DHS Secretary Tests Positive For COVID-19 After Attending Event With Biden

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has tested positive for COVID-19 just days after he attended an event with President Biden. A DHS spokesperson said that contact tracing was underway to determine who could have been infected by Mayorkas. “Secretary Mayorkas tested positive this morning for COVID-19 after taking a test as part of routine pre-travel protocols,” DHS spokeswoman Marsha Espinosa tweeted on Tuesday. “He is experiencing only mild congestion; he is fully vaccinated and will isolate and work at home per CDC protocols and medical advice… Contact tracing is underway.” Contact tracing is underway. — Marsha (Catron)

Taliban Promised Cash, Land To Relatives Of Suicide Bombers Who Attacked US Soldiers

The Taliban have reportedly promised plots of land and given money to the relatives of suicide bombers who attacked U.S. soldiers. “Addressing the gathering Monday evening, [Taliban’s acting interior minister] praised the sacrifices of ‘martyrs and fedayeen,’ referring to fighters killed in suicide attacks,” The Associated Press reported. “Haqqani called them ‘heroes of Islam and the country,’ according to [Interior Ministry spokesman Saeed Khosty]. At the end of the meeting, he distributed 10,000 afghanis ($112) per family and promised each a plot of land.” “The promise of rewards for suicide bombings signals conflicting approaches within the Taliban leadership,” the report added.

Report: ‘Series Of Investigations’ Launched Into Biden’s Afghanistan Withdrawal

Joe Biden

The State Department’s inspector general is reportedly launching a “series of investigations” into the Biden administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, according to Politico. In an Oct. 15 memo from Secretary of State Antony Blinken that was obtained by Politico, Blinken said that the investigations will focus on “the State Department’s Special Immigrant Visa program; Afghans processed for refugee admission into the U.S.; resettlement of those refugees and visa recipients; and the emergency evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul ‘to include evacuation of U.S. citizens and Afghan nationals.’” Diana Shaw, the State Department’s acting inspector general, wrote a letter on Monday

Psaki On China Testing Advanced Nuclear-Capable Weapons: ‘We Welcome Stiff Competition’

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Jen Psaki

On Monday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki responded to reports that China had developed nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles by saying the Biden administration “welcomes stiff competition.” “Can you comment on reports that China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile over the summer? To the surprise of U.S. officials. Are these accurate? And do these raise concerns about China’s nuclear capability?” A reporter asked. “Well I know General, Secretary Austin, I should say, was asked this question this morning and addressed it,” Psaki responded. “But I’m not going to comment on the specific report. I can say and would echo what he said,

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