Simmering Tensions: China Sanctions 5 US Defense Firms Over Arms Sales to Taiwan
On Jan. 7, China imposed sanctions on five American defense manufacturers in response to Washington’s...
The Traditional Tea Ceremony, and Enjoying Its Essence at Home
First discovered in China, tea was spiritually embraced in Japan for its beauty and simplicity, and the...
A Voyage of Enchantment: Navigating the Rhône River Aboard Viking Cruises
Published with permission from Luxury Web Magazine Our fourth journey with Viking Cruises led us to...
FAA Grounds 171 Boeing MAX 9 Aircraft Following Serious Mid-Flight Incident
On Jan. 5, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered the temporary grounding of 171 Boeing 737...
Beijing Deploys Spy Balloons Over Taiwan, Escalating Tensions Ahead of Key Elections
On Jan. 3, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense reported that four suspected spy balloons had been allegedly sent by Communist China into its airspace — intensifying the already strained relations between the two nations. Three of...
Seasonal Eating for January, and Baking Whole Grain Sourdough Bread
January places us square in the season of winter, where our instinct to conserve energy and keep warm has us craving hot soups, dense roots and, of course, calorie-rich carbs. While the foods discussed in...
Don’t Compare Gaza to Taiwan
Commentary by Cao Changqing Following the outbreak of the Gaza military conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, some Chinese-language commentaries have again likened Palestine or Gaza to Taiwan, in addition to previous comparisons of Taiwan with...
Manassas City Council Resolution to Condemn China’s Persecution of Falun Gong Spotlights Organ Harvesting Crimes
MANASSAS, Virginia — The City of Manassas, Virginia, has passed a resolution condemning China’s state-sanctioned organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience as well as the communist regime’s persecution of Falun Gong, joining five other Virginia cities...
Visiting Arles: A Journey Through Art and History
Art and history enthusiasts will find Arles in Southern France a must-visit destination. Our recent exploration of this magnificent city was part of a Viking River cruise on the Heimdal River Cruiser. Arles, a blend...
‘This is a real problem’: NYC Mayor Seeks to Amend ‘Right to Shelter’ Law in Face of Waves of Migrants
New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, has renewed his calls to dismantle the city’s “right to shelter” law, arguing that the decades-old law no longer applies when addressing the migrant crisis gripping the city. The...
Tesla, Other EVs Lose Tax Credits as US Hopes to Reduce Dependency on Chinese Batteries
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Reuters) — Many electric vehicles lost eligibility for tax credits of up to $7,500 after new battery sourcing rules took effect on New Year Day 2024. Affected models includes the Nissan Leaf, Tesla...
Devastating Earthquake Strikes Japan on New Year’s Day as Frantic Search for Survivors Begins
As Japan faces the aftermath of another devastating earthquake, the nation entered 2024 grappling with scenes of utter destruction along its western coast. The quake, which struck the Noto Peninsula in the Ishikawa prefecture in...