Biden’s Climate Message Blunted by Elusive Win on Spending Plans
November 2 By Elliott Davis President Joe Biden addressed a momentous United Nations summit on Monday in stark terms about the need to urgently combat climate change. “Will we act? Will we do what is necessary? Will we seize the enormous opportunity before us, or…
China rejects US intelligence report on Covid origins as ‘political and false’
November 1 By Den Rich Beijing has lashed out against a US intelligence review into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, calling it “political and false” while urging Washington to stop attacking China. The Chinese foreign ministry’s retort came on Sunday, days after the US…
Breaking the record for most days in session, the Alaska Legislature will not pass a new PFD formula this year
October 30 By James Brooks The Alaska Legislature’s fourth special session will end Nov. 2 without a solution to the state’s perennial struggle over the Permanent Fund dividend, and legislative leaders say they are leaving the session further apart than when they started. That means…
After Afghan Withdrawal, US, Pakistan Work to Rebuild Trust
October 29 By Mona Kazim Former U.S. officials say the withdrawal of U.S. coalition forces from Afghanistan has changed the political calculus of U.S.-Pakistan relations, making Washington less reliant on Islamabad when it comes to counterterrorism activities. In a recent interview with VOA’s Urdu Service,…
Fourth Alaska legislative special session trudges on with little action on fiscal issues
October 27 By Becky Bohrer The Alaska Legislature is in special session but it’s quiet at the Capitol, where many legislative offices have been dark, floor sessions in some cases have lasted seconds and little progress has been made toward resolving the state’s fiscal issues….
Biden Announces $100 Million Spending at ASEAN Summit
October 26 By Jim Brooks President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced a $100 million initiative meant to beef up the U.S. relationship with the organization of Southeast Asian nations. Biden made the new spending announcement at a virtual summit with the 10-member Association of Southeast…
Iran Behind Drone Attack on US Base in Syria
October 25 By Robert Burns U.S. officials say they believe Iran was behind the drone attack last week at the military outpost in southern Syria where American troops are based. Officials said Monday the U.S. believes that Iran resourced and encouraged the attack, but that…
Twitter admits bias in algorithm for rightwing politicians and news outlets
October 23 By Dan Milmo Twitter has admitted it amplifies more tweets from rightwing politicians and news outlets than content from leftwing sources. The social media platform examined tweets from elected officials in seven countries – the UK, US, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and Japan….
Leaked list shows Alaska state Rep. David Eastman is a ‘lifetime member’ of a leading Capitol-riot group
October 22 By James Brooks Wasilla Republican Rep. David Eastman is a lifetime member of the Oath Keepers, a far-right anti-government militia, according to membership information leaked online and published by multiple publications on Wednesday. Eastman is among dozens of elected officials named in the…
US Homeland Security Secretary Tests Positive for COVID
October 20 By Lara Bill Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tested positive Tuesday for COVID-19 and is isolating at home, the agency said. The secretary has been fully vaccinated and is experiencing only “mild congestion,” DHS said in a statement. The agency said he will…