Sea scooter

Since Evans posted his song on TikTok in late December, other musicians have used the app's duet feature to add their own voices and instruments to the mix, resulting in a harmonic kaleidoscope of renditions that have gained their own popularity. Other sea shanties took off as well (there is some difference in the definition of these maritime songs, but we'll just stick to shanties for now). Everyone was having a good time. … [Read more...] about Sea shanties are your soundtrack of 2021. Seriously

An Iranian helicopter filmed the USS Georgia, which the submarine crept along at periscope depth. The "feather" behind the periscope was visible on the surface, as well as the broad outline of the submarine just beneath the surface. The video released in Iranian media made the submarine appear like a massive, manmade Great White shark in the clear water.  … [Read more...] about Iranian missiles land within 20 miles of ship, 100 miles from Nimitz strike group in Indian Ocean: officials

This was long overdue. The U.S. has voluntarily regulated its contact with Taiwanese officials since its recognition of China over 40 years ago, and consequent de-recognition of Taiwan. By limiting and restricting the relationships American officials could build with their Taiwanese counterparts, the U.S. propitiated the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) ever-constant paranoia vis a vis its domestic legitimacy. Taiwan remained an American partner despite de-recognition — but restricted contact has not helped U.S.-Taiwanese policy coordination, and served as a reminder that America, despite its guarantees to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act, was willing too often to submit to China’s will and indulge the CCP’s unease. … [Read more...] about Biden should expand contact between US and Taiwanese officials

Before this week, both the U.S. and China said the trade talks were making steady progress, giving the impression that the world's two biggest economies were approaching an agreement. But on Sunday, Trump announced on Twitter that he plans to raise tariffs and have them cover all products imported from China, as of Friday. … [Read more...] about China, US trade reps meet for high-stakes talks with hours to go until $200B in new tariffs take effect

"Their economy has gone down very substantially, and I have a lot more to do if I want to do it," Trump told "Fox & Friends" last week. "They lived too well for too long and, frankly, I guess they think the Americans are stupid people. Americans are not stupid people. We were led badly when it came to trade." … [Read more...] about Chinese official finds Trump ‘very confusing,’ says US warships at China’s doorstep building tension