More Iranian-made fast attack craft are in the Western Hemisphere as Venezuela takes possession of a new batch of Peykaap III Class missile boats. Maritime analysts like H. I. Sutton said Iran sent a batch of four Peykaaps to Venezuela last year. Now, video of the boats being operated by Venezuelan sailors are showing up on social media.
Venezuelan navy Zolfaghar (Peykaap III) class missile boats operating in La Ciénaga de Ocumare and being camouflaged against the coastline.#Venezuelapic.twitter.com/eqv4sSO8zt
Peykaap Class boats — also called Zolfaqar Class in Iran — were originally designed in North Korea. Peykaaps come in three basic variations. The Peykaap I is armed with torpedoes, Peykaap IIs can carry two anti-ship missiles and Peykapp IIIs are equipped to carry both. Machine guns are also a common site on the boats as well.
Peykaap IIIs can launch Kowsar and NASR anti-ship missiles. The Kowsars have a range of about 12 miles. NASRs are effective out to about 21 miles. Precision-guided missiles launched from fast attack craft is all someone like Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro would need to disrupt commercial shipping.
A Peykaap craft is just under 60 feet long, and it’s powered by twin diesel engines. It can hit speeds over 50 knots, which is about 57 miles per hour.
Venezuela took possession of the new fast attack craft a few months after the country held a referendum to annex a region in neighboring Guyana known as Essequibo. It’s a rural area that is hard to access and covered in thick rainforests. It also holds vast deposits of oil and rare earth minerals.
When Maduro announced the referendum to seize Essequibo in his country, the international backlash was swift and enough to make Maduro back down.
However, satellite images show Venezuela never stopped improving its access points along the Cuyuní River that separates the two countries. The improvement projects included building new boat ramps and clearing jungle to create staging areas.
Venezuelan troops also continue to train near the river crossings. So, an additional batch of new Iranian-made missile boats isn’t exactly a calming thought for Guyana. The country’s military is not as strong as Venezuela’s, which has arguably one of the most capable militaries in South America.
Guyana and the United States maintain a defensive partnership, and hold joint military exercises on a regular basis. The relationship could impact Maduro’s decision to invade or not.
Ralph Gonsalves, the prime minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, said he’s close to the leaders of both Guyana and Venezuela, and he is working to broker a lasting peace between the two.
“[The situation] is stable,” Gonsalves said. “You still have differences, but the important thing is to have peace, and to talk, and not to fight. They should do that in Ukraine. They should do that in Gaza.”
Editor’s Note: This story was updated on 3/12/2024. In a previous version, the article said Venezuela had, “arguably the strongest military in South America.” The story was updated to say Venezuela has, “arguably one of the strongest militaries in South America.”
Michigan asks residents to help house, settle migrants
Michigan is encouraging residents to welcome migrants into their homes to help integrate them into society. Michigan, like many other states, is experiencing an influx of migrants traveling north from the southern border as they await asylum claims.
Shelters in Detroit are over capacity, leading to migrant transfers, which send migrants to hotels or other shelters with room. The city is directly asking residents to help ease the influx.
Michigan’s Labor and Economic Opportunity Department explained how residents can help through a sponsorship program called “Welcome Corp.”
Sponsors would be asked to pick migrant families up from the airport, secure a place for the migrants to stay temporarily, enroll migrant children in a local school and help adults with employment opportunities. Volunteers must commit for at least 90 days.
The U.S. State Department launched the Welcome Corp in 2023. There are partnerships across Minnesota, Massachusetts and New York. The migrants that families sponsor come from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua or Venezuela.
“I’m confident if you join the Welcome Corp, you won’t just change the lives of the refugees you help, you’ll change your own lives as well,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said of the group.
Residents are not required to help house migrants, however, similar requests are getting more common across the U.S. as crossings at the southern border increase.
“Expanded refugee resettlement pathways empower more Michiganders to support our state’s growing refugee population and build a more welcoming and inclusive Michigan for all,” Poppy Hernandez, Michigan’s chief equity and inclusion officer, said after news of the state’s volunteer request.
Images show Venezuela military buildup along border with oil-rich Guyana
Tensions are escalating between Venezuela and Guyana over claims to the oil-rich region of Essequibo, with both nations accusing each other of violating a recent peace agreement signed in December. Satellite imagery confirms that Venezuela is strengthening its military operations along the disputed border, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Essequibo has been at the center of a territory debate between the countries for decades. Venezuelan government asserts that the land belongs Venezuela, while Guyana’s government maintains it lies within its borders, a stance supported by its allies, like the U.S. However, Venezuela accuses Guyana’s government of allowing the illegal extraction of oil from Essequibo, according to The Associated Press.
These accusations come after Alistair Routledge, the president of ExxonMobil Guyana, informed reporters that concessions had been made by Guyana’s government and the company remains committed to operations despite rising tensions between Guyana and Venezuela.
“We are not going anywhere,” Routledge told reporters Tuesday, Feb. 6.
Venezuela is also accusing ExxonMobil of exploitation and relying on the American military for support. However, the energy giant reiterated its plans to drill two wells in Essequibo, where three refineries already operate and produce nearly 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
Following ExxonMobil’s announcement, satellite images from CSIS confirmed that trees had been cleared near the border of Venezuela and Essequibo by the Venezuelan military, and at least six military vehicles, with additional military personnel, are being stationed along the river boundary.
According to the Wall Street Journal, CSIS imagery additionally revealed Venezuelan forces installing two Russian-made anti-aircraft systems and deploying at least three Iranian-made anti-ship guided-missile patrol boats.
Analysts told The Guardian that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s perceived threats may serve as a tactic to rally support for his reelection campaign or to exert pressure on Guyana to share its oil revenue with Venezuela.
Venezuela’s economy is currently struggling to recover from an economic collapse last decade.
In response to Venezuela’s military buildup along the border, Brazil is reportedly deploying troops along its border with Venezuela and Guyana. The U.S. has also announced plans to send military helicopters, drones and radar technology to Guyana.
Robert Persaud, Guyana’s foreign secretary, contends that Venezuela’s aggressive stance constitutes an unprovoked breach of their peace agreement that was signed in December.
“We are not surprised at the bad faith of Venezuela,” Persaud said. “We are disappointed, not surprised. Guyana has a history of entering into bilateral discussions in good faith. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same for our neighbor to the west.”
According to CNN, speculation of a possible invasion by Venezuela into Guyana reached its highest point yet in December. Venezuelan voters reportedly approved a referendum that declared Essequibo a Venezuelan state. Guyana called the move an “existential threat.”
US, Mexico to meet as migrants flood southern border: The Morning Rundown, Dec. 27, 2023
Top U.S. officials are heading to Mexico to discuss the surge in illegal migrant crossings at the U.S. southern border. And police in South Korea are investigating the death of an actor who starred in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite.” These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023.
US officials to meet with Mexican president on rise of illegal border crossings
Top U.S. officials are set to speak with the Mexican government on Wednesday, Dec. 27, over the rise in migrants reaching the U.S. southern border, as a caravan of at least 7,000 people continues to make its way through Mexico hoping to reach the U.S. border. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Mexico City, along with Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and White House Homeland Security advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall.
The U.S. delegation will meet with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The State Department said they will discuss “unprecedented irregular migration in the western hemisphere and identify ways Mexico and the United States will address border security challenges.”
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The Mexican president has said he is willing to help with the surge of migrants crossing the border, confirming last week U.S. officials want Mexico to do more to block migrants from its southern border with Guatemala. In exchange, López Obrador wants the U.S. to send more development aid to migrants’ home countries to stem their need to leave; the Mexican president also wants the U.S. to reduce or eliminate sanctions against Cuba and Venezuela, two of the top countries where migrants are coming from.
I signed a law yesterday to criminalize illegal entry into Texas & authorize the removal or imprisonment of illegal immigrants crossing our southern border.
Texas will continue stepping up until we have a new president who will enforce the law. pic.twitter.com/2Rc5XJ2P0T
With daily illegal border crossings topping 10,000 this month, the U.S. briefly closed two railway border crossings in Texas while other closures remain in effect. The State Department said Blinken would discuss actions needed for the U.S. to reopen all crossings across the shared border with the Mexican president.
Top Israeli adviser, US officials meet in DC over war in Gaza
A transition to a different phase of the war to “maximize high-value Hamas targets.”
Practical steps to improve the humanitarian situation and minimize harm to civilians.
Efforts to bring home the remaining hostages taken by Hamas during the October terror attack.
Planning for the day after the end of the war.
The White House said this included “the governance and security of Gaza – a political horizon for the Palestinian people and continued work on normalization and integration.” The meeting comes as the Israeli government said it is planning for a new phase in fighting despite international calls for a cease-fire.
Denver Police, FBI investigating threats against Colorado judges
The Denver Police Department said it is increasing patrols near the homes of Colorado Supreme Court justices following the court’s 4-3 ruling to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot. Both local law enforcement and the FBI said they are investigating threats made against the justices.
According to SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks the online activity of extremist organizations, threats against the justices increased over the weekend, with some calling for them to be dragged from their homes, hanged, and shot.
Police said they are investigating his death as a suicide and added that he left behind what appeared to be a suicide note. Lee was facing accusations of illegal drug use; he denied the allegations. Lee had reportedly been rigorously questioned by police on several occasions, with Reuters reporting one round of questioning that lasted 19 hours. The actor said he was a target of blackmail.
South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role in Oscar-winning film Parasite, found dead at 48 https://t.co/EZpLd0KMRP
Those who break South Korea’s strict drug laws could face up to 6 months in jail or, for repeat offenders, up to 14 years. Lee is survived by his wife and two sons.
Mastercard: US retail sales grew 3.1% this holiday season
Shoppers spent more money this holiday season than last year, according to a new report released Tuesday, Dec. 26, by Mastercard. U.S. retail sales rose 3.1% over last year from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24.
The data showed online retail sales increased 6.3% from last holiday season. As for in-store sales, they went up a more moderate 2.2%, but Mastercard said shopping in-store still makes up “a considerably larger portion of total spending.”
As for what everyone was spending their money on: apparel was one of the top categories, up 2.4%, and restaurants saw an increase of 7.8% as many wanted to celebrate the holiday season out of the kitchen.
Detroit Pistons set NBA record for single-season losing streak
History has been made on the basketball court, but it’s not a record any NBA team wants to achieve. On Tuesday night, Dec. 26, the Detroit Pistons lost their 27th consecutive game, setting the record for the longest single-season losing streak in NBA history.
Should the Pistons not win their next two games on Thursday, Dec. 28, and Saturday, Dec. 30, they will be the holders of another unpopular record, the NBA’s longest losing streak of all time. That title is currently held by the Philadelphia 76ers who lost 28 games across two seasons in 2015.
10 Americans, fugitive released in prisoner swap with Venezuela: The Morning Rundown, Dec. 21, 2023
Ten Americans and a fugitive are released from Venezuelan custody as part of a prisoner exchange between the two countries. And two media giants begin talks about a potential merger. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.
10 Americans, fugitive released from Venezuelan custody in prisoner swap
Ten Americans imprisoned in Venezuela have been released as part of a prisoner swap between the two countries on Wednesday, Dec. 20. The White House said six of the Americans were wrongfully detained, and they are now back on U.S. soil.
As we welcome home our fellow citizens, I must also remind all Americans of the long-standing warning against traveling to Venezuela. Americans should not travel there.
President Biden
The deal also included the return of a fugitive known as “Fat Leonard.” Malaysian businessman Leonard Francis fled to Venezuela in 2022 while under house arrest in San Diego after pleading guilty to what is considered to be one of the biggest bribery scandals in U.S. Navy history.
Francis admitted he offered more than $500,000 in cash bribes to Navy officials so they could steer business to his company in Asia. Also, as part of the prisoner exchange, the U.S. freed Alex Saab, a close ally of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, who was charged with money laundering in Florida in 2019.
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The swap is the latest agreement between the two nations. In October, the U.S. lifted some sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry after the country’s government promised to open its 2024 presidential election to opponents of Maduro.
“As we welcome home our fellow citizens, I must also remind all Americans of the long-standing warning against traveling to Venezuela,” President Biden said in a statement following the prisoner swap.” Americans should not travel there.”
Israel says 3 hostages can be heard on video days before accidental shooting
More evidence is being uncovered after three hostages were mistakenly killed by Israeli troops last week in Gaza. The Israeli military said late Wednesday, Dec. 20, that the voices of the three hostages could be heard on video that was recorded approximately five days before the shooting but recovered a few days after.
The military said the video, which has not been released, was captured on a GoPro camera attached to one of its dogs. The dog was sent into a building and was killed by Hamas militants, but the camera kept recording. Israel’s military said its soldiers killed the militants inside the building, and that allowed the hostages to escape. Days later, the three hostages were shot dead by Israeli troops after being mistaken as a threat. The military said it will soon release the results of its investigation into the accidental killing, which it said violated its rules of engagement.
The death of the three hostages prompted renewed calls for a pause in the fighting from many in Israel as well as nations like the United States. On Wednesday, Dec. 20, Hamas leaders arrived in Egypt to talk of another temporary cease-fire and a deal for Hamas to release more Israeli hostages in exchange for imprisoned Palestinians in Israel.
Judge blocks California law banning guns in public places
On Wednesday, Dec. 20, a federal judge blocked a California law that would ban carrying firearms in public places starting on Jan. 1. U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney wrote in his ruling that the law violates the Second Amendment and would “unconstitutionally deprive” people with concealed carry permits of their right to defend themselves and their families.
The law was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in September and would have prohibited guns at places like public parks, playgrounds, zoos, churches, and banks. Judge Carney called the law “repugnant to the Second Amendment and openly defiant of the Supreme Court.”
Meanwhile, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the state will appeal the judge’s ruling, adding it “would endanger communities by allowing guns in places where families and children gather.”
Trump asks Supreme Court to stay out of immunity dispute for now
“Haste makes waste” is what former President Trump’s attorneys wrote to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, Dec. 20, asking for SCOTUS to let the debate over presidential immunity play out in the lower courts first. The debate revolves around special counsel Jack Smith’s case against the former president, charged with a “criminal scheme” to overturn the 2020 election results.
The United States recognizes that this is an extraordinary request. This is an extraordinary case.
Jack Smith
Trump’s team argues he cannot be prosecuted for trying to overturn the election and that former presidents cannot face criminal charges for conduct related to their official responsibilities. Last week, Jack Smith urged the high court to rule on Trump’s claim in an expedited manner before lower courts have a chance to rule on it so as not to delay the trial; Smith said the issue is of high public importance.
“The United States recognizes that this is an extraordinary request,” Smith wrote. “This is an extraordinary case.”
Trump’s team contends this issue must play out in the lower courts first before the Supreme Court steps in. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and a trial date is set for March 4th for now. If Trump is reelected on Nov. 5, he could seek to pardon himself of any federal crimes.
Warner Bros. Discovery in talks to merge with Paramount
According to multiple reports, Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount are in talks of a potential merger. As first reported by Axios, sources say the CEOs of the two companies met over lunch on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at Paramount’s New York City headquarters for several hours, where they discussed the possible deal. The merger between the two media giants would mean combining their streaming services, Max and Paramount+, to compete better with Netflix and Disney+.
Paramount would bring its TV assets like CBS and Nickelodeon to join WBD’s operations, which include CNN and HBO. On the movie front, Warner Bros. Pictures has the DC Universe and Lord of the Ring film franchises. Paramount’s properties include Mission Impossible and Star Trek.
The deal could mean WBD buying Paramount or its Paramount company, National Amusements. Sources said both options are on the table.
‘2024’ display arrives in Times Square for New Year’s Eve ball drop
With only a few days left in the year, New York City is getting ready to ring in 2024, and on Wednesday, Dec. 20, one crucial part of the city’s tradition arrived in Times Square. The numerals “2024” were delivered after the lighted display took a coast-to-coast road trip from California that began earlier this month, covering more than 2,800 miles.
The numbers were tested, ensuring they’d light up the sky when the ball dropped and the clock hit midnight on New Year’s. Before being raised atop Times Square on Friday, Dec. 22, the numerals will remain on display for visitors to see up close.
Venezuela thinks Guyana’s oil-rich land belongs to them. Will they invade?
Venezuela thinks a large part of Guyana doesn’t actually belong to the Guyanese. Tensions over the issue are mounting to the point there could be an official armed conflict between two South American countries for the first time in three decades.
The tensions center on a disputed part of Guyana called Essequibo. Venezuela, a former Spanish colony, said Essequibo was stolen in 1899 and improperly given to Guyana — a former British colony — by an international arbitration tribunal.
The disputed area is about the size of Greece and makes up about two-thirds of Guyana’s total land mass. Essequibo is a geographically diverse region full of mountains, valleys, rivers and dense jungle. It’s also rich in natural resources like gold and oil.
The dispute over Essequibo mostly died down over the last century or so, but it renewed in 2015 when ExxonMobil discovered a massive oil deposit off the coast of the Essequibo region. The deposit is large enough to account for around 1% of total global output once extraction begins.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro just held a referendum in Venezuela on which country should control Essequibo. Venezuelan elections aren’t known for integrity, and — even though very few voters were seen on election day at polling locations — Maduro’s regime said more than 10 million votes were cast in favor of Venezuela annexing Essequibo. That could mean ignoring the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, both of which officially recognize Essequibo as Guyana’s sovereign territory. No one living in the disputed territory was given a chance to cast a ballot.
While politicians and pundits pontificate on the likelihood of a Venezuelan invasion into Guyana, military assets in the region are preparing for the possibility.
Brazil’s military said it is intensifying defensive actions along its northern border while monitoring the dispute. Venezuelan forces are also being observed along the border with Guyana, performing their own military drills.
At 123,000 active-duty soldiers, Venezuela’s military is one of Latin America’s largest and much larger than Guyana’s standing army, which totals around 3,000. Venezuela’s military is armed with modern weaponry like armored vehicles, tanks, fighter jets and naval vessels including patrol boats, submarines and landing craft.
Most of the border between Guyana and Venezuela is mountainous. The thick rainforest and waterways in the Essequibo region would make large-scale troop movements difficult. In this type of environment, smaller squads trained in jungle warfare would make more sense than trying to send in a bunch of tanks that would likely get stuck and make easy targets.
Also, Essequibo is a rainforest. So, the jungle’s canopy and unpredictable weather would no doubt impact aerial operations as well. If an invasion does come, an amphibious assault may make the most sense.
Maduro and Venezuela still have many factors to consider before launching an invasion. The country is trying to regain international favor and put an end to some economic sanctions. Both the U.S. and China are financially invested in the oil fields Venezuela wants to take over. Furthermore, Guyana has military agreements in place with the United States, and the two countries have held regular drills together for the past 20 years or so.
Omaha group assists El Paso shelters amid migrant crisis
The migrant crisis is putting a strain on the resources and economies of U.S. border cities. Now, those cities are seeking help from communities and organizations across the country.
One group in Omaha, Nebraska, has been doing what it can to ease the burden on El Paso, Texas, which officials say has been stretched beyond capacity.
El Paso accounts for 20% of all illegal entries at the southern border for fiscal year 2023. Border Patrol agents apprehended over 425,000 migrants who crossed into El Paso, marking a 38% increase from the previous year.
The city had to establish emergency “overflow” shelters and house thousands of migrants in local hotels, but it eventually reached a breaking point.
Source: Reuters
“In the last 30 days, we have sheltered over 16,000 people who might have otherwise been on the streets in El Paso, and we’ve provided over 40,000 meals. We want to ensure we treat people in the right manner,” Mayor Oscar Leeser said.
The majority of these migrants are awaiting deportation hearings, some of which could be years away.
One Texas-based shelter sought assistance from Omaha to provide temporary accommodation and support for these families while they make arrangements for their legal proceedings.
“Omaha Welcomes the Stranger” was established just one year ago in response to the significant increase in asylum-seekers in El Paso.
“We received an inquiry from a man named Ruben Garcia at Annunciation House, who said that, at that time, he worked in El Paso, Texas, and there were more people coming across the border than the local shelters could accommodate for temporary hospitality,” said Tom Hoarty, a board member at Omaha Welcomes the Stranger. “He asked if it would be possible for us to receive some of those asylum-seekers here in Omaha and give them a temporary place to stay while they made their arrangements to go to other parts of the country.”
Straight Arrow News
Last year, Omaha Welcomes the Stranger welcomed 39 asylum-seekers who arrived by bus from El Paso. The organization focuses on assisting families, including parents and children of various ages.
“Margaret and I volunteered in 2019 and 2021, and so we became familiar with the process at the local shelter in El Paso,” Hoarty said. “We saw the faces of the people, and once you’ve talked to the people and seen them face-to-face, and you’ve seen their children, you think ‘those children don’t look a whole lot different from my grandchildren. Why shouldn’t they have the opportunity to have a safe place to live?’”
Recently, more families are coming from Venezuela and often lack friends or sponsors in the United States. This makes the support that the organization offers even more crucial. According to the El Paso city website, Venezuelan nationals comprise 70% of the migrant population.
“Well, if the need arises for us to take a larger group of people like it did a year ago, we’re prepared to do that.” Hoarty said. “And we have a network of volunteers who have agreed to help us.”
For migrants seeking permanent residency, Hoarty believes that many would be more than willing to fill employment roles if given the opportunity.
“I think it’s important to realize that our country was built on the concept of immigration.” Hoarty said. “As you drive down any street in Omaha, you see signs that say ‘we’re hiring’ or ‘help wanted.’ We think there are a lot of people who would be more than happy to fill those jobs. So we try to do what we can to place people in situations where they can do that.”
The impacts of migration on small cities are intricate. Omaha Welcomes the Stranger represents a small-scale, privately funded initiative aimed at providing support to asylum-seekers. The organization is currently helping six families during their immigration process, and Hoarty says they are ready in case they are called on again.
We’re prepared to take a few families, as many as we can, and try to help them find places to live and work in Omaha.
Tom Hoarty, Omaha Welcomes the Stranger
“We receive donations from individuals across the region,” Hoarty said. “If anyone is interested in contributing, they can contact us through St. Pius the 10th Catholic Church in Omaha, and the church will forward the donation to us.”
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said about 130 people in all were deported back to Venezuela in the first flight. The first wave of deportations comes less than two weeks after the Biden administration announced it would resume the deportation of Venezuelan migrants.
On Thursday, Oct. 5, a White House official said the administration was restarting the deportation effort to “show how we are committed to imposing consequences on those who cross the border unlawfully.”
The Biden administration has been trying to deal with the record number of illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border. Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have made the dangerous journey to the U.S. in search of better living conditions, hoping to escape their economically depressed country.
Panamanian officials said more than 400,000 Venezuelan migrants have crossed the dangerous Darién Gap jungle on their way to the U.S. this year. That number is up from 250,000 in all of 2022.
The Biden administration has reported that more than 380,000 Venezuelans have crossed into the U.S. illegally since he took office.
The first deportation also comes weeks after Biden granted an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status for nearly half a million Venezuelans already living in the U.S. as of July 31.
The Biden administration said the plan is to have “multiple” deportation flights to Venezuela each week and hopes that the deportations will get other migrants to reconsider crossing into the U.S. illegally.
Biden to address nation on Israel-Hamas war: The Morning Rundown, Oct. 19, 2023
President Biden is set to address the nation following his visit to Israel. And, after 18 years, the main suspect in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway confesses – these stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023.
Biden to address nation on Israel-Hamas war; aid headed to Gaza
President Joe Biden will address the nation during a speech from the Oval Office Thursday night, Oct. 19, where he will update Americans on the U.S.’ response to the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Biden returned home after visiting Israel, where he reaffirmed the United States’ support of Israel in its war with Hamas following the terrorist attack that killed 1,400 people, including 31 Americans.
Biden also announced he secured a deal with Egypt to allow humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. According to Gaza authorities, more than 3,400 people have been killed since Israel began its airstrikes.
The president spoke to reporters about the need for aid while aboard Air Force One.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to the press in front of the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, onboard of Air Force One. (Reuters)
“I was very blunt with the Israelis. Israel has been badly victimized, but the truth is, if they have the opportunity to relieve suffering of people who have nowhere to go — it’s what they should do — and if they don’t, they’ll be held accountable in ways that may be unfair,” Biden said. “My point to everyone is if you have the opportunity to alleviate the pain, you should do it. Period.”
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Israel agreed to give aid to Gaza as long as it doesn’t benefit Hamas and said it would open its own checkpoints for aid only after Hamas releases the roughly 200 hostages taken during the Oct. 7 attack.
Biden said aid would likely begin to arrive in Gaza on Friday, Oct. 20.
The president’s visit to Israel came just a day after a blast at a hospital in Gaza. The Palestinian Health Ministry said 471 people were killed in the explosion.
While Gaza authorities said it was caused by an Israeli airstrike, the United States government has sided with Israel, saying evidence points to a failed rocket launch by a Palestinian militant group being behind the blast.
Back in the U.S., anti-war protesters descended on the Capitol on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
Straight Arrow News was there as approximately 300 people were arrested after protesting inside a congressional building. Hundreds of protesters blocked Independence Avenue directly outside the capitol building.
This all occurred as senators received a classified briefing regarding Israel.
U.S. resumes deportation flights to Venezuela
The United States resumed deportation flights of Venezuelan migrants on Wednesday, Oct. 18. The first plane, with about 130 passengers, took off from Texas and made a stop in Miami before landing in Venezuela.
This is the first time in years that U.S. immigration authorities are deporting migrants to Venezuela as the Biden administration searches for solutions to the growing number of people seeking asylum in the United States.
An official with ICE said the passengers prioritized for the first flight included migrants who recently arrived in the country and those who have committed crimes in the U.S.
Border Patrol said all the passengers had entered the U.S. illegally.
The U.S. plans to have “multiple” deportation flights per week to Venezuela.
Joran van der Sloot confesses to killing Natalee Holloway
Joran van der Sloot, the chief suspect in the 2005 disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway, has admitted to her mother he was responsible for Natalee’s death.
Van der Sloot made the confession in an Alabama courtroom Wednesday, Oct. 18, where he pleaded guilty to federal extortion and wire fraud charges.
The confession was part of a plea deal in which van der Sloot agreed to provide additional information to Natalee’s mother Beth Holloway about her daughter’s disappearance.
“Today, I can tell you with certainty that after 18 years, Natalee’s case is solved. As far as I’m concerned, it’s over. It’s over. Joran van der Sloot is no longer the suspect in my daughter’s murder. He is the killer,” Beth Holloway said.
Van der Sloot was charged with extorting hundreds of thousands of dollars from Natalee Holloway’s family in exchange for information following her disappearance.
In June 2023, van der Sloot was extradited to the U.S. from Peru, where he was serving a 28-year sentence in the 2010 murder of a 21-year-old college student.
Van der Sloot was sentenced Wednesday, Oct. 18, to 20 years in prison, which will run concurrently with the time he’s serving in Peru.
Jim Jordan fails to get enough votes for second time
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is hoping the third time is the charm as he intends to hold another vote on the House floor on Thursday, Oct. 19, to become the next speaker.
The Ohio Republican failed to reach a majority again during Wednesday’s, Oct. 18, vote, losing support the second go-around. Twenty-two House Republicans voted against Jordan, up from 20 on Tuesday, Oct. 17.
Following the second speaker vote, a spokesperson for Jordan said, “We’re going to keep going.”
As the House remains without an official speaker, a group of House Republicans is considering a measure to expand the power of temporary speaker Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., in order to address issues like preventing a government shutdown and funding aid packages for Israel and Ukraine. But others are opposed, saying that would be unconstitutional.
Our political correspondent Ray Bogan has more on these developments in his report.
Woman arrested for trying to approach Trump during trial
An arrest was made during the civil fraud trial of former President Donald Trump in New York on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
A woman was taken into custody after trying to approach the former president, who was attending the trial for the second time this week. She was quoted as saying, “I want to speak to Mr. Trump.”
A court officer told her to sit back down, and then, moments later, she was escorted out of the courtroom by several officers.
The woman, later identified as a court employee, was arrested on a contempt charge for disrupting a court proceeding. A court spokesperson said the woman has been placed on administrative leave and is barred from entering state courts during the investigation.
When asked about the arrest, Trump said he was not aware of the incident as it happened behind him in the courtroom.
The former president and his company are being accused by the New York attorney general of overvaluing his assets to banks and insurance companies. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
Wheaties features video game character on box for first time
History is being made at the breakfast table on Thursday morning, Oct. 19. Wheaties, “the breakfast of champions,” as the cereal’s tagline goes, is doing something it has never done in its 100-plus years — feature a video game character on its box.
The General Mills cereal brand is releasing a special edition box featuring Marvel’s Spider-Man character. The collaboration between Wheaties and Marvel coincides with the release of the “Spider-Man 2” video game on Friday, Oct. 20.
The limited-edition box is exclusively available on the Wheaties website.
But it’s going to take the Marvel superhero a while if he wants to catch up to Michael Jordan, who has been featured on the Wheaties box 19 times — the most of any athlete.
Venezuelan migrants head to US border in record numbers
Since 2015, more than 7 million Venezuelan migrants have left their homes, with tens of thousands of them ending up in the U.S. Despite efforts to return Venezuelan nationals to their country of origin, the outflow of refugees and migrants from the country persists globally.
Earlier in October, U.S. officials announced they would resume the deportation of Venezuelan migrants just two months after the Biden administration increased protected status for Venezuelans who arrived in the U.S.
Ugochi Daniels, the deputy director of operations for the International Organization for Migration, emphasized that addressing the continuous influx of vulnerable people toward the United States requires a more comprehensive and coordinated effort for a long-term solution.
“Obviously, it’s not an issue that can be solved by any one country.” Daniels said. “It requires regional dialogue, and all of the countries along what we call the route to the U.S. need to sit around the table and have a discussion about how they’re going to manage migration.”
As the number of Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S. continues to grow, now exceeding 500,000, the conditions within Venezuela show little signs of improving.
A skeleton is adorned with Venezuelan Bolivar bills to draw attention to the devaluation of the currency and hunger, during an opposition march in Caracas, Venezuela, March 10, 2020. Source: AP Images.
According to the Venezuelan Finance Observatory, economic activity in the country decreased by 7% in the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year, while inflation reached 398%.
Economic and societal hardships are some of the forces driving many to leave.
Mayela Villegas, her partner and their six children spent days sleeping on the concrete surrounded by masses of other migrants, hoping to take a train north to the U.S.
Mayela Villegas, whose family spent three days in Irapuato waiting for the train, was among 7.7 million people to leave Venezuela in recent years, and spent three years in neighboring Colombia. Source: AP Images.
“My goal is to be able to get to the United States and enter legally with my family,” Mayela said. “To have the opportunity to work. For my children to also have the opportunity to study, learn other languages, and explore new horizons.”
Recently, they spent three years in neighboring Colombia. Her family set up a barbershop, but xenophobia and low pay made life difficult. Threatened by a gang, she and her partner chose to go to the U.S., believing the risks were worth it for their children’s future.
Despite the risks we take, I would say we have no alternatives until we reach our destination.
Yorver Liendo, Venezuelan migrant
For years, neighboring countries have received the majority of Venezuelan migrants, such as Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. These nations have called for increased support. At the U.S. border, authorities are encountering more Venezuelan migrants than ever before.
Juan Pappier, deputy director of the Americas for Human Rights Watch, noted that even the international community’s response to the influx of Venezuelans into Colombia has been grossly inadequate.
“What we need is a bolder and coordinated response to distribute the economic burden and redistribute the location of these people, ensuring a fair distribution that takes into account their needs and the capacities of different states to respond to this migration flow,” Pappier said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, listens as Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alicia Bárcena, left, speaks during a press conference at a meeting on security, at the National Palace in Mexico City, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Source: AP Images.
At a press conference, Mexico Foreign Affairs Secretary Alicia Bárcena said that nearly 10,000 migrant encounters were registered at the U.S.-Mexico border in just one day, emphasizing that human migration is at historic numbers. She mentioned that Mexico is willing to cooperate with South American countries in finding solutions to poverty, violence and development.
Meanwhile, in 2022, U.S. border authorities encountered Venezuelan migrants 190,000 times, more than any other year on record.
