Reports suggested the 29-year-old journalist’s detention was connected to an Iranian engineer facing charges from the U.S. Justice Department.
Some Italian commentators believed Tehran detained Sala as a bargaining chip to secure the release of Iranian engineer Mohammad Abedini.
Three days before Sala’s arrest, Italian authorities arrested Abedini on a U.S. warrant.
The U.S. Justice Department indicted Abedini and another Iranian on charges of supplying Tehran with drone technology used to kill three American troops in Jordan in January 2024.
2 Iranians charged in connection with drone strike that killed 3 US soldiers
Two Iranian men, one of whom is a dual-American citizen, were charged in connection with a deadly drone attack that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan earlier this year. FBI specialists analyzed the drone used in the attack and were able to trace its navigation system to an Iranian company operated by one of the defendants.
The Justice Department charged Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, 42, and Mohammad Abedini, 38, on Monday, Dec. 16, with “conspiring to export sophisticated electronic components from the United States to Iran in violation of U.S. export control and sanctions laws.”
Prosecutors said Sadeghi, a dual U.S.-Iranian national, worked at a Massachusetts-based semiconductor company. The Justice Department said he relied on parts and technology funneled into the country by his alleged co-conspirator.
Italian officials arrested Abedini in Italy, and the DOJ is seeking extradition to Massachusetts. He faces charges of conspiring to provide material support to Iran that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers.
“Today’s arrests demonstrate that the Justice Department will hold accountable those who enable the Iranian regime to continue to target and kill Americans and undermine the national security of the United States,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said.
‘Risk and uncertainty’ as Syrian rebels oust Assad after decades in power
Syrian rebels oust dictator Bashar al-Assad, who has fled the country after nearly 25 years in power. And the suspected killer of a health care CEO in New York City is still at-large after eluding a massive manhunt for almost a week. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Dec. 9, 2024.
‘Risk and uncertainty’ as Syrian rebels oust Assad after decades in power
It’s the dawn of a new era in Syria. After more than a decade of civil war in the country, President Bashar al-Assad was ousted after rebel groups overtook the capital in a coup on Sunday, Dec. 8.
Now Syria and its people are left with the question of what comes next as countries around the world, including the United States, react to the changing landscape.
Syrians could be seen celebrating in the streets as word spread that Assad had fled the country. State media reported the president and his family landed in Russia Sunday evening and Assad has been granted political asylum in Moscow.
The toppled leader, who had been in power since 2000 and whose family had ruled for five decades, was forced to vacate after rebel forces quickly captured city after city leading to them taking control of Damascus.
Since the civil war broke out in the wake of the pro-democracy Arab Spring demonstrations of 2011, Assad’s forces have been accused of brutal severe human rights violations, including using chemical weapons against their people. They’ve been held responsible for the deaths of more than 5,000 people and the displacement of millions of others.
The rebels who led to Assad’s ouster were headed by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Jolani called the coup “a victory for the whole Islamic nation.”
Jolani’s group used to be linked to Al Qaeda. Though it has cut those ties, the U.S. still designates it a terrorist group.
President Joe Biden spoke from the White House Sunday, calling the end of Assad’s regime a “fundamental act of justice.” Biden added the U.S. will support Syria’s neighbors Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq should any threat arise from this period of transition.
Biden referred to this as a time of “risk and uncertainty.”
“We will remain vigilante. Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses,” Biden said. “We’ve taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days and they’re saying the right things now. But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words but their actions.”
Biden said Assad’s downfall came in part due to allies Iran, Russia and Hezbollah being weaker today than when Biden began his term.
President-elect Donald Trump issued a statement on his Truth Social platform Sunday, saying Iran and Russia are in weakened states right now and calling for the end of the war in Ukraine. However, in a post on Saturday, Dec. 7, Trump said the U.S. should not get involved with Syria, saying, “This is not our fight. Let it play out.”
Iran’s president said it is up to the Syrian people to decide the future of their country.
Amid the time of transition in Syria, the U.S. showed it will continue its efforts against ISIS in the region. U.S. Central Command said it launched a series of airstrikes Sunday targeting ISIS camps and leaders in central Syria, confirming 75 “targets” had been hit. U.S. officials said it will not allow ISIS to take advantage of the current situation in Syria.
Trump promises to pardon Jan. 6 rioters on first day in office
In his first network TV interview since winning the election, President-elect Trump touched on some of his biggest campaign promises and his plans to start following through with them immediately when he takes office in January.
In an interview with NBC News’ Kristen Welker for Sunday’s “Meet the Press,” Trump said, “A lot of it will have to do with economics. A lot’s gonna do with energy. A lot’s having to do with the border. We’re gonna immediately strengthen up the border and do a real job.”
Trump also doubled down on his promise to pardon Americans jailed for their role in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, saying they had no other choice than to plead guilty. Department of Justice records show more than 1,500 people have been arrested or charged in connection with that attack and nearly 900 have pleaded guilty.
While Trump said he will not tell his nominees for FBI director and attorney general to go after his political rivals, he did share his opinion on what should happen to lawmakers who were on the House’s select committee to investigate January 6.
“Everybody on that committee, for what they did, honestly, they should go to jail,” he said.
After that interview, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-WY), who was on the committee, issued a statement saying, “Donald Trump’s suggestion that members of congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic.”
Trump did reiterate multiple times during Sunday’s interview he has no plans to go after political rivals, but as we’ve reported here at Straight Arrow News, President Biden is considering preemptive pardons for Cheney and others who were part of the House Jan. 6 investigation, as well as Dr. Anthony Fauci and Special Counsel Jack Smith.
Police release new images of suspect in NYC deadly shooting
The manhunt for the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson enters a new week.
Over the weekend, the NYPD released new images of the apparent suspect. Police identify the man in the pictures as “a person of interest” wanted for questioning for the fatal shooting outside a Hilton hotel Wednesday, Dec. 4.
One image shows the masked man in the back of a taxi. Another shows him walking on the sidewalk outside a vehicle. Police are hoping these images, along with others released last week, will help lead to the gunman.
Authorities reportedly traveled to Atlanta on Saturday, Dec. 7, and have been searching a lake near Central Park. On Friday night, Dec. 6, reports said investigators found a backpack believed to belong to the shooter. Inside they found two items: a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and Monopoly money.
Jay-Z accused of raping 13-year-old girl alongside Diddy
Music mogul Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, has been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs. In a civil suit filed Sunday, the anonymous accuser claimed the assault happened in 2000 at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party.
The federal lawsuit was originally filed in October only listing Combs as a defendant, but it was refiled Sunday to include Carter.
Jay-Z, who is married to Beyonce, denied the accusation and said in a statement directed at the attorney who filed the suit, “These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!!”
Combs’ lawyer also responded, calling the suit a “shameless” publicity stunt.
In September, federal prosecutors in New York criminally charged Combs with racketeering, sex trafficking and other offenses. He is in jail awaiting trial, which is scheduled to start May 5.
Kennedy Center honors Coppola, Grateful Dead, The Apollo
President Biden was among those in attendance — a tradition President Trump did not continue during his first term in office, saying he did not want to be a political distraction as some attendees had threatened to boycott his appearance. As Trump gets ready to start his second term in office, there are questions about whether federal funding for the arts might be on the chopping block.
Reports: Juan Soto, Mets agree on largest contract in pro sports history
Former New York Yankees star outfielder Juan Soto is staying in the Big Apple, but moving leagues in reportedly the largest deal in professional sports history.
But should Soto decide not to opt out, his pay will reportedly go up an extra $4 million a year for the remainder of the deal — meaning in the end, this could be an over $800 million deal.
The agreement also reportedly includes a $75 million signing bonus. Soto’s deal surpasses the record set just last year by Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million contract.
Note: The headline has been corrected to Assad. A previous version had the incorrect name.
Nike rehires 1988 intern as next CEO. Here are Elliott Hill’s first hurdles.
Nike’s new CEO has a lot of ground to make up. On Thursday, Sept. 19, the company announced the sudden retirement of four-year CEO John Donahoe, while Elliott Hill will be returning from retirement to lead the company.
Hill last led commercial and marketing operations for Nike and the Jordan brand in 2020. He spent 32 years with the company, from intern to now-incoming CEO. He starts the job on Oct. 14.
Nike complimented Donahoe for leading the company through the pandemic, but in a lot of areas, Nike has been lapped by competitors under Donahoe’s reign. In the past year alone, Nike’s stock has fallen as much as 42% off its 52-week peak.
Donahoe’s resume includes CEO of eBay and software company ServiceNow. But during his time at Nike, analysts say his focus was too much on selling directly to consumers and not enough on providing them with new, innovative products to buy.
His marketing approach appears to have also fallen flat in the age of social media.
“Our experience has been when we launch these big moments in sport, we then cascade them down to consumers all over the world,” Donahoe said in April.
Yes, Nike has the record-breaking marathon shoe, the Alphafly 3. But that success didn’t necessarily cascade down. Nike’s often losing the race in consumer running shoes to cult running brands Hoka and On.
It’s not just a Nike problem. There’s real momentum behind smaller brands with spot-on marketing. Take Vuori, the athletic fashion brand stealing market share from lululemon. The brand partnered with more than 400 college athletes last year; most notably, LSU gymnast and social media sensation Livvy Dunne.
“If you think about it, before social media, athletes needed Nike to build their brand. Pause for a moment on that one,” Hill said in an interview last year. “So athletes wanted to be a part of Nike because Nike would help showcase them and build their brand. Today, they want Nike; they don’t have to have Nike. They can build their brand through social media and whatnot.”
Nike hopes the re-hiring of Hill will kick brand excitement into another gear. Who better than someone who’s been digging into the brand’s marketing since he was an Ohio University graduate student in the ’80s?
“I take a sports marketing class and do a paper on Nike, literally, just by chance,” Hill said of his graduate school days. “I love the brand, I love the product, and I write this paper on Nike about their evolution of their marketing funds. They started doing athletes first and then print and started to move into some TV.
“I did this paper and by chance, a month later, someone from Nike by name of Tim Joyce speaks at the university. And I went up to him after I just said, ‘Hey, I want to work for Nike.’ He said if you want to work for Nike, meet me at this cafe. I put on my suit and met him. There’s a whole story about that, but I bothered him for about six months until he finally hired me.”
Nike’s stock surged 10% when the company announced the 1988 intern was taking the company’s top job.
Jordanian citizen arrested after alleged attack on a Florida solar energy facility
Authorities arrested and charged a Jordanian citizen in connection with an attack on a solar energy facility in Florida. The crime, which reportedly took hours to commit, resulted in over $700,000 in damages. Some solar panels were so severely damaged that they will need to be permanently decommissioned.
Law enforcement officials stated that this attack is part of a broader pattern of violence allegedly carried out by the suspect, 43-year-old Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen. In addition to the solar facility attack, Hnaihen is accused of smashing doors and windows at other businesses.
At several of these crime scenes, he reportedly left behind notes expressing anti-Israeli sentiments as his motivation for the crimes, according to officials.
“We allege that the defendant threatened to carry out hate-fueled mass violence in our country, motivated in part by a desire to target businesses for their perceived support of Israel,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. “Such acts and threats of violence, whether they are targeting the places that Americans frequent every day or our country’s critical infrastructure, are extremely dangerous and will not be tolerated by the Justice Department.”
One of the letters, addressed to the U.S. government, threatened to blow up “everything” in America, with a specific focus on “companies and factories” that support the state of Israel. The suspect now faces multiple charges, including four counts of threats to use explosives and one count of destruction of an energy facility.
Saudi Arabia says report it helped Israel in defense against Iran is fake
Saudi Arabia refuted reports saying it aided in defending Israel against Iranian airstrikes on Saturday, April 13. Initially circulated by public broadcaster Kan and an allegedly fake website, the report is now being denied by Riyadh.
According to informed sources, no official Saudi websites have made such statements. The country stated that it did not intercept drones or missiles launched by Tehran.
Amid the conflict in the region, some Arab nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) find themselves in a precarious position. While they have lent intelligence to Israel’s military, they have stopped short of allowing the U.S. and Israel to use their airspaces for military operations. This situation highlights the delicate balance in maintaining relationships with Iran, the United States and Israel as regional tensions grow.
Other countries in the Middle East have been clearer in picking a side between Iran and Israel. Jordan has reportedly been intercepting missiles entering its airspace and opened its airspace to Israeli and U.S. fighter jets during the conflict.
Iran has stated it will not target the U.S. with military action and Washington, D.C., has said it will not participate in a possible counterattack by Israel.
In recent years, both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have become closer with the United States and Israel, despite maintaining a relationship with Iran.
Before Israel’s conflict in Gaza, the Saudis were working on a deal to recognize Israel in exchange for security commitments from the United States and assistance with its nuclear program. However, Israel’s war against Hamas has put talks with the United States and Saudi Arabia on hold.
US airstrike kills Iranian-backed militia leader in Iraq
U.S. forces killed a senior leader of an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq on Wednesday, Feb. 7. The U.S. carried out an airstrike in Baghdad, killing a commander of Kata’ib Hezbollah, who officials said was responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region.
“At 9:30 p.m. (Baghdad Time) February 7, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on U.S. service members, killing a Kata’ib Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region,” Central Command said in a post on X.
Officials said the latest strike was part of the retaliatory actions authorized by President Biden following the killing of three U.S. soldiers at a base in Jordan in January. In a statement, U.S. Central Command said the U.S. will continue to take “necessary action to protect our people.” It added there are “no indications of collateral damage or civilian casualties at this time.”
At 9:30 p.m. (Baghdad Time) February 7, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on U.S. service members, killing a Kata’ib Hezbollah commander… pic.twitter.com/Zhkjimx5UG
Supreme Court to hear arguments over Trump’s ballot eligibility: The Morning Rundown: Feb. 8, 2024
The case to keep former President Donald Trump off the ballot heads to the Supreme Court. And Disney has its sights set on the video game industry with an Epic announcement. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.
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Trump and his team are arguing Section 3 does not apply to Trump for several reasons, saying the provision does not cover the president, that his actions leading up to and on Jan. 6, 2021, do not constitute an insurrection, and that Congress, not state or federal courts, enforces the clause.
As the future of the 2024 presidential election hangs in the balance, Trump’s name remains on the ballot in Colorado and Maine, where his candidacy is also being contested. Both sides have asked the court to move swiftly. When the justices issue their decision, it will be historic, as the Supreme Court has never before made a ruling directly concerning the 155-year-old clause.
Special counsel concludes investigation of Biden classified documents
A report is expected to be released soon to lawmakers and the public after the White House reviews it for potential executive privilege issues. Classified documents were found in Biden’s Washington D.C. office, which he used after serving as vice president, and at his home in Delaware.
The president has denied any wrongdoing. Multiple media outlets suggest Hur’s report is not likely to recommend any charges. Garland said he is committed to making as much of the report public as possible.
Senate Republicans block bipartisan bill on border security, foreign aid
Efforts to pass legislation over additional aid to Ukraine and Israel will continue in Congress on Thursday, Feb. 8. Senate Democrats plan to hold a vote to advance a standalone foreign aid bill after Republicans rejected the $118 billion bipartisan package that included immigration policies on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
Five Democrats joined the majority of Republicans in voting against the bill. Only 4 of the Senate’s 49 Republicans vote for it. Senate Republicans argued the bill did not do enough to address the border crisis, with former President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson both coming out against the package.
Officials said the latest strike was part of the retaliatory actions authorized by President Biden following the killing of three U.S. soldiers at a base in Jordan in January. In a statement, U.S. Central Command said the U.S. will continue to take “necessary action to protect our people.” It added there are “no indications of collateral damage or civilian casualties at this time.”
Search efforts on for 5 Marines on board missing helicopter found in California
Search and rescue efforts are well underway for five U.S. Marines in California after the helicopter they were in went missing during what the military called a routine training flight from Nevada to San Diego overnight on Tuesday, Feb. 6.
“All we know right now is that the search is ongoing for, for the helicopter and the crew,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. “Obviously, our hopes are of the best here. But this was a MH-53, Marine Corps, MH-53, a large helicopter that was on its way from Creech Air Force Base to San Diego. And that’s really all we know. We’re watching this closely. And and again, our thoughts are for the best.”
According to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter was reported “overdue” at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. The military announced that it located the aircraft but not the crew in a mountainous region at 9:08 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
Local media outlets reported that the helicopter was located by a drone at 5,800 feet in a rugged area with the weather likely impacting rescue efforts from the ground. Heavy cloud cover on Wednesday morning, Feb. 7, prevented the local sheriff’s department from sending its helicopter up.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection told CBS that nothing was located at the location, which is reportedly being hit with heavy snow. According to reports, before going missing, the helicopter’s last-known location was reported at 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6. There is still no sign of the crew, President Biden has been briefed on the situation, according to a White House spokesperson.
Biden decides on response to deadly attack on US forces in Jordan; Iran-backed militia issues statement
President Joe Biden said he has decided on how to respond to the deadly drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members and injured more than 40 others. The president did not elaborate on his plans but told reporters on Tuesday, Jan. 30, that he is not looking for a wider war in the Middle East.
White House officials later said the response would likely come in multiple actions.
“It’s fair for you to expect that we will respond in an appropriate fashion and it is very possible that what you’ll see is a tiered approach here, not just a single action, but essentially multiple actions,” White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.
Following Biden’s statement, the Iranian-backed militia in Iraq which the U.S. believes was behind the Jordan attack, Kataib Hezbollah, announced it is suspending all its military operations against U.S. troops in the region.
“As we announce the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces – in order to prevent embarrassment of the Iraqi government – we will continue to defend our people in Gaza in other ways,” said Abu Hussein al-Hamidaw, Secretary-General of Kataib Hezbollah.
The motive behind the group’s decision remains unclear but comes amid the Iraqi Prime Minister’s calls to prevent an escalation in the war. A Pentagon spokesperson responded to the group’s statement: “Actions speak louder than words.”
House panel advances Mayorkas impeachment articles: The Morning Rundown, Jan. 31, 2024
House Republicans took another step this morning in their impeachment efforts against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. And four NHL players have been charged in connection to an alleged sexual assault in Canada. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.
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If the House votes in favor of impeachment, Mayorkas would be the first cabinet secretary to be impeached in nearly 150 years. However, the charges against him are expected not to pass in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
DOJ investigating Rep. Cori Bush over alleged misuse of campaign funds
“As a rank-and-file member of Congress I am not entitled to personal protection by the House, and instead have used campaign funds as permissible to retain security services,” Bush said. “I have not used any federal tax dollars for personal security services.”
Bush added that she is fully cooperating with the Justice Department. Bush, a former Black Lives Matter organizer, won the seat in the House in 2021.
The Associated Press reported that federal prosecutors are asking questions about Bush using campaign funds to hire her husband to provide security. Bush said her husband “has had extensive experience in this area, and is able to provide the necessary services at or below a fair market rate.”
The matter is also being investigated by the Federal Election Committee and the House Committee on Ethics, but the FEC reportedly determined that it is not against the rules to use campaign funds for private security, as there has been an increase in threats against lawmakers since Jan. 6. Ethics Committee unanimously dismissed the case in October.
Bush said she looks forward to the same outcome in the DoJ investigation. Media outlets reported that the Justice Department did not respond to requests for comment.
Biden decides on response to Jordan attack
President Joe Biden said he has decided on how to respond to the deadly drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members and injured more than 40 others. The president did not elaborate on his plans but told reporters on Tuesday, Jan. 30, that he is not looking for a wider war in the Middle East.
White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby later said the response would likely come in multiple actions. Following Biden’s statement, the Iranian-backed militia in Iraq, Kataib Hezbollah, which the U.S. believes was behind the Jordan attack, announced it is suspending all its military operations against U.S. troops in the region.
The motive behind the group’s decision remains unclear but comes amid the Iraqi prime minister’s calls to prevent an escalation in the war. A Pentagon spokesperson responded to the group’s statement: “Actions speak louder than words.”
4 NHL players charged with sexual assault in Canada
Attorneys representing the players confirmed the charges on Tuesday, Jan. 30, and said their clients deny wrongdoing. The NHL opened an investigation into the alleged assault in 2022 but has not made those findings public as of yet.
