NATO air base in Germany elevates security amid terrorist threat
A NATO air base in Geilenkirchen, Germany, elevated its security measures to “Charlie,” the second-highest alert level on Thursday, Aug. 22. The move came after intelligence indicated a potential terrorist threat.
There has also been a series of suspicious incidents at military facilities across Germany, raising concerns about possible sabotage.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned of a campaign of hostile activities orchestrated by Russia, including cyberattacks and intelligence gathering.
The air base, which is home to NATO’s Airborne Warning and Control System surveillance aircraft, instituted stringent security after getting credible intel suggesting a high likelihood of terrorist action.
All non-mission essential staff have been sent home, leaving the base operating with minimal personnel while maintaining planned operations.
Details about the nature of the potential threat have not been disclosed to the public.
German military base investigates attempted water contamination
German authorities are investigating possible sabotage at a military base after an apparent attempt was made to contaminate drinking water at the Bundeswehr base in Cologne-Wahn. On Wednesday, Aug. 14, a guard at the base discovered a hole in the fence near the water processing plant, prompting a search of the premises.
No trespassers were found. As a precaution, soldiers and civilians at the base were instructed not to drink the tap water, and the water supply was switched to canisters while tests are conducted.
In response to the suspected sabotage, security levels were raised at a nearby NATO base, which is home to surveillance planes. However, the water there was found to be safe, and the base remained open.
Several countries, including Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic, have reported similar incidents in recent months.
President Biden to hold press conference as George Clooney, Sen. Welch call for a change
President Joe Biden is set to hold a press conference as George Clooney joins the calls for him to step aside. And the NBA scores big with its latest TV rights deal. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, July 11, 2024.
Biden to hold press conference as Clooney, Welch call for a change
President Joe Biden will hold his first solo press conference of the year Thursday, July 11. It’s also the first since his rocky performance in the June 27 presidential debate, as calls for him to step aside as the Democratic nominee continue to grow.
On Wednesday, July 10, it was Hollywood actor and longtime Democratic donor George Clooney calling for Biden to withdraw from the race. This happened just weeks after Clooney hosted a fundraiser for Biden’s campaign that brought in more than $30 million.
In an op-ed piece for The New York Times, Clooney wrote that the Biden he saw at the fundraiser was not the Biden of 2010 or 2020, saying, “He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.”
“As Democrats, we collectively hold our breath or turn down the volume whenever we see the president, whom we respect, walk off Air Force One or walk back to a mic to answer an unscripted question,” Clooney wrote. “Is it fair to point these things out? It has to be. This is about age. Nothing more. But also, nothing that can be reversed. We are not going to win in November with this president.”
Clooney joined a chorus of Democrats who have recently spoken up for Biden to drop out, including nine House members. And on Wednesday, Peter Welch of Vermont became the first Democratic senator to join the call.
Welch wrote in an op-ed in The Washington Post that Biden should step down for “the good of the country.”
“We need him to put us first, as he has done before. I urge him to do it now,” Welch said.
On Thursday afternoon, Democratic senators will meet with senior advisers from the Biden campaign as they look to express their concerns following the debate. Then the president’s press conference — dubbed by Bloomberg News and cited by the White House as a “big boy press conference” — will take place at 5:30 p.m. ET as the three-day NATO summit winds down in Washington.
NATO calls China “decisive enabler” of Russia’s war in Ukraine
In recent months, the U.S. and European leaders have accused China of bolstering Russia’s defense sector with supplies critical to rebuilding the Russian military. Beijing has denied the accusations.
“China provides dual use equipment, microelectronics, a lot of other tools which are enabling Russia to build the missiles, to build the bombs, to build the aircrafts, to build the weapons they’re using to attack Ukraine,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday, July 11, the second day of the NATO summit in Washington, D.C. “And the fact that this is now clearly stated, agreed by all NATO allies, is an important message to China. And then, of course, we also then state that it cannot continue like this.”
The NATO nations also affirmed the importance of their Indo-Pacific partners, which are not members of the alliance, with leaders from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia joining the summit.
NATO and the Indo-Pacific partners said they plan to launch four joint projects including supporting Ukraine, bolstering cooperation on cyber defense, countering disinformation and working on artificial intelligence.
China is accusing NATO of overreaching and inciting confrontation in the Indo-Pacific region.
U.S. to resume shipping 500-pound bombs to Israel
The United States is resuming shipping 500-pound bombs to Israel after pausing the shipment of nearly 2,000 of them in mid-May. However, U.S. officials said they’ll continue to hold back on a delivery of much larger 2,000-pound bombs over concerns they could be used in densely populated areas of Gaza.
The U.S. is specifically concerned the large bombs would be used in Israel’s ground invasion of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have taken refuge since the war with Hamas began.
U.S. officials said the smaller 500-pound bombs had been put together in a shipment with the larger bombs, which is why they were delayed. They have since been separated and can now be sent to Israel.
AOC files impeachment articles against Supreme Court justices Thomas, Alito
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has introduced articles of impeachment against conservative Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas. Ocasio-Cortez is accusing them of what she calls “unchecked corruption” for refusing to recuse themselves from certain cases, like the recent decision to grant former President Donald Trump immunity and improperly failing to disclose gifts from wealthy donors.
However, it’s unlikely the justices will be impeached. A majority vote of 218 is required for the House to adopt the articles. Currently in the House, Republicans hold 219 seats and Democrats hold 213.
Reports: NBA finalizes 11-year $76B deal with NBC, Amazon, Disney
TNT Sports, which has been airing the NBA since the 1980s, will have a five-day window to match one of the deals once the league shares the finished contracts.
The agreement, which breaks NBA records for length and value, would take effect for the 2025-2026 season.
‘Inside Out 2’ becomes Pixar’s highest-grossing movie of all time
There’s a whole lot of joy over at Pixar studios; its latest movie has made box office history. “Inside Out 2” is officially Pixar’s highest-grossing movie of all time.
So far, the film about a teenager’s emotions has earned $1.25 billion worldwide, passing “Incredibles 2,” which made $1.24 billion in its run. “Inside Out 2” now ranks as the fourth-highest grossing animated movie of all time.
The top spot currently belongs to Disney’s 2019 film “Frozen 2” which grossed $1.45 billion globally during its release.
Biden speaks at NATO summit, Trump holds rally in Florida
Candidates look to send a message as President Joe Biden delivers a speech at the NATO summit and former President Donald Trump spoke at a Florida rally. And the U.S.-built pier meant to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza looks to be in its final days. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, July 10, 2024.
Biden speaks at NATO summit, Trump holds rally in Florida
With the Republican National Convention days away, the Democratic National Convention in a few weeks, and Election Day fast approaching, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump delivered speeches on Tuesday, July 9. And while their speeches took place in very different settings, each was hoping their message would help make the case they are the better option.
Biden spoke in Washington as the three-day NATO summit kicked off, saying the alliance is stronger than it’s ever been in history.
With the focus of the summit being the NATO nations’ continued support for Ukraine, Biden spoke of the country’s resilience in its fight against Russia.
“In Europe, Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues and Putin wants nothing less nothing less than Ukraine’s total subjugation, to end Ukraine’s democracy, destroy Ukraine’s culture and to wipe Ukraine off the map,” the president said. “And we know Putin won’t stop at Ukraine, but make no mistake, Ukraine can and will stop Putin.”
Biden and the leaders of Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Romania announced the delivery of new air defense systems for Ukraine. This comes just days after a deadly attack by Russia on a children’s hospital in Kyiv.
On Tuesday night, Biden held a video call with nearly 200 Democratic mayors as he reiterated that he will remain in the race despite having a “lousy night” on the debate stage and amid growing calls for him to step aside.
Meanwhile, former President Trump was back on the campaign trail, holding a rally in Florida. He commented on the speculation surrounding Biden’s candidacy since debate night.
“Our victory was so absolute that Joe’s own party now wants him to throw in the towel and surrender the presidency after a single 90-minute performance,” Trump told supporters. “They want ‘crooked Joe’ out of the race. It’s a shame the way they’re treating him. But don’t feel sorry for him. He’s a very bad guy.”
And with Trump still needing to pick his vice president, one of the potential choices for a running mate — Florida Sen. Marco Rubio — was in attendance. Trump made mention of Rubio’s presence, teasing that reporters probably expected him to make his VP announcement then and there.
In his speech, Trump said he would give Biden a chance to redeem himself — challenging the president to another debate this week, as well as a golf match, referencing an argument between the two during the first debate.
In response, a Biden campaign spokesperson said Biden doesn’t have time for “Donald Trump’s weird antics.”
U.S. Navy sailor disciplined for trying to access Biden’s medical records
As concerns over President Biden’s health remain a topic of discussion since last month’s presidential debate, word has come down of a Navy sailor who’s been disciplined for trying to access the president’s medical records on multiple occasions. The incidents occurred in late February but were disclosed on Tuesday, July 9.
The Navy said the junior sailor assigned to a medical unit in Virginia searched the military’s health care system for the name “Joe Biden” three times but did not end up pulling any details on the president. A co-worker reported the breach, and the Navy launched an investigation.
The sailor admitted he looked up the president’s name “out of curiosity.” The sailor received administrative discipline and remains in the Navy.
$230M pier created to bring aid to Gaza to be shut down for good
The pier, which has already been moved and fixed repeatedly due to bad weather and rough seas, is set to be put back in place on the coast just west of Gaza city Wednesday, July 10. It had been closed off again on June 28 because of bad weather; its third shutdown since it opened in mid-May.
BREAKING: US-built pier will be put back in Gaza for several days to move aid, then permanently removed https://t.co/VKsFqy7ZtM
U.S. military officials say the $230 million pier is being put back in place to deliver any remaining aid in Cyprus and on the floating dock several miles offshore, then it’ll be permanently removed as soon as next week.
The original plan called for it to remain operational through at least the end of the month.
Russian court issues arrest warrant for late opposition leader’s widow
The court said she would be arrested if she were to ever return to Russia. This comes as part of a Kremlin crackdown on opposition.
Ой, а что не будет обычной процедуры? Иностранный агент, потом заведение уголовного дела, потом уже арест?! Когда будете писать об этом, не забудьте, пожалуйста, написать главное: Владимир Путин – убийца и военный преступник. Его место в тюрьме, и не где-нибудь в Гааге, в уютной…
The charges are widely seen as politically motivated. Navalny was Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most outspoken critic. He died in February in an arctic penal colony while serving a 19-year sentence on extremism charges.
After her husband’s death, Navalnaya vowed to take up his work and has been lobbying against Putin’s government from abroad.
Opening arguments to begin in Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial
Opening arguments are set to begin Wednesday, July 10, in actor Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial in New Mexico. Baldwin is charged in connection with the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.”
He has pleaded not guilty, claiming the gun fired accidentally. Prosecutors will look to prove that Baldwin failed to follow industry standards for firearms safety.
#BREAKING: The jury has been chosen in the #AlecBaldwin Manslaughter Trial in New Mexico.
Opening statements are set to begin tomorrow LIVE on #CourtTV.
Twelve jurors and four alternates were chosen at Tuesday’s hearing; 11 women and 5 men. If they find Baldwin guilty, he faces up to 18 months in prison.
The trial is expected to conclude by July 19.
Europe rejoins space race with launch of Ariane 6
Europe is back in space. Running years behind schedule, Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket blasted off on its maiden flight Tuesday, July 9, from the European Space Agency‘s launch site in French Guiana.
The flight deployed three sets of micro-satellites for research purposes, prompting European space officials to declare the trip a success.
However, the mission didn’t go entirely as planned. The final batch of payloads — two small capsules designed to test the conditions for surviving re-entry — was not launched after a smaller power unit shut itself down for unknown reasons.
Despite the setback, the European Space Agency said it is on track for another mission by the end of the year.
Ukraine says it sank another warship, disabled 1/3 of Russian Black Sea fleet
Ukraine’s military claims its attack drones sank a Russian warship in the Black Sea. The announcement on Wednesday, Feb. 14, came following the release of a video allegedly showing three Magura V5 drones attacking the Caesar Kunikov — an amphibious Russian ship — resulting in an explosion and plume of smoke coming from the vessel.
Ukranian forces said the sea-based drones punctured three “critical holes” in the ship, according to CNN. CNN also noted that the Ukrainian military shifted its focus to the Black Sea, striking Crimean and Russian ships in an effort to cut off the peninsula from Russian forces.
NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday during a press conference that victories by Ukraine in the Black Sea have opened up a vital shipping route, allowing Ukraine to export grain and other resources, according to CNN.
CNN also reported that Ukraine had no large ships in the Black Sea. Sea drones have been pivotal in leveling the playing field with Russia’s navy. A Ukrainian navy spokesperson told CNN that Russia has just five large landing ships remaining in the Black Sea.
In January, Ukrainian drones also sank another large Russian warship, the Ivanovets in the Black Sea. Ukrainian intelligence said the ship was valued at $70 million.
The sea-based drones used in the attacks against Russian ships can carry a payload of 700 pounds and reach a maximum speed of 50 miles per hour, according to CNN.
One of Ukraine’s drone pilots told CNN that drones have given Ukraine an advantage in the Black Sea because they are hard to detect and target, allowing them to infiltrate waters around Russian warships.
Reuters reported that Ukrainian forces claim to have disabled 25 Russian ships and one Russian submarine. Ukrainian forces said that in total they have destroyed 33% of Russia’s naval fleet in the Black Sea.
A Russian spokesperson did not confirm Ukraine’s attack on the Caesar Kunikov and instead deferred all questions to the Russian military.
Ukraine’s General Staff told The Associated Press that the Caesar Kunikov sank near Alupka, a city on southern edge of the Crimean Peninsula. Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Ukrainian intelligence said the ship that allegedly sank can carry up to 87 crew members.
North Korea launches ICBM during NATO summit, after threatening US
North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Wednesday, July 12, the same day leaders of South Korea and Japan met at the NATO summit. According to Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, the missile reached an altitude of 3,728 miles, and set a record for North Korean missiles with a 74-minute flight time.
“The government has provided information to aircraft and ships navigating in the vicinity, as well as related organizations, and has not confirmed any damage reports at this time,” Matsuno said Wednesday. “A telephone discussion between Japan, the United States and South Korea at the foreign ministry director-general level had just taken place. The government will respond in close cooperation with the United States, South Korea and the international community, including at the United Nations Security Council and will continue to do our utmost to collect, analyze and monitor information to protect the lives and property of the people.”
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol convened an emergency National Security Council meeting at the NATO summit in response to North Korea’s missile launch. President Yoon vowed to use the summit to call for strong international solidarity to confront such threats.
“We condemn North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, including its latest missile launch,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. “This violates multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions and poses a threat to regional and global security.”
“The door has not closed on diplomacy, but Pyongyang must immediately cease its destabilizing actions and instead choose diplomatic engagement,” National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a Wednesday statement. “The United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and Republic of Korea and Japanese allies.”
NATO ministers meet as Ukraine war diminishes ammunition stockpiles
NATO defense ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss logistics and ammunition for the war in Ukraine. The war effort is currently consuming ammunition at a rate many times greater than it’s being produced and it’s depleting stockpiles.
NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg gave a preview of the meeting’s priorities.
“The need to provide more ammunition and also how to ramp up production and strengthen our defense industry to be able to provide the necessary ammunition to Ukraine and also to replenish our own stocks,” Stoltenberg said.
As an example, the wait for large caliber ammunition has increased from 12 to 28 months. Stoltenberg said NATO allies need to ramp up and invest in production capacity.
On Capitol Hill, senators said while the U.S is well ahead of adversaries, both the U.S. and Europe need to step up capability.
“Clearly our industrial complex is challenged. We have workforce challenges, we have uncertainty going forward in terms of adequate supplies, supply chain,” Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said.
“This is a challenge facing both sides. I’m only concerned about the Ukrainian situation and we want to do everything that we can to help them. So we should enlist American manufacturers and NATO manufacturers to deliver this ammunition as quickly as possible,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the United States will continue giving Ukraine as much ammunition as quickly as possible to keep up the fight. He added the military is training Ukrainian soldiers throughout Europe on maneuvering tactics.
“So that as they place more emphasis on maneuver and shaping the battlefield with fires and then maneuvering, there’s a good chance that they’ll require less artillery and munitions but that’s left to be seen,” Austin said.
According to Austin, Ukraine is working to establish momentum on the battlefield and will try to start an offensive this spring.
Biden ‘confident’ of no rail strike, NATO commits to Ukraine
Biden says he is “confident” a rail strike will be averted; NATO commits to Ukraine; and the Great Barrier Reef is in danger. These stories and more highlight the midday rundown for Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022.
Biden is “confident” strike will be prevented
“Congress, I think, has to act to prevent it. It’s not an easy call, but I think we have to do it. The economy is at risk.” President Biden said today. He told reporters he is confident a rail strike will be prevented.
Congress has the power to keep workers working even if contract negotiations between unions and railroads continue to fall flat as they have. Congressional leaders were all in agreement to urgently bring legislation forward.
NATO commits to future Ukraine membership
Some officials say Ukraine’s sought-after status of becoming part of NATO is the reason Russia’s war on Ukraine began. Today, NATO reassured Ukraine and the world of its commitment to one day welcome Ukraine as a member of the world’s largest security alliance.
“So we demonstrate that NATO’s door is open, not only words but in deeds. And that was part of the decision we made in Bucharest. Then we also made a decision on the on the on Ukraine specifically. And we stand by that, too. On membership for Ukraine,” said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
Russian officials have long pushed back against NATO’s presence along its country’s borders, feeling cornered by a NATO alliance.
Finland and Sweden also have pending memberships.
The announcement from NATO today reaffirming its support for Ukraine along with sending more aid in the ongoing war.
“We need to support Ukraine because what we see is that President Putin is trying to use winter as a weapon of war, which is inflicting a lot of suffering on the Ukrainian people,” Stoltenberg said.
400-500 deaths to build World Cup in Qatar
“What is the honest, realistic total do you think of migrant workers who’ve died from, as a result of what they’re doing for the world cup in totality?” Piers Morgan, host of Piers Morgan Uncensored asked.
Hassan Al-Thawadi of the Qatar Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Secretary-General responded: “The estimate is around 400. Between 400 and 500 and I don’t have the exact number that’s something that’s being discussed.”
The toll it took to bring the World Cup tournament to Qatar was a costly one for the migrants building the stadiums and structures. A top Qatari official estimates between 400 and 500 people have died.
The country won the bid to host the 2022 World Cup back in 2010. In 2014, construction began. The deaths span across the seven years it took to build the new infrastructure needed to hold such a vast event.
“What I will say is one death is a death too many, plain and simple. And I think every year, the health and safety standards on the sites are improving,” Al-Thawadi said.
Qatar has long been questioned by human rights groups over their ability to host the World Cup given strict migrant labor laws and worker-conditions.
Kroger, Albertsons executives face hearing on merger
Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. Senate will hold an antitrust subcommittee hearing on Kroger’s proposed $24.6 billion purchase of rival Albertsons. It will include testimony from each company’s CEO.
The hearing will focus the spotlight on the merger that has sparked opposition from lawmakers, labor unions and consumer groups. Kroger and Albertsons will defend their arguments in favor of a merger that could directly impact tens of millions of Americans.
A representative for the budget airline said the transition happened earlier this month to ensure expediency and efficiency. They say customers prefer communicating via digital channels.
If changes need to be made to a reservation, customers can go to their website or mobile app. They also have a chatbot service available 24 hours throughout the week. The airline said to offer the lowest fares in the industry, they have to operate as efficiently as possible.
The airline was fined $2.2 million by the DOT earlier this month for “extreme delays” in providing refunds to customers since the beginning of the pandemic. It was the only U.S. airline, among six, that were issued fines.
State attorney fights suspension from DeSantis
“I can tell you it’s been a very troubling record, so the prosecutor state attorney for this district Andrew Warren has put himself publicly above the law,” said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The state attorney that Gov. DeSantis suspended earlier this year will be in court today fighting to get his job back. The governor suspended Andrew Warren for a pledge the prosecutor made to not enforce certain laws. One of such laws he planned to not enforce is an abortion ban.
The Florida constitution grants a governor the right to remove people from office. Whether that rightfully can be applied to Warren’s removal is the question brought to the court.
Risks to the Great Barrier Reef
Australia is doubling down against a new report that suggests the Great Barrier Reef should be listed as an endangered site. The report says without “great intervention against climate change” the world’s largest coral reef is in danger.
But the Australian government disagrees with its consensus, saying every coral reef would be in danger if the world’s temperature increased.
“What I say is, there is no need to single out the Great Barrier Reef in Australia because there is no government taking the risks to coral reefs more seriously than the Australian government,” Australian Environment Minster Tanya Plibersek said.
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on the planet. 70 million football fields could fit inside of it.