US News
- The proposed Pentagon funding bill (NDAA) contains the Just In Case Act. If the NDAA is passed, the new law will allow the Pentagon to bail out defense contractors. [Link]
- New York City will only pay death benefits to subway workers who are vaccinated. [Link]
- From 2014-2019, 1,600 Pentagon acquisition officials and over 100 generals and admirals left the Department of Defense to work for military contractors. [Link]
- The weapons industry has been paid at least $4.4 trillion from the Pentagon since 9/11. However, that is the low-end estimate and the number could be as high as $7 trillion. [Link]
- Pentagon contractor CACI is being sued over its role in torturing people in Iraq. [Link]
China
- Biden invited the leaders of Japan, India, and Australia to the White House later this month for the first in-person meeting of the anti-China “Quad alliance.” [Link]
- The US is considering a rename of Taiwan’s de facto embassy. China opposed the proposed move. [Link]
Korea
- North Korea claims it successfully tested a long-range cruise missile that could possibly carry a nuclear warhead. [Link]
- The US envoy to North Korea says the US has no hostile intent towards North Korea. However, the US maintains an economic war against North Korea and threatens to use nuclear weapons. [Link]
Afghanistan
- After freezing $9 billion in Afghan government assets, the US pledged over $60 million in aid to Afghanistan. [Link]
Middle East
- Israel bombed Gaza several times over the past three days. Israel says the strikes are in response to Hamas rockets being fired into Israel. [Link]
- Israeli airstrikes damaged poultry farms in Gaza. [Link]
- Iran says it will return to nuclear talks soon but warned US threats could derail the process. [Link]
- Hezbollah reports Iranian fuel will begin arriving in Lebanon this week. [Link]
Nigeria
- Over 250 inmates escaped from a Nigerian prison. [Link]
