Policy

President Joe Biden insisted Tuesday that the U.S. policy of strategic ambiguity towards Taiwan remains in place, just one day after declaring he’d consider intervening militarily should China invade. Biden, at a joint conference Monday in Tokyo, was pressed on whether the U.S. would “get involved militarily to defend Taiwan” if necessary. The president said “yes,” noting that while the U.S. agrees with the “One China” policy, an invasion into Taiwan “is [not] appropriate.” The president’s remarks prompted a quick walk back from the White House. “As the President said, our policy has not changed,” a White House official said afterwards. “He reiterated our One China policy and our commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He also reiterated our commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with the military means to defend itself.” One day later, Biden was again pressed on Taiwan at the tail end of a Quad Fellowship event. The president, asked … [Read more...] about Biden Insists US Policy On Taiwan Hasn’t Shifted One Day After Declaring He’d Intervene Militarily If China Invaded

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 TOKYO (AP) — Japan will open its borders to foreign tourists in June for the first time since imposing tight pandemic travel restrictions about two years ago, but only for package tours for now, the prime minister said Thursday. Beginning June 10, Japan will allow the entry of people on tours with fixed schedules and guides, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said. Tourists from areas with low COVID-19 infection rates who have received three vaccine doses will be exempt from testing and quarantine after entry. Japan this week is hosting small experimental package tours from four countries, Australia, Singapore, Thailand and the United States. That experiment, which involves only 50 people who received special visas, not tourist visas, is to end May 31. “Free and active exchange of people is the foundation of economy and society, as well as that of Asia’s development,” Kishida told … [Read more...] about Japan to resume tourism in June; only packaged tour for now

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 2 RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A decade ago, Pat McCrory was king in North Carolina's Republican Party. The former Charlotte mayor became the first GOP governor in two decades when he won in 2012 by 11 percentage points. Today, the moderate has been tossed aside in state GOP politics, trounced by 34 percentage points in last week’s Senate primary by Rep. Ted Budd, who was a little-known congressman outside his district until former President Donald Trump endorsed him last June. The Trump shift within the Republican Party is making casualties nationally out of fiscal conservatives like McCrory, who says he supported many Trump policies but did not care for his style — a nuanced view that apparently did not help him in a state the former president won twice. Now McCrory’s long electoral career appears over at age 65. “I’ve played the game. I’ve been played by the game. I’ve won the game. But I’ve … [Read more...] about Decade since NC governor win, McCrory trounced in Senate bid

0 Traffic & Transit The mayoral candidate's latest $1 million giveaway includes $2-per-gallon discounts on gas Thursday in Evanston. Police anticipate traffic. Jonah Meadows , Patch Staff Posted Reply EVANSTON, IL — City officials anticipate heavy traffic Thursday around the Green Bay Road Mobil station in Evanston due to a planned gas discount event sponsored by Chicago mayoral candidate Willie Wilson. The $2-a-gallon discount to gas sold at the 1950 Green Bay Road, Evanston, begins at 7 a.m. and will last for as long as the funding is available. There are four other suburban gas stations participating, as well as 10 in Chicago in the latest $1 million donation from the Willie Wilson Foundation, which included included up to $400,000 in $25 grocery coupons Wednesday at Pete's Fresh Market and Cermak Fresh markets locations . In a statement, Wilson said inflation was eroding the savings of many Americans, with … [Read more...] about Green Bay Road Mobil Station Takes Part In Willie Wilson Gas Discount

0 Politics & Government During Karen Danczak Lyon's decade as executive director, the Evanston Public Library opened one new branch and closed two others. Jonah Meadows , Patch Staff Posted Reply EVANSTON, IL — The trustees appointed to oversee the Evanston Public Library plan to launch a nationwide search for a new chief executive in light of the impending resignation of Executive Director Karen Danczak Lyons. Danczak Lyons has spent the last decade in charge of the city's library system. During that time, the library "adopted a new vision and business model," according to a release announcing her retirement, effective June 17. The library's new vision has included hiring a social worker, lending out WiFi hotspots and job search kits and expanding online services, according to the release. EPL has also created new positions designed to engage underrepresented communities, adopted an equity statement and … [Read more...] about Karen Danczak Lyons To Step Down As Evanston Library Director In June

TRACY (CBS13) — San Joaquin County plans to ramp up testing as it deals with a surge in cases. With its case rate more than tripling in the past month, the county is now planning to distribute free at-home antigen tests to community organizations. READ MORE: CHP Investigating Deadly Crash Near Power Inn Road And Elsie Avenue It’s also opening a third “test to treat” site where people can get tested, then get services if their results come back positive. That site is set to open at the Larch Clover Community Center in Tracy on Thursday. Its hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. READ MORE: Kevin Spacey Charged In UK with 4 counts of Sexual Assault COVID-19 rates are climbing all around California to the point that mask wearing is coming back into the conversation. The Sacramento City Unified School District said that, with the county expected to reach medium to high community transmission levels as early as Thursday, they will be looking at reevaluating their mask policies . … [Read more...] about As COVID Cases Spike, San Joaquin County Opening New Test To Treat Center In Tracy