Rise of the right in Europe as Austria Freedom Party set to take power
After doubling their votes and winning the September 2024 election, Austria’s far right Freedom Party (FPÖ) now has a shot at governance and the chancellorship. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said on Monday, Jan. 6, that the FPÖ had a greenlight to try its hand at forming a coalition government after the second place party’s bid for a coalition failed over the weekend.
The FPÖ was founded by a former Nazi SS officer in the 1950s, and has maintained third or fourth place in most elections since then. In 2017, the party formed a coalition with the ruling People’s Party, which fell apart in 2019. The FPÖ then garnered nearly 29% of the vote in the most recent election.
The party called for an end to sanctions on Russia and expressed criticism of Western support to Ukraine. Austria has a longstanding policy of neutrality, and could join other skeptical nations like Slovakia and Hungary in opposition to continued aid to the country.
“I do not think that it is in America’s interest to continue to fund an effectively never-ending war in Ukraine,” Vance said in May 2024.
In 2022, Vance also said that he “did not care what happens to Ukraine one way or another.”
Back in Austria, the FPÖ has called for a more “homogenous” country and for more border controls. While not all right-wing leaders in Europe call for an immediate end in European aid to Ukraine, Austria may be on the verge of doing so.
Kyiv ends flow of Russian gas to Europe after denying transit agreement
Ukraine cut off access to a crucial Russian natural gas line running through the country and parts of Europe on Wednesday, Jan. 1. The move marks the end to more than 60 years of Moscow‘s control over European energy markets.
The gas kept flowing for the past three years despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, Kyiv expectedly declined to renew a transit agreement with Russia, ending access to the pipeline.
The last remaining European Union nations buying Russian gas through Ukraine, including Slovakia and Austria, will now lean on alternative energy supplies.
Hungary will continue to rely on Russian natural gas via Turkey through the TurkStream pipeline underneath the Black Sea. Other regions are not as fortunate.
Transnistria, a pro-Moscow region of Ukraine’s neighbor Moldova, relies on the Russian pipeline. Now, the region no longer has access to heat or hot water amid freezing temperatures. Only hospitals and critical infrastructure are being supplied with heat and hot water.
Electricity remains flowing for now, but the region’s main power plant already switched to coal. Authorities said there is only enough fuel supply left for 50 days.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the end of the transit agreement was “one of Moscow’s biggest defeats,” calling on the United States to supply more gas to Europe. He added that it’s Europe’s “joint task” to support Moldova “in this period of energy transformation.”
World population increased 71M in 2024 to reach 8.09B for start of New Year
As the world counts down to the New Year, the global population continues to go up and is expected to surpass 8 billion people on Jan. 1, 2025, despite a slight slowdown this year, according to U.S. Census data. In 2024, the world’s population added 71 million people, marking less than a 1% increase from 2023.
Africa, with the highest birth rate of any continent, saw 14 of its countries recording the most births in 2024. On average, countries like Niger, Angola and Benin saw at least 40 births for every 1,000 people.
However, ongoing conflicts and wars have also had a significant impact on the global population, contributing to higher death rates. Ukraine, Bulgaria and Latvia are among the countries with the highest mortality numbers this year, according to the World Factbook.
Meanwhile, India and China continue to dominate as the two most populous countries, each with more than 1.4 billion people. The United States ranks third, followed by Indonesia, Pakistan and Nigeria.
Experts suggest that the 2020s could become the slowest-growing decade in U.S. history, with population growth levels not seen since the Great Depression. According to the census, in 2025, the U.S. will see roughly one birth and one death every nine seconds.
International migration will continue to drive U.S. population growth, however, with one new person arriving every 21 seconds.
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.”
The weapons can only be used near Kharkiv, Ukraine, for countering Russian attacks. The U.S. stopped short of allowing long-range strikes inside Russia and civilian infrastructure is off-limits for Ukrainian forces.
The move by President Joe Biden was first made quietly on Thursday, May 30. The lifting of restrictions is designed to allow Ukrainian forces to fight off Russian forces attacking Ukraine’s second largest city. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the change was desperately need, not just for Ukraine, but for the world.
“The stakes couldn’t be higher for this moment,” Blinken said. “We know that if Russian aggression is allowed to proceed in Ukraine with impunity it will not stop with Ukraine.”
Now, Ukrainian forces can use U.S. weaponry to intercept Russian missiles heading toward Kharkiv. Russian troops massing over the Russian border near Kharkiv are also allowed to be struck by U.S.-provided weapons under the lifted restrictions.
The Biden administration previously said that lifting restrictions could escalate the war with more direct U.S. involvement. However, Biden reportedly had a change of heart once Russian forces advanced on Kharkiv and unleashed heavy attacks on the city.
The U.S. isn’t the only country to change its mind. Berlin lifted restrictions on German-provided weapons to Ukraine with similar stipulations to the U.S.
However, putting Western troops on Ukrainian soil does run the risk of them becoming casualties. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said in the past that deploying Western troops to Ukraine would have “tragic” consequences.
Loosening restrictions on Ukraine and the apparent willingness to send foreign troops to Ukrainian soil isn’t sitting well with all NATO members.
The policy changes and considerations by NATO allies have also inflamed the Kremlin. In response, senior Russian security official Dmitry Medvedev said that Moscow is not bluffing over its threats to use tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine. He warned that moves by the West could lead to an all-out war.
“Russia regards all long-range weapons used by Ukraine as being directly controlled by servicemen from NATO countries,” Medvedev said. “This is no military assistance; this is participation in a war against us.”
Biden hopes for Gaza pause by next week as Hamas reviews deal: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 27, 2024
The details of a proposed plan to release hostages and pause the fighting in Gaza have been unveiled. And — a historic donation allows students at one medical school to attend tuition-free. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.
Hamas considers 40-day cease-fire as Biden addresses war pause
New details have emerged on a proposal for a temporary cease-fire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Sources have informed Reuters that Hamas has received a draft of the ceasefire proposal, which has been brokered by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar. This proposal aims for a 40-day pause in all military operations.
The cease-fire agreement includes the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. According to Reuters, the the draft outlines the first phase which would see Hamas release 40 hostages, including women, children under the age of 19, the elderly over 50, and the sick. In return, Israel would release 400 Palestinian prisoners.
Additionally, the proposed deal would allow 500 trucks of humanitarian aid to enter Gaza daily, with repairs to be made to hospitals.
During an appearance on NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” President Joe Biden mentioned that Israel has agreed to halt its operations in Gaza during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan, expected to start around March 10.
Speaking at an ice cream shop in New York City after the late-night taping, the president expressed his hope that the temporary ceasefire could be implemented by early next week.
Biden, Trump to visit U.S.-Mexico border on same day
As Michigan voters cast their ballots in Tuesday’s primary elections, with immigration at the forefront of their minds, the upcoming simultaneous border visits by President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump later this week highlight the pressing nature of immigration issues in today’s political landscape.
President Biden is set to travel to Brownsville, Texas, where the White House has announced he will meet with U.S. Border Patrol agents and law enforcement officials on Thursday. He plans to urge Congress to pass bipartisan border security measures during his visit.
Meanwhile, Trump plans to visit the border town of Eagle Pass, where his campaign has stated he will deliver remarks.
A Monmouth University poll released on Monday, Feb. 26, highlights the national concern over illegal immigration, with six in ten Americans viewing it as a very serious problem. Furthermore, 53 percent of Americans are in favor of building a wall along the southern border, indicating significant public interest in border security measures.
On Monday, Feb. 26, Hungary’s parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden’s bid to join the alliance, with only six of the nearly 200 members of parliament opposing the bid.
The Swedish Prime Minister hailed the approval as a historic day. With Sweden’s addition, NATO will expand to include 32 countries as members. This follows Finland’s accession last year as the 31st member of NATO.
“Sweden is leaving behind 200 years of neutrality and non-alignment. It’s a big step and something to take seriously but it is also a very natural step that we take,” said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. “Membership in NATO means that we now come home to a large number of democracies’ cooperation for peace and freedom. A very successful cooperation.”
Officials state that three escaped prisoners boarded the yacht owned by Ralph Hendry and his wife Kathy Brandel off the coast of Grenada. The Royal Grenada Police Force said in a statement that the escapees likely hijacked the yacht and killed Hendry and Brandel in St. George as they fled to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“The boat itself was ransacked and everything was strewn about in the entire cabin, so clearly there was an altercation of some type that took place on the boat,” Buro said. “We are concerned for their safety overall because it does appear that they were likely injured.”
The police successfully recaptured the trio of inmates three days after their escape from a Grenada prison.
FTC sues to block $25 billion Kroger-Albertsons deal
“This supermarket mega merger comes as American consumers have seen the cost of groceries rise steadily over the past few years, said Henry Liu, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition. “Kroger’s acquisition of Albertsons would lead to additional grocery price hikes for everyday goods, further exacerbating the financial strain consumers across the country face today. Essential grocery store workers would also suffer under this deal, facing the threat of their wages dwindling, benefits diminishing, and their working conditions deteriorating.”
Albertsons stated that federal regulators are overlooking the increasing dominance of larger retailers such as Walmart, Amazon, and Costco, arguing that this oversight will only serve to strengthen these competitors.
Kroger runs thousands of stores in 36 states under brands like Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Harris Teeter, King Soopers, and QFC. Albertsons operates a similar number in 35 states, with names like Haggen, Jewel-Osco, Pavilions, Safeway, and Vons. If merged, they would have over 5,000 stores, around 4,000 pharmacies, and nearly 700,000 employees across 48 states.
Free tuition at New York medical school after historic gift
Exciting news for students aspiring to attend a medical school in New York City: they will no longer have to worry about tuition costs.
The generous donation comes from the estate of her late husband, David Gottesman, an investor and friend of Warren Buffet. This donation marks the largest ever made to any medical school in the United States.
Ruth Gottesman expressed her joy and gratitude for being able to support the college, stating she feels blessed to provide such a meaningful gift to a worthy cause.
However, the bloc could not agree on a $54 billion aid package for Ukraine. It’s not clear when talks for Ukraine’s entry into the EU will begin, a process that could take years but is still seen as a victory for Zelenskyy.
The Ukrainian president posted on X, “I thank everyone who worked for this to happen and everyone who helped. I congratulate every Ukrainian on this day.”
The EU has also agreed to start talks with Moldova, which, like Ukraine, is another former Soviet Union republic.
As for the economic aid, EU leaders said 26 of the 27 member states agreed on the package, all but Hungary, and the decision needs to be unanimous. Talks are set to resume early next year.
Another blow to Ukraine with funding talks in the U.S. stalling despite Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington, D.C. to talk to Congressional leaders this week. On Thursday, Dec. 14, speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced the House has adjourned for holiday break seemingly pushing any chance at more funding into the new year.
The Senate; however, is staying to work get to work on a package that would include aid to Ukraine and Israel, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Though anything passed through the Senate would have to go to the House for a vote, and Johnson said “the House will not wait around to receive and debate a rushed product.”
House adjourns, Senate stays to work on funding for Ukraine and Israel: The Morning Rundown, Dec. 15, 2023
With the House adjourned for the holidays, the Senate said it’s staying put to work on the Ukraine aid package. And, train passengers in New Jersey are joined by an unusual traveler during a wild morning commute. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.
House adjourns for holidays, Senate to continue talks on Ukraine aid
They’re heading home for the holidays while Ukrainians are heading right back into the fight.
National Security Council John Kirby
While making the announcement on the Senate floor, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said negotiators have made “good progress” over a path forward on the $110 billion package, which Republicans say needs to include stricter immigration policies.
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“If we believe something is important and urgent, we should stay and get the job done,” Schumer said. “So, for the information of all Senators, after we finish today, the Senate will return on Monday. That will give negotiators from the White House, Senate Democrats, and Senate Republicans a time to work through the weekend in an effort to reach a framework agreement.”
Too many Republicans now seem more interested about flying home for the holidays than finishing the job.
If Republicans say the border is an emergency, they should be prepared to stay.
Crying fire about the border then saying we should go home the next is unserious. pic.twitter.com/dMGhiZogrq
National Security Council John Kirby accused House Republicans, who last week blocked the package from passing due to the border policy, of abandoning Ukraine in its time of need.
“They’re heading home for the holidays while Ukrainians are heading right back into the fight,” Kirby said.
EU to open membership talks with Ukraine, fails to agree on aid
However, the bloc could not agree on a $54 billion aid package for Ukraine. It’s not clear when talks for Ukraine’s entry into the EU will begin, a process that could take years but is still seen as a victory for Zelenskyy.
The Ukrainian president posted on X, “I thank everyone who worked for this to happen and everyone who helped. I congratulate every Ukrainian on this day.”
The #EUCO decision to open EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova has been adopted.
I thank everyone who worked for this to happen and everyone who helped. I congratulate every Ukrainian on this day.
I also congratulate Moldova and personally @SanduMaiamd.…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 14, 2023
A U.S. official said Sullivan will discuss “ongoing efforts to promote stability in the West Bank” by confronting terrorism and revamping and revitalizing the Palestinian Authority, the governing body of the West Bank.
The meeting comes as Israel and the U.S. continue to differ on what Gaza would look like once the war with Hamas ends; the United States said the Palestinian Authority should have a governing role in the territory, and Israeli leaders have rejected that idea.
I met today with @IsraeliPM, @yoavgallant, @gantzbe,@Tzachi_Hanegbi, & the War Cabinet in Tel Aviv to discuss our shared objective of defeating Hamas while minimizing harm to civilians & ensuring the increased and sustained flow of humanitarian assistance. https://t.co/3BKFb3bhBa
Sullivan’s visit comes as the Biden administration continues to show its support for Israel’s fight against Hamas while also calling for Netanyahu to focus on saving civilian lives. President Biden on Thursday, Dec. 14, said Israel should “not stop going after Hamas, but be more careful.”
Terror suspects reportedly linked to Hamas arrested in Europe
Denmark and Germany say seven terror suspects, some said to be members of Hamas, have been arrested, suspected of plotting attacks on Jewish institutions across Europe amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
German prosecutors say three of the suspects arrested in Berlin and one arrested in the Netherlands are long-standing members of Hamas with close ties to the high ranks of the terror group. However, a Hamas official denied any connection between the group and those who were arrested in Europe.
According to Danish police, three people were arrested on suspicion of plotting to carry out an “act of terror.”
We commend our partners in the security and law enforcement agencies in Denmark for their successful counter-terrorist operation which culminated today in the arrests and in exposing the expansion of Hamas infrastructure to Europe.
It is unclear how or if the arrests in Denmark are connected to those made in Germany and the Netherlands.
The German justice minister said in a statement that they must do everything they can to keep the Jewish community safe, adding attacks on Jewish institutions have increased in their country in recent weeks.
2 men charged for allegedly killing 3,000 birds, including protected eagles
Two men have been charged with killing over 3,000 birds, including federally protected eagles, over a two-year period. According to the indictment, between January 2019 and March 2021, the two men, Simon Paul and Travis John Branson, deliberately killed 3,600 birds of prey, including Bald Eagles, and sold them on the black market.
Federal prosecutors said they had messages from Branson that said he was going on a “killing spree” to get eagle tail feathers for future sales. The indictment alleges that Branson would travel from Washington state to meet Paul on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana to help kill and ship the eagles to buyers for “significant sums of cash across the United States and elsewhere.”
The defendants have not been arrested but have been ordered to appear in court on Jan. 8. The two face charges for violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, as well as a conspiracy count, which has a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison.
Loose bull causes train delays in New Jersey
It’s something many people do every day: take a train to work. While delays are expected, what happened at Newark Penn Station in New Jersey on Thursday, Dec. 14, was not.
Police said no injuries were reported during the incident. The bull was taken to an animal sanctuary, where he is said to be resting after his busy morning commute.
Ukraine tops NATO summit talks after Turkey backs Sweden: July 11 rundown
The annual NATO summit is officially underway with the alliance looking to get closer to adding Ukraine, and ChatGPT could be in legal trouble. These stories and more highlight the rundown for Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
NATO summit gets underway
President Joe Biden is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, July 12, according to sources familiar with plans of the NATO summit, which got underway Tuesday. Once again, the main topic at hand is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
NATO is expected to approve its first comprehensive plans to defend against any attack from Russia since the Cold War. Ukraine could also get closer to NATO membership, despite the division on the subject among NATO’s 31 members.
The division likely means there will not be a straightforward invitation for Ukraine to join at the NATO summit. However, NATO’s Secretary General said Ukraine would get a positive message on the path to membership on Tuesday.
The summit has already kicked off with a bang, with Turkey withdrawing its objections to allowing Sweden to become a member of NATO. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would ask Turkey’s parliament to approve Swedish membership. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, another holdout, is expected to take a similar step.
Grand Jury selection underway in Trump Georgia probe
A couple dozen Atlanta-area residents will be selected Tuesday to be part of a grand jury that will likely consider whether to indict former President Donald Trump on criminal charges related to the 2020 election. The grand jury is the culmination of an investigation examining whether former President Trump tried to overturn the election results in Georgia.
The Fulton County district attorney has previously said any potential indictments would likely come in August. The first 2024 Republican presidential debate will be Aug. 23. Trump is the GOP’s current favorite in the race.
Former USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar stabbed in prison
Larry Nassar, who was convicted of sexually abusing Olympic and college female gymnasts, was stabbed multiple times by another inmate at a federal prison in Florida on Sunday, July 9. Nassar was stabbed six times in the back and in the neck.
He received substantial injuries including what appears to be a collapsed lung, according to sources who spoke with ABC News. Nassar was reported to be in stable condition following the stabbing.
Hundreds of thousands in Israel protest judicial changes
Hundreds of thousands of people marched in the streets of Tel Aviv in protest over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed judiciary changes. This, after Israel’s legislature gave initial approval Tuesday.
Protestors claim the bill restricts Supreme Court power and undermines democracy. They blocked highways leading to Jerusalem and other cities. Unrest is expected to continue, with Prime Minister Netanyahu saying he plans to advance the legislation in October.
NOAA predicts marine heatwave
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned half of the world’s oceans may experience a marine heatwave by September. Researchers with the federal agency said such widespread high temperatures across the sea surface would be a first.
Typically, a marine heatwave means about 10% of the world’s oceans are warmer than usual. But to reach 40-50% of the ocean recording high temperatures would be unprecedented, according to the agency.
Global sea temperatures in May and June reached record highs. That was before El Nino, which is associated with high ocean temperatures and is now returning.
Sea ice levels, fisheries, and coral could be negatively impacted by the upcoming marine heatwave.
Comedian sues OpenAI and Meta over copyright infringement
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is being sued by author and comedian Sarah Silverman. She said OpenAI copied and ingested her book, “The Bedwetter” in a case of copyright infringement.
Silverman has also filed suit against Meta. Silverman, as well as the other authors that part of the suit, could seek out changes to ChatGPT programming to better respect intellectual property.
Sweden wants to join NATO but Turkey, Hungary still say ‘no’
Sweden wants to join NATO. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said his country met its obligations under an agreement with Turkey to join the military alliance and it’s time for Turkey’s Parliament to begin the ratification process.
When he invaded Ukraine last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said one of his goals was to prevent NATO from growing stronger. That strategy failed miserably.
NATO member countries are increasing their own defense spending to record levels, and after decades of military non-alignment, both Sweden and Finland asked to join NATO. Finland was granted entry in April; Sweden is trying to become the alliance’s 32nd member.
Entry into NATO needs to be approved by all its members, but Turkey continues to block Sweden’s bid to join citing security concerns. Turkey accuses Sweden of harboring militant groups it considers terrorists. Ankara is also upset about anti-Turkey protesters in Stockholm.
Sweden said it’s done what it can within the law to meet Turkey’s demands.
Hungary is another NATO member standing in the way of Sweden’s acceptance. Hungary still has fairly close ties with Russia, leading to accusations Hungary is working as Putin’s Trojan Horse within the alliance. But Hungary is also trying to buy $735 million worth of weaponry from the U.S., including HIMARS launchers. Idaho Sen. James Risch (R) is holding up that deal until Hungary changes its mind on Sweden.
While it may not be a full-fledged member, Sweden is still a very close ally to the United States and other NATO-member countries. Sweden takes part in NATO exercises and a U.S. Air Force B1 bomber just landed in Sweden for the first time. The USAF said while there have been exercises conducted with Swedish forces in the past, the landing of the B1 fortifies not only the friendship between the countries, but the collective defense of Europe.
Sweden’s role in defending European democracies is already on display in Ukraine. The Swedes gave Ukraine millions in financial aid and also donated weapons systems like missile batteries, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. Ukraine is working with the Czech Republic and Slovakia to buy another thousand Swedish-made CV90 IFVs. The deal is worth billions of euros and further solidifies Sweden’s role in the overall European defense picture.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said because of all the training the Swedes have already done with Western allies, the Swedish military could quickly be interoperable with NATO forces. Austin also said Swedish membership would enhance NATO’s ability to defend the Northern Baltics, an area of growing concern as Arctic ice recedes, opening up potentially new shipping lanes.
NATO is holding a July summit in Lithuania. Sweden, the U.S., and the overwhelming majority of NATO member countries said they hope Sweden’s bid to join will be accepted by then.