Month: May 2022

Israel Signs Historic Free Trade Pact With United Arab Emirates

Israel has signed a free trade pact with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), an agreement expected to accelerate economic growth in the region during the coming years. The deal was signed by UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri and Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry Orna Barbivai on May 31 in Dubai…


What Is Bubble Tea?

Imagine walking down the street and you come across a storefront with bright, colorful advertisements for boba tea. The poster shows that the beverage comes in various, vibrant flavors — from matcha and mango to taro and strawberry — and it pulls you in to make an order. But you don’t even know where to…


DeSantis Is Looking to Hire Director for the New Florida State Guard

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.–Gov. Ron DeSantis said on June 1 that he is looking for someone with “military-style” leadership to head the newly re-established Florida State Guard (FLSG). DeSantis wants someone who will lead Florida’s civilian force in a way that will assist and support state emergency response agencies. The Director of the FLSG will be…


San Francisco’s Proposition A

Commentary Proposition A is a bond measure with the spurious title of “MUNI Reliability and Street Safety,” yet it fails to require that the money go to any specific transit programs or priorities. Instead, it delivers an untethered blank check into the hands of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s management—the same team that brought…


Spotted Lanternflies Are Hatching Again. but How Far Do They Spread Each Year?

By Frank Kummer From The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia — Black-and-white spotted lanternfly nymphs about a quarter-inch long are starting to hatch in the region, hopping across decks, patios, and trees before they morph over the summer into flying Technicolor adults. If you haven’t seen them in your yard yet, it could only be a matter…


San Francisco Homeless Center Drops ‘Linkage’ From Name After Few Linked to Services

SAN FRANCISCO—The Tenderloin Linkage Center has dropped the word “linkage” from its name after very few people were linked to drug recovery services and other programs. The center opened in January and was scheduled to remain open until at least June 30. While it’s been approved by the County Board of Supervisors for another six months, the center…


Crown Stays Charges of 6 Involved in GTA Tow-Truck Industry Violence

Crown prosecutors have stayed charges for six people involved in high-profile violence between rival tow-truck companies in the Greater Toronto Area, despite being accused of more than 70 criminal acts of arson, murder, and property damage. In February 2020, the York Regional Police (YRP) launched Project Platinum in response to violence and criminal activities between…


James Biden Denies Being Biden Family ‘Fixer’ After Appearing in Nephew Hunter’s Emails

Even though James Biden is prominently featured in emails with his nephew, Hunter Biden, the president’s brother vehemently denies that he is the family “fixer” in a rare interview he gave to The Washington Post that appeared on Tuesday. President Joe Biden’s brother, James Biden, denied that he is the family’s “fixer” while speaking to…


Despite Hormone Therapy, Transgender Athletes Have Unfair Advantage Over Biological Women: Doctors

Male-born transgender athletes retain their physical advantages over biological female opponents, even after taking testosterone suppressants, doctors said. In an interview with The New York Times, a Mayo Clinic doctor, an international physiologist, and a Harvard University evolutionary biologist offered their take on the performance of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, who competed as a woman…


Quebec to Use HPV Test to Screen for Cervical Cancer, Replacing Pap Test

Quebec says it will start using human papillomavirus tests as its primary screening tool for cervical cancer, replacing the Pap smear. The Health Department says the province will systematically offer HPV testing for cervical cancer screening to all women aged 25 to 65, every five years. A government health-care research institute said in a January…