They've been everywhere, crawling up trees and flitting about clumsily in search of a mate, droning loudly, causing auto accidents and even daring to land on the neck of the US president.

Now the curtain is coming down for the latest brood of cicadas, the disquieting insects that appear briefly in their trillions in the US every 17 years. These huge swarms that have been spawning headlines -- and headaches, in some cases -- for Americans are dying off.

The infestation began in April and May in some eastern and midwest US states such as Maryland and Ohio, and the capital Washington.

For weeks these harmless thumb-sized bugs with striking red eyes and translucent wings did what cicadas are supposed to do: emerge from the ground as babies, molt, mate, lay eggs and die.

'It got me'

The&nbsp;"periodical"&nbsp;cicada&nbsp;waits underground as a nymph for almost its entire 17-year life cycle, making the journey to the surface when the soil reaches a perfect 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 C).

As they always do, the Class of 2021 made a bit of a nuisance of itself. They do not fly well, constantly bumping into windows, cars and people, making an angry hissing sound as if the collision were not their fault.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/in-focus-big-tech-firms-facing-antitrust-investigations-across-world-393413">Also Read |&nbsp;In focus: Big Tech firms facing antitrust investigations across world</a>

The brood had its most prominent 15 minutes of fame on June 9 when President Joe Biden swatted one from his neck as he waited to board Air Force One for his first trip abroad.

"Watch out for the cicadas. I just got one — it got me," Biden said with a smile as he approached a group of reporters.

There were so many cicadas in the Washington area they would actually show up on weather radar screens.

The night before the Biden incident, a swarm of the insects clogged the engines of a press plane due to accompany the president to Europe, delaying those journalists for hours until another aircraft was found.&nbsp;

And while cicadas do not bite or sting people, they do cause trouble, as happened in Cincinnati, Ohio.

"Historically each time they emerge, there have been several car crashes attributed to their presence. This year is no different," Cincinnati police wrote on Facebook.

The police went on to explain that a young man happened to drive through a swarm of cicadas with his window open and one of them hit him in the face, temporarily stunning him.

"He then crashed into a utility pole," police said. The driver was not seriously injured.

"Remember to keep your windows rolled up until our little red-eyed friends are gone."

'Every 13 years?&nbsp;

Now, as the bugs die off, the drone of the cicadas has fallen silent in some regions that had been infested and the dried up, crunchy bodies of dead insects litter sidewalks.

For the rest, it is just a matter of time.

And for entomologists, it is time to evaluate the latest chapter of this very rare event.

"In some places, they appear to have expanded their range, while in other places, their range has shrunk.&nbsp;It's going to take time to sort through the data," said John Cooley of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology of the University of Connecticut in Hartford. He launched a project to map the cicadas.

"Where trees have been removed and surfaces built, cicadas are gone for good. However, where agricultural lands have reverted to parks or residential properties and trees have been planted, there are more cicadas," said Michael Raupp of the entomology department at the University of Maryland.

As for climate change, it will affect these bugs but it is not yet clear exactly how, said Cooley.

"That's why our detailed mapping project is so important. We are making baseline maps to look at in the future," he said.

Raupp said global warming will allow cicadas to expand their range northward and emerge earlier in the year.

Another hypothesis, he said, is that some cicadas could emerge every 13 years instead of 17.

They've been everywhere, crawling up trees and flitting about clumsily in search of a mate, droning loudly, causing auto accidents and even daring to land on the neck of the US president.

They've been everywhere, crawling up trees and flitting about clumsily in search of a mate, droning loudly, causing auto accidents and even daring to land on the neck of the US president. Now the curtain is coming down for the latest brood of cicadas, the disquieting insects that appear briefly in their trillions in the US every 17 years. These huge swarms that have been spawning headlines -- and headaches, in some cases -- for Americans are dying off. The infestation began in April and May in some eastern and midwest US states such as Maryland and Ohio, and the capital Washington. For weeks these harmless thumb-sized bugs with striking red eyes and translucent wings did what cicadas are supposed to do: emerge from the ground as babies, molt, mate, lay eggs and die. 'It got me' The "periodical" cicada waits underground as a nymph for almost its entire 17-year life cycle, making the journey to the surface when the soil reaches a perfect 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 C). As they always do, the Class of 2021 made a bit of a nuisance of itself. They do not fly well, constantly bumping into windows, cars and people, making an angry hissing sound as if the collision were not their fault. Also Read | In focus: Big Tech firms facing antitrust investigations across world The brood had its most prominent 15 minutes of fame on June 9 when President Joe Biden swatted one from his neck as he waited to board Air Force One for his first trip abroad. "Watch out for the cicadas. I just got one — it got me," Biden said with a smile as he approached a group of reporters. There were so many cicadas in the Washington area they would actually show up on weather radar screens. The night before the Biden incident, a swarm of the insects clogged the engines of a press plane due to accompany the president to Europe, delaying those journalists for hours until another aircraft was found. And while cicadas do not bite or sting people, they do cause trouble, as happened in Cincinnati, Ohio. "Historically each time they emerge, there have been several car crashes attributed to their presence. This year is no different," Cincinnati police wrote on Facebook. The police went on to explain that a young man happened to drive through a swarm of cicadas with his window open and one of them hit him in the face, temporarily stunning him. "He then crashed into a utility pole," police said. The driver was not seriously injured. "Remember to keep your windows rolled up until our little red-eyed friends are gone." 'Every 13 years? Now, as the bugs die off, the drone of the cicadas has fallen silent in some regions that had been infested and the dried up, crunchy bodies of dead insects litter sidewalks. For the rest, it is just a matter of time. And for entomologists, it is time to evaluate the latest chapter of this very rare event. "In some places, they appear to have expanded their range, while in other places, their range has shrunk. It's going to take time to sort through the data," said John Cooley of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology of the University of Connecticut in Hartford. He launched a project to map the cicadas. "Where trees have been removed and surfaces built, cicadas are gone for good. However, where agricultural lands have reverted to parks or residential properties and trees have been planted, there are more cicadas," said Michael Raupp of the entomology department at the University of Maryland. As for climate change, it will affect these bugs but it is not yet clear exactly how, said Cooley. "That's why our detailed mapping project is so important. We are making baseline maps to look at in the future," he said. Raupp said global warming will allow cicadas to expand their range northward and emerge earlier in the year. Another hypothesis, he said, is that some cicadas could emerge every 13 years instead of 17.

See you in 17 years: America's cicada plague winding down

At least 1,900 American military guns have been stolen from high-security installations in the last decade. Reports say the Pentagon has consistently downplayed and covered up these AWOL guns. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: America's stolen military guns

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a controversial permit free carry gun bill into law. Residents in the US state of Texas can now carry handguns without license or training starting from September 1 this year.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signs permit free gun carrying law

America's super-rich pay almost no income tax. A report claims that Warren Buffett, Jeff Bezos, Michael Bloomberg and Elon Musk paid less than 4% tax on their incomes between 2014 and 2018.

Gravitas: America's richest businessmen pay less than 4% as income tax

The United States is being invaded. Not by a foreign nation, but by billions of buzzing insects. The raining Cicadas have created some interesting trends - including a Cicada band & Cicada photoshoots.

Gravitas: Billions of buzzing insects invade America

It’s become a familiar refrain in French political life. From President Emmanuel Macron and his cabinet to the far-right opposition, from print columnists to talking heads, “Americanization” is increasingly held responsible for a whole set of social ills ailing the nation.

For some of these critics, it’s the reason so many young people — adopting the view of Black Lives Matter activists — believe police violence is a problem. For others, it explains why the quality of academic research is in decline, as fanciful ideas concocted on American college campuses like intersectionality and post-colonialism supposedly flourish. To others still, it’s why people can’t speak their mind anymore, suffocated by the threats of “cancel culture.”

Perhaps the most common gripe is that ideas and practices imported from the United States are making the French obsessed with ethnic, religious and sexual difference at the expense of their shared identity as citizens of the universal Republic.

They’re not wrong: French politics are, in fact, becoming Americanized. But the problem is not left-wing theories or censorious scolds. It is instead the rise of an insular, nationalistic, right-wing discourse driven by a belligerent style of press coverage. Distinctively French in content, the form this discourse takes — grievance-wallowing hosts conjuring embittered conversations about national decline, immigration and religion — follows America’s lead. As in the United States, the result is a degraded political landscape that empowers the far right, dragging mainstream politicians into its orbit.

Culture wars are America’s true gift to France.

Leading the charge is CNews, often called the French Fox News for its mimicry of the codes and conventions of American cable news. Launched in 2017 by a conservative billionaire, Vincent Bolloré, the network has attracted viewers by offering polemical debate marked by a hard-right bent — hitting an important milestone last month when it recorded the highest ratings of any 24-hour news network in France. The network’s star panelist is the nationalist essayist Éric Zemmour, a man convicted several times of hate speech against racial minorities and Muslims, while its star host, Pascal Praud, plays the role of objective moderator. Much like Tucker Carlson, he has a penchant for incendiary stories that allow him to speak in the name of the country’s victimized silent majority.

Instead of devoting time to the day’s top news stories, hosts tend to prefer dissecting micro-scandals that are more or less indecipherable to audiences outside the country, with chyrons capturing guests’ provocations seconds after they’re uttered. As on Fox News, the themes covered often reflect conservative anxieties about a changing nation: the size of the foreign-born population, the supposed excesses of political correctness, the place of Islam and a wounded sense of national pride.

And as with the Fox network, CNews often sets the country’s agenda. Many of the news items obsessively covered by the channel have evolved into full-blown national debates. Among them are the bullying of a teenager on social media after she called Islam a “religion of hate” on Instagram; a push from the Green Party mayor of Lyon to serve meat-free meals at school cafeterias; support from the country’s oldest student union for meetings reserved for women and nonwhite people; and the acceptance by the president’s party, En Marche, of a candidate who wears the Islamic veil onto its list for the regional elections later this month. (The party eventually withdrew the nomination under pressure.)

Such concerns, however animating for those perennially anxious about France’s secular identity, would not ordinarily dominate a country’s attention. But they’ve been elevated into national issues because leading politicians have chosen to play along — and not just those from the right-wing opposition. High-ranking members of En Marche have joined these skirmishes and, in some cases, actively opened new fronts in the culture wars themselves.

Earlier this year, Frédérique Vidal, the minister of higher education, complained of the supposed scourge of “Islamo-leftism,” a term once limited to the extreme right that refers to an imaginary political alliance between conservative Muslims and anticapitalists. Ms. Vidal even called for an investigation into the problem to examine how certain professors allegedly blur the lines between research and activism — a move rightfully condemned by the state’s top research institute as an attack on academic freedom.

Not to be outdone by his colleague, Jean-Michel Blanquer, the education minister, recently oversaw a formal ban in schools of one aspect of what’s known as “inclusive writing” — the use of both feminine and masculine word endings, separated by a middle dot, when they refer to groups of people. Though the move is unlikely to have much effect, because the practice wasn’t widely taught, it was nevertheless welcomed in some circles as a defense of the French language against creeping political correctness.

Although they claim to be protecting academic freedom, Ms. Vidal and Mr. Blanquer would be right at home in today’s Republican Party, where blasting teachers for peddling radical theories, corrupting the youth and damaging the national interest is standard fare.

What’s in it for Mr. Macron? As many have noted, the president’s advisers believe these battles bring political benefits. Most important, they’re meant to woo right-wing voters ahead of a potential rematch against Marine Le Pen, head of the far-right National Rally, in next year’s presidential election. But they’re also designed to inflict damage on the left, whose badly divided parties, struggling to talk about the problems of racial and religious discrimination within France’s secular and colorblind legal framework, regularly disagree on these very same topics.

Whether or not the strategy pays off in 2022, the culture wars are fueling support for the far right today. Polls ahead of this month’s regional elections, where 17 regional presidencies are up for grabs, show the National Rally with a solid shot of capturing majority control of a region for the first time ever — while Ms. Le Pen is within striking distance of Mr. Macron in the presidential election. That makes sense when the news cycle revolves around issues like the Islamic veil, the left’s supposed sense of moral superiority and a vastly exaggerated uptick in violence against police officers. When National Rally leaders claim their party’s longstanding grievances and preoccupations are being legitimized by the government, it’s hard to disagree.

It’s also striking to see the depths to which political discourse has sunk in a country that prides itself on its capacity for highbrow public debate and the spotlight it reserves for intellectuals. In the middle of a pandemic and after the country’s worst economic crisis since the end of World War II, the French news cycle isn’t led by discussion over truly universal issues like wealth inequality, the health system or climate change. Instead it’s focused on navel-gazing debates about identity, fueled by television personalities.

What’s more American than that?

It’s become a familiar refrain in French political life. From President Emmanuel Macron and his cabinet to the far-right opposition, from print columnists to talking heads, “Americanization” is increasingly held responsible for a whole set of social ills ailing the nation.

It’s become a familiar refrain in French political life. From President Emmanuel Macron and his cabinet to the far-right opposition, from print columnists to talking heads, “Americanization” is increasingly held responsible for a whole set of social ills ailing the nation. For some of these critics, it’s the reason so many young people — adopting the view of Black Lives Matter activists — believe police violence is a problem. For others, it explains why the quality of academic research is in decline, as fanciful ideas concocted on American college campuses like intersectionality and post-colonialism supposedly flourish. To others still, it’s why people can’t speak their mind anymore, suffocated by the threats of “cancel culture.” Perhaps the most common gripe is that ideas and practices imported from the United States are making the French obsessed with ethnic, religious and sexual difference at the expense of their shared identity as citizens of the universal Republic. They’re not wrong: French politics are, in fact, becoming Americanized. But the problem is not left-wing theories or censorious scolds. It is instead the rise of an insular, nationalistic, right-wing discourse driven by a belligerent style of press coverage. Distinctively French in content, the form this discourse takes — grievance-wallowing hosts conjuring embittered conversations about national decline, immigration and religion — follows America’s lead. As in the United States, the result is a degraded political landscape that empowers the far right, dragging mainstream politicians into its orbit. Culture wars are America’s true gift to France. Leading the charge is CNews, often called the French Fox News for its mimicry of the codes and conventions of American cable news. Launched in 2017 by a conservative billionaire, Vincent Bolloré, the network has attracted viewers by offering polemical debate marked by a hard-right bent — hitting an important milestone last month when it recorded the highest ratings of any 24-hour news network in France. The network’s star panelist is the nationalist essayist Éric Zemmour, a man convicted several times of hate speech against racial minorities and Muslims, while its star host, Pascal Praud, plays the role of objective moderator. Much like Tucker Carlson, he has a penchant for incendiary stories that allow him to speak in the name of the country’s victimized silent majority. Instead of devoting time to the day’s top news stories, hosts tend to prefer dissecting micro-scandals that are more or less indecipherable to audiences outside the country, with chyrons capturing guests’ provocations seconds after they’re uttered. As on Fox News, the themes covered often reflect conservative anxieties about a changing nation: the size of the foreign-born population, the supposed excesses of political correctness, the place of Islam and a wounded sense of national pride. And as with the Fox network, CNews often sets the country’s agenda. Many of the news items obsessively covered by the channel have evolved into full-blown national debates. Among them are the bullying of a teenager on social media after she called Islam a “religion of hate” on Instagram; a push from the Green Party mayor of Lyon to serve meat-free meals at school cafeterias; support from the country’s oldest student union for meetings reserved for women and nonwhite people; and the acceptance by the president’s party, En Marche, of a candidate who wears the Islamic veil onto its list for the regional elections later this month. (The party eventually withdrew the nomination under pressure.) Such concerns, however animating for those perennially anxious about France’s secular identity, would not ordinarily dominate a country’s attention. But they’ve been elevated into national issues because leading politicians have chosen to play along — and not just those from the right-wing opposition. High-ranking members of En Marche have joined these skirmishes and, in some cases, actively opened new fronts in the culture wars themselves. Earlier this year, Frédérique Vidal, the minister of higher education, complained of the supposed scourge of “Islamo-leftism,” a term once limited to the extreme right that refers to an imaginary political alliance between conservative Muslims and anticapitalists. Ms. Vidal even called for an investigation into the problem to examine how certain professors allegedly blur the lines between research and activism — a move rightfully condemned by the state’s top research institute as an attack on academic freedom. Not to be outdone by his colleague, Jean-Michel Blanquer, the education minister, recently oversaw a formal ban in schools of one aspect of what’s known as “inclusive writing” — the use of both feminine and masculine word endings, separated by a middle dot, when they refer to groups of people. Though the move is unlikely to have much effect, because the practice wasn’t widely taught, it was nevertheless welcomed in some circles as a defense of the French language against creeping political correctness. Although they claim to be protecting academic freedom, Ms. Vidal and Mr. Blanquer would be right at home in today’s Republican Party, where blasting teachers for peddling radical theories, corrupting the youth and damaging the national interest is standard fare. What’s in it for Mr. Macron? As many have noted, the president’s advisers believe these battles bring political benefits. Most important, they’re meant to woo right-wing voters ahead of a potential rematch against Marine Le Pen, head of the far-right National Rally, in next year’s presidential election. But they’re also designed to inflict damage on the left, whose badly divided parties, struggling to talk about the problems of racial and religious discrimination within France’s secular and colorblind legal framework, regularly disagree on these very same topics. Whether or not the strategy pays off in 2022, the culture wars are fueling support for the far right today. Polls ahead of this month’s regional elections, where 17 regional presidencies are up for grabs, show the National Rally with a solid shot of capturing majority control of a region for the first time ever — while Ms. Le Pen is within striking distance of Mr. Macron in the presidential election. That makes sense when the news cycle revolves around issues like the Islamic veil, the left’s supposed sense of moral superiority and a vastly exaggerated uptick in violence against police officers. When National Rally leaders claim their party’s longstanding grievances and preoccupations are being legitimized by the government, it’s hard to disagree. It’s also striking to see the depths to which political discourse has sunk in a country that prides itself on its capacity for highbrow public debate and the spotlight it reserves for intellectuals. In the middle of a pandemic and after the country’s worst economic crisis since the end of World War II, the French news cycle isn’t led by discussion over truly universal issues like wealth inequality, the health system or climate change. Instead it’s focused on navel-gazing debates about identity, fueled by television personalities. What’s more American than that?

France is becoming more like America. It’s terrible.

Why is Dr. S Jaishankar in America? Who all is the foreign minister meeting? What is being discussed? Palki Sharma tells you about the significance of the visit.

Gravitas: Why is Dr. Jaishankar in America?

Why is Pakistan building a new base near Afghanistan? Is it for American troops? The US wants to retain some assets in Afghanistan's neighbourhood. Will Pakistan host American soldiers? Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Will American soldiers watch Afghanistan from Pakistan?

American troops are trashing valuable military equipment ahead of their Afghan pullout. They fear strategic assets may fall into the wrong hands. But for local scrap dealers, it means a lot of unsellable junk. Mariam Wardak gets you the story.

South Asia Diary: US trashes unwanted military gear in Afghanistan

Joe Biden is under immense bipartisan pressure to investigate a series of cases where American diplomats have been struck down by a mysterious illness. The scientific community has hinted at radio waves being used in these attacks. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: US officials hit by mysterious illness abroad

Americans 'boo' Joe Biden for his 'silence' over Israel-Gaza conflict

Gravitas Plus with Palki Sharma | U.S. is among the worst countries for racial equality, but it routinely lectures India, other countries on treatment of minorities. U.S. discriminates against minorities, but Joe Biden and Kamala Harris tell the world 'America is not racist'.

Gravitas Plus: US is among the worst countries for racial equality

US President Joe Biden took to the airways on Thursday to assure the American public that it can expect things to return to normal over the next couple of days following last Friday's cyberattack on the colonial pipeline.

US faces gas shortage after pipeline cyberattack

Did Joe Biden's pandemic advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci fund Wuhan Virus research? Republican Senator Rand Paul says Fauci could be personally involved in the origin of the virus. Palki Sharma separates facts from fiction.

Gravitas: Did Dr. Fauci fund Wuhan Virus research?

US military on Saturday said that a new drone attack&nbsp;targetted American forces in Iraq.&nbsp;The military said that the drone was packed with explosives and hit an Iraqi base that housed US troops early on Saturday.

There have been no casualties.

The attack on the Ain Al-Asad air base was the fourth in Iraq in less than week.

"Each attack... undermines the authority of Iraqi institutions, the rule of law and Iraqi national sovereignty," said US-led coalition spokesman Colonel Wayne Marotto.

"No injuries reported. A hangar was damaged," he said in a tweet.

It was only the second time authorities publicly confirmed a drone had been used in an attack on a target inside Iraq.

In April, a drone packed with explosives hit the coalition's Iraq headquarters in the military part of the airport in the Kurdish regional capital Arbil.

The attack sent shock waves around Iraq -- the tactic poses a headache for the coalition, as drones can evade the C-RAM air defences it has installed to protect its bases.

But an Iraqi government official told AFP that the Arbil strike was not the first use of a drone against a target inside Iraq.

"Drones were used by pro-Iran groups more than once before the attack in Arbil," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

In the meantime, there has been no let-up in rocket and other attacks carried out by the coalition's foes over the past 18 months.

(With inputs from agencies)

US military on Saturday said that a new drone attack targetted American forces in Iraq. The military said that the drone was packed with explosives and hit an Iraqi base that housed US troops early on Saturday.

US military on Saturday said that a new drone attack targetted American forces in Iraq. The military said that the drone was packed with explosives and hit an Iraqi base that housed US troops early on Saturday. There have been no casualties. The attack on the Ain Al-Asad air base was the fourth in Iraq in less than week. "Each attack... undermines the authority of Iraqi institutions, the rule of law and Iraqi national sovereignty," said US-led coalition spokesman Colonel Wayne Marotto. "No injuries reported. A hangar was damaged," he said in a tweet. It was only the second time authorities publicly confirmed a drone had been used in an attack on a target inside Iraq. In April, a drone packed with explosives hit the coalition's Iraq headquarters in the military part of the airport in the Kurdish regional capital Arbil. The attack sent shock waves around Iraq -- the tactic poses a headache for the coalition, as drones can evade the C-RAM air defences it has installed to protect its bases. But an Iraqi government official told AFP that the Arbil strike was not the first use of a drone against a target inside Iraq. "Drones were used by pro-Iran groups more than once before the attack in Arbil," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. In the meantime, there has been no let-up in rocket and other attacks carried out by the coalition's foes over the past 18 months. (With inputs from agencies)

Iraq: Fresh drone attack targets military base housing US soldiers

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell below 500,000 last week for the first since the COVID-19 pandemic started more than a year ago, signaling the labor market recovery had entered a new phase amid a booming economy.

World Business Watch: US weekly jobless claims drop below 500,000, layoffs lowest since 2000

Forty-six years have passed since the Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975. While some Americans may prefer to forget its atrocities, and Vietnam is focused on forgiveness and the future, the wounds of Agent Orange victims still demand attention.

Between 1962 and 1971, the U.S. military employed approximately 19.5 million gallons of herbicides in South Vietnam to clear vegetation believed to conceal enemy troops and which provided food for them, as part of Operation Ranch Hand. Agent Orange, the most widely used of those defoliants, destroyed five million acres of Vietnamese forests and damaged some 500,000 acres of cropland.

The herbicide contains dioxin, one of the most toxic substances known to science, which remained in the contaminated soil and sediment of water bodies for decades. Before dioxin hot spots were contained and cleanup efforts began, the contamination had spread to fish and shrimp, and, from there, to more people.

On Jan. 26, a French-Vietnamese woman and victim of Agent Orange brought a case against 14 chemical giants before a French court to seek damages for the harmful effects herbicides have had on her and three generations of her family. She seeks to hold the companies, including Dow Chemical and Monsanto (since acquired by Bayer), accountable for their role in making or selling Agent Orange.

At 79, the woman, Ms. Trần Tố Nga, is fighting what may be the last battle of her life. She has cancer, high iodine levels in her blood, genetic abnormalities, among other illnesses linked to Agent Orange. Her children were born with genetic abnormalities; one died when she was only few months old.

With much of the world preoccupied with the pandemic, Ms. Nga’s fight for justice has been largely ignored — the same way the innocent people exposed to herbicides sprayed from American military aircrafts in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia have been overlooked for nearly half a century.

The first time I heard of Agent Orange was in 1980 when I was 7 years old and living in South Vietnam. A neighbor was standing in our kitchen, pointing at a fish we had caught in a stream close to home. The fish was a great catch, but it had two tails and a gigantic, deformed head.

“Don’t eat that fish,” the neighbor told us, “It has been contaminated by chất độc da cam.”

Years later, after I learned English and came across the term Agent Orange, I wondered why Americans used an ambiguous-sounding name for this deadly chemical while Vietnamese farmers, like my parents and our neighbors, chose instead to address it head-on: chất độc da cam, or, “the poison, Agent Orange.”

In the 1980s, unlike many Americans who had the luxury of choosing their food, my parents did not. Over half a decade had passed since the war ended, but we were still living under the trade embargo America had placed on Vietnam. We were starving. My parents kept the fish alive in a deep bucket filled with water for some days, replacing the water regularly as they debated what to do. They reasoned that we couldn’t be certain the fish’s features were caused by chemical contamination.

In their desperation, they argued that even if the fish was contaminated by those American chemicals, the water drawn from the depths of our well would help flush out the toxins.

In the end, my mother went ahead and prepared the fish, much to my joy and that of my two elder brothers. I remember my stick-thin body trembling as I devoured that protein-rich meal, cooked tenderly in lemongrass and ginger harvested from the garden of my mother’s love.

Years later, I would look back and wonder at that moment and at the war that took so many lives and traumatized many more. To survive, my family and most of our neighbors were forced to consume whatever food we could find.

After I became a mother, I would count the fingers and toes of my newborn daughter, and later those of my son. My eyes would tear up each time.

Many mothers are not as lucky as me. Not Ms. Nguyệt, who wept with me in the yard of the Thanh Xuân Peace Village, an orphanage that provides charity care for Agent Orange victims near Hanoi where I volunteered organizing activities for kids. Ms. Nguyệt’s husband had fought in the contaminated areas in the south and died of cancer. As a single mother who was often out working odd jobs to survive, she had no means of caring for their only child — a boy born with deformities — and had to leave him at the orphanage. It is not known how many parents gave up children born with deformities, but many such orphanages exist throughout Vietnam.

Ms. Nguyệt and her son are among the several million Vietnamese estimated by the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange, or the VAVA, to be living with the horrific consequences of the defoliant campaign. The number of Laotian and Cambodian victims is unknown, but researchers have been working on assessing the impact of the herbicides there.

Scientists in Vietnam have confirmed high levels of dioxin in the blood and breast milk of people living in hot spots. And in a growing list, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has linked many types of cancers and health problems to these chemicals. American veterans and their offspring who meet certain requirements are eligible for benefits. Over the years, U.S. veterans have secured settlements from chemical manufacturers.

Vietnamese and other victims in Southeast Asia are still waiting for the U.S. government to provide a similar level of assistance. It took decades for the United States to commit almost $400 million to clean up hot spots and help victims in the heavily sprayed provinces. The United States still has not taken responsibility for the harmful effects of herbicides in Laos or Cambodia.

Vietnamese, Laotian and Cambodian victims of dioxin have never received compensation from the chemical giants that produced, sold and reaped profits from the sale of herbicides. Ms. Nga’s lawsuit could be the first that results in compensation for a Vietnamese victim, according to the Collectif Vietnam Dioxine, the organization supporting her case.

In 2004, VAVA filed a class-action suit in the United States against chemical manufacturers on behalf of millions of Vietnamese. However, the American court ultimately dismissed the case on the grounds that it lacked sufficient basis in U.S. and international law and that the supplying of herbicides didn’t amount to a war crime.

For years, I have been asking myself this question: Why has the United States offered at least some form of compensation to Americans, but has not done more for the Vietnamese who were also exposed and who have spent years seeking justice?

It is long overdue that we highlight the costs of wars beyond injuries and casualties, to include the damage still inflicted on our health, our families and our environment. It is long overdue that comprehensive actions be taken to help all victims of Agent Orange, regardless of their nationalities.

Forty-six years have passed since the Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975. While some Americans may prefer to forget its atrocities, and Vietnam is focused on forgiveness and the future, the wounds of Agent Orange victims still demand attention.

Forty-six years have passed since the Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975. While some Americans may prefer to forget its atrocities, and Vietnam is focused on forgiveness and the future, the wounds of Agent Orange victims still demand attention. Between 1962 and 1971, the U.S. military employed approximately 19.5 million gallons of herbicides in South Vietnam to clear vegetation believed to conceal enemy troops and which provided food for them, as part of Operation Ranch Hand. Agent Orange, the most widely used of those defoliants, destroyed five million acres of Vietnamese forests and damaged some 500,000 acres of cropland. The herbicide contains dioxin, one of the most toxic substances known to science, which remained in the contaminated soil and sediment of water bodies for decades. Before dioxin hot spots were contained and cleanup efforts began, the contamination had spread to fish and shrimp, and, from there, to more people. On Jan. 26, a French-Vietnamese woman and victim of Agent Orange brought a case against 14 chemical giants before a French court to seek damages for the harmful effects herbicides have had on her and three generations of her family. She seeks to hold the companies, including Dow Chemical and Monsanto (since acquired by Bayer), accountable for their role in making or selling Agent Orange. At 79, the woman, Ms. Trần Tố Nga, is fighting what may be the last battle of her life. She has cancer, high iodine levels in her blood, genetic abnormalities, among other illnesses linked to Agent Orange. Her children were born with genetic abnormalities; one died when she was only few months old. With much of the world preoccupied with the pandemic, Ms. Nga’s fight for justice has been largely ignored — the same way the innocent people exposed to herbicides sprayed from American military aircrafts in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia have been overlooked for nearly half a century. The first time I heard of Agent Orange was in 1980 when I was 7 years old and living in South Vietnam. A neighbor was standing in our kitchen, pointing at a fish we had caught in a stream close to home. The fish was a great catch, but it had two tails and a gigantic, deformed head. “Don’t eat that fish,” the neighbor told us, “It has been contaminated by chất độc da cam.” Years later, after I learned English and came across the term Agent Orange, I wondered why Americans used an ambiguous-sounding name for this deadly chemical while Vietnamese farmers, like my parents and our neighbors, chose instead to address it head-on: chất độc da cam, or, “the poison, Agent Orange.” In the 1980s, unlike many Americans who had the luxury of choosing their food, my parents did not. Over half a decade had passed since the war ended, but we were still living under the trade embargo America had placed on Vietnam. We were starving. My parents kept the fish alive in a deep bucket filled with water for some days, replacing the water regularly as they debated what to do. They reasoned that we couldn’t be certain the fish’s features were caused by chemical contamination. In their desperation, they argued that even if the fish was contaminated by those American chemicals, the water drawn from the depths of our well would help flush out the toxins. In the end, my mother went ahead and prepared the fish, much to my joy and that of my two elder brothers. I remember my stick-thin body trembling as I devoured that protein-rich meal, cooked tenderly in lemongrass and ginger harvested from the garden of my mother’s love. Years later, I would look back and wonder at that moment and at the war that took so many lives and traumatized many more. To survive, my family and most of our neighbors were forced to consume whatever food we could find. After I became a mother, I would count the fingers and toes of my newborn daughter, and later those of my son. My eyes would tear up each time. Many mothers are not as lucky as me. Not Ms. Nguyệt, who wept with me in the yard of the Thanh Xuân Peace Village, an orphanage that provides charity care for Agent Orange victims near Hanoi where I volunteered organizing activities for kids. Ms. Nguyệt’s husband had fought in the contaminated areas in the south and died of cancer. As a single mother who was often out working odd jobs to survive, she had no means of caring for their only child — a boy born with deformities — and had to leave him at the orphanage. It is not known how many parents gave up children born with deformities, but many such orphanages exist throughout Vietnam. Ms. Nguyệt and her son are among the several million Vietnamese estimated by the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange, or the VAVA, to be living with the horrific consequences of the defoliant campaign. The number of Laotian and Cambodian victims is unknown, but researchers have been working on assessing the impact of the herbicides there. Scientists in Vietnam have confirmed high levels of dioxin in the blood and breast milk of people living in hot spots. And in a growing list, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has linked many types of cancers and health problems to these chemicals. American veterans and their offspring who meet certain requirements are eligible for benefits. Over the years, U.S. veterans have secured settlements from chemical manufacturers. Vietnamese and other victims in Southeast Asia are still waiting for the U.S. government to provide a similar level of assistance. It took decades for the United States to commit almost $400 million to clean up hot spots and help victims in the heavily sprayed provinces. The United States still has not taken responsibility for the harmful effects of herbicides in Laos or Cambodia. Vietnamese, Laotian and Cambodian victims of dioxin have never received compensation from the chemical giants that produced, sold and reaped profits from the sale of herbicides. Ms. Nga’s lawsuit could be the first that results in compensation for a Vietnamese victim, according to the Collectif Vietnam Dioxine, the organization supporting her case. In 2004, VAVA filed a class-action suit in the United States against chemical manufacturers on behalf of millions of Vietnamese. However, the American court ultimately dismissed the case on the grounds that it lacked sufficient basis in U.S. and international law and that the supplying of herbicides didn’t amount to a war crime. For years, I have been asking myself this question: Why has the United States offered at least some form of compensation to Americans, but has not done more for the Vietnamese who were also exposed and who have spent years seeking justice? It is long overdue that we highlight the costs of wars beyond injuries and casualties, to include the damage still inflicted on our health, our families and our environment. It is long overdue that comprehensive actions be taken to help all victims of Agent Orange, regardless of their nationalities.

America, please don’t forget the victims of Agent Orange

The US President Joe Biden on Monday called on wealthy Americans and corporations to pay their “fair share” to fund free community college and other plans. Biden said that his proposal to expand the US public education system would rebalance the economy and benefit lower-income Americans.

Biden pushes 17 years of free school, urges wealthy Americans to pay 'fair share'

A senior White House official denied reports from Tehran that an agreement had been reached with Iran for the release of four Americans detained there. White House chief of staff Ron Klain said "there is no agreement to release these four Americans. We're working very hard to get them released".

US denies reports Iran poised to free four Americans

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that the US is actively looking at ways to potentially ease patent restrictions on coronavirus vaccines. This comes after a group of Democrats sent President Joe Biden a letter asking him to 'prioritize people over pharmaceutical companies.'

Jake Sullivan: US is actively looking at ways to ease COVID-19 vaccines patent

Former US President Donald Trump accused Joe Biden for giving away America to China. Trump also accused Biden administration for taking credit of his vaccine efforts and called himself the 'Father of vaccine'.

Donald Trump accused Biden for giving away America to China

US President Joe Biden made his first joint address to Congress, outlining his vision for the country and speaking to what he sees as his administration's initial accomplishments as he nears 100 days in office.

Biden's delivers first address to Congress, says America is dreaming & leading the world again

Biden delivers first joint address to Congress, says America on the move again

With COVID-19 numbers dropping, officials in the nation's capital are relaxing a number of restrictions after more than a year of lockdown.

The changes represent a step toward normality for Washington&nbsp;DC, residents and long-term hope for the city's vital tourism and convention industry, which has been devastated by the pandemic.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="US will 'immediately' send vaccine components, medical supplies to India, says Biden">US will 'immediately' send vaccine components, medical supplies to India, says Biden</a>

Mayor Muriel Bowser announced on Monday that starting on May 1, gyms and fitness centers can operate at 50 per cent capacity, and live music will be permitted in gardens and outdoor spaces. Restaurants will be permitted to seat 10 people per table outdoors, up from the previous limit of six per table. However, the 25 per cent capacity limit for indoor dining will remain unchanged for now.

Retail businesses can increase admittance from 25 per cent to 50 per cent capacity. Houses of worship can increase to 40 per cent capacity, though Bowser said the government was still encouraging residents to attend virtual or outdoor services for now.

Earlier in April, Bowser had announced some other changes that will also take effect in May. These include allowing entertainment venues like concert halls and movie theaters to increase to 25 per cent capacity and allowing public pools to open this summer at 50 per cent capacity.

The Smithsonian network of museums had previously announced that several museums and the National Zoo will reopen on a staggered schedule over several weeks during the month of May. The National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, will reopen on May 5.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery will reopen on May 14.

The National Museum of American History, National Museum of the American Indian and the National Zoo will reopen on May 21.

All Smithsonian facilities will required timed entry passes to limit the crowds; the passes are free and available from the Smithsonian website.

As of Monday, Washington's daily infection rate has dropped to 14 cases per 100,000, the lowest number since last fall.

But Bowser still preached caution, saying residents needed to remain patient as the vaccination programme continued.

The way we get open is to crush the virus and get people vaccinated,&nbsp;she said. So we're trying to do all of those things&nbsp;moderate the restrictions where they're warranted and safe, but really focus on crushing those numbers of infections and getting people vaccinated.

Bowser said that approximately 237,000 residents had received at least one vaccine dose, out of about 500,000 adults in the District of Columbia. The government will also begin offering vaccinations to residents as young as 16, she said.

City Health Director Dr&nbsp;LaQuandra Nesbitt acknowledged that vaccine reluctance remained an issue, but called on residents to encourage skeptical friends and relatives to take the step.

It's time for people to start having talks with their friends and say, Hey, we're not hanging out with you unless you get vaccinated, Nesbitt said.

With COVID-19 numbers dropping, officials in the nation's capital are relaxing a number of restrictions after more than a year of lockdown. The changes represent a step toward normality for Washington DC, residents and long-term hope for the city's vital tourism and convention industry, which has been devastated by the pandemic.

With COVID-19 numbers dropping, officials in the nation's capital are relaxing a number of restrictions after more than a year of lockdown. The changes represent a step toward normality for Washington DC, residents and long-term hope for the city's vital tourism and convention industry, which has been devastated by the pandemic. Also Read: US will 'immediately' send vaccine components, medical supplies to India, says Biden Mayor Muriel Bowser announced on Monday that starting on May 1, gyms and fitness centers can operate at 50 per cent capacity, and live music will be permitted in gardens and outdoor spaces. Restaurants will be permitted to seat 10 people per table outdoors, up from the previous limit of six per table. However, the 25 per cent capacity limit for indoor dining will remain unchanged for now. Retail businesses can increase admittance from 25 per cent to 50 per cent capacity. Houses of worship can increase to 40 per cent capacity, though Bowser said the government was still encouraging residents to attend virtual or outdoor services for now. Earlier in April, Bowser had announced some other changes that will also take effect in May. These include allowing entertainment venues like concert halls and movie theaters to increase to 25 per cent capacity and allowing public pools to open this summer at 50 per cent capacity. The Smithsonian network of museums had previously announced that several museums and the National Zoo will reopen on a staggered schedule over several weeks during the month of May. The National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, will reopen on May 5. The National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery will reopen on May 14. The National Museum of American History, National Museum of the American Indian and the National Zoo will reopen on May 21. All Smithsonian facilities will required timed entry passes to limit the crowds; the passes are free and available from the Smithsonian website. As of Monday, Washington's daily infection rate has dropped to 14 cases per 100,000, the lowest number since last fall. But Bowser still preached caution, saying residents needed to remain patient as the vaccination programme continued. The way we get open is to crush the virus and get people vaccinated, she said. So we're trying to do all of those things moderate the restrictions where they're warranted and safe, but really focus on crushing those numbers of infections and getting people vaccinated. Bowser said that approximately 237,000 residents had received at least one vaccine dose, out of about 500,000 adults in the District of Columbia. The government will also begin offering vaccinations to residents as young as 16, she said. City Health Director Dr LaQuandra Nesbitt acknowledged that vaccine reluctance remained an issue, but called on residents to encourage skeptical friends and relatives to take the step. It's time for people to start having talks with their friends and say, Hey, we're not hanging out with you unless you get vaccinated, Nesbitt said.

Washington DC, to loosen virus restrictions this weekend

20-year-old Daunte Wright who died in a police shooting on 21 April, has been laid to rest. Hundreds of mourners including relatives of George Floyd and top politicians of Minnesota attended the young black man's funeral.

Daunte Wright laid to rest after Minnesota police shooting

American troops will leave Afghanistan by September 11. Where does that leave the peace deal? What about the role of Afghanistan's democratically elected government? What does the future hold for the people of Afghanistan? Palki Sharma Upadhyay put these questions to 3 key stakeholders: - India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar - Iran's Minister Of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif - Afghanistan's National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib

Gravitas: Is Afghanistan ready for America's exit?

President Joe Biden hosted the first white house summit with Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga as the first foreign leader. In their first white house meeting, the two leaders raised issues stretching COVID-19, climate, Tokyo Olympics, and bid to counter increasingly assertive China indeed.

White House Summit: US- Japan to tackle Chinese intimidation

As Joe Biden nears his 100 days is office as the US President, his approval ratings stands strong at 59% despite the tenuous state of the economy and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden nears 100-day mark with 59% approval rating

US President Joe Biden has decided to withdraw all the remaining American troops from Afghanistan by the September 11. The United States will not be meeting the original deadline of May 1 which was set by the Trump administration.

Biden announces to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by September 11

US to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by September 11, extending May 1 deadline

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