Analysis: War Is Over but Not Biden’s Afghanistan Challenges
August 31 By Zeke Miller With the final stream of U.S. cargo planes soaring over the peaks of the Hindu Kush, President Joe Biden fulfilled a campaign promise to end America’s longest war, one it could not win. But as the war ended with a…
China’s Arctic claims
August 31 By Julia O’Malley China currently has the widest research infrastructure of any non-Arctic states, which includes the Yellow River Station at Svalbard, the China Iceland Arctic Research Observatory, and the Xuelong and Xuelong 2 icebreakers. In 2018, China published a document under the…
Hate crimes against Asian and Black people rise sharply in the U.S., FBI says
August 30 By Dan Mangan The number of reported hate crimes nationwide against Asian and Black people sharply increased in 2020, according to new FBI data released Monday. Hate crimes targeting people of Asian descent rose by a whopping 70% last year compared with the…
Biden says an attack at the airport in Kabul is ‘highly likely’ in the next 24 to 36 hours
August 29 By Amanda Macias President Joe Biden said in a statement Saturday that his national security team warned an attack at the airport in Kabul is “highly likely in the next 24-36 hours.” “The situation on the ground continues to be extremely dangerous, and…
$500 Alaska campaign limit still in effect as federal appeals court could rehear case
August 28 By Sean Maguire A federal appeals court panel struck down some Alaska campaign contribution limits in late July, but that case could be reheard. In the meantime, the old restrictions are still in effect. The three-member Ninth Circuit appeals court panel said some…
U.S. and allies warn more terrorist attacks likely as Afghanistan withdrawal deadline nears
August 27 By Amanda Macias The U.S. and its allies have warned that more terrorist attacks in Kabul are likely, as the deadline for military withdrawal from Afghanistan draws near. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said President Joe Biden’s national security team warned on…
‘The crisis we have been warning about is here’: Alaska reports 701 new resident COVID-19 cases, the year’s highest daily tally, as hospital counts swell
August 26 By Zaz Hollander Alaska reported 701 new COVID-19 cases in residents on Thursday, the highest daily count so far this year, and one of the highest since the coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020. Hospitalizations of COVID-positive patients are also nearing pandemic highs,…
Blue, But Bipartisan: Can Vermont Be a Model for the Rest of the U.S.?
August 25 By Louis Jacobson Vermont is one of the bluest states in the nation. It gave Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden two-thirds of the vote in 2020, providing Biden with his single biggest winning margin in any state. Vermont sends a socialist, Bernie Sanders,…
Arizona Senate GOP’s 2020 Election Report Delayed Again
August 24 By Bob Christie The delivery of a report on the 2020 vote count to Arizona state Senate Republicans was delayed yet again Monday after the Donald Trump supporter hired to lead the effort and several others involved contracted COVID-19 “and are quite sick,”…
Biden Says US-Led Evacuation From Kabul Is Accelerating
August 23 By Darlene Superville President Joe Biden said Sunday the U.S.-led evacuation of Americans, at-risk Afghans and others from the Kabul airport accelerated this weekend, although it remains vulnerable to threats posed by the Islamic State extremist group. One week after the Taliban completed…
‘Taliban wants ties with all countries, including US,’ says political chief
August 22 By Robert Burns Taliban’s political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar on Saturday said the insurgent group intends to have economic and trade ties with all countries around the world, including the US. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants diplomatic and trade ties with…
Alaska Governor Adds Bill for Dividend to Session Agenda
August 21 By BiLL Brown Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Thursday added to the special session agenda a spending bill that would allow for payment of a permanent fund dividend to residents this year. Dunleavy had said he wanted lawmakers during the special session that…