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The US Relationship With China Faces A Test As Taiwan Elects A New Leader

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Washington — Washington’s relationship with Beijing will face its most serious test since the two presidents met in November, as the U.S. seeks to keep the Taiwan Straits calm when Taiwanese voters pick a new president this weekend.

The peace and stability of the 110-mile-wide (177-kilometer-wide) waterway connecting China’s mainland to the self-governing island are at stake. Any armed war might pit Washington against China, disrupting the global economy.

China thinks the front-runner’s victory in Saturday’s election will be a step toward independence and has warned Taiwanese voters that they may have to choose between peace and war.

According to officials and analysts, regardless of who wins the presidential election, Washington is willing to collaborate with both Taipei and Beijing to avoid miscalculations and escalation of tensions.

A senior White House official stated that the United States will maintain open lines of communication with China and close touch with Taiwan to “reinforce both our support for Taiwan’s democratic processes and also our strong commitment to peace, stability, and the status quo.” The official talked with reporters on Thursday under the condition of anonymity to outline the plans.

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The US Relationship With China Faces A Test As Taiwan Elects A New Leader

President Joe Biden intends to send an unofficial group of former senior officials to the island soon after the election. The United States has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and sending an official delegation would irritate Beijing, which considers the island Chinese territory.

Anticipating a “period of higher tensions,” the person stated that the U.S. is preparing for several replies from Beijing based on the election results, which may range from no response to military action.

On Saturday, the island’s 23 million inhabitants will elect a new president to succeed Tsai Ing-wen, who has served two terms. The election has received a lot of attention since Beijing is opposed to front-runner Lai Ching-te, the candidate from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which is known for its pro-independence stances. This has generated concerns that a Lai victory may prompt a military response from the mainland.

Beijing has sworn to unify Taiwan, even if it means using force. Any military action may involve the United States, which supports Taiwan with military hardware and technology under a security treaty.

While not taking sides on Taiwan’s sovereignty, Washington opposes any unilateral alteration in the status quo by either side. It has not indicated an official preference for any candidate.

When Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in California in November, he emphasized the significance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Xi urged Biden to support China’s peaceful reunification with the island, telling him that “the Taiwan question remains the most important and sensitive issue in China-US relations.”

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The US Relationship With China Faces A Test As Taiwan Elects A New Leader

Politicians and observers say that no matter who wins Saturday’s election, Washington will work with the new Taiwanese government to enhance ties and stop Beijing’s military aggression.

“The United States will exchange notes with Taiwan to maintain stability and ensure Taiwan’s future resilience,” said Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the German Marshall Fund’s Indo-Pacific program.

“Regardless of who wins, the American people will stand with the people of Taiwan and the vibrant, beautiful democracy of Taiwan,” Illinois Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said Wednesday during a Politico conversation. “And that’s on a bipartisan basis.” He is the top Democrat on a House select committee looking into strategic competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.

Republican Representative Andy Barr of Kentucky stated during the same conversation that the United States and all of Taiwan’s major parties believe in deterrence. “We will work with whoever wins this election to reestablish and strengthen that deterrence,” he said.

The overwhelming support among Taiwanese for retaining the status quo indicates that U.S. policy will remain the same regardless of who wins the election, according to Scott Kennedy, senior adviser and trustee chair in Chinese business and economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

“No one wants to provoke a war, and the current situation is minimally acceptable to almost everyone, whether in Taiwan, mainland China, or the United States,” he said.

According to Rorry Daniels, managing director of the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York, all of Taiwan’s presidential hopefuls now view a strong connection with the United States as a powerful deterrent to Beijing’s violent takeover of the island.

According to Daniels of the Asia Society Policy Institute, the challenge for Taipei and Washington would be handling Beijing’s fear that Taiwan would be “creeping into independence,” according to Daniels of the Asia Society Policy Institute.

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The US Relationship With China Faces A Test As Taiwan Elects A New Leader

Lai is closely followed by the opposing Kuomintang party’s nominee, Hou Yu-ih. Beijing is accused of conducting an influence operation in support of Hou, whose party considers Taiwan to be part of China, albeit not necessarily under Beijing’s control. However, many believe a Kuomintang victory would stay the same U.S. policy because popular opinion on the island overwhelmingly supports the present quo.

If Hou is elected, Washington, which has a history of working with the Kuomintang, will be prepared to engage with him to continue strengthening US-Taiwan relations, and any easing in cross-strait tensions that results from his election could allow the U.S. to focus on other issues, according to Brian Hart, a fellow of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

A warming cross-strait relationship could complicate US-China relations. “There will be more to coordinate,” Daniels explained. But, as Beijing is likely to put pressure on a Kuomintang government to proceed toward reunification, she said that Washington may assist Hou in managing that pressure.

If elected, the third candidate, Ko Wen-je of the newly formed Taiwan People’s Party, might pose Washington’s most serious challenge. His party has yet to be tested and establish a relationship with Washington, but experts note that Ko has expressed an interest in collaborating with the United States.

“The Biden administration has gone out of its way to have no preference,” he remarked. “There is an opportunity regardless of who wins. The United States is truly not attempting to weigh in on this.”

“From the U.S. perspective, what we want Taiwan to do at a higher degree is to invest in its defense, to deter China’s aggression,” he said.

SOURCE – (AP)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics, Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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Dan Rather Synonymous with CBS News Dies at Age 92

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Dan Rather Synonymous with CBS News Dies at Age 92
Dan Rather CBS Evening News

Dan Rather was synonymous with CBS News before the veteran anchorman left in bitterness in 2006, following a discredited report on then-President George W Bush has died at the age of 92.

Dan Rather returned to the CBS News airwaves for the first time since his bitter exit 18 years ago, appearing in a reflective interview on “CBS Sunday Morning” days before the debut of a Netflix documentary on the 92-year-old newsman’s life.

After 44 years at the network, 24 as anchor of the “CBS Evening News,” Rather left under a cloud following a botched investigation into then-President George W. Bush’s military record. Rather signed off as anchor for the last time on March 9, 2005, and exited the network when his contract ended 15 months later.

With continued enmity between him and since-deposed CBS chief Leslie Moonves, Rather essentially became a nonperson at the news division he dominated for decades.

“Without apology or explanation, I miss CBS,” Rather told correspondent Lee Cowan in the interview that aired Sunday. “I’ve missed it since the day I left.”

Dan Rather

Rather questioned Bush’s Vietnam War-era National Guard service: Image Vox

Dan Rather escaped official blame for the report that questioned Bush’s Vietnam War-era National Guard service but, as the anchor who introduced it, was identified with it.

CBS could not vouch for the authenticity of some documents upon which the report was based, although many people involved in the story still believe it was true.

In the documentary “Rather,” debuting Wednesday on Netflix, Rather said he thought he would survive the incident, but his wife, Jean, told him, “You got into a fight with the president of the United States during his reelection campaign. What did you think was going to happen?”

Rather did not retire after leaving CBS, doing investigative journalism and rock star interviews for HDNet, a digital cable and satellite television network. Over the past few years, he has become known to a new generation as a tart-talking presence on social media.

This past week, he posted on X during former President Trump’s hush money trial: “Is it just me or did today seem sleazy even for Donald Trump?”

“You either get engaged and you get engaged in the new terms … or you’re out of the game,” Rather said in the CBS interview, filmed at his home in Texas. “And I wanted to stay in the game.”

The Netflix documentary traces his career from coverage of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the Vietnam War and Watergate, through his anchor years and beyond. It includes some of the then tightly-wound Rather’s odder incidents, including an assault in New York City by someone saying, “What’s the frequency, Kenneth,” then later appearing onstage with R.E.M. when the group performed its song of the same name.

In both the documentary and in the CBS interview, Rather bypasses his career when talk turned to his legacy.

“In the end, whatever remains of one’s life — family, friends — those are going to be the things for which you’re remembered,” he said.

Source: The Associated Press

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Residents Begin Going Through The Rubble After Tornadoes Hammer Parts Of Nebraska And Iowa

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AP - VOR News Image

The city of Omaha, located in Nebraska, is the subject of this article. On Saturday, residents began examining the debris following a tornado that tore through suburban Omaha, Nebraska. The tornado caused extensive damage to homes and businesses as it traveled miles across farmland and into residential areas.

A crowd assembled in the streets of the Elkhorn region in Omaha amidst the fragmented remnants of the residences. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen intends to visit the area and after that conduct a press briefing on Saturday in Omaha.

The tornadoes that occurred on Friday night caused extensive destruction in the Midwest. One building collapsed, trapping numerous individuals inside, while hundreds of residences were either destroyed or damaged.

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AP – VOR News Image

Residents Begin Going Through The Rubble After Tornadoes Hammer Parts Of Nebraska And Iowa

Multiple injury incidents have been documented. However, no deaths have been reported.

Three individuals sustained injuries in Lancaster County, Nebraska, as a result of a tornado striking an industrial structure, leading to its collapse while containing 70 occupants. Multiple individuals were confined. However, all individuals were successfully removed from the premises, and the injuries sustained were deemed non-fatal, as stated by the police.

A devastating tornadoes traveled a considerable distance on Friday, first affecting agricultural land before causing significant damage to residences and other buildings in the suburban areas of Omaha. Omaha has a population of 485,000 people and a metropolitan area of approximately 1 million.

Images shared on social media platforms also depict extensive destruction in the small town of Minden, Iowa, which is located approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Omaha.

During a briefing on Friday, Jeff Theulen, the top deputy of the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, stated that 40 to 50 homes had been entirely demolished. Two injuries were documented, but none risked the individuals’ lives.

According to him, school buses have been sent to provide transportation for residents who require it to leave the area. He requested that others refrain from entering the area due to its high level of hazard, characterized by fallen power lines and heaps of debris where houses once stood.

“It is truly distressing to witness these individuals who have suffered the loss of their homes, vehicles, and essentially their entire livelihood until they are able to reconstruct it,” he expressed.

The Saturday forecast was foreboding. The National Weather Service issued tornado watches for northern Texas and western Oklahoma on Saturday morning.

“There is a possibility of tornadoes, potentially significant tornadoes, occurring on Saturday afternoon and evening,” stated Bruce Thoren, a meteorologist from the weather service in Norman, Oklahoma.

Areas of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Arkansas were under tornado warnings. Meteorologists warned that significant hail and powerful gusts of wind could occur.

Omaha police Lieutenant Neal Bonacci reported that numerous residences in Omaha, particularly in the Elkhorn district in the city’s western region, sustained damage on Friday. In response, police officers and firefighters visited households to provide assistance.

Several recently constructed, spacious residences in a specific section of Elkhorn sustained significant damage. A minimum of six structures were severely damaged, with one completely demolished and others experiencing significant damage to their upper sections. A multitude of emergency cars swiftly arrived at the location.

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AP – VOR News Image

Residents Begin Going Through The Rubble After Tornadoes Hammer Parts Of Nebraska And Iowa

According to Pat Woods, a resident of Elkhorn, we observed the touchdown of the object approximately 200 yards away before seeking shelter. “We were able to perceive its approach.” Upon our arrival, we discovered that our fence had disappeared. As we gazed towards the northwest, we observed that the entire neighborhood had vanished.

Kim Woods, his spouse, stated, “The entire residential area located to the north of our location has been severely devastated.”

According to Dhaval Naik, who claims to work with the owner of the residence, three individuals, including a toddler, were present in the basement of the destroyed house during the tornadoes. However, they managed to escape unharmed.

A video from KETV-TV depicted the evacuation of a woman from a destroyed residence in Blair, a city located to the north of Omaha. The woman was transported on a stretcher.According to Bonacci, two individuals were brought for medical care, both of whom sustained minor injuries.

“The few serious injuries were prevented because people were given warnings,” stated Omaha Police ChiefTodd Schmaderer.

A tornado warning was issued in the Omaha vicinity on Friday afternoon, coinciding with the scheduled departure of students from school. Several schools implemented a shelter-in-place protocol for kids until the storm subsided.

“Was it a single continuous tornado or were there multiple tornadoes?” Kern from the National Weather Service inquired.

According to her, the agency intended to dispatch numerous teams in the next few days to assess the quantity and intensity of the tornadoes. This process could last up to a fortnight.

A tornado struck an area on the eastern periphery of Omaha, causing direct damage to sections of Eppley Airfield, the city’s airport. Aircraft operations were temporarily suspended to assess the damage, but the facility was subsequently reopened, according to Steve McCoy, Chief Strategy Officer of the Omaha Airport Authority.

tornadoes

AP – VOR News Image

Residents Begin Going Through The Rubble After Tornadoes Hammer Parts Of Nebraska And Iowa

Although the tornadoes did not directly strike the passenger terminal, McCoy stated that individuals promptly sought refuge in storm shelters until the tornadoes subsided.

Following its path through the airport, the tornado over the Missouri River entered Iowa, specifically to the north of Council Bluffs.

According to sheriff’s officials, in Lancaster County, three individuals sustained injuries as a result of the collapse of an industrial facility. Additionally, there have been reports of a train that has tipped over near Waverly, Nebraska.

Approximately 10,000 customers in the Omaha area experienced a power outage, as reported by the Omaha Public Power District. On Saturday morning, the number had decreased to slightly over 4,300.

Pillen, the governor of Nebraska, announced on the social media platform X that he had directed the allocation of state resources to assist in the emergency response and help first responders evaluate the extent of the damage.

SOURCE – (AP)

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Andrew Tate Human Trafficking Trial to Proceed in Romania

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Andrew Tate Human Trafficking Trial to Proceed in Romania

The trial of popular influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan will proceed, the criminal court in Romanian has announced. Tate, his brother Tristan, and two Romanian female suspects were accused in June on charges of human trafficking, rape, and organizing a criminal gang to sexually exploit people, which they deny.

Under Romanian law, the case was then sent to the Bucharest court’s preliminary chamber, which was responsible for inspecting the case files and evidence to guarantee validity. The process is now complete, and the criminal trial may begin.

“The court notes the legality of evidence management by… prosecutors, and rules that the case can go to trial,” the Bucharest court said, adding that the decision can be appealed. There is no definite date for the trial.

Eugen Vidineac, the brothers’ principal defence lawyer, stated that he has filed an appeal against the ruling.

“The preliminary chamber judge’s decision lacks a legal basis and reasoning,” he stated in a statement. “We have filed a strong appeal as we believe the ruling to be unlawful.”

The Tates’ counsel stated that no trial date had been set, and that “the decision is going to be appealed.”

Britain’s request to extradite Andrew Tate

In March, a Romanian court authorized Britain’s request to extradite Andrew Tate and his brother on sexual assault claims stretching back to 2012-15, but only after Romanian trial processes had concluded.

The Tate brothers, both former kickboxers with dual citizenship in the United States and the United Kingdom, are the most high-profile accused facing human trafficking trials in Romania, and their case will serve as a test for Romania’s anti-organized crime prosecuting arm DIICOT.

Adult trafficking, like rape, carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence.

From late December 2022 to April 2023, the Tate brothers were in police custody to prevent them from escaping the country or tampering with evidence.

They were subsequently held under house arrest until August, when courts placed them under judicial control, a less stringent arrangement that allows them to move freely but not leave the country.

According to Romanian prosecutors, the Tate brothers recruited their victims by charming them and making false claims about wanting a relationship or marriage.

The victims were subsequently driven to homes outside of Bucharest and sexually exploited through physical abuse and mental intimidation by being forced to create pornographic content for social media platforms that produced a lot of money, according to prosecutors.

Tate, a self-proclaimed sexist, has amassed millions of followers by preaching an ultra-masculine lifestyle that opponents argue denigrates women.

Who is Andrew Tate?

Andrew Tate is a controversial internet celebrity who promotes toxic masculinity and holds misogynistic ideas. The former kickboxer rose to prominence after posting sexist, homophobic, and nasty messages on social media and in viral videos.

Tate’s incendiary words frequently objectify women, excuse sexual assault, and reinforce damaging gender stereotypes. Despite being banned from multiple platforms, his cult-like following spreads his harmful views online.

Tate’s unabashed embrace of hypermasculinity and a lavish lifestyle appeals to disillusioned young men looking for approval. However, many see his ideas as a breeding ground for internet radicalism, which fuels real-world violence and persecution of women.

Tate’s unbridled anger has triggered a global response, with critics accusing him of spreading hate speech that normalizes women’s degradation.

Source; Reuters

 

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