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US-built pier for humanitarian aid anchored in Gaza (5/16/2024)

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 reports 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, or JLOTS, includes a floating pier for offloading shipments and a causeway for transferring them to a distribution center in Gaza. https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1790985670158168442




Slovakia’s prime minister in serious condition after assassination attempt (5/16/2024)

Slovokia’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 Thursday, May 16, in what officials describe as a “politically motivated” attack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya3jbU0o85Y The assailant has been charged been with attempted murder. The deputy prime minister, Tomas Taraba, reported that doctors have stabilized Fico’s condition.  Slovak President Zuzana Caputova has appealed for a de-escalation of political tensions and plans to convene a meeting with leaders of all parliamentary




Putin meets with Xi in China as leaders look to strengthen ties (5/16/2024)

Russian President Vladimir Putin travels 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, has travel 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




More American workers cheating to pass workforce drug tests (5/15/2024)

According to data obtained by Quest Diagnostics, the number of U.S. employees who allegedly tampered with their drug tests increased by more than six times in 2023 compared to the previous year. This surge represents the highest rate recorded in over 30 years. “Some American workers are going to great lengths to attempt to subvert the drug testing process,” a senior director at Quest Diagnostics said. Approximately 5.5 million drug tests were collected from the U.S. workforce, with 6,000 classified as substituted urine specimens. That is an increase of 633%




Raskin opens probe into Trump’s $1 billion request to oil executives (5/15/2024)

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, opened a probe into possible campaign finance violations by Donald Trump. The former president reportedly asked oil executives for $1 billion in campaign contributions in exchange for favorable tax and regulatory policies if he is reelected.  According to the Washington Post, Trump vowed to immediately reverse dozens of President Joe Biden’s environmental rules and policies during a second term. He described the request for $1 billion in fundraising as a “deal.” Raskin described that as a quid pro




China’s BYD launches hybrid truck in Mexico, US may target these vehicles (5/15/2024)

Electric pickup trucks in the United States are known to be fairly expensive, but China’s BYD is launching a more affordable model just south of the border in Mexico. The development comes amid an ongoing trade conflict between the U.S. and China over electric vehicles (EVs). The Biden administration recently quadrupled tariffs on EVs imported from China to over 100%, a move that has been in the works for sometime now. This prompted Chinese automakers to explore alternative avenues to potentially access the U.S. market. China-based electric vehicle companies have




Potential buyer of TikTok emerges in hopes of fundamentally changing app (5/15/2024)

A new U.S. law signed by President Joe Biden on April 24 is forcing ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, to sell the app by Jan. 19 or face a ban in the United States. Meanwhile, a potential buyer has emerged and he’s hoping to fundamentally change the app and social media. Former Los Angeles Dodgers owner, billionaire Frank McCourt, said on Wednesday, May 15, his organization, Project Liberty, is gathering bidders to buy TikTok. McCourt said his goal is reinvent and reimagine how TikTok and the internet considers data




How much sway does Fed’s interest rate policy have over residual inflation? (5/15/2024)

The latest consumer price report released on Wednesday, May 15, showed a slight easing of inflation in April. It was led by lower grocery prices and declining auto prices, both new and used. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said overall consumer prices rose 3.4% on the year and 0.3% on the month, with shelter and gas prices accounting for more than 70% of total monthly inflation. Meanwhile, core inflation — which excludes food and energy categories — rose 3.6%. That is the lowest annual increase for core prices since April




Mothers of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA speak out against organization (5/15/2024)

The mothers of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA are voicing their concerns after their daughters resigned from their titles earlier in May. Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt, and Miss Teen USA 2023, UmaSofia Srivastava, have both stepped down. Voigt cited mental health reasons, while Srivastava stated that her values no longer aligned with the Miss USA organization. Both mothers allege that their daughters’ dreams turned into nightmares due to toxic work environments, including emotional abuse and bullying. Speaking on behalf of their daughters, the mothers appeared on “Good Morning




DOJ cracks down on AI threats ahead of 2024 election (5/15/2024)

Federal prosecutors are increasing efforts to combat election-related crimes involving artificial intelligence. Deputy U.S. Attorney General Lisa Monaco announced that the Justice Department will seek tougher sentences for crimes using AI, including threats against election workers and voter suppression. Artificial intelligence continues to be a significant concern as the 2024 election approaches. According to a new Elon University Poll, more than three-quarters of Americans believe AI abuses will impact the election’s outcome. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTijPFxuA2w&t=471s About 73% of Americans believe it’s “very” or “somewhat” likely AI will infiltrate and manipulate social media,




Biden challenges Trump to debates, Trump accepts. First one set for June 27 (5/15/2024)

President Joe Biden challenged former President Donald Trump to a pair of debates on Wednesday, May 15. Trump accepted the offer just minutes later. “Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020,” Biden said. “Since then, he hasn’t shown up for a debate. Now, he’s acting like he wants to debate me again. Make my dale, pal. I’ll even do it twice. So, let’s pick the dates, Donald. I hear you’re free on Wednesday’s.” “I am willing and ready to debate crooked Joe at the two proposed times in




RFK Jr. gains on ballot access, poll shows third-party impact on election (5/15/2024)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the first third-party candidate in decades to pull in significant support in the polls. But which camp is he drawing the most support from? Is it Donald Trump or Joe Biden who has more to lose if Kennedy is able to get on state ballots? Media headlines addressing the question are conflicting. The New York Post: “RFK Jr. says he has enough signatures to make Texas ballot, potentially hurting Trump.” NBC News: “RFK Jr. candidacy hurts Trump more than Biden, NBC News poll finds.” Forbes:




Biden sees Trump jail time as sole path to reelection (5/15/2024)

During Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial, his ex-attorney, Michael Cohen, testified that Trump was intimately involved in a scheme to suppress stories about extramarital affairs that could harm his 2016 campaign. Cohen alleged that Trump promised to reimburse him for a $130,000 payment made on Trump’s behalf to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in order to hide those stories from the public prior to the November 2016 election. Watch the above video to follow Straight Arrow News contributor Newt Gingrich as he describes why he believes the trial is




Why the United States must regulate ghost guns (5/15/2024)

“Ghost guns” – untraceable guns normally assembled with a build-it-yourself kit – have been increasingly blamed for homicides and violent gun crimes over the past few years. In 2022, the Biden administration imposed new regulations on ghost guns. The rules required ghost gun manufacturers to register, number and track each sale of a gun kit in compliance with standard U.S. firearms laws. On April 22, 2024, the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear a case against those regulations brought forward by gun manufacturers and their lobbyists. Watch the video




Boeing faces potential prosecution over 737 Max crashes (5/15/2024)

The U.S. Justice Department has found that Boeing violated a settlement that allowed the company to avoid criminal prosecution following two deadly crashes involving its 737 MAX aircraft in 2018 and 2019. Boeing failed to implement changes to prevent violations of federal anti-fraud laws, a condition of the 2021 settlement. “The Government has determined that Boeing breached its obligations” under the agreement it reached with the Justice Department in early 2021, “by failing to design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of the U.S. fraud laws,”




TikTok users sue federal government over law that could ban app (5/15/2024)

A group of TikTok users has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, contesting a new law that could compel the sale of the popular video-sharing app or result in its U.S. ban. The eight users, collectively boasting millions of followers, argue that the law signed by President Biden violates their First Amendment rights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4HHIXYdyA4 They contend that it stifles a communication medium integral to American life, hindering their content creation and viewing experiences. Chloe Joy Sexton, Christopher Townsend, and Steven King—among the users involved in the court battle—assert that the law undermines




Biden administration plans $1 billion weapons deal with Israel (5/15/2024)

The U.S. is preparing to send one billion dollars in new weapons to Israel. And there are new details about the deadly crash in Florida that killed eight migrant farmworkers. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Biden administration plans $1 billion weapons deal with Israel The Biden administration intends to send over $1 billion in new weapons to Israel, notifying Congress committees of the planned deal on Tuesday, May 14. This decision follows last week’s announcement that the administration paused a shipment of




Larry Hogan win could make anti-Trump candidate Republican’s Senate savior (5/15/2024)

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is officially his state’s Republican nominee for senator after a primary victory on Tuesday, May 14. Hogan’s candidacy made what would normally be an easy win for Democrats one of the most competitive races in the country.  Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1 in Maryland, but Hogan served two terms as governor and left office with a 77% approval rating.  This race is key for Republicans who are trying to retake the Senate majority. But in a 2024 election landscape — where everything is about former President




Throwable cameras give users a 360 degree view: Weapon of the week (5/15/2024)

One weapon featured at Special Operations Forces Week 2024 is the size of a softball and might look like just a toy. However, the ball is actually a throwable, 360-degree tactile camera from Bounce Imaging that has more tech than what meets the eye. “These are 360 degree throwable cameras that are used in law enforcement, search and rescue, and — in the context this week — in special operations,” Francisco Aguilar, the CEO of Bounce Imaging, said. “It’s something that you can throw into an environment and get an




Special operations forces work to stay mission ready: Weapons and Warfare (5/15/2024)

This week on Weapons and Warfare, head to Tampa for Special Operations Forces Week, aka SOF Week 2024. Host Ryan Robertson takes a look at some of the problems facing the SOF community and what they’re doing to stay mission ready in the face of those challenges. Also featured in this episode: The Department Of Defense’s Replicator Initiative — created to help defend against China — chose its first weapon: a one-way attack drone. Special Operations Command paused plans for an amphibious cargo plane that could land on water. An



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