In The News

Will US-Taliban Deal End the War? New York Times

Laurel Miller February 19, 2020
The Taliban’s ongoing fierce attacks in Afghanistan have blocked efforts at peace. US and Taliban negotiators approach a deal. The conditions are minimal with a brief ceasefire. The Taliban expects US troops to withdraw troops and the US does not want Afghanistan to be used by transnational terrorists. The Taliban have demonstrated the extent to which they will fight for a state with Islamic...

PFAS Contaminated Water and Food: Guardian

Tom Perkins February 8, 2020
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a group of about 5,000 manmade fluorinated chemicals, widely used to produce waterproof and stain-resistant textiles. These chemicals, which don’t break down naturally, are known as “forever chemicals.” But they are also water soluble, polluting soil and nearby drinking-water sources.” It is estimated that PFAS are in 99% of Americans’ blood, and...

US Travel Ban Includes Nigeria: Al Jazeera

Shayera Dark February 6, 2020
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order extending travel restrictions for citizens of six countries including Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania. Previous orders restricted travel for Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen as well as Chad, North Korea and Venezuela. Nigerians express concern about blocks on family members, and current visa holders...

Deported to Danger: Human Rights Watch

Elizabeth G. Kennedy and Alison Parker February 5, 2020
Many immigrants flee abuse, gang recruitment and crime in their homelands, yet no government, UN or nonprofit agency monitors what happens to El Salvadoran immigrants after deportation. Human Rights Watch researched court cases and press reports to document brutal deaths of 138 immigrants deported from the United States to El Salvador since 2013, along with abuse and torture of more than 70...

Senate Acquits President Trump

February 5, 2020
The US Senate voted to acquit President Donald Trump on two charges: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The vote was not completely along party lines. Multiple Republicans conceded that the president’s actions – urging Ukrainian officials to investigate a political rival and delaying the release of military aid – were wrong. Yet many also rationalized that no crime had been committed and...

No Winner in Iowa Yet: Des Moines Register

Brianne Pfannenstiel February 4, 2020
Iowa has long been defensive about its caucus system for selecting presidential candidates: Voters gather in meeting places, review their choices and then physically gather in groups for a final count. The state’s caucuses represent the first chance for US voters to reveal their preferences and attract world attention. Officials released no official results as of 9 am and immediately attracted...

China Says US Causes Coronavirus Panic: BBC News

February 3, 2020
China is on the defensive after the United States declared the coronavirus a public health emergency, limiting travel and denying entry to foreign nationals who have visited China in the past two weeks. China has more than 17,000 confirmed new coronavirus cases and more than 350 deaths; the US has 11 confirmed cases.Some public health officials suggest that the case estimates could be low...