The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday formally welcomed and opened an Israeli embassy in a move that further normalizes ties between the two nations as brokered under the Trump-era Abraham Accords. The Accords were signed in September by the UAE, Israel, and Bahrain with the intention to normalize relations between the three nations. Soon afterwards, Morocco and Sudan signed on to the Accords.

The 2021 All-Star Game featured the best and brightest of the American and National Leagues, and it had the feeling of an international party with several worldwide nations represented by high-profile superstars.  The American League bested the National League 5-2.

Tensions between the US and China continue to rise as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken re-affirmed the US’s position denying essentially all territorial maritime claims by China in the South China Sea. This policy was first instituted by former President Trump after “an Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention delivered a unanimous and enduring decision firmly rejecting the PRC’s expansive South China Sea maritime claims as having no basis in international law.” Blinken went on to condemned the continued and increasing intrusions by China in the South China Sea and nearby regions and strongly warned China against attempting any sort of military action.

Facing stiff opposition from Republicans on his $4 trillion dollar infrastructure and Democrat pet project plan, President Biden got a boost from his Democrat colleagues on Tuesday with the announcement of a new $3.5 trillion “human infrastructure” plan.

The brutal heatwave and drought continues to oppress the Western United States and the situation is only getting worse as wildfires have begun to tear through the region. The largest wildfire is near Doyle, California spanning close to 90,000 acres but there are a number of other smaller fires across California, Nevada, Arizona, and Idaho. Thus far two firefighters have died in Arizona and in Idaho the governor has activated the National Guard to be on alert in order to assist firefighters.

Last week, the organization announced that it is adding a “Tower of Babel” attraction.  Answers In Genesis will begin raising money for the attraction soon, with a target goal to open in three to four years.

Following an Israeli study showing that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is less effective against the COVID-19 Delta variant, the FDA has issued a new warning regarding side effects for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. The warning has to do with the emergence of 100 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome in vaccine recipients. J&J released a statement about the matter which can be found here.

The longest-tenured lead general in Afghanistan, Austin Miller, stepped down from his command post on Monday, symbolizing the end of America’s 20-year involvement in the country.