Tag Archives: United States

UK Court Delays Julian Assange’s Extradition To US

The BBC reports: Julian Assange faces a further wait to see whether he can appeal against his extradition to the United States on 18 charges relating to the publication of sensitive intelligence. Two judges at the High Court in London said they would give the United States government three weeks to provide assurances that Mr Assange could rely on the …

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Israel Cancels US Visit By Diplomats After Gaza Vote

The Washington Post reports: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday canceled a trip to Washington by an Israeli delegation of top officials after the United Nations Security Council passed its first resolution calling for a Gaza cease-fire. The United States abstained, allowing it to pass. The resolution, backed by 14 nations including China and Russia, demands an immediate cease-fire …

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WSJ: Feds May Offer Assange Misdemeanor Plea Deal

The Guardian reports: The US government is reported to be considering a plea deal offer to Julian Assange, allowing him to admit to a misdemeanor, but his lawyers say they have been “given no indication” Washington intends to change its approach. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that the US justice department was looking at ways to cut short …

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Feds: Chinese Hackers Are Targeting Water Systems

Cyberscoop reports: The White House sent a stark warning to U.S. governors on Monday that “disabling” cyberattacks targeting water systems are occurring throughout the United States, in what is the Biden administration’s latest plea to state authorities to direct more resources and attention to protecting water utilities. In their letter, the White House and the Environmental Protection Agency invited state …

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China Slams SpaceX Deal To Build US Spy Satellites

Reuters reports: Chinese military and state-run media on Sunday accused the United States of threatening global security, days after a Reuters report which found Elon Musk’s SpaceX was building hundreds of spy satellites for a U.S. intelligence agency. A social media account run by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said the SpaceX program exposed the United States’ “shamelessness and double …

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POLL: 80% Say Religion’s Role In US Life Is Shrinking

Pew Research reports: A new Pew Research Center survey finds that 80% of U.S. adults say religion’s role in American life is shrinking – a percentage that’s as high as it’s ever been in our surveys. Most Americans who say religion’s influence is shrinking are not happy about it. Overall, 49% of U.S. adults say both that religion is losing …

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Gallup: 7.6% Of US Adults Now Identify As LGBTQ

Gallup Polling reports: LGBTQ+ identification in the U.S. continues to grow, with 7.6% of U.S. adults now identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or some other sexual orientation besides heterosexual. The current figure is up from 5.6% four years ago and 3.5% in 2012. Bisexual adults make up the largest proportion of the LGBTQ+ population — 4.4% of U.S. …

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US Embassy: Extremists Are Plotting Attack In Moscow

Reuters reports: The U.S. embassy in Russia warned that “extremists” had imminent plans for an attack in Moscow, hours after Russian security services said they had foiled a planned shooting at a synagogue by a cell from the Afghan arm of Islamic State. The embassy, which has repeatedly urged all U.S. citizens to leave Russia immediately, gave no further details …

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Biden Welcomes Sweden As “NATO’s 32nd Ally”

Via press release from the White House: Today, I am honored to welcome Sweden as NATO’s 32nd Ally. 75 years ago—when the United States and 11 other nations came together to establish the North Atlantic Treaty Organization—President Truman said the Alliance, “would create a shield against aggression and fear of aggression.” Today, that shield—and transatlantic security—is stronger than ever with …

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TODAY: Sweden Formally Joins NATO In DC Ceremony

Reuters reports: Sweden is expected to formally join NATO in Washington on Thursday, two years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forced a complete rethink of its national security policy and the realisation the alliance offered the best guarantee of safety. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is in Washington to hand over the final documentation, with the White House saying in …

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Analysis: 74% Of Americans Have Access To Legal Weed

Changing America reports: Although marijuana is illegal under federal law, 54% of Americans live in a state where recreational use of marijuana is legal, according to an analysis from the Pew Research Center. The analysis revealed that 74% of Americans live in a state where marijuana is legal for either medical or recreational use. Additionally, 79% of Americans live in …

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US Military Begins Airdropping Food Aid Into Gaza

The Associated Press reports: U.S. military C-130 cargo planes on Saturday dropped food in pallets over Gaza, three U.S. officials said, two days after more than 100 Palestinians who had surged to pull goods off an aid convoy were killed during a chaotic encounter with Israeli troops. Three planes from Air Forces Central dropped 66 bundles containing about 38,000 meals …

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Biden Announces US Will Airdrop Food Aid Into Gaza

NBC News reports: President Joe Biden announced Friday that the U.S. will drop food aid into the Gaza Strip, noting that the humanitarian aid flowing into the region for Palestinians is not nearly enough. “We’re going to pull out every stop we can,” Biden said. Biden also reiterated that the U.S. is trying to push for an immediate cease-fire between …

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US To Impose New Sanctions On Russia Over Navalny

NBC News reports: President Joe Biden has directed his administration to impose major sanctions to hold Russia accountable for the death last week of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Tuesday that the sanctions package, which comes ahead of the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, will be announced on Friday. Kirby …

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US Vetoes UN Resolution On Immediate Gaza Ceasefire

CNN reports: The United States has vetoed a resolution at the United Nations calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, an anticipated move that comes amid growing international clamor for Israel to pause its offensive against Hamas.  The US had already signaled its intention to veto the Algerian resolution, but has grown increasingly critical of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and …

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US Proposes UN Resolution Backing Gaza Ceasefire

Reuters reports: The United States has proposed a rival draft United Nations Security Council resolution that would underscore the body’s “support for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza as soon as practicable,” according to the text seen by Reuters on Monday. Washington has been averse to the word ceasefire in any U.N. action on the Israel-Hamas war, but the U.S. draft …

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British Court To Rule On Extraditing Assange To US

The Associated Press reports: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s fight to avoid facing spying charges in the United States may be nearing an end following a protracted legal saga in the U.K. that included seven years of self-exile inside a foreign embassy and five years in prison. Assange faces what could be his final court hearing in London starting Tuesday as …

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“Stunning” Report: 353,000 New US Jobs In January

USA Today reports: Hiring picked up sharply in January as employers added a booming 353,000 jobs, highlighting a labor market that continues to defy high interest rates and household financial strains. The unemployment rate held steady at 3.7%, the Labor Department said Friday. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had estimated that 185,000 jobs were added last month. The January totals were …

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New Analysis: US Economy Boomed By 3.1% In 2023

The Washington Post reports: The U.S. economy grew by a bustling 3.1 percent in 2023, shaking off recession fears and offering an upbeat picture of consumers and businesses ahead of a pivotal election year. Growth slowed slightly in the last three months of 2023 — to an annual rate of 3.3 percent, down from a sweltering 4.9 percent in the …

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STUDY: Religious “Nones” Are Now Largest US Group

NPR reports: When Americans are asked to check a box indicating their religious affiliation, 28% now check ‘none.’ A new study from Pew Research finds that the religiously unaffiliated – a group comprised of atheists, agnostic and those who say their religion is “nothing in particular” – is now the largest cohort in the U.S. They’re more prevalent among American …

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