Taiwan Says Hong Kong Warned Off Flight to Taiwan-Controlled Island

Critical Race Theory Divides Americans, Leads to Tyranny and Violence: Jarrett Stepman

The prevalence of critical race theory (CRT) in mainstream institutions is creating a “permanent intractable division” between Americans that can only lead to either tyranny or violence, author and columnist Jarrett Stepman warned. In an interview with The Epoch Times’ “Crossroads,” Stepman described the CRT as a concept that boils down every aspect of society and individual life to race. “This is where we get the idea that America is inherently a white supremacist society,” Stepman told host Joshua Philipp. He explained that under the CRT framework, everything in the society is dictated by skin color or identity, leaving individual preference and individual choice as simply “non-determinative factors.” It is not surprising, according to Stepman, that many proponents of the CRT “sound very much segregationist,” considering how this idea divides…

TAIPEI—Hong Kong air traffic controllers on Thursday warned off a Taiwanese civilian flight flying to Taiwan-controlled islands in the South China Sea, forcing it to turn back, the island’s government said.

The incident, which comes at a time of rising regional tensions, occurred as a UNI Air charter flight from southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung to the Pratas Islands was approaching Hong Kong’s flight information region, Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration said.

Hong Kong air traffic controllers told the captain there were “dangerous activities” happening below 26,000 feet and the aircraft could not enter, so for safety reasons he decided to turn back, the administration said in a statement.

Hong Kong had not issued a prior notice warning of activities that could affect flights, it added.

Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The weekly charter flights to the Pratas mostly carry Taiwan government and coastguard personnel and are not open for ordinary travelers to book.

The Pratas lie southeast of Hong Kong at the northern end of the South China Sea, and normally get far less attention than the more contested waters further south near the Paracel and Spratly Islands.

China, which claims democratic Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up military activities near Taiwan, including drills and regular air force missions close to the Pratas, which are only lightly defended by Taiwan.

The Pratas, the closest Taiwan-controlled territory to Hong Kong, have taken on extra significance since anti-government protests began in the Chinese-run city.

Taiwan has intercepted at least one boat close to the Pratas carrying people fleeing from Hong Kong trying to make their way to Taiwan.

Some Taiwanese officials have expressed concerns that China could seize the Pratas, in a drastic escalation of tensions that could lead to a war.

By Ben Blanchard and Twinnie Siu

Focus News: Taiwan Says Hong Kong Warned Off Flight to Taiwan-Controlled Island

Man Who Fired Shots Before Kyle Rittenhouse in Kenosha Is Charged: Officials

The man who admitted firing shots before Kyle Rittenhouse fatally shot two people during unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, was charged, officials said. Joshua Ziminski, 35, faces charges of disorderly conduct and use of a dangerous weapon following the Aug. 25 shooting that occurred in the midst of riots and protests in Kenosha after police shot Jacob Blake in the back. According to a police complaint, officials said Ziminski was seen holding a black handgun. They said he was seen walking with his wife near a gas station before firing one shot into the air. “Detective Howard observed a muzzle flash emit from the handgun, and heard a gunshot at the same time,” the complaint said, according to Fox News. “In another video, the defendant is clearly seen at that same location. The…