Beijing claims about 90% of the South China Sea and cites historic usage records to back its position. China has used its technological and military superiority over the other claimants to develop islets in the sea, which stretches from its southern coasts to the island of Borneo. Rival claimants Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam drill for oil and gas in the same 3.5 million-square-kilometer sea. … [Read more...] about Why China Plans to Place Its Super Offshore Oil Rig in a Disputed Sea
Knee deep in the north sea
Taiwan’s Military Claims It Can Strike Deep Into Chinese Territory
“Should the enemy insist on invading, we will weaken their capabilities by striking enemy troops at their home bases, fighting them at sea, crushing them as they approach the coastlines and wiping them out on the beaches,” an accompanying defense report explained. … [Read more...] about Taiwan’s Military Claims It Can Strike Deep Into Chinese Territory
Biden tells Merkel he wants to revitalize Germany alliance
After the 2018 NATO summit, Trump called for members to devote at least 4% of their GDP to military spending and took particular aim at Merkel, whom he accused of paying Russia “billions of dollars for gas and energy” while failing to meet her nation’s commitment to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense. … [Read more...] about Biden tells Merkel he wants to revitalize Germany alliance
GOP Ohio Sen. Portman not seeking reelection, cites gridlock
Portman was elected to Congress from southern Ohio in a 1993 special election and won six more elections before President George W. Bush tapped him to serve as U.S. trade representative in 2005. He traveled the globe, negotiating dozens of trade agreements. Bush then nominated him to be White House budget director in 2006. … [Read more...] about GOP Ohio Sen. Portman not seeking reelection, cites gridlock
When wetsuits debuted in Bay Area, surfing was forever changed
“I think I was about 12 in 1955 when I first tried a wetsuit,” he said. “My brother scored a 20-foot piece of rubber from O’Neill, and we made sort of a pullover jacket out of that. You couldn’t even get the thing off without some help. You’d be bending over and grabbing someone’s thigh while they peeled it off over your head. They were constantly tearing underneath the armpit. You always carried a can of glue in your car, and some Vaseline to lube up the weak spots. … [Read more...] about When wetsuits debuted in Bay Area, surfing was forever changed
