Free Republic

A state representative from Covington is urging an end to the stay-home order at month's end, saying that Louisiana is facing an economic abyss if the coronavirus measure put in place last month by Gov. John Bel Edwards is extended. In a news release, Rep. Mark Wright, a Republican, said that he respects Edwards' effort protect the people of Louisiana and what health care professionals and people are doing to reduce the the spread of the virus. "But at the end of the day, we cannot continue with these drastic measures as unemployment soars and countless small businesses close their...

The missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur sailed within 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) of Triton Island in the Paracel chain "to challenge excessive maritime claims of parties that claim the Paracel Islands," without notifying the three claimants beforehand, Defense Department spokesman Mark Wright said Saturday in Washington.. China, Taiwan and Vietnam have overlapping claims in the Paracels and require prior notice from ships transiting what they consider their territorial waters. The latest operation was particularly aimed at China, which has increased tensions with the U.S. and its Southeast Asian neighbors by embarking on massive construction of man-made islands and airstrips...