Around the World
China Sends 25 Warplanes Into Taiwanese Airspace
China sent 25 military planes into Taiwanese airspace on Monday, escalating tensions between the United States and Beijing.
US intelligence chiefs: ‘We don’t know’ Putin’s reason for military buildup on Ukrainian border
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reason for a major military buildup on Ukrainian borders remains a mystery, U.S. intelligence officials told lawmakers.
China and Russia pose greatest threat to US
In its annual survey of United States national security threats, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) reported Tuesday that China and Russia currently pose the greatest danger to America, the Washington Times reports.
Japan plans to throw 1m tons of treated nuclear wastewater into the sea
Japan announced Tuesday that it plans to dump 1 million tons of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea, Business Insider reports. Set to be implemented in 2023, the plan is part of an ongoing effort to deal with the 2011 tsunami-triggered disaster at the plant.
Biden offers to have summit with Putin
US President Joe Biden has offered to have a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid rising tensions over Russia’s buildup of troops close to Ukraine’s eastern border and Crimea, the Washington Times reports. Moscow has acknowledged the offer of a summit.
Denmark bans COVID-19 vaccines amid reports of blood clots
Denmark is the first country to fully ban the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine over concerns about its link to blood clots in recipients.
U.S. intel chief: Coronavirus originated either from Chinese lab breach or infected animal
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told Congress on Wednesday the COVID-19 pandemic began either from an accident at a Chinese laboratory or through an infected animal who passed it along to humans.
Britain, France, Germany slam Iran for further violating 2015 nuclear deal
Britain, France and Germany criticized Iran on Wednesday for increasing enrichment of uranium to levels banned by the 2015 nuclear deal.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel celebrates Independence Day; PM: This year we discovered how strong we are
Israel's Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror came to an end on Wednesday evening with sadness giving way to joy in a state ceremony at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem to mark the start of the country's Independence Day.

Inside the United States
Democrats to introduce legislation to add four Supreme Court justices
Democratic lawmakers will introduce legislation to expand the Supreme Court on Thursday, jumping ahead of President Biden’s recently created commission that’s studying the pros and cons of packing the court.
HHS spending $60 million per week to house unaccompanied minors at border
The Biden administration is spending $60 million per week to take care of unaccompanied minors at the border, according to a report by The Washington Post.
Moderna working to combine flu and coronavirus vaccines
Moderna said it's working on combining the flu vaccine with its COVID-19 vaccine.
Poll: Almost Half of Republicans Say They’ll Never Get Covid-19 Vaccine
Almost half of all Republicans said they would never get the Covid-19 vaccine in the latest poll from the Monmouth University Polling Institute, far more than the portion Democrats or independents who said the same.
Federal Court allows Ohio to ban Down syndrome abortions
The 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals has permitted to take effect an Ohio law that prohibits abortions requested because the fetus has Down syndrome, the Washington Times reports.
Minnesota police arrest more than 60 for rioting in protests, following fatal police shooting
Minnesota police on Tuesday night arrested over 60 people for rioting and other offenses during protests over the fatal police shooting of Duante Wright earlier this week.
STDs reach all-time high for 6th consecutive year
New federal data show that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have reached an all-time high in the U.S. for the sixth consecutive year.

Worthy Watch
The Media Coordinating ‘Global Emergency’ Messaging
Gallup: Catholic Biden Job Approval Highest Among People Who Never Attend Church