Pentagon wants Israel to delay ground assault in Gaza to enable US negotiate hostage release
Israel is preparing a large-scale ground operation in an environment in which Hamas militants have had years to prepare tunnel networks and set traps throughout northern Gaza’s dense urban blocks. Glynn and the other military officers who are advising Israel “have experience that is appropriate to the sorts of operations that Israel is conducting,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Monday. The advisers will not be engaged in the fighting, the unidentified US official said.
Press freedom: Biden administration has ‘effectively morphed’ due to society being now ‘better informed’
Along similar lines, Glaser said: “For Americans, free speech is not really a partisan issue. Every reasonable person likes free speech, it’s part of our culture and law. This empowers the Supreme Court to readily decide the case and also to set national precedent and guidance for future cases in this area of social media free speech. Billions of people will be affected worldwide by the ruling.”
US scientists want federal fund for an independent oversight authority for gain of function research
Brad Wenstrup appeared to agree with the witnesses, stating his concern that research done outside the US limits needed oversight and increases the likelihood of lab leaks and accidents, while it “significantly impairs our ability to respond to emerging threats.”
Expert: US knew Covid-19 was an offensive biological warfare weapon that leaked out of Wuhan, China
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic on Wednesday last week heard testimony from two biosafety experts on the oversight of federally funded “dual-use” and “gain-of-function” research. While acknowledging the need for biological research advancements, the experts called for increased oversight, safer alternatives and ethical considerations instead of controversial...
Americans’ trust in foundational institutions is eroded, chaos in Congress makes it worse
The House has been without a permanent leader since early October after a small cadre of right-wing Republicans pushed out a member of their own party, then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Subsequent attempts to replace him have failed.
US security: Biden declares military and financial support for Israel and Ukraine, asks Congress for billions
With Israel continuing to bombard the Gaza Strip and preparing a ground invasion, Biden placed an increased emphasis on the deadly toll that the conflict has had on civilians there, saying he’s “heartbroken by the tragic loss of Palestinian life.”
Wall Street’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ moment of truth arrives for richly valued technology to deliver robust earnings
Growth and tech companies are seen as being more vulnerable to higher yields, as their typically robust projected future cash flows are valued less highly when investors can earn more from risk-free government bonds.
Prominent US lawyer pleads guilty to charges of attempts to overturn Donald Trump loss in 2020 poll
The acceptance of a plea deal is a remarkable about-face for a lawyer who, perhaps more than anyone else, strenuously pushed baseless conspiracy theories about a stolen election in the face of extensive evidence to the contrary. If prosecutors compel her to testify, she could provide insight on a news conference she participated in on behalf of Trump and his campaign
Biden hosts African leaders to undo Chinese, Russian stranglehold as he plans to visit the continent
Leaders from 49 African countries will convene in Washington today for the US-Africa Leaders Summit, as US President Joe Biden attempts to signal his commitment to a region that has been expanding ties with US rivals. As the summit kicks off, expect three days of group meetings and themed forums...
Radio, TV schedules in US feeling the heat as Hollywood actors and scripters stay off screen
Thousands of Hollywood film and television actors voted to strike on Thursday, joining writers who walked off the job 11 weeks ago. How will a walkout by the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) affect viewers’ favourite shows and movies? A walkout by...
