In Jerusalem, Hamas announced its acceptance of an Egyptian-Qatari proposal for a cease-fire to pause the seven-month-long conflict with Israel in Gaza on Monday, May 6. This comes hours after Israel ordered roughly 100,000 Palestinians to evacuate from the eastern region of Rafah, a move signaling a possible ground invasion by Israel. The potential for…

The United States has accused Russia of deploying chemical weapons in Ukraine, a move that violates international law and heightens concerns about the escalating conflict. The U.S. State Department alleges that Russia has used chloropicrin, a choking agent that forces entrenched soldiers to choose between fleeing under enemy fire or risking suffocation. Chloropicrin — which…

Following their defeat in World War II, the people of Japan pursued a largely pacifist foreign policy. Today, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and with near-daily news regarding China’s threatening activities throughout the greater Pacific, the Japanese are reinvesting in military defense and reaffirming their alliances with Pacific partners like Australia and the United States.…

Pythons are wreaking havoc on local wildlife in Florida, becoming one of the most challenging invasive species management issues worldwide, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. With estimates suggesting over 100,000 of these serpents slithering through southern Florida, since 1997, they have efficiently eradicated a number of animals from the Everglades and reduced the populations…

The past 30 days have witnessed tense exchanges of airstrikes between Israel and Iran, beginning with Israel’s alleged bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1. Iran retaliated in a widely telegraphed response designed to minimize human casualties and to provide room for de-escalation. Israel responded similarly with an even smaller second strike,…

A recent report from Reuters has exposed a scheme between Russia and China involving copper, a metal expected to skyrocket in value and hit record highs next year. Once the Russian metal arrives, Chinese companies are shredding these copper rods down to disguise them as scrap. This is because of the difference in tariffs between…

The impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is set to begin on Tuesday, April 16, two months after he was impeached. The question is, will there be a full trial with a presentation of evidence? Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has not tipped his hand as to what he’ll do. Schumer has…

Rising tensions in the Middle East boiled over again on Saturday, April 13, when Iran launched a direct attack against Israel with over 300 combined armed drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. The attack follows decades of simmering conflict between the two nations, amplified most recently by Israel’s invasion of Gaza and a strike on…

Leaders from the United States, Japan and the Philippines convened for their inaugural trilateral summit, marking a significant commitment to fostering a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region. They announced several initiatives to strengthen economic ties, technological advancements, and security collaborations. Notably they introduced the Luzon Economic Corridor aimed at enhancing connectivity and infrastructure in…

Hundreds of cherry trees will be ripped out of the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., this summer as construction begins on a crumbling seawall. However, Japan is stepping up to the plate to replace some of the trees lost in the removal process. During a visit to the White House on Wednesday, April 10, Japanese…