Stanley Colaço
Staff Writer
National
Biden starts process of vaccine mandates in businesses of 100 or more employees
The Biden administration rolled out new vaccine requirements Sept. 9, expected to be carried out on the federal level, that mandate all businesses with 100 or more workers to require that all employees either receive the vaccine or receive weekly testing. Many GOP governors and politicians came out in strong opposition to the bill, some even refusing to let the policy take root in their respective states. The administration is planning on enacting this policy through OSHA in order to avoid constitutional questions and to mitigate expected litigation on the policy and the administration.
Capitol Police begin 6 disciplinary cases against officers involved in protest
The United States Capitol Police announced that their internal affairs department will be pursuing disciplinary action against officers involved in election protests on inauguration day January 2020. The charges include three cases for conduct unbecoming, one for failure to comply with directives, one for improper remarks and one for improper dissemination of information. These cases came as a surprise after the U.S. Attorney’s Office recommended that no action be taken, stating that no officers performed their duties in any improper way during the January 6 protests.
DOJ increases monitoring for police departments
Attorney General Merrick Garland released a new plan from the Department of Justice that would increase federal and state monitoring of localized police departments. Garland claimed that the shift in the DOJ’s handling of police departments will increase community trust. Some of the more notable changes include creating performance reviews that must be used before renewing terms, increasing monitoring and allowing for community engagement in existing monitoring. While the DOJ has not released all information in regards to the shift yet, past decrees by the DOJ have changed body camera laws, use of force and community policing.
International
Released FBI 9/11 report claims Saudi government is not responsible for attacks
Twenty years after the 9/11 attacks, the FBI declassified a 16-page report used to determine if Saudi Arabia was complicit in the attacks. The report determined that while various Saudi nationals were involved and even directly facilitated aspects of the attacks, the Saudi Arabian government itself didn’t directly assist terrorists with the attack. A week before the release, the Saudi Arabian government detailed the extent of their involvement in the attacks, claiming that they were completely removed.
China invests heavily in Afghanistan
China announced $31 million in aid for the Taliban and chose to keep its embassy in the capital of Kabul open, legitimizing the Taliban and their control over the Middle Eastern country. The aid will be spanning a great deal, including food, medication and vaccines for COVID-19. Since the U.S. drew troops out of the country earlier this year, this is the first major pledge of foreign aid by any nation. According to Zhou Bo, a former colonel in China’s army, the Chinese government’s main intention with this major development is to gain access to Afghanistan’s natural resources, estimated to be $1 trillion in total.
North Korea reports testing cruise missile
North Korean state media has claimed that testing of a long range missile that could hit most of Japan has been carried out. North Korea claims that the missile could reach up to 930 miles from its launching point and could be fired from a moving vehicle. While the testing itself was done inside North Korean waters, the U.S. and Japanese militaries have both expressed concern over the potential of the weapon and its possible uses. The missile itself may be North Korea’s first that is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. This means it may be able to carry heavier payloads, fly faster and even have a longer range than any previous missiles used by the East Asian country.