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US Treasury sanctions Mexican drug cartel for illegal red snapper fishing

November 27, 2024
The U.S. Treasury Department issued new sanctions after figuring out who is behind illegal red snapper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico: Mexican drug cartels. The new sanctions target the Gulf Cartel, which operates in cities just across the border from the southern coast of Texas.

Their hub is located at Playa Bagdad in the city of Matamoros, Mexico, less than 10 miles from the border with the United States.

According to the Treasury, the cartel uses boats for drug and human smuggling. Each year, they catch millions of dollars worth of red snapper, a valuable but vulnerable species of fish, as their boats travel through the Gulf.

U.S. fishermen face strict limits on fishing for red snapper, but cartels have taken the fish and sold them at markets in Mexico’s border towns. Some fish are sent to the U.S. for resale.

The U.S. has taken actions against Mexico before in efforts to prevent overfishing, including preventing Mexican fishing boats from entering U.S. ports along the Gulf Coast.

This is also the latest in a string of cartel-related sanctions. The Treasury has issued sanctions against more than 20 people and over a dozen companies tied to Mexican cartel operations in the last six months.
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US Supreme Court to decide if Mexico can sue gun manufacturers

October 4, 2024
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a case brought by Mexico against major American gun manufacturers amid claims that these companies are indirectly responsible for escalating violence fueled by drug cartels. The lawsuit alleged that the manufacturers failed to enforce proper safeguards, allowing firearms to be trafficked into Mexico, where they contribute to deadly crimes.

Smith & Wesson recently attempted to have the suit thrown out, prompting the high court to hear the case.

At the center of the lawsuit is the accusation that gun manufacturers designed weapons favored by cartels and granted criminals easy access to high-powered firearms.

Mexico argued that this negligence exacerbated cartel violence, resulting in numerous civilian and law enforcement casualties.

The gun companies assert that they are protected under U.S. law by the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which shields manufacturers from liability when their products are used in criminal activities.

They maintain that they sell firearms legally and cannot be held responsible for the consequences that occur after the sale.

Lower courts permitted Mexico’s lawsuit to proceed, but the Supreme Court’s ruling will determine whether the case can advance. If the court rules in favor of Mexico, it could pave the way for additional international lawsuits against U.S. gun manufacturers, potentially reshaping the firearms industry.

According to the lawsuit, over $250 million worth of firearms are trafficked into Mexico annually. The upcoming hearing is expected to attract significant attention from both gun control advocates and Second Amendment defenders, with the outcome likely to establish a new legal precedent for holding gun manufacturers accountable for their products abroad.
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Bank stocks dip globally, cartel apologizes for kidnappings: March 10 rundown

March 10, 2023

Bank stocks around the world have dipped in the wake of a dramatic sell-off; Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is recovering from a concussion; American kidnappers were turned in by their own cartel; and a mass shooting in Germany claimed multiple lives. These stories and more highlight your daily rundown for Friday, March 10, 2023.

Bank stocks slip across globe

Silicon Valley Bank is a major banking partner in the U.S. tech sector. On Thursday, the bank lost 60% of its stock, wiping out over $80 billion in value from bank shares. It was a response from investors to the news of SVB shoring up its finances through a share-sale.

The CEO of SVB has been making phone calls to venture capital clients trying to reassure them their money is safe. But after SVB shares saw their biggest one-day drop on record, the four largest banks in the U.S. lost more than $50 billion in market value. And the ripple continues through Asia and Europe this morning.

Europe’s biggest banks saw their shares tumble in the largest decline in nine months. Some shares fell as much as 7.9%. The chief market analyst at Markets.com described the episode as what could be the “straw that broke the camel’s back” for banks after worries about high interest rates and a fragile U.S. economy.

McConnell treated for concussion

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to make a full recovery after suffering a bad fall on Wednesday, according to his Senate colleagues.

“Anytime someone falls and needs to go to the hospital it’s concerning. But I know Mitch pretty well, and he’s tough as a boot and I don’t suspect he’ll be in the hospital that long,” Sen. John Neely Kennedy, R-La., said.

McConnell is being treated for a concussion and will remain in the hospital for the next few days according to his spokesperson

The 81-year-old senator is said to be awake and talking to people. According to other senators, who have spoke with McConnell since his fall, they expect him to be back out on the Senate floor sometime next week.

Cartel leaves note, turns in members

It was one week ago when four Americans made their way to Mexico for a cosmetic procedure when they were caught in the middle of a shootout between drug cartels and kidnapped. Two of the Americans were killed.

Now , the drug cartel responsible for the kidnappings and murders have issued an apology and have handed over five of their members to authorities.

The Gulf Cartel wrote a handwritten note to authorities apologizing to the families of the Americans killed. They also apologized to the city of Matamoros where the shootout occurred.

The letter was reportedly found with five cartel members restrained by their own cartel and left for police. The letter stated those men were responsible and acted on their own accord, against the cartel’s rules.

The letter confirms what authorities believed from the beginning, that the kidnappings were a tragic case of mistaken identity.

8 dead at Jehovah’s Witnesses hall

A shooting at a Jehovah’s Witnesses hall in Hamburg, Germany, has left eight people dead. Police believe they found someone fatally shot who may have been the shooter. There has been no word on a possible motive for Thursday night’s attack.

The building is used by Jehovah’s Witnesses. The congregation was holding an event at the time of the shooting.

Police arrived on scene while the attack was happening and heard a final gunshot fire upon arrival. The head of Germany’s police believed the swift presence of officers may have prevented further victims.

Firearm merchant code on pause

Top payment networks American Express, Visa, and Mastercard have announced they are pausing work on implementing a new sales code for gun purchases.

In September, we reported on the International Organization for Standardization approving a new merchant category code that would separately label and track purchases at gun shops. It was immediately met with Republican backlash and legal challenges.

Now, three major credit card companies have decided to pause the implementation. They cite significant confusion and legal uncertainty in the new payment tracking system.

Disney CEO Bob Iger talks future of Star Wars, Marvel

Bob Iger wants to see fewer Marvel sequels. The Disney CEO discussed the future of the entertainment giant at Morgan Stanley’s annual technology, media, and telecom conference. He said the company should focus on telling the stories of other Marvel characters. It’s part of Iger’s plan to create quality content over quantity.

As for “Star Wars,” he said Disney is cautious about where they take the franchise next.

Iger also discussed pricing. He said the cost of Disney+ was off at the start. He said he expects that to be adjusted as the company learns more about streaming.

Meanwhile, Iger admitted they were too aggressive with price hikes at theme parks. On a personal note, Iger said he still plans to resign in two years.
Sen. McConnell hospitalized, Norfolk Southern to testify: March 9 rundown

March 9, 2023

Sen. Mitch McConnell hospitalized

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has been hospitalized after falling at a hotel late Wednesday. Sen. McConnell, R-Ky., is in the hospital receiving treatment after falling at a Washington hotel during a private dinner, according to his spokesperson. There are limited details available on his recovery.

Sen. McConnell is 81 years old. He is serving his seventh six-year term in the Senate. He was first elected in 1984. McConnell is one of the most powerful lawmakers in Washington. He served as Senate majority leader from 2015 to 2021 and has served as the Senate minority leader since.

President Biden to unveil budget proposal

President Biden will be in Philadelphia on Thursday to unveil his budget proposal aimed to cut deficits by $3 trillion dollars over the next decade, according to the White House.

Part of the plan is to increase the Medicare payroll tax on people making more than $400,000 a year. The plan would also impose a tax on the holdings of billionaires. The budget proposal will be released in full Thursday. It comes at a time the U.S. has reached its debt limit and Republicans and Democrats are at odds on raising the ceiling and spending cuts. By this summer, the U.S. could exhaust emergency measures currently in place to keep Washington running.

Arrest made in American kidnapping in Mexico

The White House says is is working with Mexican authorities to track down the people responsible for ambushing four Americans who crossed into Mexico through the city Matamoros. One person has been arrested in the kidnapping and killing. The bodies of two Americans killed are expected to be returned to the U.S. Thursday. Mexico’s president blames the Gulf Cartel for what he believes may have been a deadly case of mistaken identity. The president said the Americans were caught in the middle of what was a shootout between rival cartels.

Norfolk Southern CEO to testify before Senate

The CEO of Norfolk Southern will testify in a Senate hearing Thursday. Senators are expected to press the rail company on its role in two derailments in Ohio, one in East Palestine that resulted in a toxic chemical release and a second derailment in Ohio that occurred the same month. CEO Alan Shaw is expected to make an apology at Thursday’s hearing and also offer tens of millions of dollars to help in recovery efforts.

The company has announced voluntary safety upgrades following the derailment that could have resulted in an explosion if officials did not initiate the toxic chemical release. Senators are expected to ask the company to do more and thoroughly lay out safety plans as the transportation sector is under the microscope after several high-profile derailments.

House members sensitive data hacked, sold on dark web

Members of the House and their staff have been told their sensitive personal information was exposed and some of it is being sold for purchase on the dark web after DC Health Link, the health insurance marketplace for Washington, was hacked. The data breach was reported on Wednesday. The size and the scope of the hack is unknown.

The FBI said the individuals online selling the stolen information don’t seem to realize the high-level of sensitivity of the stolen data, making them believe elected officials were not targeted in the breach. DC Health Link is providing impacted customers identity and credit monitoring services.

“Zombie viruses” discovered in the Arctic

Apparently, climate change currently creating warmer temps in the Arctic poses a whole other type of danger people may not be aware of. Viruses once frozen in permafrost for nearly 50,000 years are still alive, according to a set of scientists.

The scientists have reportedly revived what they call “zombie viruses” that lived among animals and humans thousands of years ago. They found frozen viruses and are experimenting whether they are still infectious. So far, they have found five that are.

While it sounds like the latest sci-fi movie plot, the scientists say their research is indicative of a big problem. They believe ancient viruses, currently frozen over, can come back to life and threaten humans and animals if the warming of the Arctic continues.
Train derailment in Ohio, Americans kidnapped in Mexico: March 6 rundown

March 6, 2023

A second Norfolk Southern derailment in Ohio – A Norfolk Southern train went off its tracks on Saturday in Western Ohio. 28 cars from the 212 car train derailed. Officials said there were no hazardous chemicals aboard the train cars involved. The cause of the derailment is under investigation, according to Norfolk Southern representative Kraig Barner. It was about one month earlier when a Norfolk Southern train derailment involving 38 train cars, some of which carried hazardous chemicals, displaced residents and disrupted the small town of East Palestine, Ohio. The latest incident adds to the mounting pressure Norfolk Southern and the transportation sector as a whole are facing over recent derailments.

Legislation introduced by Ohio’s U.S. senators, Sherrod Brown, D, and J.D. Vance, R, focuses on improvements to railroad safety, including requiring that rail carriers notify emergency response commissions about what hazardous materials are traveling through their states. President Biden praised the bipartisanship bill. Brown said in a statement that Saturday’s derailment in Springfield demonstrated the need for the legislation.

“Ohio communities should not be forced to live in fear of another disaster,” Brown said.

Four U.S. citizens kidnapped in Mexico – Four U.S. citizens were kidnapped after crossing from the U.S. into Mexico in the border city of Matamoros on Saturday. According to the FBI, gunmen opened fire on their vehicle before taking the Americans. A van belonging to the Americans had North Carolina license plates. The area is known for heavy conflict with the Gulf drug cartel.

Shootouts over the weekend were so bad the U.S. Consulate issued an alert about the danger on Friday, one day before the Americans were taken. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for their return.

Atlanta police, training facility targeted by protestors – The construction site for a new Atlanta Police Department training facility was attacked by agitators covering as protesters, according to Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. Chief Schierbaum said there have been more than 30 arrests made with most of them coming from out of the state.

Pieces of construction equipment were set on fire, large rocks, bricks and fireworks were thrown at police officers at the training facility, according to police. Reports indicate 35 people were detained following the outbreak.

Police protests have been a major narrative in Atlanta in recent weeks. Protests related to the proposed police training facility last erupted in Atlanta on Jan. 21. At the time, a police car was set on fire and windows were shattered in downtown buildings.

“This was not a protest,” Schierbaum said. “This is criminal activity and the criminal charges will show that.”

Snowfall mounts in Northern California – Snowfall in California over the weekend has stranded residents in Northern California communities. Blizzard conditions shut down roads and highways. More than 30 inches of snow fell in a day in some regions triggering an avalanche warning.

Roughly 10 feet of snow has already fallen in last week’s snow storm. Search crews have rescued several people stranded in mountain communities. Meanwhile in Southern California, residents could remain trapped in their homes for several more days after unprecedented snowfall in the region.

Iran’s supreme leader condemns poisonings of schoolgirls – Nearly 1,000 schoolgirls in Iran have reportedly been poisoned across as many as 50 different schools in the region since November. The reports have created concern among residents and parents. State Media announced last week Iran’s government opened an investigation into the alleged purposeful poisonings.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has responded to the investigation. Khamenei said if anyone is found responsible for deliberately poisoning female students, they would be sentenced to death. It’s the first time Iran’s top official has commented on the investigation. Khamenei called the act of purposefully poisoning school children an “unforgivable crime.”

Some politicians have speculated the poisonings are meant to deter females from going to school. Iran’s leader has told authorities to seriously pursue the issue and any perpetrators will face capital punishment.

Solo cheerleader wins team competition – Showing up for a big cheer competition is nerve-racking enough but having to compete for the trophy alone when your cheer team is a no-show makes it even more challenging.

It was a challenge 8-year-old Peyton Thorsby of Florida was up for. Thorsby took to the mat solo after her cheer-mates couldn’t make it. The judges apparently liked her routine, and bravery, giving Thorsby the first place trophy.

“I didn’t really want my team to be disappointed of me of not going out there and not showing up for them,” Thorsby said. “So I made my decision, I wanted to go out there and I wanted to make my family proud and all my friends proud.”

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