Iraq says Israel violated its airspace during attacks on Iran
Iraq has accused Israel of violating its airspace when it carried out a series of strikes on Iran over the weekend. In a statement released Monday morning, Oct. 28, an Iraqi government spokesperson said Iraq has sent a letter to the United Nations to condemn the purported breach.
On Saturday, Oct. 26, Israel struck military targets inside Iran in response to Iranian missile attacks on Israel earlier this month. Iran has also claimed Israel used Iraqi airspace to carry out the attacks and accused the U.S. of being in on it.
American officials have said Israel did notify the U.S. about the strikes, but the U.S. was not directly involved.
“I can now confirm that we have concluded the Israeli response to Iran’s attacks against Israel. We conducted targeted and precise strikes on military targets in Iran — thwarting immediate threats to the State of Israel.”
According to the Iraqi statement, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has told the country’s foreign ministry to raise the alleged Israeli violation with U.S. officials.
In Gaza over the weekend, an Israeli strike killed several people at a school that’s being used to shelter displaced Palestinians. The Israeli military claims it was targeting Hamas operatives, and a Hamas command center was embedded in the compound.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s president, Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, announced Sunday, Oct. 27, his country has proposed a two-day cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. During the proposed cease-fire four hostages held in Gaza would be freed.
Egypt’s small-scale Gaza cease-fire seeks breakthrough on hostage deal
Israeli officials are reportedly considering a small-scale Egyptian cease-fire proposal with Hamas. An Israeli security cabinet official said the potential cease-fire would involve the release of six Israeli hostages in exchange for a two week pause in fighting. The cease-fire would be temporary fix until a full-scale release of all 101 hostages could be secured.
The potential breakthrough comes as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Tuesday, Oct. 22, meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog in the wake of the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
U.S. State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said, “Secretary Blinken will discuss the importance of bringing the war in Gaza to an end, securing the release of the hostages and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people. He will continue discussions with counterparts on post-conflict period planning and emphasize the need to chart a new path forward that enables Palestinians to rebuild their lives and realize their aspirations free from Hamas tyranny.”
Blinken is also expected to push for more humanitarian aid to get through to Gazans.
Meanwhile, the United States is reportedly optimistic the killing of Sinwar on Oct. 17 may spur more negotiations. However, U.S. officials admit that Washington D.C. does not know if anyone can negotiate on Hamas’ behalf without a clear leader.
Blinken will further be discussing plans to de-escalate the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon as violence continues to intensify in the region.
Cairo’s long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum opens to visitors for trial run
Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum opened for a trial run on Wednesday, Oct. 16, after more than a decade of construction. Numerous delays marked the project, from the COVID-19 pandemic to turmoil throughout the region.
Now, the world’s largest archeological museum has opened its main galleries. Included in the museum are a dozen halls displaying artifacts from ancient Egypt to thousands of visitors as part of a pilot program.
Jorge Licano, a tourist from Costa Rica, told The Associated Press about his experience at the museum, saying, “So far, amazing, there is a lot of history, there are a lot of things that we are not aware of, especially coming from the other side of the world, and seeing everything here, learning from the locals has been great.”
The museum is near the pyramids at Giza and will host around 4,000 visitors in the experimental run to prepare for a grand opening. Officials say they believe that the thousands of visitors will give better insight into overcrowded areas of the building and how to streamline operations.
More than 100,000 ancient Egyptian treasures will be on display, with at least 15,000 artifacts dedicated to each individual hall. Furthermore, all of the halls are classified by dynasty and put in historical order.
The museum’s completion comes as Egypt looks to ramp up tourism following setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Arab Spring from 2010-2011.
Hezbollah blames Israel for deadly pager explosions
Hezbollah is blaming Israel after pagers used by the militant group exploded killing at least nine people and injuring thousands. And former President Donald Trump holds his first campaign event since the second apparent assassination attempt on his life. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.
Hezbollah blames Israel for deadly pager explosions
Multiple explosions in Lebanon have killed at least nine people and left nearly 3,000 injured. Explosives inside pagers used by the militant group Hezbollah were set off Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 17.
The Iran-backed group blames Israel for the attack. Hezbollah said an 8-year-old was among those killed and Iran’s envoy to Beirut was among the injured.
Sources told Reuters Israel’s Mossad spy agency had planted the explosives inside 5,000 pagers. An American source and other officials confirmed to the New York Times that Israel was behind the operation.
The pagers appeared to be from Taiwan-based Gold Apollo. In a statement released Wednesday, Sept. 18, Gold Apollo said they were manufactured by another company based in Budapest that was authorized to use Gold Appollo’s brand.
Hezbollah fighters have been using pagers to bypass Israeli location-tracking following a warning by group leaders earlier this year saying cell phones were more dangerous than Israeli spies.
Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate against Israel.
Hezbollah and Israel began exchanging strikes shortly after Hamas’ deadly terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Tuesday’s blasts add to the growing concern over a larger war in the Middle East.
Secretary of State of Antony Blinken will be in Egypt Wednesday to work on securing a cease-fire agreement to put an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas and see the release of the hostages who remain in Gaza.
Trump, Harris both use assassination attempt to highlight policy proposals
Former President Donald Trump was back on the campaign trail Tuesday, holding his first event since the second apparent attempt on his life over the weekend. During a town hall in Flint, Michigan Trump told Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders the assassination attempts are proof his policy proposals are powerful.
“It’s a dangerous business however, being president,” Trump said. “It’s a little bit dangerous. It’s, you know, they think racecar driving is dangerous. No. They think bull-riding, that’s pretty scary, right? No, this is a dangerous business and we have to keep it safe.”
He later added, “You know, only consequential presidents get shot at.”
Trump also said both President Joe Biden and, his opponent in the 2024 presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris called him after the assassination attempt, saying it was “very nice” and he appreciated it.
“Not everybody has Secret Service,” Harris said, “and there are far too many people in our country right now who are not feeling safe. I mean, I look at Project 2025 and I look at the ‘don’t say gay laws’ coming out of Florida. Members of the LGBTQ community don’t feel safe right now. Immigrants or people with an immigrant background don’t feel safe right now. Women don’t feel safe right now.”
Both candidates are focusing on swing areas that could decide the election, which is expected to be a close one.
Trump is set to campaign in New York, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina this week. Harris will also stop in Washington as well as Michigan and Wisconsin in the coming days.
Speaker Johnson to bring spending bill up for vote
House Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to put his short-term spending plan up for a vote Wednesday, though there are signs it will not get the GOP support needed to pass.
Johnson previously pulled a stopgap bill that was coupled with the SAVE Act — which would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections — after it became clear it was unlikely to get enough Republican approval to pass. House Democrats also opposed the plan, though it would keep the government funded through most of March.
Congress has until the end of September to pass at least a temporary measure keeping the government open, otherwise a shutdown looms Oct. 1.
Federal Reserve expected to cut interest rates for first time since 2020
The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates for the first time since 2020. However, it’s not yet known by how much.
Straight Arrow News Business Correspondent Simone Del Rosario has a closer look here.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denied bail in racketeering, sex trafficking case
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail and will remain in custody as he faces serious charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Authorities say Combs will be held by himself at a “special housing unit” in a detention center in Brooklyn.
In a federal courtroom in New York City on Tuesday, Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges he’s facing. Prosecutors allege that Combs used his business empire to force women into engaging in sexual acts with professional sex workers and himself.
Prosecutors allege that in late 2023, following public accusations of these crimes, Combs and his associates attempted to pressure victims into silence through bribery.
If convicted on all charges, Combs faces decades in prison.
Billie Jean King to make history as Congressional Gold Medal recipient
Tennis hall of famer Billie Jean King is being recognized with a prestigious Congressional Gold Medal for her efforts on and off the tennis court.
The measure had already passed the Senate and on Tuesday night, it passed the House, making Billie Jean King the first individual female athlete to ever receive the congressional honor.
🚨 History made! 🚨 The House just passed my bipartisan, bicameral bill to award my friend, @BillieJeanKing, legendary athlete, and ardent advocate, the Congressional Gold Medal, making her the first female athlete to ever receive this honor—yet another iconic trailblazing moment… pic.twitter.com/kbkkym0aVN
“Mister speaker, it is now time to enshrine Billie Jean King’s legacy as not only a champion of tennis, but a champion of equality whose impact will continue to inspire women and girls and people across America and across the world,” Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) said before the measure was passed.
After receiving the news that she would receive the Congressional Gold Medal, King took to X to say, “Thank you. I am deeply humbled and honored.”
Israeli attacks kill dozens of Palestinians as hope for cease-fire dims
Israeli attacks on Wednesday, Sept. 11, killed more than two dozen Palestinians as hope for cease-fire appears to be dimming. An Israeli strike reportedly killed five Palestinians in the occupied West Bank while a separate strike in the Gaza Strip killed at least 20 people, including 16 women and children. Israel said the strikes were launched to take out members of Hamas.
The Palestinian deaths come a day after another Israeli airstrike on Tuesday, Sept. 10, killed at least 19 people in a designated humanitarian zone. The Israeli military claimed the attack was on a Hamas command and control center in the area.
The Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry said nearly 41,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war in Gaza. The attack started after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 Israelis and saw another 250 Israelis taken hostage. Hamas fighters have since killed many of those hostages.
Meanwhile, efforts are still underway to free the remaining 101 Israeli hostages. Israeli is reportedly offering Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, whom Israel sees as the mastermind behind the Oct. 7 massacre, and his family a safe route out of Gaza, in exchange for abductees still held by the terrorist group and for Hamas to give up control of the Gaza Strip.
Israel Hostage Envoy Gal Hirsch revealed the negotiations to Bloomberg News on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
“We want demilitarization, de-radicalization of course, a new system that will manage Gaza,” Hirsch said.
Hirsch’s efforts are reportedly part of new solutions to get Israeli captives back as hopes of securing a cease-fire deal diminish. The United States, Qatar and Egypt are working out details of a new ceasefire proposal. However, Hirsch claims that Hamas is dictating terms rather than negotiating.
Gov. Walz accepts VP nomination, tells Democrats to ‘leave it on the field’
Vice President Kamala Harris prepares to address the Democratic National Convention (DNC) Thursday, Aug. 22 night, just hours after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz formally accepted the party’s nomination for vice president. And former President Donald Trump appeared behind bulletproof glass in his first outdoor rally since his attempted assassination. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024
Gov. Walz accepts VP nomination, tells Democrats to ‘leave it on the field’
Thursday, Aug. 22, is the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Vice President Kamala Harris is set to officially accept the Democratic Party’s nomination for president during a primetime speech.
On Wednesday night, Aug. 21, her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, officially accepted the nod for vice president. During his keynote speech, Walz introduced himself to the American people with what he described as a “pep talk” like those he used to give during his time as a high school teacher and football coach.
“It’s the fourth quarter, we’re down a field goal, but we’re on offense and we’ve got the ball,” he said of Harris’ campaign. “We’re driving down the field, and boy, do we have the right team…There’ll be time to sleep when you’re dead. We’re going to leave it on the field.”
In his address, Walz spoke of his record as Minnesota’s governor, comparing his policies to that of Republican-led states.
“Other states were banning books from their schools; we were banishing hunger from ours,” Walz said. “We also protected reproductive freedom, because in Minnesota, we respect our neighbors and the personal choices they make. Even if we wouldn’t make those same choices for ourselves, we’ve got a golden rule: Mind your own damn business.”
Before Walz took the stage Wednesday, some of the biggest A-listers and veteran party leaders gave speeches to rally up the base. Former President Bill Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Oprah Winfrey were among those who addressed the crowd.
“Let us choose loyalty to the Constitution over loyalty to any individual because that’s the best of America,” Winfrey said. “And let us choose optimism over cynicism and let us include inclusion over retribution.”
Harris will close out the convention Thursday, Aug. 22 night, with the last night’s theme being “for our future.”
Meanwhile former President Donald Trump will visit the border in Arizona on Thursday. His running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, will campaign in Georgia.
Trump appears behind bulletproof glass for outdoor rally in North Carolina
On Wednesday, Aug, 21, former President Trump held his first outdoor rally since the assassination attempt on his life in July in Butler, Pennsylvania. The appearance came with an added layer of security.
A wall of bulletproof glass surrounded the podium as Trump and Vance addressed supporters in the battleground state of North Carolina. Their focus was on national security.
President Trump leaves the bulletproof glass protecting him to check on a supporter in the crowd who passed out.
At the same time, lawmakers continued their search into what went wrong on July 13 when Trump was shot in the ear during that assassination attempt. A bipartisan congressional task force met remotely with the FBI to discuss progress in the agency’s investigation.
RFK Jr. expected to drop out of 2024 race, endorse Trump
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to suspend his campaign by the end of the week. Kennedy is set to give a speech Friday, Aug. 23, on his “path forward” in the 2024 election during an event in Arizona.
This comes just days after his running mate said Kennedy has two options left: stay in the race or drop out and back former President Trump. It’s speculated Kennedy will announce his endorsement of Trump during the same speech on Friday — possibly in a joint appearance with the former president, who will also be campaigning in Arizona that day.
JD Vance has confirmed there’s been “a lot of communication back and forth” between the campaigns but nothing is set in stone.
5 bodies recovered after yacht sinks off coast of Sicily
2nd US Navy aircraft carrier arrives in Middle East amid Iran threat
A second U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, has arrived in the Middle East. It joins the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which was stationed in the area after Iran threatened to attack Israel in retaliation for a deadly strike on a top Hamas leader in Tehran on July 31.
The U.S. military’s Central Command shared video of F-35 jets taking off from the Lincoln’s deck on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), equipped with F-35C and F/A-18 Block III fighters, entered the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility.
The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 3, is accompanied by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 and… pic.twitter.com/RKoJQshigR
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the Lincoln, as well as the guided missile submarine the USS Georgia, to the region earlier this month as tensions remain high over an expected attack by Iran on Israel following the killings of top Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. The Lincoln and Georgia add to the U.S. ships already in the area, including eight destroyers.
These military moves come as President Joe Biden stressed on a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday the urgent need to conclude talks on a cease-fire and hostage release plan. The White House said the president pointed to the upcoming discussions in Cairo as “crucial.”
Taylor Swift breaks her silence on canceled Vienna shows
Taylor Swift has broken her silence following the foiled terrorist plot that resulted in the cancellation of her Eras tour shows in Vienna, Austria. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Aug. 21, Swift reflected on the end of the European leg of her tour.
She posted several images from various shows in Europe along with a caption which read in part, “Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows. But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives.”
Swift went on to say, “Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows. In cases like this one, ‘silence’ is actually showing restraint, and waiting to express yourself at a time when it’s right to. My priority was finishing our European tour safely, and it is with great relief that I can say we did that.”
Swift added she was heartened by the love and unity she saw in her fans who banded together.
Biden highlights his legacy, passes torch to Harris in DNC address
In a speech lasting nearly an hour on the first night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), President Joe Biden defended his record as he passed the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris. And protesters took to the streets outside the DNC calling for an end to the war in Gaza. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Aug. 20, 2024.
Biden highlights his legacy, passes torch to Harris in DNC address
Former President Barack Obama is slated to be among the speakers on night two of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Tuesday, Aug. 20, as the party gears up for Vice President Kamala Harris to officially accept the nomination for president.
Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, were in the building Monday night, Aug. 19 for the first night. The vice president gave a surprise speech on the stage thanking President Joe Biden for his “historic leadership.” She then spoke of unity within the party.
“People from every corner of our country and every walk of life are here, united by our shared vision for the future of our country, and this November, we will come together and declare with one voice, as one people, we are moving forward,” Harris said.
And while the convention is largely focused on Harris, the first night was centered on President Biden as the party paid tribute to his decades-long political career. The crowd chanted in support of the president, giving him a 4-minute standing ovation before his speech. Biden took a moment to thank his supporters before reiterating his endorsement of Harris.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career, but I gave my best to you,” the president said. “For 50 years, like many of you, I have given my heart and soul to our nation … It’s been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your president.”
First lady Dr. Jill Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also spoke on the first night of the DNC.
“I wish my mother and Kamala’s mother could see us,” Clinton said. “This is our time, America. This is when we stand up. This is when we break through!”
Harris and Walz will both be back on the campaign trail in Wisconsin Tuesday, Aug. 20. That’s also where the Republican vice presidential pick Ohio Sen. JD Vance will be as former President Donald Trump continues his blitz across battleground states. Trump was in Pennsylvania Monday, Aug. 19, and will hold a rally in Michigan Tuesday afternoon.
Protesters attempt to breach barricade at DNC
While the Democratic Party rallied in unison inside Chicago’s United Center, it was a different story on the outside. Protesters broke through a fence set up by police near the site of the DNC as thousands took to the streets to protest the war in Gaza.
As the larger group marched, a few dozen broke away and tore down pieces of the security fence. They chanted “end the occupation now” and then “the whole world is watching!” just as anti-Vietnam war protesters did during the 1968 convention in Chicago when police clashed with protesters on live television.
On Monday, Aug. 19, police in riot gear formed a wall and arrested at least four people. Large protests are expected to continue over the next several days outside the DNC.
U.S. government says Iran was behind Trump campaign hack
A joint statement on Monday from the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said the breach was part of Iran’s plans to interfere with the 2024 presidential election.
The FBI briefed former President Trump on their preliminary findings after news organizations reported receiving documents believed to have come from an account belonging to a senior Trump campaign official. Those turned out to be from a hacker.
Vice President Harris’ campaign said hackers were unsuccessful in their attempts against the Biden-Harris campaign.
Israel says bodies of 6 hostages retrieved in overnight operation
Israel said it has recovered the bodies of six hostages taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7 terror attack. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel’s security agency said in a joint statement Tuesday the bodies were retrieved during an overnight military operation in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “hearts are aching over the terrible loss” and thanked those involved in the recovery efforts.
This comes as Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Israel has accepted a proposal to bridge differences that are preventing a temporary cease-fire and the release of an unknown number of hostages. Now the U.S. and other world leaders helping to mediate the negotiation talks are urging Hamas to accept the proposal.
On Tuesday, Aug. 20, Blinken will be leaving Israel and traveling to Egypt and Qatar, where Hamas has a political office.
It’s unclear if Hamas will sign off on the deal, as one of their stipulations has been a permanent truce, not just a temporary pause in fighting.
The high-stakes talks come as fears rise that the war could escalate into a bigger regional conflict, potentially by an attack on Israel led by Iran and its proxy groups.
Santos pleads guilty to federal charges, faces 6 years in prison
Former New York Congressman George Santos has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He’s agreed to pay more than $370,000 in restitution and could spend at least six years in prison for stealing from donors and using campaign contributions to pay for personal expenses.
The plea comes as his federal fraud case — which led to the Republican’s expulsion from Congress — was just weeks away from going to trial.
He’s now set to be sentenced in February.
Former head of Warner Music submits $4.3B bid for Paramount
Like any good TV show or movie, the saga of the sale of Paramount has a last-second plot twist. According to reports, billionaire media mogul Edgar Bronfman Jr., the former head of Warner Music Group, has submitted an offer of $4.3 billion to take control of Paramount Global — the parent company of CBS, MTV and Paramount Pictures.
Last month, Skydance Media entered a deal to purchase the conglomerate for $8 billion, but that deal came with a catch: a 45-day window where Paramount could field other offers. Bronfman entered the fray just as that deadline was about to expire on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
Now Paramount has the option to extend that period. If it does, that would be a sign Paramount is seriously thinking about Bronfman’s offer.
Day 1 of Democratic National Convention, Biden slated to speak tonight
The Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago as President Joe Biden is among the names scheduled to speak the first night. And Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel preparing for what he calls a ‘decisive moment’ in cease-fire talks. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Aug. 19, 2024.
Day 1 of Democratic National Convention, Biden slated to speak
The stage in Chicago for the start of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) that kicks off Monday. The four-day event will conclude with Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz formally accepting the Democratic nominations for president and vice president.
Part of the agenda for day one includes special tributes planned to honor the opening night’s headline speaker, President Joe Biden. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is also slated to speak at the DNC Monday night.
Other speakers you’ll see over the next few days include former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former first lady Michelle Obama.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said Chicago is “prepared and ready” and security has been beefed up inside and outside the convention as thousands of Gaza war protesters are planning to descend on the city.
The Democratic Party has released some of its key policy points it expects to address over the next four days. Those include raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, making the child tax credit permanent and IVF and abortion protections.
Ahead of the DNC, Harris and Walz spent time in the battleground state of Pennsylvania. Former President Donald Trump will be back in Pennsylvania Monday after also spending time over the weekend in the Keystone State.
A new ABC News poll has Harris leading Trump overall 50 to 45%. However, Trump is leading Harris on key issues for voters: the economy and immigration.
Former Congressman George Santos to plead guilty to federal charges
Former Congressman George Santos, R-N.Y., is expected to plead guilty to federal charges Monday, Aug. 19 afternoon. It’s a reversal of his previous plea of not guilty.
Santos, who was expelled from the House of Representatives, faces 23 felony charges, including defrauding donors, lying about his finances and needlessly accepting unemployment benefits, among other things.
A guilty plea would avoid a trial, which is scheduled to begin next month. Sources close to the matter told The New York Times Santos is expected to give a statement acknowledging the crimes he has agreed to plead to.
Blinken: ‘This is a decisive moment’ in cease-fire talks
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel Monday, meeting with top Israeli officials before traveling to Egypt for ongoing negotiations to reach a cease-fire and hostage release agreement. This is his ninth trip to the region since the Israel-Hamas War began.
“This is a decisive moment,” Blinken said at a press conference in Tel Aviv. “Probably the best, maybe the last opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a cease-fire and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has expressed “cautious optimism” that a deal can be reached, while Hamas is accusing Israel of stalling efforts to reach a deal in order to continue striking inside Gaza.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin accepting applications for individuals requesting “parole in that place” that would allow migrant spouses without legal status to apply for a green card and eventually get on a path to citizenship.
To be eligible, the spouses must have been continuously in the U.S. for at least 10 years, not pose a security threat or have a disqualifying criminal history, and have been married to a U.S. citizen before June 17 — the day before the program was announced. They must also pay a $580 fee to apply and fill out an application explaining why they deserve humanitarian parole and providing a list of supporting documents proving how long they have been in the country.
The Biden administration says about 500,000 people could be eligible for “parole in place” plus about 50,000 of their children.
Egg prices on the rise again as bird flu impacts supply
Egg prices are on the rise — again. According to the Consumer Price Index, egg prices were up by nearly 20% in July, and economists say inflation is not the issue this time.
Rather, it’s believed to be the ongoing bird flu outbreak limiting the supply of eggs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the average rate for a dozen large, grade A eggs topped $3 in July for the first time in more than a year. July also marked the third month egg prices rose on an annual basis, a reversal after a year of relative decreases.
Perdue recalls over 167K pounds of chicken after wire found in packaging
The products are the Perdue Simply Smart Organic gluten-free breaded chicken breast nuggets, the breaded chicken breast tenders, and the Butcher Box organic free fully frozen-cooked breast chicken nuggets. All have a “best-if-used-by date” of March 23, 2025.
Israel-Hamas war cease-fire talks stretch into second day in Qatar
U.S. officials have reported progress in the ongoing cease-fire talks aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas conflict, with discussions in Doha, Qatar, extending into a second day. The negotiations — involving Israeli, Qatari and Egyptian officials — are focused on securing a cease-fire agreement and the release of hostages. White House National Security Council Communications Advisor John Kirby noted that while some headway has been made, significant gaps remain in implementing the framework of the deal.
Meanwhile, the British and French foreign ministers are making a joint trip to Israel in hopes of stopping the war from turning into a larger regional conflict.
The talks are crucial to preventing the 10-month conflict from spiraling into a broader regional war, with fears that Iran and Hezbollah could retaliate against Israel. Mediators have been working around the clock to address sticking points, including control over Gaza’s southern border with Egypt and the return of displaced Palestinian civilians.
The renewed push to end the war comes as the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said on Thursday, Aug. 15, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 40,000. Fears remain high that Iran and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon will soon attack Israel in retaliation for the killings of top leaders.
While Hamas has not formally participated in the talks, mediators are relaying messages to its political leadership based in Doha. There are ongoing disputes over specific terms, with Hamas accusing Israel of adding new conditions to the deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied these claims, calling them essential clarifications to ensure the agreement’s success.
Hurricane Ernesto strengthens to Category 2 storm as it approaches Bermuda
Hurricane Ernesto intensified into a Category 2 storm and could strengthen even more on its way to Bermuda. And following the assassination attempt, the Secret Service plans to add additional security measures for former President Donald Trump’s outdoor rallies — including bulletproof glass. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Aug. 16, 2024.
Hurricane Ernesto strengthens to Category 2 storm as it approaches Bermuda
Hurricane Ernesto has upgraded into a Category 2 storm with sustained winds now over 100 miles per hour as it remains on track to cut through Bermuda. However, it’s still has hundreds of miles to travel before then, so it could strengthen to a Category 3 before making landfall.
The storm is expected to dump up to 10 inches of rain Puerto Rico also saw from the same storm system previously. Crews are still working to restore power to hundreds of thousands of people there.
This is likely to become the second major hurricane of the Atlantic season — much earlier than usual. Typically, the second major hurricane doesn’t happen until around mid-September.
Harris, Trump focus on economy on the campaign trail
The economy is taking center focus on the campaign trail this week for both presidential candidates. Vice President Kamala Harris will be in battleground state of North Carolina on Friday, Aug. 16, to give her first major economic policy speech since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee.
The plan is said to revolve around lowering prices and ending price gouging.
Harris’ speech Friday comes after an appearance with President Joe Biden in Maryland on Thursday, Aug. 15. This was their first joint appearance since Biden dropped out of the 2024 race, he and his vice president discussed their administration’s efforts lowering the cost of prescription drugs.
“Few leaders in our nation have done more on so many issues, including to expand access to affordable health care like than Joe Biden,” Harris said.
https://twitter.com/VP/status/1824105013787967703
On the other side, former President Donald Trump held a press conference at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey Thursday. On display in the background were stacks of groceries with signs showing how much prices of household items and food have risen from inflation over the past few years.
“Harris has just declared that tackling inflation will be a day one priority, for her, it’s going to be day one,” the former president said. “But day one really for Kamala was three and a half years ago. Where has she been and why hasn’t she done it? Why hasn’t she done it?”
Looking ahead to this weekend, both Trump and Harris will be hitting more battleground territory, as they are both slated to make appearances in Pennsylvania for campaign events. Trump will hold a rally in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, Aug. 17, and Harris will be launching a bus tour in Pittsburgh.
Secret Service to shield Trump with bulletproof glass at outdoor rallies
The Secret Service has found a way to let former President Trump go back to holding outdoor campaign events. They’ll be putting up a bulletproof glass barrier between him and the crowd.
The Secret Service already does that for sitting presidents and vice presidents, but since Trump is no longer in office it hasn’t been available to him. Law enforcement officials told news outlets not every outdoor event will require the bulletproof glass, but it’ll be used when there are issues at specific sites or a need for added security.
AP Images
This is just one of the security measures previously only available to active office holders that’s being added to Trump’s protection after a failed assassination attempt. Others include increased staffing, technology and threat analysis.
Israel-Hamas War cease-fire talks stretch into second day
Meanwhile, the British and French foreign ministers are making a joint trip to Israel in hopes of stopping the war from turning into a larger regional conflict.
The renewed push to end the war comes as the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said Thursday, Aug. 15, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 40,000 and fears remain high that Iran and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon will soon attack Israel in retaliation for the killings of top leaders.
Taylor Swift returns to the stage after canceled Vienna shows
After having to cancel three concerts on the Vienna, Austria part of her Eras tour over a foiled terror plot, Taylor Swift returned to the stage in London Thursday, Aug. 15 night. The show was held at Wembley Stadium with heightened security measures in place, though Wembley already has some strict measures to begin with.
Two suspects were arrested by authorities in connection with the Vienna plot, allegedly inspired by ISIS to carry out an attack outside the concert. Officials there said a major catastrophe was averted by law enforcement’s work.
Time magazine names 15-year-old scientist its 2024 Kid of the Year
Time magazine is honoring a scientist who created a bar of soap that has the potential to transform skin cancer treatment while still finding time to be part of his school’s marching band. Fifteen-year-old scientist Heman Bekele from Fairfax, Virginia has been named Time’s 2024 Kid of the Year.
Time put Bekele on its cover to recognize him for “developing an affordable compound-based bar of soap that could in the future be a new and more accessible way to deliver medication to treat skin cancers, including melanoma.”
The teen was already named America’s Top Young Scientist by 3M and Discovery Education last year for his invention.
Bekele told Time Magazine he is passionate about skin cancer research and finds it incredible that one day his bar of soap will be able to make a direct impact on somebody else’s life.
“I personally hope one day that skin cancer treating soap can turn into a more not for profit organization where we really can distribute it to people that need it the most,” Bekele said.
