US Holds Joint Air Force Exercises Simulating Conflict With China
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:31s - Published
US Holds Joint Air Force Exercises Simulating Conflict With China
US Holds Joint , Air Force Exercises , Simulating Conflict With China.
On February 8, the United States, United Kingdom
and Australia concluded China-focused
Air Force exercises over the Nevada desert.
Fox News reports that the "Red Flag"
joint exercises have taken place over the last
three weeks, based out of Nellis Air Force Base.
[China is] just the pacing challenge
that we train to so that we're ready...
We think that if we're ready for China,
we're ready for anybody, Colonel Jared Hutchinson, U.S. Air Force, via Reuters.
Fox News reports that the U.K.
deployed the Voyager refueling aircraft
and several Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.
.
Fox News reports that the U.K.
deployed the Voyager refueling aircraft
and several Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.
.
Australia deployed the EA-18G Growler
aircraft to participate in the war games.
As the exercises were taking place, the Biden
administration ordered a Chinese surveillance craft to
be shot down after drifting across the continental U.S.
As the exercises were taking place, the Biden
administration ordered a Chinese surveillance craft to
be shot down after drifting across the continental U.S.
Fox News reports that the shoot-down
has contributed to rising tension
between the U.S. and China.
The spy balloon incident took place
amid already fraught U.S.- China
relations over the status of Taiwan.
Meanwhile, on February 8, North Korean dictator
Kim Jong Un unveiled a dozen ICBM launchers in a military
parade, further destabilizing the Indo-Pacific region.
Meanwhile, on February 8, North Korean dictator
Kim Jong Un unveiled a dozen ICBM launchers in a military
parade, further destabilizing the Indo-Pacific region.
Fox News points out that China remains a close
ally of North Korea, while the U.S., Japan,
South Korea and Australia remain allied.
Target Holds âEmergencyâ Meeting , Over LGBTQ Items.
As Pride Month approaches, many companies have started to advertise more LGBTQ merchandise.
But some Target stores in the South have been instructed to relocate their Pride products from store entrances after a wave of customer "outrage.".
But some Target stores in the South have been instructed to relocate their Pride products from store entrances after a wave of customer "outrage.".
Much of the outrage stemmed from "tuck-friendly" swimwear with "extra crotch coverage" and LGBTQ-friendly kids' clothes.
Some of the new products are
labeled as, "Thoughtfully fit on multiple
body types and gender expressions.".
We were given 36 hours, told to take all of our Pride stuff, the entire section, and move it into a section thatâs a third the size. , Target insider, via Fox News.
From the front of the
store to the back of the store,
you canât have anything on mannequins and no large signage, Target insider, via Fox News.
We call our customers âguests,â there is outrage on their part. This year, it is just exponentially more than any other year. , Target insider, via Fox News.
I think given the current situation with Bud Light, the company is terrified of a Bud Light situation, Target insider, via Fox News.
Target CEO Brian Cornell dismissed
boycott calls over the clothing.
When we think about purpose at Target, itâs really about helping all the families, and that âallâ word is really important, Brian Cornell, Target CEO, via statement.
Most of America shops at Target, so we want to do the right thing to support families across the country, Brian Cornell, Target CEO, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
German Government , Slammed For Supporting New , Natural Gas Infrastructure.
On May 22, Germany rejected accusations that it
weakened existing commitments to phase out
natural gas at a summit of Group of Seven (G7) leaders.
On May 22, Germany rejected accusations that it
weakened existing commitments to phase out
natural gas at a summit of Group of Seven (G7) leaders.
Fox News reports that the German government
said that their stance remains consistent
with international climate efforts.
Fox News reports that the German government
said that their stance remains consistent
with international climate efforts.
Activists have criticized leaders' decision to support
construction of new liquefied natural gas infrastructure,
facilitating the use of a planet-warming fossil fuel.
The G7 said that "investment in the sector can be appropriate in
response to the current crisis and to address potential gas
market shortfalls provoked" by Russia's attack on Ukraine.
In the exceptional circumstance
of accelerating the phase-out of our
dependency on Russian energy, publicly
supported investment in the gas sector
can be appropriate as a temporary response, G7 statement, via NBC.
According to Greenpeace's Tracy Carty,
support for new infrastructure for fossil fuel
"is a blunt denial of the climate emergency.".
Fossil gas is one of the most polluting
forms of energy and in its liquefied form,
its carbon emissions can be as bad as coal, Tracy Carty, Greenpeace representative, via NBC.
Meanwhile, Friederike Roeder of the campaign
group Global Citizen suggests that Germany's role
in the G7 talks were "particularly disappointing.".
Meanwhile, Friederike Roeder of the campaign
group Global Citizen suggests that Germany's role
in the G7 talks were "particularly disappointing.".
The EUâs role in international climate
diplomacy is critical but if Germany,
as the biggest member state, continues
to focus its negotiation power on new
gas investments rather than leading
the way for a future free of
fossil fuels, this wonât be possible, Friederike Roeder, Global Citizen representative, via NBC.
NBC reports that G7 leaders also expressed
support for the roll-out of renewable power
generation and other energy saving measures
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Smoke From Canada Wildfires , Is Impacting US Cities.
Fox News reports that smoke from
wildfires in Canada has impacted states
in northern America.
The offices of the National Weather Service (NWS) issued
warnings for cities, including Seattle, Pittsburgh,
the Twin Cities and Chicago, among other places.
Wildfire smoke from Canada will start
making its way into eastern Oregon
and Southwest Idaho within
the next several days, National Weather Service in Boise, Idaho, via Fox News.
The smokey, hazy skies are from wildfires
in western Canada. That smoke is drifting
through the higher levels of the atmosphere. , National Weather Service in Cleveland, Ohio, via Fox News.
Current air quality is good to
moderate across northern Ohio
and Northwest Pennsylvania, National Weather Service in Cleveland, Ohio, via Fox News.
Due to rain bringing smoke down to
the surface, an Air Quality Alert was issued
for much of northeastern Minnesota.
The NWS also shared images on Twitter
of skies thick with smoke and a
red-tinged sun seen throughout the country.
Fox Weather reports that visibility
alerts were put in place for both
Washington state and Montana.
Fox Weather reports that visibility
alerts were put in place for both
Washington state and Montana.
Visibility in parts of Montana,
Minnesota and the Dakotas could
drop to as low as a quarter of a mile.
Visibility in parts of Montana,
Minnesota and the Dakotas could
drop to as low as a quarter of a mile.
All the way in Des Moines, Iowa, the NWS
warned that smokey skies could lead to
"reduced visibility" that could linger until May 19
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
US Metro Areas Grow, , Reversing 2021 Decline.
Fox News reports that the exodus from urban areas in the
U.S. amid the COVID pandemic has begun to slow or even
reverse, according to estimates from the Census Bureau.
Last year, metro areas in New York
and Los Angeles saw declines in their
populations halved, showing a slowing trend.
Last year, metro areas in New York
and Los Angeles saw declines in their
populations halved, showing a slowing trend.
Meanwhile, in Texas and Florida,
populations boomed, representing
a reversal of trends amid the pandemic.
Meanwhile, in Texas and Florida,
populations boomed, representing
a reversal of trends amid the pandemic.
2021 saw over half of the 20 largest
U.S. metropolitan areas lose residents
as people fled densely-populated areas.
At the same time, the growing prevalence
of remote work helped facilitate this mass
movement away from urban centers.
According to 2022 population estimates released May 18
by the Census Bureau, the largest cities to see their
populations grow in 2022 included Washington and Seattle.
According to 2022 population estimates released May 18
by the Census Bureau, the largest cities to see their
populations grow in 2022 included Washington and Seattle.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area saw
the largest boom with six-digit
increases for the second year in a row. .
The city of Forth Worth led the nation with
19,100 new residents, followed by Phoenix
with over 19,000 new residents.
The city of Forth Worth led the nation with
19,100 new residents, followed by Phoenix
with over 19,000 new residents.
Other cities to see the largest population
increases were Houston, Atlanta and Orlando. .
Other cities to see the largest population
increases were Houston, Atlanta and Orlando. .
Other cities to see the largest population
increases were Houston, Atlanta and Orlando. .
Fox News reports that smaller communities,
known as micropolitan statistical areas,
grew by 0.1%, compared to 0.2% in 2021
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Poll Shows US Depression Levels , Have Reached an All-Time High.
According to a new poll, levels of lifetime
and current depression have reached
a historic high in the United States.
Fox News reports that a May 17 Gallup poll
showed that 29% of Americans said that they
were depressed at some point in their lives.
18% of people said that they
were currently depressed.
According to Gallup, both figures
represent an all-time high in
the history of their polling data.
The Gallup poll shows a distinct spike in
depression levels since the COVID pandemic.
In 2019, the lifetime depression rate was at 21.6%.
By 2021, that number climbed to 28.6%.
Meanwhile, the number of people currently
suffering from depression steadily climbed
from 12.5% in 2019 to reach 17.8% in 2023.
According to the poll, women have
markedly higher levels of lifetime depression
at 36.7%, compared to 20.4% of men.
24.6% of adults between the ages of 18
and 29 represent the highest rate of current
depression, a sharp increase from 13% in 2017.
24.6% of adults between the ages of 18
and 29 represent the highest rate of current
depression, a sharp increase from 13% in 2017
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
North Korean leader Kim Jong Unâs powerful sister Kim Yo Jong has warned that the new US-South Korea agreement would only lead to âmore serious danger.â The issuance of her warning was reported by the North Korean state media on Saturday.
#KimYoJong #JoeBiden #NorthKorea
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Kim Jong Un orders launch of spy satellite to proceed; Sudan: Explosions rock capital Khartoum as deadly rivalry enters the fourth day; China ramps up construction on new Antarctic station; Pakistan court sends Chinese national to 14-day judicial remand on blasphemy charges.
#KimJongUn #NorthKorea #SpySatellite
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The Korean Central News Agency says the launch of the Hwasong-18 missile, supervised by leader Kim Jong Un, is the most powerful weapon in his nuclear stock that would enhance counterattack abilities in the face of external 'threats'
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 00:35Published
North Korea Missile Launch , Stokes Fear and Confusion in Japan.
North Korea reportedly launched a
new type of ballistic missile on April 13. .
North Korea reportedly launched a
new type of ballistic missile on April 13. .
'The Guardian' reports that Japan's emergency
broadcasting system warned the people of Hokkaido
to take cover because the missile was headed their way.
But the evacuation warning was lifted shortly after due to the system "erroneously" predicting that
the missile would reach the island.
According to Japan's coast guard, the missile fell into the sea east of North Korea.
The Biden administration said it
"strongly condemns" North Korea's actions.
The door has not closed on diplomacy, but Pyongyang must immediately cease its destabilizing actions and instead choose diplomatic engagement, Adrienne Watson, National Security Council spokesperson, via statement.
'The Guardian' reports that North Korea's missile test comes days after Kim Jong-un said that the country should strengthen its war capabilities in a "more practical and offensive manner" to combat U.S. "aggression.".
'The Guardian' reports that North Korea's missile test comes days after Kim Jong-un said that the country should strengthen its war capabilities in a "more practical and offensive manner" to combat U.S. "aggression.".
The country claims to be ramping up its defense systems in response to joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises.
Pyongyangâs provocations continue past its protest of U.S.-South Korea defense exercises because Kim Jong-un hasnât finished demonstrating his nuclear delivery capabilities yet, Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, via 'The Guardian'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Russia has said that it has scrambled an Su-27 fighter jet to âprevent violations of the state borderâ by two United States Air Force strategic bombers flying over the Baltic Sea. Russiaâs Defence Ministry said in a statement that its military had prevented any border violation by the US planes and âthe flight of the Russian fighter was carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspaceâ. âAfter removing the foreign military aircraft from the Russian state border, the Russian fighter went back to its air base. Brigadier General Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, acknowledged that US planes were intercepted by Russia, explaining that the B-1 bombers were participating in a âlong-planned exercise in Europe.â The crew of the Russian fighter classified the adversary aerial targets as two US Air Force B-1B strategic bombers.
#Russiascamblesjet#Balticsea#B1Bbomber
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Experts Say Colorado River Deal , Fails to Solve Long-Term Problems.
Experts have warned that a hard-fought agreement
between California, Arizona and Nevada to cut the use of
the Colorado River won't solve the long-term water crisis.
'The Guardian' reports that experts say the new deal,
announced on May 22, is only a temporary solution to
a problem that threatens life in the American west.
The agreement will see the three states cut
water consumption from the dwindling river
by 13% over the next three years if adopted.
The deal is reportedly backed by $1.2 billion in
federal funds and encourages voluntary reductions
made in exchange for government grant money.
'The Guardian' reports that the deal
comes after months of missed
deadlines and stagnant negotiations. .
However, experts warn that the measure
is not enough to prevent the existential
threat posed by the Colorado River. .
Following years of over-allocation to meet the
needs of a rapidly expanding U.S. west, the region
is now facing unprecendented global warming. .
'The Guardian' reports that the American west
is facing a "megadrought' that is the worst
the region has experienced in 1,200 years.
The Colorado River supports 40 million people, including
the populations of Los Angeles and Denver, while
also supplying water for millions of acres of cropland.
The Colorado River supports 40 million people, including
the populations of Los Angeles and Denver, while
also supplying water for millions of acres of cropland.
This deal is clearly a Band-Aid
solution for a short-term fix, Katharine Jacobs, Expert in water and climate adaptation
at the University of Arizona, via 'The Guardian'.
Itâs better than nothing, but we are
just putting off a much more dramatic
change needed to resolve this problem. , Katharine Jacobs, Expert in water and climate adaptation
at the University of Arizona, via 'The Guardian'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Nevada , Senate Approves Bill to , Safeguard Abortion Rights .
On April 20, the Nevada state Senate approved
a bill to strengthen protections for out-of-state
abortion patients and in-state providers. .
NBC reports that the bill is part of
a bipartisan push to make the swing state
a safe haven for abortion rights.
Republican Governor Joe Lombardo reportedly said that
he would respect the will of voters and uphold a 1990
referendum vote codifying abortion rights up to 24 weeks. .
Last year, former Governor Steve Sisolak passed an executive
order that barred state agencies from assisting with out-of-state
investigations that could result in prosecution.
The current bill, which is now
headed to the state Assembly,
would codify that executive order.
The order was passed
following the Supreme Court's
decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. .
According to a spokeswoman for the governor, Lombardo , âhas encouraged the Legislature to send a clean bill
codifying the previous executive order to his desk, and
he looks forward to reviewing the proposed legislation.â.
In February, Lombardo said in a KNPR interview
that he would approve the bill, stating, âThis particular item involving abortions,
I could support if it stands on its own.".
On April 17, the state Senate voted to pass
a resolution enshrining already-existing
abortion rights in the Nevada constitution.
NBC reports that in order for the resolution to pass, it needs to make it through the 2023 and 2025 biennial Legislatures to appear on the 2026 ballot
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the training of Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 jets has begun in Poland. The move comes after US President Joe Biden last week gave the go-ahead for Ukrainian pilots to be trained on the American-made jets that Ukraine says it needs to fight off Russia's invasion.
#F16Jets #RussiaUkraineWar #F16Falcons
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Biden and McCarthy , Still Havenât Made a Debt Limit Deal.
June 1 is the deadline for America's
debt limit to be raised before the country defaults for the first time ever.
The House speaker and U.S. president ended
their current round of talks regarding the
situation on the evening of May 22, CNN reports.
The House speaker and U.S. president ended
their current round of talks regarding the
situation on the evening of May 22, CNN reports.
While no deal was reached,
the two leaders are optimistic. .
I felt we had a productive discussion. We donât have an agreement yet,
but I did feel the discussion was productive in areas that we have differences of opinion, Kevin McCarthy, House speaker, via statement.
We reiterated once again that
default is off the table and the only way to move forward is in good faith toward a bipartisan agreement, Joe Biden, U.S. president, via statement.
While there are areas of disagreement, the Speaker and I, and his lead negotiatorsâŠ
and our staffs will continue to discuss the path forward, Joe Biden, U.S. president, via statement.
McCarthy also said that once an agreement is reached, he will uphold the House's three-day rule to make sure legislators have enough time to examine the deal before voting.
But not everyone is so optimistic
about the discussions thus far. .
Democrat Hakeem Jeffries said
things are moving in the "wrong direction.".
Theyâve rejected the fact that
President Biden is willing to consider freezing spending. It will reduce
the deficit by a trillion dollars. , Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic leader, via statement.
This is what the extreme MAGA Republicans say that they want. They rejected. They rejected an unwillingness to not put the country through this again, Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic leader, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Chevron to Acquire , PDC Energy.
Chevron made the announcement on May 22.
It will acquire the shale producer
in a deal worth $7.6 billion.
Chevron is currently the
second-largest oil company in America.
The acquisition will help the company to bolster "production, capital expenditures
and cash flow," Reuters reports.
As geopolitical tensions remain prominent amid Russia's war on Ukraine.
Chevron Chief Executive Michael Wirth said,
"It's a strong investment in our business in the U.S.".
Last year, Chevron and other oil companies were criticized by President Biden for not ramping up output as fuel prices skyrocketed.
Chevron also recently announced that it is seeking to "reduce its cash stockpile" to benefit shareholders, Reuters reports. .
We're repurchasing shares at a rate of $17.5 billion per year. So we'd buy those shares back very quickly, Michael Wirth, Chevron Chief Executive, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Speaking before leaving the G7 summit in Japan, Rishi Sunak has praised the 'historic' attendance of President Zelenskyy and reinforced the unity and determination of the G7 allies to stand with Ukraine. Mr Sunak hailed President Biden's provision of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and said that the UK will help train Ukrainian pilots starting this summer. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi displayed their bromance during the G7 summit in Japanâs Hiroshima.
#JoeBiden #PMModi #BidenModihug
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North Korea has sped up the construction of its satellite launch station at a new level of urgency.
#NorthKorea #NorthKoreaSatellite #KimJongUn
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US and South Korea have chalked out a new plan against North Korea and its use of nuclear weapons. This landmark deal between the two countries has been dubbed the âWashington Declarationâ. Let us know more about this deal and how the two countries plan to counter North Koreaâs nuclear attacks.
#US #SouthKorea #NuclearAgreement
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"A nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies and partners is unacceptable, and will result in the end of whatever regime were to take such an action," Biden said during an afternoon Rose Garden news conference with South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:02Published
After meeting Pacific Island leaders in Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Australia for a bilateral visit. The PM signalled that New Delhiâs focus is on countering Chinaâs growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region. PM Modi is visiting Australia from May 22-24. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that he is honoured to host PM Narendra Modi and underlined that the two countries share a commitment to a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
#NarendraModi #Sydney #AnthonyAlbanese
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In a veiled dig at developed nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted that despite the Global South being the most vulnerable in the world, âthose he trustedâ did not offer him help in times of need. Speaking at the 3rd India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Papua New Guinea, PM Modi said and I quote, "Today we are seeing disruption in the supply chain of fuel, food, fertilizer and pharma. Those whom we trusted didn't stand with us when needed." He further said that the countries in the Global South were hit the hardest during the Covid-19 pandemic.
#NarendraModi #FIPIC #PapuaNewGuinea
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The United Kingdomâs Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will soon sign a new agreement to deepen security ties, including a UK commitment to deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to the Indo-Pacific in 2025. The so-called âHiroshima Accordâ will also cover trade and investment, collaboration on science and technology and joint initiatives to tackle global issues such as climate change. Under the agreement, the United Kingdom will deploy its Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific in 2025⊠and will also double its troop numbers in upcoming joint military exercises. He will also visit a naval base and confirm new UK-Japan defence cooperation, including a new cyber partnership. The summit comes as the former UK prime minister Liz Truss attempted to intervene in foreign policy by visiting Taiwan on Wednesday, where she called on Sunak to declare Beijing a threat to national security. The trip had drawn condemnation as a âdangerous political stuntâ by the Chinese embassy in London.
#Hiroshimaaccord#G7meet2023 #Rishisunak
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