New airstrip on Yemeni island spurs speculation near critical trade route
A newly constructed airstrip on Abd al-Kuri Island, part of Yemen’s remote Socotra Archipelago, is nearing completion, according to satellite imagery analyzed by The Associated Press. Located near the mouth of the Gulf of Aden, a critical maritime trade route, the runway has drawn attention for its potential strategic significance in a region plagued by conflict.
The airstrip, first reported in March 2024, spans approximately 1.5 miles and could be used for military and surveillance operations. This development comes as Houthi rebel attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea have intensified.
Satellite photos show the words “I Love UAE” spelled out in piles of dirt near the airstrip, suggesting possible Emirati involvement. However, the United Arab Emirates has not claimed responsibility for the construction. The UAE has been active in Yemen, supporting the Saudi-led coalition in its fight against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, and backing the Southern Transitional Council, which holds significant control over the Socotra Archipelago.
The Emirati government has described its presence in the region as humanitarian and has coordinated with Yemeni authorities. Previous infrastructure projects, such as airstrips on Mayun Island and near Mocha, have also been linked to Emirati activity, further fueling speculation about the UAE’s objectives.
Abd al-Kuri Island is located about 60 miles from the African coast and 250 miles from Yemen. While the island is within range of Houthi drones and missiles, its distance from the mainland makes it less vulnerable to direct rebel incursions. Analysts suggest the airstrip could be used to monitor weapons smuggling routes from Iran to the Houthis, or to support naval operations in the region.
Houthi rebels have ramped up their attacks on ships since November, linking their actions to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. While many of the targeted vessels have no ties to Israel, the rebels have used the heightened tensions to draw international attention. Experts warn that a ceasefire in Gaza may not halt the Houthis’ operations, which have also included targeting U.S. warships in the Red Sea.
The Socotra Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unique flora and fauna, has long been strategically significant. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union used the area for naval operations, and it remains a key location in the region’s geopolitics.
As the airstrip on Abd al-Kuri nears completion, its purpose and implications for Yemen’s ongoing conflict remain unclear. Houthi rebels continue to launch attacks, and the UAE’s activities in the Socotra Archipelago face increased scrutiny. The new infrastructure raises further questions about the future stability of the region.
Biden warns of ‘oligarchy’ and ‘tech-industrial complex’ in farewell speech
President Joe Biden’s farewell speech to America on Wednesday included several warnings. And a ceasefire deal to end more than a year of fighting in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas hit a snag. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.
Biden warns of ‘oligarchy,’ ‘tech-industrial complex’ in farewell speech
Speaking from the Oval Office one last time, President Joe Biden delivered his farewell address Wednesday night, Jan. 15. Biden spoke on reforms he would like to see in Washington and issued a stark warning detailing his concerns about what he sees as a concentration of power among the ultra-wealthy and the risks of technology.
In what is likely his final address to the nation after a political career spanning five decades, Biden opened his speech with the ceasefire deal in Gaza announced earlier in the day. He said he kept the incoming administration fully informed during the process.
He said some of his top accomplishments in office include job growth following the pandemic, infrastructure modernization and Medicare reform, telling Americans it will take time to feel the full impact of what has been achieved.
With the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump just days away, Biden said he would ensure a peaceful transfer of power, but he did have a warning.
“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead,” Biden said. “We see the consequences all across America, and we’ve seen it before. More than a century ago, the American people stood up to the robber barons back then and busted the trusts. They didn’t punish the wealthy. They just made the wealthy play by the rules everybody else had. Workers want rights to earn their fair share.”
Referencing former President Dwight Eisenhower’s concerns about a military-industrial complex six decades ago, Biden said he’s equally concerned about the dangers of a potential rise of a tech-industrial complex.
“Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation enabling the abuse of power,” he said. “The free press is crumbling. Editors are disappearing. Social media is giving up on fact-checking. The truth is smothered by lies told for power and for profit. We must hold the social platforms accountable to protect our children, our families and our very democracy from the abuse of power.”
Biden remarked on the rise of artificial intelligence, calling it the most consequential technology of our time. He emphasized that the U.S., not China, must lead the race.
The president also spoke of his hopes for change in the nation’s capital, calling for an end of hidden funding called “dark money” from campaign contributions, a ban on stock trading from members of Congress and for the U.S. to enact an 18-year term limit on Supreme Court justices. He also called for the U.S. Constitution to be amended.
“We need to amend the Constitution to make clear that no president, no president is immune from crimes that he or she commits while in office,” Biden asserted. “The president’s power is not limit[less] — it is not absolute. And it shouldn’t be.”
In closing, Biden called on Americans to stay engaged in democracy. Telling the story of a veteran who worked at the Statue of Liberty, known as the Keeper of the Flame, he said America will always be defined by one word: “possibilities.”
“My eternal thanks to you, the American people,” Biden said. “After 50 years of public service, I give you my word, I still believe in the idea for which this nation stands [for] — a nation where the strength of our institutions and the character of our people matter and must endure. Now it’s your turn to stand guard. May you all be the keeper of the flame. May you keep the faith. I love America. You love it, too.”
Republicans, Democrats react to Biden’s farewell address
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., wrote on X, “Joe Biden discussing democracy, a free press, institutions and the abuse of power in his final farewell speech is rich.”
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., also weighed in, writing, “Joe Biden’s going out of office the same way he went in: petty, partisan and frankly not telling the truth.”
“President Biden’s ‘farewell address’ should have been a formal apology for the endless lawfare, inflation-fueling policies and reckless decisions made during his administration,” Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida added.
Democrats responded differently.
“Tonight, President Biden delivered his farewell address to a nation that is stronger because of his leadership,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “In doing so, he honored the vision of founders, the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and the aspirations of our children.”
Former President Barack Obama also responded to his former vice president.
“Four years ago, in the middle of a pandemic, we needed a leader with the character to put politics aside and do what was right. That’s what Joe Biden did… I’m grateful to Joe for his leadership, his friendship and his lifetime of service to this country we love,” Obama said.
Netanyahu says cabinet won’t meet over ceasefire deal with Hamas yet
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said his cabinet will not meet to approve the deal for a ceasefire in Gaza until Hamas ends a “last-minute crisis.” The decision comes after Netanyahu’s office said Hamas retracted on some of the terms of the agreement but did not specify which.
Even as a deal seems close or even imminent, Israeli strikes continued in the Gaza Strip, with the territory’s health ministry reporting at least 48 people killed over the past day.
Under the three-phase ceasefire agreement, fighting will stop in Gaza for 42 days. Thirty-three Israeli hostages, including two Americans, and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners will be freed during the first phase. It is set to go into effect Sunday, Jan. 19.
The remainder of the hostages, including Israeli male soldiers, are to be released during the second phase. Hamas said it will not release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal.
Israeli troops will pull back to the edges of Gaza and many Palestinians will be able to return to what remains of their homes — something many people took to the streets to celebrate. Israel is also set to allow a flood of humanitarian aid into the region.
The Associated Press reported Thursday morning that mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the U.S. will meet in Cairo on Thursday for talks on implementing the deal.
On Truth Social, Trump said his administration will continue to work closely with Israel to make sure Gaza never again becomes what he called a “terrorist safe haven.”
Crews work to control Los Angeles area wildfires as winds die down
The National Weather Service lifted the red flag warning for the Los Angeles area Wednesday night as winds died down. Strong winds have made it harder for fire crews to battle the flames.
However, dangerous fire and weather conditions are expected to return next week.
Good news: We are expecting a much-needed break from the fire weather concerns to close this week. Bad News: Next week is a concern. While confident that we will NOT see a repeat of last week, dangerous fire weather conditions are expected. #cawx#PalisadesFire#EatonFirepic.twitter.com/zhXmHUWtgp
This comes as firefighters still work to contain the two biggest, deadliest and most destructive fires in Southern California. The Palisades and Eaton fires continue to rage in the Los Angeles area.
Plus, a new vegetation fire broke out in the San Bernardino area Wednesday afternoon.
The Eaton and Palisades fires have not grown much over the past few days, but they are both still largely uncontained. Fire officials reported some progress in the desperate fight to extinguish the flames.
Meanwhile, the Little Mountain fire in San Bernardino spans over 30 acres at 0% containment. Police arrested a man in connection with that fire on two felony charges, including one of reckless burning.
Senate confirmation hearings continue as Inauguration Day nears
Senate confirmation hearings continue Thursday, Jan. 16, as President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for interior secretary, EPA administrator, housing and urban development secretary and treasury secretary answer questions from lawmakers.
“To my knowledge, Donald Trump has never acknowledged the legal results of the 2020 election,” Democratic Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin said to Bondi. “Are you prepared to say today, under oath without reservation, that Donald Trump lost the presidential contest to Joe Biden in 2020?”
Bondi replied, “Ranking Member Durbin, President Biden is the president of the United States. He was duly sworn in, and he is the President of the United States. There was a peaceful transition of power. President Trump left office and was overwhelmingly elected in 2024.”
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for secretary of state, also had his hearing Wednesday. Straight Arrow News political correspondent Ray Bogan has a complete breakdown of what happened here.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket lifts off on first space flight
Thursday morning saw a big win for billionaire Jeff Bezos’ space company, Blue Origin, as its New Glenn rocket blasted off into orbit.
The company’s first rocket powerful enough to launch satellites into space took off just after 2 a.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. All seven of its engines fired successfully.
Blue Origin marked the mission a success after demonstration technology on board, called the Blue Ring Pathfinder, was safely carried to orbit.
However, the company did not reach its bonus goal of guiding part of the New Glenn rocket back to a safe landing on a platform in the middle of the ocean after takeoff.
It took rival SpaceX four tries to get a similar maneuver right.
Still, Blue Origin stressed its most important goal was for the test satellite to reach orbit. NASA intends to use the New Glenn rocket to launch two orbiters to Mars in the future.
Tehran’s latest rocket launch sparks concerns over missile technology
Iran successfully launched its heaviest satellite payload to date, the state-run IRNA news agency reported Friday, Dec. 6. The Simorgh rocket reportedly carried the Fakhr-1 satellite, named after assassinated nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, along with an orbital propulsion system and research equipment.
State media claim the payload reached a 250 mile orbit, though independent verification is pending. The launch took place at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Semnan province, east of Tehran.
The moment Iran's"Fakhr 1" and "Saman 1" satellites were launched into space using Iran's home-made launcher Simorgh. pic.twitter.com/xJz5ePMVdL
The payload weighed approximately 660 pounds, marking the first known instance of Iran’s civilian space program carrying a military-related satellite. Iranian officials say the propulsion system could enable future satellites to achieve geo-synchronous orbits, a long-standing strategic goal.
A 2023 U.S. intelligence report suggested that Iran’s space launch vehicles share technologies with intercontinental ballistic missiles, potentially accelerating Tehran’s ability to develop long-range weapons.
The launch comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with conflicts in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon adding to regional instability. Iran’s nuclear program is also under scrutiny, as the International Atomic Energy Agency reports Tehran is enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels using advanced centrifuges.
Iran maintains its nuclear and space programs are for peaceful purposes. However, restricted access for international inspectors and its advancing missile capabilities have fueled concerns.
The U.S. has previously stated that such satellite launches violate a now-expired U.N. Security Council resolution urging Tehran to refrain from developing ballistic missile technology.
President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration has expressed interest in negotiating sanctions relief with Western nations, but for now, Tehran continues to push forward with space and nuclear projects.
How the US Space Force will work to protect Japan’s national security
U.S. Space Force Guardians are deploying to Japan on Dec. 4 in a move meant to bolster the Japanese self-defense forces against threats from Russia, China and North Korea. The United States activated its first Space Force Unit in Japan at Yokota Air Base, just west of Tokyo, on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
The unit will reportedly give Japan its first-ever space surveillance and missile warning systems.
The Pentagon said the ultimate goal is to strengthen both country’s national security and provide stepped-up regional security at a time when relations with Moscow, Pyongyang and Beijing are tense.
The White House confirmed in February that Russia is working on an anti-satellite weapon, and the U.S. Space Force said in October that China is rapidly making gains on space-based military systems as well.
Additionally, North Korea claimed to have successfully launched its first spy satellite last year, and Pyongyang is promising more will go into orbit by the end of this year in a bid to make the country a so-called “space power.”
Despite U.S. adversaries vying for space superiority, the U.S. Department of Defense maintains it is confident the new unit will deter attacks from enemies in the Indo-Pacific region.
The U.S. and Japan are also coordinating space defense with Australia, including reportedly developing low-orbit satellites to help counter hypersonic missiles, which Russia, China and North Korea all claim to have obtained.
‘Big gap’ between what new Boeing CEO is saying and what’s happened
Boeing is looking to take flight after moving on from its worst quarter performance since COVID-19 halted travel worldwide. And the company is doing so with a new captain in the cockpit.
“We’re clearly at a crossroads,” Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said in his first earnings call. “The trust in our company is eroded. We’re saddled with too much debt. We’ve had serious lapses in our performance across the company, which have disappointed many of our customers. But by the same token, we have great opportunities ahead.”
The challenges facing the company are countless. A Boeing-made satellite that exploded in space this week exemplifies the kind of year Boeing has had.
In the third quarter of 2024, Boeing reported a $6.2 billion net loss. Third-quarter revenues were down 1% from a year ago.
“It’s going to take time,” Ortberg warned. “This isn’t something that there’s just a light switch that flips. We’ll continue to work on this. It’s a never-ending process.”
“There was a big gap between what he said, which was exactly in line with what needs to be said, and what’s been happening so far,” aviation analyst Richard Aboulafia said.
The following transcript with AeroDynamic Advisory Managing Director Aboulafia has been edited for clarity. Watch the interview in the video above.
Simone Del Rosario: Richard, for you, what was the most important thing that Kelly Ortberg said today?
Richard Aboulafia: He said what had to be said: The importance of changing the culture and getting out there and restoring the links between people at the top and people who are engaged in the company’s core business of designing and building planes. It was very refreshing, frankly, to hear that and good to hear.
Simone Del Rosario: Did you hear a specific plan or did you hear sentiments?
Richard Aboulafia: Well, here’s the problem. There was a big gap between what he said, which was exactly in line with what needs to be said, and what’s been happening so far. It’s still a baffler why they’ve gone down this path in terms of dealing with the strike. Why hasn’t there been more frequent engagement with the union? Why was the last offer submitted in the way that it was? And also in the middle of it, the announced plans to – literally, according to the Latin term – decimate the company by getting rid of 17,000 out of 170,000 workers, at a time when you think they would need more resources to build planes rather than fewer. So there seems to be kind of a gap between stated intentions and and reality so far.
Simone Del Rosario: He did make a comment about the culture issue of Boeing that stuck out to me. He essentially said that the culture that needs changing at Boeing came from people who are no longer with the company. Do you think that is accurate?
Richard Aboulafia: It’s more than accurate. My God, you look at the devastation inflicted on this company by some of the previous CEOs – certainly the last CEO, Dave Calhoun, but also, Jim McNerney in the 2010s. They regarded the business of building planes as something that they kind of dragged on the back of their shoe while walking out of the executive washroom. It was just not a priority. Money management was effectively the only thing that mattered to them.
My real concern [is] you had, frankly, a close to worst-in-class board of all time that put up with a very bad situation for far too long. Some of them need to be swapped out very badly. And similarly, you had people in fairly senior positions at Boeing Commercial and elsewhere who also, frankly, need to be replaced. And one of the big mysteries of the Kelly Ortberg reign so far is that he hasn’t parachuted in the people we expected him to, people he knew from Rockwell Collins and elsewhere. It would be really good to see some new blood replacing these folks.
Simone Del Rosario: Did you get the hint in this conversation from him that he is looking to do that? He did mention external people and having that outside perspective.
Richard Aboulafia: Yeah, he did. So we’re going to be waiting and watching and hoping because they really need some new blood. The biggest personnel change he’s made so far is firing Ted Colbert from the defense side. I actually thought Mr. Colbert was an improvement. So I was kind of baffled by that, whereas, it’s pretty clear they need some replacement people and senior positions elsewhere that haven’t been dealt with.
Simone Del Rosario: Let’s move on to some of the money management. We heard a lot about how Boeing is beholden to certain defense contracts and Ortberg said they can’t really walk away from those contracts despite profitability issues. How concerning is that as they’re trying to turn their financials around?
Richard Aboulafia: You know, pretty concerning, but we kind of all knew that this was the case. Back in the 2010s under McNerney, they’d had this sort of strategic decision to use ample and endless cash flow from the jetliner business to subsidize money-losing defense contracts that were fixed price. The Pentagon, of course, was happy to say, ‘Oh, you want to subsidize our weapons systems, wonderful,’ and give them those contracts. But now the bills are coming due, and because of inadequate resources, they are having an even harder time executing on those programs. I guess the upshot is that it places an even greater emphasis on restoring their only truly profitable programs, which, of course, are jetliners, led by the 737 Max.
Simone Del Rosario: He talked about the core mission at Boeing, the commercial and the defense. Where should Boeing be trimming the fat? He did say, “We’re better off doing less and doing it better than doing more and not doing it well.” So what needs to go at Boeing?
Richard Aboulafia: I was kind of baffled by that, to be honest. They’re doing a very ambitious jetliner production ramp, cutting people from jetliner programs is not going to happen. Similarly, defense, it’s those resource constraints that have made bad contracts even worse. So I can’t imagine getting rid of people there. Is there enough overhead to get rid of 17,000 people? This is a company that abolished its strategy department back six months ago. If anything, I would be bringing on more people. Is there some fat to cut? Sure, but I just don’t see where it comes from.
Simone Del Rosario: It sounded like he is talking mostly about what we’d call in the corporate world “middle managers.” From what he’s hearing, the people on the ground are saying there is too much overhead; they’re not able to get as much done. Is that the interpretation that you were getting from this?
Richard Aboulafia: I guess. But again, I have my doubts, because resources are necessary. Are some of those middle managers concerned with quality oversight and checks on jetliner production and whatever? Some of them are, some of them aren’t. This takes work, but again, the idea of getting to 17,000 redundancies given the challenges the company is facing, I just don’t know how that happens.
Simone Del Rosario: Does that plan still stay in effect if the strike is over and it’s back to business as usual at Boeing? Or do they rethink that because that layoff announcement came in the middle of the strike?
Richard Aboulafia: Yeah, that’s exactly right. And so we’re all asking ourselves that. Was it one of those, ‘My God, we’ve got to prepare for a siege and outlast these guys and therefore cut lots of jobs?’ And therefore, it goes away when the strike ends. Or was it a strategic and rational decision to get rid of all these jobs? I sure hope it’s the first.
Simone Del Rosario: Taking people out of it, are there programs Boeing should and could drop; programs where the company realizes it is not the best use of their time and resources?
Richard Aboulafia: The nature of these defense contracts, you can’t just walk away from them, right? You sign them, they’re a firm, fixed price. It’s an awful situation in some of them. I think the KC-46 is up to $8 billion in losses or something, but not much you can do.
Space, I’m sure if they could find a buyer, they would sell it. No question. Can they find a buyer? Maybe parts of it. Can they walk away from it? Realistically, I don’t know. One thing they did just a couple of weeks ago was decide to end production at the KC-46’s analog, the commercial analog, the 767 freighter, after 2027. I guess that was done for good reasons, but that was the one obvious one that I would look at. Other than that, I’m not so sure what they could get rid of.
Zelenskyy alleges Russia using Chinese satellites to plan nuclear facility attacks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is using Chinese satellites to photograph nuclear power stations in Ukraine, potentially preparing to strike them. Zelenskyy made the allegations during an interview with ABC News.
“Russia has been using Chinese satellites and taking photos of the details of the objects on nuclear facilities,” Zelenskyy said. “Our experience is that if Russia takes photos of certain objects, then there is a threat of strikes against the nuclear objects, so that is a nuclear terror.”
Zelenskyy’s statement follows similar warnings from other Ukrainian officials. The alleged targets include transmission substations and other infrastructure at the nuclear stations.
Russia remains silent on the allegations, but Ukraine and other countries have accused Russia of targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in the past, resulting in significant damage and disruptions to the country’s power grid.
These latest allegations come on the heels of a report that Russia launched a massive attack on an infrastructure facility in Zaporizhzhia, firing four missiles and a swarm of at least 81 drones. One person was killed, and six others were injured.
‼️Внаслідок масованих авіаударів по Запоріжжю загинув чоловік, ще 4 людини отримали травми, з них 2 дитини.
Вчора ввечері впродовж 2 годин армія рф нанесла серію авіаударів по обласному центру.
Рятувальники ліквідували пожежі. Волонтери вивели з зруйнованого будинку песика. pic.twitter.com/kS5BCxI1EW
Although Ukrainian defense systems managed to take down 66 of the drones, the attack still caused significant damage to energy infrastructure, leaving some areas of Poltova without power.
Russia’s assault on Ukraine’s power grid started back in 2022, with the Kremlin managing to damage or destroy most of Ukraine’s thermal power generating capacity.
The situation is raising concerns among Ukraine’s Western allies. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said China is providing direct assistance to Russia, including military components. Campbell described this as “a very substantial effort on the part of China to help sustain, build and diversify various elements of the Russian war machine.”
Ukraine’s foreign minister is calling on the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog and Ukrainian allies to set up permanent monitoring missions at the country’s nuclear plants.
The ongoing conflict severely impacts Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, cutting the country’s energy generation capacity by more than half. Before the war, Ukraine generated around 30 gigawatts of power, but now the country struggles to produce just nine. As a result, rolling blackouts are being implemented to stabilize the grid.
Russia’s nuclear arsenal in question after Sarmat missile test failure
Russia’s latest nuclear test of a Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile has ended in a catastrophic explosion, dealing a significant blow to the country’s efforts to modernize its nuclear arsenal. The explosion occurred at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia, leaving a 200-foot-wide crater and debris scattered across the launch site.
Pavel Podvig, director of the Russian Nuclear Forces Project, an arms control and nuclear weapons analysis blog, said the explosion likely happened during the missile’s defueling process. Satellite imagery shows signs that the missile may have exploded in its silo.
The incident has raised concerns about the reliability and modernization of Russia’s nuclear arsenal. These are the types of weapons Russia would use to strike the U.S. and the West, and the Kremlin has been plagued by setbacks and failures in recent years while trying to upgrade them.
Since June 2023, six Russian tests of its nuclear weaponry have ended in failure, including tests of the Poseidon torpedo and Bulava submarine-launched missile.
The Sarmat missile, also known as Satan II, first entered service in 2021. Russia claims this powerful intercontinental ballistic missile can travel over 11,000 miles and carry a massive payload of up to 10 tons, making it one of the most advanced ICBMs in production.
The Kremlin declined to comment on the alleged explosion during a press briefing on Monday, Sept. 23. This was the fourth failed test of the new heavy intercontinental ballistic missile. The only successful test of the Satan II missile occurred in April 2022.
How a startup company plans to harness the power of the sun at night
A California-based start-up company known as Reflect Orbital is looking to harness the power of the sun, regardless of the time of day on Earth. The CEO of Reflect Orbital Ben Nowack posted a video on Thursday, Aug. 22, showing the company’s vision of what it hopes to be able to accomplish with a vast array of mirrored satellites in orbit.
Reflect Orbital’s plan is to send up a number of these mirrors piggybacking on other planned rocket launches. Once in orbit, these satellites would pinpoint the sun’s rays onto a precise location on Earth. Nowack said he wants to make as easy logging into a website and using GPS coordinates to pinpoint where exactly a user would want the sunlight to shine.
“The beauty of space is you can put things up there and they stay up for a long time,” said Tristan Semmelhack, the CTO of Reflect. “You this thing up really high and suddenly you have global access to basically any location on Earth if you design it correctly, that’s what’s magical.”
Nowack believes that the technology may one day be used to power solar farms at night. Reflect Orbital plans to launch what it calls its first “deployable reflector” in the coming months.
Reflect Orbital currently has its website focused on both lighting and energy. Lighting portion of the company focuses on bringing a “spot of sunlight” to a particular location on Earth after dark while the energy portion focuses on bringing the sun’s energy to a solar plant at night.
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.
Latest Ukraine ATACMS strike could cripple comms in Russia
Ukraine is using U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against Russia to decimate sensitive sites deep behind enemy lines. A video of a recent Ukrainian attack shows four ATACMS launchers, each firing two long-range missiles.
This evening, Ukrainian forces successfully struck the Russian NIP-16 space tracking and communication center in Vitino, Crimea with multiple MGM-140 ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles.
Videos circulating on Russian social media show the impact of those missiles. One video, taken from the window of a nearby building, shows flames lighting up the sky while the smoke billows.
The suspected target was the Russian Center for Long Range Space Communications in the northwest part of the Crimean Peninsula. When Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, Moscow was extremely happy to see the facility — known as NIP-16 — returning to Russian control.
It’s an absolutely critical asset to both Russia’s military communications, and its ability to monitor activities and conduct missions in space. The giant ground arrays help Russia communicate with its satellites, track potential nuclear threats and coordinate much of its military operations in the region.
Satellite imagery from NASA shows two large fires burning on the same coordinates where the NIP-16 facility is located. Much of modern weaponry is dependent on satellites, from targeting and acquisition to simple communication with troops over the horizon. Satellites make it possible. So, hampering Russia’s ability to talk to those satellites is an obvious motivating factor for the strike on NIP-16.
So far, neither Moscow, Kiev nor Washington are commenting on the strike. Moscow is saying plenty about another ATACMS attack in Crimea, however.
On Sunday, June 23, Russia said its air defense systems intercepted four ATACMS missiles in the skies over a beach in Sevastopol. The Kremlin said the missiles were loaded with cluster munitions, and when they exploded, it caused a fifth missile to detonate in mid-air.
The Russian military likely purposefully stations legitimate military targets nearby civilian areas in Crimea in an effort to deter Ukrainian strikes. https://t.co/JcNgv0U3ripic.twitter.com/5Ul6auasoq
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) June 24, 2024
Moscow said the falling debris killed four people and injured 151 more. Some were simply on vacation in an illegally seized territory while the largest land war in Europe since World War II rages around them.
The Institute for the Study of War said Russia purposefully puts high-value targets near civilian sites in an attempt to thwart a Ukrainian strike. These tactics are similar to those seen by terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
While Ukraine may have launched the missiles, Russia said it’s the United States who is ultimately responsible for the strikes. The Russian Ministry of Defence said U.S. specialists had set the missiles’ flight coordinates on the basis of information from U.S. spy satellites, meaning Washington was directly responsible.
“Responsibility for the deliberate missile attack on the civilians of Sevastopol is borne above all by Washington, which supplied these weapons to Ukraine, and by the Kyiv regime, from whose territory this strike was carried out,” the ministry said.