response to an incursion of Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone by thirteen Chinese warplanes the previous day.