US precision strike in Syria: 2 ISIS operatives killed, weapons destroyed
The U.S. military conducted a precision airstrike in Syria’s Dayr az Zawr Province on Monday, Dec. 23, killing two ISIS operatives and wounding a third. The operation also destroyed a truckload of weapons the group was transporting. The strike occurred in an area previously under the control of Syrian and Russian forces.
This airstrike is part of an ongoing U.S. effort to disrupt ISIS operations and prevent the terror group from regaining strength. It follows a series of recent strikes in the same region, including one last week that killed ISIS leader Abu Yusif and another operative. In total, U.S. forces report eliminating 12 ISIS operatives in Syria over the past week.
CENTCOM Commander General Michael Erik Kurilla underscored the importance of these actions, particularly as ISIS attempts to reorganize and free more than 8,000 of its members currently held in detention facilities. He emphasized that the U.S., in coordination with regional allies, remains committed to preventing ISIS from regaining strength or planning future attacks.
These operations are part of Operation Inherent Resolve, a coalition campaign against ISIS that began in 2014. According to Airwars.org, the coalition has conducted approximately 35,000 airstrikes across Iraq and Syria over the past decade, nearly 20,000 of which targeted ISIS positions and infrastructure in Syria.
While these efforts have significantly weakened ISIS and led to the loss of nearly all its territorial control, U.S. officials warn that the group remains a persistent threat.
‘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.
Is BlueHalo’s VigilantHalo a C2 game changer?: Weapon of the week
“Command and control” is a buzz term frequently heard at military conferences. For troops in the field, having a centralized piece of equipment that can perform a multitude of tasks is crucial. Enter BlueHalo’s latest innovation, VigilantHalo.
The first thing one would notice about VigilantHalo is its impressive appearance. However, beyond its sleek design lies advanced technology ready to tackle a host of serious jobs.
The new piece of kit offers a real-time command and control option for operators in the field. It delivers air traffic control, beyond visual line-of-sight drone operations, and counter-drone detection for military, federal, state and local applications.
BlueHalo LLC
BlueHalo’s COO, Trip Ferguson, emphasized the company’s concentrated effort to put as much control as possible into the hands of those closest to the action.
“VigilantHalo is a vision of how we create a common operating picture for our warfighters to control airspace in unique ways,” Ferguson said. “We have very sophisticated technology that allows that to come into one interface.”
Having new ways to control a situation is great for those in command, but if a piece of equipment is too difficult to use or too bulky to move, it can be a detriment.
Stephen Lloyd, BlueHalo’s senior director, addressed the practicality of deploying the equipment.
“You might not have room for a truck on the back of an airplane or helicopter, but you can certainly get it out there in a pelican case or a laptop,” Lloyd explained. “This also gives us the capability to make everything out there a sensor. It is scalable and can be networked together to communicate with other domains that already have a multitude of sensors.”
With lessons being learned every day in Ukraine, the ability to protect troops from drone attacks requires multiple solutions. Ferguson highlighted the importance of the product in this context.
“We do not have the redundancy we need as a nation, either here or before deployment, to operate in clear airspace in complex situations. With the evolving unmanned system threat today, that capability is more important than ever,” he said. “We hope to demonstrate that capability and make it available to more people.”
As each branch of the military continues to reorganize and restructure in response to growing threats from China, Lloyd noted that VigilantHalo is built for deployments to austere and remote locations.
“It has to be very durable and reliable. It has to work every time, and you have to be able to pick it up and move it if the bad guys find out where you are. It has incredible versatility,” Lloyd stated.
Russia launches biggest naval drills in 30 years, China joins the action
Russia is conducting its largest naval drills in three decades, termed “Ocean-2024,” involving over 400 ships, submarines and 120 naval aircraft, with 90,000 personnel. The exercises extend across the Pacific and Arctic Oceans and into the Mediterranean, Caspian and Baltic Seas.
These maneuvers, set to continue until the week of Sept. 16, are seen by Moscow as crucial in countering perceived U.S. attempts to shift the security balance in the Western Pacific.
At the same time, China and Russia initiated “Northern/Interaction-2024,” significant joint naval and air drills in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk.
Announced on Monday, Sept. 9, these drills are intended to enhance strategic cooperation and the two nations’ collective response capabilities. This collaboration marks the fifth occurrence of joint maritime patrols in the Pacific between Russia and China.
Despite Beijing describing its relationship with Moscow as a non-confrontational partnership not aimed at any other nation, the exercises underscore a deepening military collaboration.
However, Kirby also noted the historical mutual distrust between Russia and China, emphasizing the complex dynamics of their partnership.
Meanwhile, the U.S. redirected several aircraft carriers from the Western Pacific to the Middle East, creating a temporary strategic void. However, the USS Boxer and USS America, both capable of deploying F-35B stealth fighters, continue to patrol the region, maintaining U.S. military readiness in the Pacific.
Gov. Walz accepts VP nomination, tells Democrats to ‘leave it on the field’
Vice President Kamala Harris prepares to address the Democratic National Convention (DNC) Thursday, Aug. 22 night, just hours after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz formally accepted the party’s nomination for vice president. And former President Donald Trump appeared behind bulletproof glass in his first outdoor rally since his attempted assassination. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024
Gov. Walz accepts VP nomination, tells Democrats to ‘leave it on the field’
Thursday, Aug. 22, is the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Vice President Kamala Harris is set to officially accept the Democratic Party’s nomination for president during a primetime speech.
On Wednesday night, Aug. 21, her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, officially accepted the nod for vice president. During his keynote speech, Walz introduced himself to the American people with what he described as a “pep talk” like those he used to give during his time as a high school teacher and football coach.
“It’s the fourth quarter, we’re down a field goal, but we’re on offense and we’ve got the ball,” he said of Harris’ campaign. “We’re driving down the field, and boy, do we have the right team…There’ll be time to sleep when you’re dead. We’re going to leave it on the field.”
In his address, Walz spoke of his record as Minnesota’s governor, comparing his policies to that of Republican-led states.
“Other states were banning books from their schools; we were banishing hunger from ours,” Walz said. “We also protected reproductive freedom, because in Minnesota, we respect our neighbors and the personal choices they make. Even if we wouldn’t make those same choices for ourselves, we’ve got a golden rule: Mind your own damn business.”
Before Walz took the stage Wednesday, some of the biggest A-listers and veteran party leaders gave speeches to rally up the base. Former President Bill Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Oprah Winfrey were among those who addressed the crowd.
“Let us choose loyalty to the Constitution over loyalty to any individual because that’s the best of America,” Winfrey said. “And let us choose optimism over cynicism and let us include inclusion over retribution.”
Harris will close out the convention Thursday, Aug. 22 night, with the last night’s theme being “for our future.”
Meanwhile former President Donald Trump will visit the border in Arizona on Thursday. His running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, will campaign in Georgia.
Trump appears behind bulletproof glass for outdoor rally in North Carolina
On Wednesday, Aug, 21, former President Trump held his first outdoor rally since the assassination attempt on his life in July in Butler, Pennsylvania. The appearance came with an added layer of security.
A wall of bulletproof glass surrounded the podium as Trump and Vance addressed supporters in the battleground state of North Carolina. Their focus was on national security.
President Trump leaves the bulletproof glass protecting him to check on a supporter in the crowd who passed out.
At the same time, lawmakers continued their search into what went wrong on July 13 when Trump was shot in the ear during that assassination attempt. A bipartisan congressional task force met remotely with the FBI to discuss progress in the agency’s investigation.
RFK Jr. expected to drop out of 2024 race, endorse Trump
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to suspend his campaign by the end of the week. Kennedy is set to give a speech Friday, Aug. 23, on his “path forward” in the 2024 election during an event in Arizona.
This comes just days after his running mate said Kennedy has two options left: stay in the race or drop out and back former President Trump. It’s speculated Kennedy will announce his endorsement of Trump during the same speech on Friday — possibly in a joint appearance with the former president, who will also be campaigning in Arizona that day.
JD Vance has confirmed there’s been “a lot of communication back and forth” between the campaigns but nothing is set in stone.
5 bodies recovered after yacht sinks off coast of Sicily
2nd US Navy aircraft carrier arrives in Middle East amid Iran threat
A second U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, has arrived in the Middle East. It joins the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which was stationed in the area after Iran threatened to attack Israel in retaliation for a deadly strike on a top Hamas leader in Tehran on July 31.
The U.S. military’s Central Command shared video of F-35 jets taking off from the Lincoln’s deck on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), equipped with F-35C and F/A-18 Block III fighters, entered the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility.
The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 3, is accompanied by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 and… pic.twitter.com/RKoJQshigR
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the Lincoln, as well as the guided missile submarine the USS Georgia, to the region earlier this month as tensions remain high over an expected attack by Iran on Israel following the killings of top Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. The Lincoln and Georgia add to the U.S. ships already in the area, including eight destroyers.
These military moves come as President Joe Biden stressed on a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday the urgent need to conclude talks on a cease-fire and hostage release plan. The White House said the president pointed to the upcoming discussions in Cairo as “crucial.”
Taylor Swift breaks her silence on canceled Vienna shows
Taylor Swift has broken her silence following the foiled terrorist plot that resulted in the cancellation of her Eras tour shows in Vienna, Austria. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Aug. 21, Swift reflected on the end of the European leg of her tour.
She posted several images from various shows in Europe along with a caption which read in part, “Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows. But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives.”
Swift went on to say, “Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows. In cases like this one, ‘silence’ is actually showing restraint, and waiting to express yourself at a time when it’s right to. My priority was finishing our European tour safely, and it is with great relief that I can say we did that.”
Swift added she was heartened by the love and unity she saw in her fans who banded together.
Elon Musk interviews Donald Trump for 2 hours on X after delay
Elon Musk sats down with former President Donald Trump in an interview on X that lasted two hours. And the impact of an earthquake in Los Angeles is caught on live TV. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024.
Elon Musk interviews Donald Trump for 2 hours on X after delay
Former President Donald Trump sat down with tech billionaire Elon Musk for a conversation that was livestreamed on X Monday, Aug. 12. However, the broadcast began more than half an hour late due to a glitch, which Musk later attributed to “a cyber-attack.”
Despite the rocky start, the conversation went on for over two hours. Trump and Musk delved into topics ranging from immigration and inflation to the assassination attempt on Trump’s life, and some of Trump’s top priorities if he should win the November election.
One idea the former president threw out there was potentially dismantling the Department of Education.
“Well, think of education, we’re ranked at the bottom of every list, 40, 38,” Trump said. “In other words, horrible. And we spend more per pupil, more than anyone in the world. And one of my first acts — and this is where I need an Elon Musk, someone who has strength and smarts — I want to close the Department of Education and move education back to the states.”
The FBI is now investigating attempted hacks into both the Trump and Biden-Harris campaigns. The investigation includes attempted hacks targeting three Biden-Harris campaign staffers and Roger Stone, a former adviser to former President Trump.
Stone told The Washington Post his email had been compromised, but it’s not clear if attempts to hack the Biden campaign were successful. A Harris campaign official said it does not appear to have been hacked.
On Friday, Aug. 9, Microsoft issued a report showing Iranian operatives had been trying to interfere with the 2024 election. Trump’s campaign confirmed over the weekend it appears to have been impacted by those efforts after news outlets were sent hundreds of confidential pages.
White House confirms Biden will speak at DNC
The White House has confirmed President Joe Biden is set to speak at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago. Multiple media outlets are reporting other speakers will include former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The convention starts Monday, Aug. 19, and will go through Thursday, Aug. 22.
We're a week out from the start of the 2024 @DemConvention and content creators are getting excited to cover the convention from their own unique lens. @6figga_dilla talked to @saramachi at convention HQ last week about this historic moment for the city and the country. pic.twitter.com/oTxj8ro0Jy
Sources told ABC News the current plan is for Biden and Hillary Clinton to speak Monday night, then former President Obama on Tuesday, Aug. 20. On Wednesday, Aug. 21, it’ll be vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and former President Bill Clinton. Finally, Harris is set to address the DNC on Thursday, Aug. 22.
That is a tentative schedule and could still change.
U.S. preps for potential Iranian-backed attack on Israel this week
Security Adviser John Kirby said the U.S. is prepared for “significant” attacks by Iran or its proxies in the Middle East as soon as this week. Kirby said the U.S. has bolstered its forces in the region.
Secretary of Defense Austin has ordered the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, to accelerate its transit to the Central Command area of responsibility, adding to the capabilities already provided by the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Carrier Strike…
It’s a rare move to publicly announce such military moves; a tactic some say is meant to de-escalate tensions in the region and deter Iran from possibly attacking.
Concerns of an attack come after Iran and Hamas accused Israel of carrying out the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran in July.
U.S. troops suffer minor injuries in Syrian drone attack
Defense officials said several U.S. service members suffered minor injuries in a drone attack in Syria on Friday, Aug. 9. The drone targeted a landing zone which hosts U.S. and partner forces in the global coalition to defeat ISIS
U.S. Central Command said it’s still evaluating the damage, but initial assessments show there was minor damage to one set of facilities.
This attack was the second within a week to injure U.S. personnel who are part of the coalition to defeat ISIS.
This latest California quake came almost a week after a magnitude 5.2 quake struck Bakersfield.
Team USA’s Jordan Chiles to lose bronze medal after appeal denied
The latest turn in the Olympic medal controversy involving gymnast Jordan Chiles did not go Team USA’s way. On Monday, Aug. 12, the USA Gymnastics Organization sent Olympic officials what it called time-stamped video evidence that showed Chiles’ coach requested a review of her score within the allotted one minute, meaning Chiles should be able to keep the bronze medal that was awarded to her following a score change.
However, USA Gymnastics released a statement later Monday saying the Court of Arbitration for Sport would not reconsider its ruling to strip Chiles of the medal.
But the twists to this saga may not be over just yet though.
USA Gymnastics said it will continue to “pursue every possible avenue and appeal process” including the Swiss Federal Tribunal to “ensure the just scoring, placement and medal award for Jordan.”
US-built pier for humanitarian aid anchored in Gaza
The U.S. military said it has anchored a temporary floating pier to a beach in Gaza on Thursday, May 16, which will allow more humanitarian aid to enter the war-torn region. The Pentagon reported that as part of this initiative, a ship has been anchored in the Mediterranean Sea to start offloading supplies, noting that no military personnel are expected to enter Gaza.
The Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore system (JLOTS) includes a floating pier for offloading shipments and a causeway for transferring them to a distribution center in Gaza.
Today at approximately 7:40 a.m. (Gaza time) United States Central Command personnel supporting the humanitarian mission to deliver additional humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in need anchored a temporary pier to the beach in Gaza. As part of this effort, no U.S. troops… pic.twitter.com/048seMnkLJ
Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the deputy commander for U.S. Central Command, has indicated that hundreds of tons of aid are ready for delivery, with thousands more being prepared.
“[The] protection of U.S. forces participating is a top priority,” Cooper said. “And as such, in the last several weeks, the United States and Israel have developed an integrated security plan to protect all the personnel. We are confident in the ability of this security arrangement to protect those involved. Trucks carrying humanitarian assistance are expected to begin moving ashore in the coming days.”
Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani has confirmed the completion of the pier’s installation and the preparation of the surrounding area by Israeli engineering units. The groundwork has been laid and roads have been surfaced to accommodate truck traffic.
“We have been working for months on full cooperation with [the U.S. military] on this project, facilitating it, supporting it in any way possible. It is a top priority in our operations,” Shoshani said.
“We are leading international efforts with the U.S. and Cyprus to establish a maritime aid corridor,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said. “[Wednesday’s] first shipment of British aid from Cyprus to the temporary pier off Gaza is an important moment in increasing this flow.”
The pier is designed to handle the transfer of 90 truckloads of aid per day, with plans to increase this number to 150 truckloads once it is fully operational.
Putin meets with Xi in China as leaders look to strengthen ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to China as he looks to strengthen ties between the two countries, and Slovakia’s prime minister is seriously wounded during an assassination attempt. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, May 16, 2024.
Putin meets with Xi in China as two countries look to strengthen ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid his country’s war with Ukraine, traveled to China, seeking sought support from Chinese President Xi Jinping. Putin arrived in Beijing for a two-day state visit as both countries navigate escalating tensions with Western nations.
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The leaders are slated to discuss various issues including Ukraine, regional matters in Asia, energy and trade. They will also commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s recognition of the People’s Republic of China.
During Putin’s visit in February 2022, just before the onset of the war with Ukraine, China and Russia announced a “no limits” partnership.
While China claims neutrality regarding the conflict, the U.S. has expressed concerns that Chinese exports to Russia may be supporting the Kremlin’s war efforts. In response, China has accused the U.S. of making baseless allegations.
Putin’s trip to China marks his first international journey since his recent electoral victory, which extends his tenure as president until at least 2030.
Slovakia’s prime minister in serious condition after assassination attempt
Slovakia’s prime minister is in serious but stable condition following an assassination attempt that was recorded on camera. Police subdued a 71-year-old suspect immediately after he shot Prime Minister Robert Fico five times in what officials describe as a “politically motivated” attack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya3jbU0o85Y
The assailant has been charged and faces a potential sentence ranging from 25 years to life imprisonment. The deputy prime minister, Tomas Taraba, reported that doctors have stabilized Fico’s condition. According to a hospital spokesperson, the prime minister underwent five hours of surgery and will remain in the intensive care unit.
This incident marks the first significant assassination attempt on a European political leader in over two decades.
Gaza Strip Pier complete, aid poised to flow into war-torn area
The Pentagon reported that as part of this initiative, a ship has been anchored in the Mediterranean Sea to start offloading supplies, noting that no military personnel are expected to enter Gaza.
Today at approximately 7:40 a.m. (Gaza time) United States Central Command personnel supporting the humanitarian mission to deliver additional humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in need anchored a temporary pier to the beach in Gaza. As part of this effort, no U.S. troops… pic.twitter.com/048seMnkLJ
Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the deputy commander for U.S. Central Command, has indicated that hundreds of tons of aid are ready for delivery, with thousands more being prepared.
The pier is designed to handle the transfer of 90 truckloads of aid per day, with plans to increase this number to 150 truckloads once it is fully operational.
Barge collides with Pelican Island Causeway in Texas
A barge collision with the Pelican Island Causeway Bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, May 15, resulted in an oil spill and considerable damage. Authorities have reported no injuries, but the bridge remains shut down to all traffic.
Footage revealed a section of the rail line next to the bridge collapsed after the barge came loose and struck the structure.
The U.S. Coast Guard has confirmed that the barge is no longer leaking oil, although the full scope of the spill has not been determined.
Texas A&M University at Galveston has suspended campus activities through the weekend.
The bridge serves as a crucial link for Pelican Island’s approximately 9,000 residents to Galveston. Engineers are currently evaluating the damage to establish a timeline for reopening the bridge.
Trump in court as Biden hosts Brown v. Board families; both agree to debate
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican candidate, are set to participate in two presidential debates. Their schedules diverge significantly for Thursday, May 16.
The narrative changes on June 27 and Sept. 10, when Biden and Trump are scheduled to engage in two presidential debates. These debates are organized by news outlets rather than the Bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, which typically arranges fall debates.
CNN will broadcast the first debate, while ABC will air the second.
The streaming service will broadcast both games on Wednesday, Dec. 25, as Netflix continues its venture into live sports programming.
Netflix is said to be paying $75 million per game as part of a three-year agreement with the NFL. Under this deal, Netflix will broadcast at least one game on Christmas Day in 2025 and 2026.
The upcoming doubleheader will showcase the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by a matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans.
China’s plans to deploy floating nuclear power plants has US officials concerned
China’s plans to deploy floating nuclear reactors capable of powering military facilities in contested areas of the South Pacific has raised concerns about regional stability. The State Department believes the move could also be a potential threat to U.S. national security.
American military officials have echoed these warnings, saying China may eventually use floating nuclear facilities to further exert its “unlawful territorial claims” in the region. Adm. John Aquilino, the former leader of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, told The Washington Post that this could be “destabilizing” to the surrounding nations in the South China Sea.
China first began developing its floating nuclear power plants over a decade ago, with initial designs dating to 2010. By 2016, Chinese state media outlets reported that 20 such plants had been deployed in the South China Sea to support economic activities, but the recent focus has shifted to their potential military capabilities.
With tensions escalating in the South China Sea, Chinese researchers have pointed to the possible ability of these reactors to “ensure the smooth conduct of military exercises.” However, doubts persist both domestically and internationally regarding when this will actually come to fruition.
Even as China asserts its capabilities, some experts on the region remain skeptical of an imminent threat. They argue that China still faces hurdles in deploying technology capable of providing continuous power for military purposes. China’s own state regulators have warned concerns still remain about the tech’s “safety and feasibility.”
However, should China’s floating nuclear plans eventually come to fruition, some scientists have warned the plant’s vulnerabilities could lead to possible disaster. They caution of the potential for an incident akin to the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan.
Video undermines official DOD report of attack during Afghanistan withdrawal
A CNN exclusive revealed new evidence that challenges the Pentagon’s narrative of the events during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. On Aug. 26, 2021, a suicide bomber attacked Kabul airport, killing 13 U.S. service members and approximately 170 Afghans. The Pentagon consistently stated that the bomb alone caused all casualties.
However, recently released GoPro footage from a Marine at the scene shows multiple instances of gunfire immediately following the blast— far more than the Pentagon’s stated “three bursts.” The footage documented at least 11 separate instances of gunfire within four minutes, which contradicts official reports.
The Department of Defense released the results of a two-year supplemental review in April. The department that found no new information had any material impact on the original investigation’s findings. However, CNN interviews and additional evidence tell a different story.
U.S. military personnel described the gunfire originating from a nearby group of Marines.
U.S. Central Command maintained a lone suicide bomber carried out the attack and that no one was hit by gunfire. Testimony from over 100 witnesses supported that conclusion.
However, discrepancies remain. An officer’s account one month after the attack praised a Marine for “putting down” an opposing gunman. Christian Sanchez, a soldier injured in the blast, confirmed he returned fire after the explosion in an interview with “The Brrks Podcast.“
Despite extensive social media testimonies from U.S. service members who witnessed significant gunfire, officials have dismissed these claims as effects of traumatic brain injury from the blast. The Pentagon has released only five minutes of edited drone footage from the aftermath, raising further questions about the completeness of the evidence.