The attempted assassination of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi at his Baghdad home Sunday represents a grave escalation in that strife-torn country. The political authorities’ response may determine whether Iraq has a chance to emerge from endless crisis or is set on a path of Lebanonization—de facto rule by armed...
There is Already a Company Called Meta and It Wants Millions to Give the Name to Mark Zuckerberg
Just a week ago, Mark Zuckerberg loudly announced that Facebook will now be called Meta , a change to make way for its metaverse . But the tycoon could have problems adopting his new identity, since there is already a company called Meta in the United States, which would be willing to give him its name in...
Washington’s Blank Check for the United Arab Emirates Must End
The United Arab Emirates, nicknamed “Little Sparta” by former U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis due to Abu Dhabi’s disproportionate military capabilities relative to its small geographic size, is repeatedly highlighted as one of the United States’ most critical partners in the Middle East. According to this perspective, Abu Dhabi is a vital...
From Boeing to Mercedes, a Worker Rebellion Swells Over Vaccine Mandates
In Wichita, Kansas, nearly half of the roughly 10,000 employees at aircraft companies Textron Inc. and Spirit AeroSystems remain unvaccinated against COVID-19, risking their jobs in defiance of a federal mandate, according to a union official. "We're going to lose a lot of employees over this," said Cornell Beard, head of the local Machinists...
SF Police Sgt. Charged With Robbing Drug Store
SAN FRANCISCO — A San Francisco police sergeant was arrested Wednesday evening on suspicion of robbing a San Mateo Rite Aid and is on unpaid leave pending an internal investigation. As of Friday morning, Sgt. Davin Cole had posted a bond of $57,500 and was not in jail. Read more...
Valadao: I’d Stand With Bernie Sanders If He Helped My District
Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) is best known nationally as one of 10 House Republicans to vote to impeach President Donald Trump. Valadao, who faces challenges from the left and the right in his 2022 reelection bid, talked politics, dairies, and the future he wants for his children in a recent...
Southwest to Probe Pilot’s Use of Anti-Biden Insult During Flight
Southwest Airlines on Sunday said it is investigating an incident in which a pilot allegedly said "Let's Go Brandon" - a phrase meant to insult U.S. President Joe Biden - over the intercom during a flight. The incident reportedly took place Friday on a Southwest flight from Houston to Albuquerque....
Inflation Will Plunge in 2022: Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs is taking a somewhat contrarian view on the longer-term outlook for inflation. The global banking and investment giant is expecting a core inflation rate of 4.3% in the U.S. at the end of this year, followed by a drop to 3% in June 2022 and 2.15% by December...
Here’s What ‘Let’s Go, Brandon’ Actually Means and How It Made its Way to Congress
If you've heard people chanting, "Let's go, Brandon!" or seen someone with a shirt or hat sporting the seemingly jovial message lately, you might be wondering who Brandon is and why so many people are rooting for him. In this case, the phrase isn't actually about supporting a guy named...
Zakaria: It’s Not a ‘Sputnik Moment’ and We Should Not Feed Cold War Paranoia
The Financial Times has reported that China tested a hypersonic missile this summer. Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, compared the test to that pivotal event during the Cold War: “I don’t know if it’s quite a Sputnik moment,” he said, “but I think it’s very close to...