Thursday, September 30, 2021

*) Republicans attack Biden over Afghan pullout Republican lawmakers tried to pick apart President Joe Biden's defense of his withdrawal from Afghanistan during a second day of Congressional hearings with Pentagon leaders. Republicans have accused him of lying about military commanders' recommendations to keep 2,500 troops in the country and playing down warnings of the risks of a Taliban victory. They said Biden exaggerated America's ability to prevent Afghanistan from again becoming a safe haven for militant groups like al Qaeda. *) More than 100 dead in Ecuador's latest prison violence Clashes between rival gangs in an Ecuador prison have killed at least 116 inmates and injured nearly 80 others. Violence occurred during the night at the Guayaquil prison complex. Wednesday’s violence was the latest in a series of bloody prison clashes that have claimed the lives of nearly 200 inmates in the country so far this year. *) Israeli settlers attack Palestinian village, wound toddler Dozens of Israeli settlers have attacked a Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank, leaving several people wounded, including a Palestinian toddler. Video of Tuesday's attack released by an Israeli rights group showed several settlers hurling stones at a cluster of homes and vehicles. Israeli troops stood among the settlers but did not appear to be taking any action to stop them as Israeli police described it as a “friction incident.” *) N. Korea's Kim condemns US dialogue offer as 'facade' North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has condemned a US offer of dialogue as a "facade" and accused the Biden administration of continuing a hostile policy against his country. Talks between Pyongyang and Washington have been effectively at a standstill since the collapse of the HA NOY summit between Kim and then-president Donald Trump over sanctions relief. Under Biden, the US has repeatedly offered to meet North Korean representatives while saying it will pursue denuclearisation. And finally… *) Judge suspends Britney Spears' f