China announced Monday it would extend its military exercises around Taiwan. China launched the drills as a response to the recent visit to Taiwan by U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), third in line to the U.S. presidency. China considers Taiwan a part of its own territory. The two sides split in 1949 after…

Taliban opens al-Zawahri investigation- The Taliban announced Thursday it is investigating this weekend’s killing of al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri. A spokesperson indicated that Taliban leaders were not aware of the killing or of al-Zawahri’s presence in Kabul. This goes against Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s claim that the Taliban was sheltering him. On Monday, U.S.…

Russia appears to be ramping up threats of a nuclear war. On Tuesday, a Russian diplomat told the United Nations that while the Ukraine invasion does not warrant the use of nuclear weapons, Russia could resort to nukes in response to “direct aggression” from the West. The comments came just one day after Ukraine asked…

Headlines for Aug. 2, 2022: Nancy Pelosi likely to visit Taiwan – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi left Malaysia on Tuesday believed to be on her way to Taiwan. According to local media there, Pelosi is expected to arrive in the disputed nation tonight. Her visit would defy Chinese warnings. It would also make Pelosi the…

Wheat prices jumped Monday morning after Russia’s weekend attack on the major Ukrainian port of Odesa. The missile strikes penetrated doubt in a UN-backed deal reached Friday to resume Ukraine grain exports, which have been piling up since Russia’s invasion, contributing to a global food crisis. On the day of the deal, wheat futures had…

Headlines for July 22, 2022: Gubernatorial candidate attacked: New York gubernatorial candidate Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) was attacked and nearly stabbed at a campaign event outside of Rochester Thursday night. He was able to escape the attack without serious injury, and the attacker was taken into custody. “Thank you to everyone who reached out following…

Putin visits Iran – Russian President Vladimir Putin began just his second trip abroad since the Ukraine invasion began on Tuesday. The trip is to Iran, where Putin is scheduled to meet with Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The three leaders are expected to deepen ties and shore up support…

Gas prices in the U.S. have been dropping for almost a month after the nationwide average reached $5 per gallon. But the cost of filling up at the pump remains a driving force behind record-high inflation, leading to speculation the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates by a full percentage point. President Biden’s poll numbers…

Inflation continues to grow at record levels. The newest data from the Labor Department shows the Consumer Price Index (CPI) at 9.1% for June, another 40-year high. What’s behind the continuing surge in inflation? Rising costs for essentials like food and rent are playing a key part. So is the summer travel boom. It’s so…

Ten months ago–and one week before Russia’s Ukraine invasion–WNBA star Brittney Griner was detained at a Moscow airport and arrested for drug possession. The charges–stemming from the discovery of vape canisters in her luggage by Russian authorities–could result in a 10-year prison sentence. There is pressure on the U.S. to secure her release and Griner…