US Bill That Could Ban TikTok Passes House and Goes to Senate
At a margin of 360 to 58, the House of Representatives have passed a bill that would ban the popular social media app TikTok in the United States if the Chinese owner, ByteDance, does not sell its stake within the year. As a result the bill is on its was to the Senate, were the vote will likely occur in the days ahead. President Biden alrady stated that he would sign such a bill back in March if it came across his desk.
Read full storyPresident Biden Releases Statement on Anniversary of the Columbine High School Shooting
President Biden released a statement today on the Columbine High School Shooting on its 25th anniversary. In the statement, the President drew attention to factors that contributed to the tragedy that occurred in Colorado in 1999. After taking time to mention that the two students who committed the violence obtained the assault weapons and other firearms they used without background checks, the President brought attention to how there have been more than 400 other school shootings since the violence that occurred at Columbine High School. After expressing condolences to those who have suffered loss from these events, the President brought attention to the efforts of his administration to address the issue of gun violence in the United States.
Read full storyIsrael Responds to Iran's Weekend Attack with Missile Strikes, Raising Risks of War
According to a senior United States military official, the Israeli military has launched missile strikes against Iran in keeping with the vow Israel made to respond to the attack committed by Iran over the weekend. While the extent of the damage is not yet clear, the Fars News Agency of Iran has said that explosions were heard in the city of Isfahan in the central region of the country. Soon following on the heels of this information is that several defense batteries in Iran fired across several Iranian provinces. There are reports that there have been explosions against military targets in Iraq and Syria as well.
Read full storyPolish Man Caught Planning To Pass Information To Russia In Alleged Assassination Plot
A man in Poland has been arrested and charged by prosecutors on suspicion of having planned to cooperate with the foreign intelligence services of Russia in an apparent preparation for a potential attempt to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. The Polish man was taken into custody on Wednesday as a result of the close cooperation between the Ukrainian and Polish intelligence services, which is due in large part to how important Poland has become as as a source of military and political support in the war against Russia.
Read full storyPresident Zelenskyy Signs New Army Draft Law to Help Address Ukraine's Troop Shortages
At the start of the invasion of Ukraine, Russia possessed larger armed forces and a more developed defense industrial capacity than their neighbor. Yet for all that might, since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022 the Russian military has been unable to decisively defeat Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) in the two years since. Despite all the advantages and rhetoric that the government in Kyiv would fall quickly, the Russian military has since suffered significant losses in both equipment and personnel during the fighting with Western-backed Ukraine. Indeed, intelligence agencies in the United States have put forth estimates that, as of this past December, Russia has suffered roughly 315,000 killed and injured in the course of the fighting, representing roughly 87% of the pre-war ground strength of the Russian armed forces, with elite units and the junior officer corps being especially hard hit as a result of the fighting. Yet, for all these horrendous casualties, and all the territory that has been reclaimed from Russia by Ukraine, these costs have not been without purpose.
Read full storyPutin Might Well Gain From Increased Conflict Between Iran and Israel
Much like many other countries around the world, Russia has expressed its concerns about the rise in tensions between Israel and Iran in the Middle East. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has even gone so far as to express a call by Russia for all countries in the region to exercise restraint. What Russia has done, however, is refrain from criticizing its Iranian ally over the recent drone and missile attacks on Israel this past weekend. Indeed, Russia has also noted that the government in Tehran has stated that the attack fell under the right of self-defense, given an attack on a Iranian embassy compound that killed senior members of the Iranian military.
Read full storyWhile the World Watches the Middle East, China Expands Military Support to Russia
While the world is focusing on the unfolding violence between Iran and Israel in the Middle East, new worrying developments are occuring in the relationship between China and Russia. While Russia has possessed a significantly larger defense industrial capacity and recruitment base than Ukraine since the start of Russian invasion in February 2022, the Russian military has been unable to decisively defeat Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) in the two years since. Indeed, the Russian military has suffered significant losses in both equipment and personnel during the fighting with Western-backed Ukraine.
Read full storyIran Launches Hundreds of Drones and Missiles at Israel
Much as was feared in the international community, Iran attacked Israel this weekend. In its first direct attack on the territory of Israel, Iran launched hundreds of explosive drones and more than a few missiles at Israeli targets. The drastic escalation raises the possibility of a a regional conflict, especially as the United States has announced firm backing and support for Israel. Already American naval forces and other assets have been dispatched to the aid of Israel in preparation for this attack by Iran. Whether additional deployments will occur remains to be seen, but given that President Biden, as well as leading Democratic and Republican officials, have expressed support for Israel, it is certainly within the realm of possibility.
Read full storyEvents Unfolding as Fears Rise of Conflict Between US and Iran Leading to Regional War
The United States has reportedly rushed two destroyers into position near Israel in increased efforts to protect Israel and American troops based on the Middle East in the midst of fears that a major escalation by Iran might well be coming. At least one of the warships carries an Aegis missile-defense system that would be used to intercept missiles launched by Iran, or its proxies, against Israel. Likely additional military assets will be moved to the region if worrying developments continue. Israel itself has stated it has strengthened its air defenses and paused leave for combat units in preparation for an attack by Iran.
Read full storyBrazil Sends Military Reinforcements to Border with Venezuela and Guyana
Brazil has dispatched a convoy comprised of armored vehicles and military trucks to their northern border with Venezuela in response to the surge in tensions between Venezuela and Guyana over the former's claim to the Esequibo region. Brazilian General Tomas Paiva indicated further that the garrison at Boa Vista would, as a result of the reinforcements, be tripled in size to become a regiment, a portion of which would be deployed to Pacaraima, which lies on the border with Venezuela.
Read full storyUkraine to Receive €50 Billion from European Union
The leaders of the European Union have all agreed to grant a €50 Billion aid package to Ukraine to assist the country by helping to strengthen its economic and financial stability. The funds will help build upon prior support from other European aid, as well as the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, to continue to help Ukraine pay for things like teacher salaries, buildings to be reconstructed, and the general functioning of the economy. Part of the new deal is that there will be a yearly discussion of the package, as well as the option to review it in two years. President Zelenskyy's reaction to this welcome news for his country indicates that Ukraine appreicates the assistance as the war with Russia drags on.
Read full storyChinese Hackers Have Been Targeting the US for Years
At a panel by the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, FBI Director Christopher Wray sounded the alarm that Chinese hackers are preparing to “…wreak havoc and cause real-world harm to American citizens and communities, if or when China decides the time has come to strike.” While officials in the US government have for some time now been worried about threats posed by Chinese hackers, the fact that FBI Director Wray shared such a public warning, which came alongside additional testimony by Director Paul Nakasone of the NSA and other senior US government officials should be a significant cause for alarm.
Read full storyNorth Korea Continues Tests of Submarine-Launched Nuclear-Capable Cruise Missiles
For the second time this week, North Korea has conducted a test of its new submarine-launched strategic cruise missile capable of carrying a nuclear payload, further expanding the threat the country poses to its democratic neighbor, South Korea. Called the "Pulhwasal-3-31", North Korean state media claimed each missile flew in excess of two hours to strike an unspecified island target, which has Kim Jong Un hailing the test a success "...which is of strategic significance in carrying out the plan... for modernizing the army which aims at building a powerful naval force." South Korea's military itself appears to have confirmed the test, but did not going into any additional details on its particulars.
Read full storyRepresentative Nancy Pelosi Has Accused Some Protestors of Having Ties to Russia
Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-California) has suggested this weekend that some of the protestors who have been calling for a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Gaza might have links to Russia. When asked about it by anchor Dana Bash on CNN's State of the Union, the former Speaker said, "For them to call for a cease-fire is Mr. Putin's message. Make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he would like to see. Same thing with Ukraine. It's about Putin's message. I think some of these protesters are spontaneous and organic and sincere. Some, I think, are connected to Russia. And I say that having looked at this for a long time now, as you know."Based on the weight of this claim, though not revealing evidence in support of it, the former House Speaker went on to urge the FBI to investigate.
Read full storyPresident Biden Vows Response to Drone Strike in Jordan That Killed American Soldiers
Three US Army soldiers have been killed and more than 30 more injured following an attack by a Islamist extremist group linked to Iran attacked via a drone strike there location at a small outpost in Jordan. These are the first American soldiers killed in the Middle East since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas. A significant escalation of the violence that has been occuring between the US and Iranian proxies in the Middle East, many of whom have followed Iran in professing support for Hamas in its war against Israel, this latest action increases the risk of a regional war in the Middle East still further.
Read full storyIraq Accuses US of "Reckless Escalation" in the Middle East
The government of Iraq has issued significant criticism against the United States following what the Pentagon has called overnight retaliatory strikes against three facilities in Iraq that have been linked to Iran-backed militias in response to an attack of multiple ballistic missiles and rockets on US forces at an Iraqi airbase over the weekend. United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the attacks, which targeted Kata’ib Hezbollah and several other groups linked to Iran were “necessary and proportionate,” and that the United States is not seeking to escalate conflict in the region.
Read full storyNorth Korea Announces Cooperation with Russia to Establish "New Multi-Polarized International Order"
Amid an announcement from North Korea that President Vladimir Putin of Russia has expressed a willingness to visit the country at an as yet unspecified "early date," Kim Jung Un's regime has announced that it will be cooperating with its northern neighbor to establish a "new multi-polarized international order," which is a reference to their efforts to build a united front against the United States.
Read full storyEscalation Risks Increase As US and UK Strike Hard Against Houthi Targets in Yemen
The US and UK have struck against Houthi targets in Yemen yet again in continued efforts to deter the Islamic militants from conducting attacks on ships traversing the Red Sea. The targets struck include missile systems, air defense systems, radars, and even buried weapons storage facilities. This marks the eighth round of strikes against the group, which the Biden Administration insists have been effective, even though these attacks against shipping by the Houthi continue to occur.
Read full storyNorth Korea Announces Underwater Nuclear Weapons System in Latest Escalation
In another dramatic escalation in East Asia, North Korea has announced that it has tested its underwater nuclear weapons system. Presented as having been done in protest to the joint military drills between South Korea, the United States, and Japan this week, the fact remains that it is another action that will raise tensions still higher in the region.
Read full storyIn Space Race, Japan Becomes Fifth Country To Land Spacecraft On The Moon
Japan is the fifth country to join an exclusive club of nations that have successfully landed a spacecraft on the moon. After a slight delay to determine if a pinpoint landing had been achieved, Hitoshi Kuninaka, the head of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science which is a unit of Japan's space agency, announced that the small rovers on board were successfully launched and transmitting data back to Earth. Unfortunately, despite the successful deployment, the solar battery of the Japanese spacecraft did not appear to be generating power, and as a result there would only be a few hours of battery life to collect as much information on the landing and the moon as possible.
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