New Zealand to enter lockdown after one COVID-19 case discovered
New Zealand announced the country will enter another COVID-19 lockdown on Tuesday after a single infection was discovered.
Washington
China Rushing Military Towards Taiwan After U.S. Defeat In Afghanistan
Emboldened by perceived U.S. weakness in the region, China rushed to send warships and fighter planes near U.S.-backed Taiwan which it regards as a renegade province.
U.S. President Joe Biden To Address Nation Over Afghanistan
U.S. President Joe Biden was to return to the White House on Monday to deliver long-delayed remarks on Afghanistan, the White House said.
Judge orders DHS to restart Trump’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy
A federal judge ordered Homeland Security to restart President Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy, ruling Friday that the Biden administration cut too many corners when it scrapped the get-tough approach to illegal border crossers.
China building third missile field for hundreds of new ICBMs
China is building a third missile field that will hold more than 100 new DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles, The Washington Times has learned.
US jobless applications continue steady decline
The number of US citizens applying for unemployment benefits fell for the third week in a row last week, the Washington Times reports. On Thursday the Labour Department said unemployment claims had fallen to 375,000 from 387,000 the previous week.
Virginia: Loudoun County school board to greatly expand transgender student rights
The Loudoun County school board in Virginia voted Wednesday to require staff to refer to transgender students by their preferred pronouns and to allow trans students to participate in sports and use facilities based on their gender identity, the Washington Times reports. The Rights of Transgender and Gender-Expansive Students policy was approved 7-2 after an extensive public comment session.
Forty percent of migrants released in Texas border city test positive for COVID-19, officials say
The city of Laredo, Texas, has refused to take in migrants who have been bused in from elsewhere on the border after discovering 40% of them tested positive for the coronavirus, according to two local government officials.
China Launched Cyberattacks Against Israel, Security Firm Finds
China waged an extended cyberwar against Israeli private businesses and government entities in 2019 and 2020, an online security company announced Monday.
Texas Supreme Court Allows Arrest of Runaway Democrats
The Supreme Court of Texas on Tuesday allowed for the arrest or detention of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to stop passage of an election reform package they view as an assault on voting rights.
New York Governor Resigns Over Sex Scandal
After mounting pressure from his party and even the White House, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned over sexual harassment allegations.
Biden under fire over ‘meltdown’ of Afghan security forces, stunning Taliban victories
The rapid disintegration of Afghanistan has sparked a blame game across Washington and throughout the world as a series of stunning Taliban victories have left the U.S.-backed government in Kabul reeling and the Biden administration scrambling to stop the bleeding.
Taliban Gaining Control Over Afghanistan As US Leaves
As U.S. troops complete their pullout, the Islamic militant Taliban group rapidly expanded its control in Afghanistan Sunday, increasingly isolating the Western-backed government.
Fauci: More local vaccine mandates are likely once COVID-19 shots get full FDA approval
Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Biden’s top medical adviser, predicted Americans will increasingly be subjected to vaccine mandates as soon as any COVID-19 shot receives full approval from federal regulators.
Vaccine-resistant lambda variant is in the US
A new coronavirus mutation known as the lambda variant that is thought to have increased resistance to vaccines has appeared in the United States.
Christian member of Finnish Parliament faces prison for questioning support of gay pride parade
A member of Finland’s Parliament is facing two years in prison for tweeting a message questioning the alignment of her church with a gay pride parade and for other statements expressing what she said is the Bible’s view on homosexuality.
Iran-Backed Hezbollah Fires Dozens Of Rockets Into Israel (Video)
Israel’s cabinet held emergency talks Friday after the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah said it fired “dozens of rockets” from Lebanon into Israel.
National mile-driven tax pilot program tucked into $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill
The White House’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure package includes a pilot program for a national mile-driven tax, contradicting President Biden’s previous dismissal of the policy.
‘Don’t test us’: Iran threatens ‘decisive’ response to any Israeli strike
A prominent Iranian official warned Israel not to conduct a military operation against Iran, as the rival Middle Eastern powers trade threats following an attack on an Israeli-managed oil tanker.
Washington urges Tehran to ‘quickly’ return to nuclear negotiations
The United States urged new Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday to “quickly” resume negotiations on the suspended talks in Vienna regarding Iran’s nuclear program.