[KARAH RUCKER]

A LUXURY CRUISE SHIP RESCUED DOZENS MIGRANTS ADRIFT IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN ON THURSDAY, JUNE 20. SPANISH AUTHORITIES SAY THE MIGRANTS WERE TRYING TO REACH THE SPANISH CANARY ISLANDS. 

THE CRUISE SHIP INSIGNIA WAS NEAR THE END OF ITS 180-DAY TRIP AROUND THE WORLD WHEN IT GOT THE CALL FOR HELP. AUTHORITIES SAY 68 PEOPLE WERE RESCUED, BUT AT LEAST FIVE DIED. 

A PASSENGER ONBOARD THE CRUISE TOLD CBS NEWS THE MIGRANTS WERE FROM AFRICA AND HAD BEEN AT SEA FOR 20 TO 30 DAYS. 

THE SPANISH CANARY ISLANDS HAVE BECOME THE MAIN POINT OF ENTRY TO SPAIN FOR ILLEGAL MIGRANTS FROM AFRICA IN RECENT YEARS AND THE DEADLIEST. WALKING BORDERS, A MIGRATION RIGHTS GROUP, SAID LAST WEEK NEARLY 5,000 MIGRANTS DIED AT SEA ON THAT ROUTE DURING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 2024. 

LAST YEAR ALONE, SPAIN RECORDED MORE THAN 55,000 MIGRANTS ARRIVED BY SEA—MOST OF THEM TO THE CANARY ISLANDS. THAT’S ALMOST DOUBLE THE NUMBER FROM 2022. AND SO FAR IN 2024, MORE THAN 23,000 HAVE LANDED, ACCORDING TO SPAIN’S INTERIOR MINISTRY. 

[KARAH RUCKER]

IN AN UNPRECEDENTED MOVE, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS BANNING SALES OF CERTAIN CYBERSECURITY SOFTWARE TO PRIVATE U.S. BUSINESSES AND CITIZENS. IT SAYS CYBERSECURITY FIRM KAPERSKY LAB’S SOFTWARE IS A NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT. 

KAPSERSKY DENIED THAT ALLEGATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, SAYING “GEOPOLITICAL CLIMATE AND THEORETICAL CONCERNS” RATHER THAN INDEPENDENTLY VERIFYING IF THERE WAS A RISK. THE COMPANY ALSO SAID THE DECISION WOULD NOT AFFECT ITS ABILITY TO SELL AND PROMOTE ITS CYBER SECURITY PRODUCTS AND TRAINING IN THE U.S. 

KASPERSKY ADDED ITS ACTIVITIES DO NOT THREATEN NATIONAL SECURITY AND IT WILL PURSUE LEGAL OPTIONS. 

THIS IS THE LATEST MOVE BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO BLOCK AMERICANS FROM USING POPULAR TECHNOLOGY THAT IT CONSIDERS A NATIONAL SECURITY RISK. 

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE BEEN BANNED FROM USING KASPERSKY LAB SOFTWARE SINCE 2017. U.S. OFFICIALS HAVE SAID FOR YEARS THEY BELIEVE THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT COULD FORCE KASPERSKY TO HAND OVER DATA OR USE ITS ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE TO HACK OR SURVEIL AMERICANS. KAPERSKY HAS LONG DENIED THOSE ALLEGATIONS. 

U.S. COMMERCE DEPARTMENT SECRETARY GINA RAIMONDO SAID THE NEW RULE—WHICH USES BROAD POWERS CREATED DURING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION—WILL BE COUPLED WITH ANOTHER MOVE TO ADD THREE UNITS OF THE COMPANY TO A TRADE RESTRICTION LIST, WHICH COULD IMPACT KAPERSKY’S OVERSEAS SALES. 

UNDER THE NEW RULE, KAPERSKY WOULD HAVE TO STOP SELLING ITS PRODUCTS IN THE U.S. BY JULY 20. CONSUMERS WHO ALREADY HAVE THE COMPANY’S PRODUCTS WILL STOP GETTING UPDATES AT TEH END OF SEPTEMBER. 

[KARAH RUCKER]

WITH UNDER A WEEK TO GO UNTIL THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE – PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ARE TAKING DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO GETTING PREPARED — 

JUST AS WE LEARN MORE DETAILS ON WHAT THE DEBATE WILL LOOK LIKE. 

PRESIDENT BIDEN GIVING A THUMBS UP TO REPORTERS WHEN ASKED HOW DEBATE PREP IS GOING – AS HE HEADED TO CAMP DAVID ON THURSDAY. 

BIDEN WILL SPEND THE NEXT HANDFUL OF DAYS AT THE MARYLAND RETREAT WITH HIS TEAM OF AIDES INCLUDING HIS FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF RON KLAIN TO GET HIS TALKING POINTS TOGETHER FOR THE JUNE 27TH DEBATE. 

PREPARATIONS WILL INCLUDE A MOCK 90-MINUTE DEBATE – AND IT IS POSSIBLE THAT BIDEN WILL TRAVEL STRAIGHT FROM CAMP DAVID TO ATLANTA FOR NEXT WEEK’S DEBATE. 

MEANWHILE — FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS BEEN HOLDING POLICY MEETINGS WITH VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AND WILL CONTINUE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THIS WEEKEND — INCLUDING HOLDING A RALLY IN PHILADELPHIA AND DELIVERING A KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT THE FAITH AND FREEDOM COALITION CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON. 

FRIDAY WILL SEE THE START OF A SERIES OF COURT HEARINGS IN FLORIDA REGARDING TRUMP’S FEDERAL CASE ON THE HANDLING OF CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS – BUT HE IS NOT EXPECTED TO ATTEND THOSE PROCEEDINGS. 

ON THURSDAY – TRUMP WAS A GUEST ON THE ALL-IN PODCAST HOSTED BY A GROUP OF SILICON VALLEY ENTREPRENEURS. WHEN ASKED ABOUT HIS PREDICTION FOR THE DEBATE — TRUMP SPOKE OUT AGAINST BIDEN’S POLICIES BUT DID GIVE THE CURRENT PRESIDENT SOME PRAISE OVER HIS PAST DEBATE PERFORMANCES. 

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP 

“Well all I can say is this I watched him with Paul Ryan and he destroyed Paul Ryan Paul Ryan with the water he was chugging water at a left and right I didn’t think a human being would be able to drink so much water at one time and he beat Paul Ryan so I I’m not underestimating him I’m not underestimating him… 

“I will say he beat Paul Ryan who was still years ago but he beat Paul Ryan pretty badly and I assume he’s going to be uh somebody that will be a worthy debater yeah I would say I think I don’t want to underestimate him.” 

CNN ANNOUNCED ON THURSDAY THAT IT WILL BE ONLY BIDEN AND TRUMP DEBATING AS INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE ROBERT F. KENNEDY FAILED TO MEET THE NETWORK’S REQUIREMENTS. 

CNN HELD A COIN FLIP TO DECIDE PODIUM PLACEMENT AND THE ORDER OF CLOSING STATEMENTS. 

BIDEN’S CAMPAIGN WON THE COIN TOSS AND CHOSE TO STAND ON THE RIGHT PODIUM SIDE — MEANING HE WILL APPEAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE T.V. SCREEN. 

TRUMP’S TEAM WAS THEN ABLE TO CHOOSE THE ORDER OF CLOSING ARGUMENTS. 

TRUMP WILL GET THE FINAL WORD ON THURSDAY’S FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE OF THE SEASON. 

CHARGES HAVE BEEN DROPPED FOR MOST OF THE PROTESTERS ARRESTED AFTER OCCUPYING COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY’S HAMILTON HALL IN APRIL.  

THE MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE DROPPING CHARGES FOR 31 OF THE 46 STUDENTS AND STAFF CHARGED WITH TRESPASSING DURING PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTS. 

PROSECUTORS SAY THEY DON’T HAVE ENOUGH VIDEO FROM INSIDE THE BUILDING… BECAUSE PROTESTERS COVERED THE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS. 

PROSECUTORS ALSO TOLD 14 OTHERS — INCLUDING TWO COLUMBIA STUDENTS — THAT THEIR CASES WOULD BE DROPPED — IF THEY AVOID BEING ARRESTED IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS… HOWEVER, THE 14 REJECTED THE OFFER AND WILL BE DUE BACK IN COURT NEXT MONTH. 

THE REMAINING DEFENDANT HAS TWO OTHER OPEN CASES AGAINST HIM ON SEPARATE CHARGES INCLUDING BURNING AN ISRAELI FLAG DURING A PROTEST.   

THE STUDENT AND STAFF WHO HAD THEIR CHARGES DROPPED ARE STILL SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINE BY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY. 

THE U-S IS RUSHING ITS DELIVERY OF AIR DEFENSE INTERCEPTOR MISSILES TO UKRAINE — TO HELP COUNTER RUSSIA’S ESCALATING ATTACKS ON UKRAINIAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE. 

THE WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCED THURSDAY IT’LL DO SO BY REDIRECTING PLANNED SHIPMENTS TO OTHER ALLIED NATIONS. 

NATIONAL SECURITY SPOKESPERSON JOHN KIRBY CALLED IT A “DIFFICULT BUT NECESSARY DECISION.” 

JOHN KIRBY | NATIONAL SECURITY SPOKESMAN 

“Russia has accelerated both its missile and its drone attacks against cities and civilian infrastructure. They are trying to destroy Ukraine’s energy system ahead of this winter. Again, this is not a new tactic for them, but they have certainly applied a lot more energy and effort into it in recent months.” 

“Deliveries of these missiles to other countries that are currently in the queue will have to be delayed. To be clear, those countries will still receive the missiles that they have ordered. It’s just that the delivery timelines will now take a little longer.” 

THE U-S WAS ALREADY SENDING UKRAINE A CONSISTENT STREAM OF INTERCEPTORS FOR ITS AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS. 

 THE NUMBER OF INTERCEPTORS TO BE SENT ISN’T CLEAR BUT KIRBY SAID IT COULD INVOLVE “HUNDREDS” OF PATRIOT MISSILES. 

THE F-B-I IS NOW INVESTIGATING WHAT CAUSED TWO WILDFIRES IN NEW MEXICO THAT HAVE  KILLED TWO PEOPLE AND DESTROYED 1,400 BUILDINGS — WITH HUNDREDS BELIEVED TO BE PEOPLE’S HOMES. 

AS OF FRIDAY MORNING — THE SOUTH FORK FIRE AND SALT FIRE ARE ZERO PERCENT CONTAINED AND MORE THAN 8,000 RESIDENTS IN THE AREA REMAIN UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS. 

THE LATEST UPDATE FROM FORESTRY OFFICIALS — THE SOUTH FORK FIRE HAS BURNED AN ESTIMATED 16,000 ACRES… AND THE SALT FIRE MORE THAN 7,000. 

A CRUISE SHIP RESCUED DOZENS OF MIGRANTS FROM A FISHING BOAT TRYING TO GET TO THE SPANISH CANARY ISLANDS IN ROUGH SEAS. 

THE LUXURY CRUISE SHIP “INSIGNIA” WAS NEAR THE END OF A 180-DAY TRIP AROUND THE WORLD WHEN IT GOT A DISTRESS CALL ABOUT THE BOAT. 

THE SHIP’S CREW RESCUED 68 PEOPLE… BUT AT LEAST FIVE DIED BEFORE HELP ARRIVED.  

THE CANARY ISLANDS HAVE BECOME THE MAIN POINT OF ENTRY TO SPAIN FOR ILLEGAL MIGRANTS FROM AFRICA IN RECENT YEARS — BUT AUTHORITIES SAY THAT ROUTE IS ALSO THE DEADLIEST. 

RESEARCHERS HAVE DISCOVERED WHAT IS SAID TO BE THE WORLD’S OLDEST WINE — AT 2,000 YEARS OLD.  

A TEAM OF SCIENTISTS STUDIED THE CONTENTS OF AN URN THAT WAS FOUND AT A ROMAN BURIAL SITE IN SPAIN. 

INSIDE WAS A LIQUID. 

THE TEAM CONDUCTED A CHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND IN A STUDY PUBLISHED THIS WEEK SAID THEY DISCOVERED THE CONTENTS TO BE THE OLDEST WINE EVER FOUND IN LIQUID FORM — 

GIVING MORE DETAILS — THEY SAID IT WAS A WHITE WINE.  

THE RESEARCHERS SAID AN AIR-TIGHT SEAL PREVENTED THE WINE FROM EVAPORATING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. 

[KARAH RUCKER]

IF THE U.S. WERE TO GO TO WAR AND TURN TO THE MILITARY DRAFT –

SHOULD WOMEN BE REQUIRED TO SERVE?

RIGHT NOW –

IT’S MANDATORY FOR MEN AGES 18-25 TO REGISTER FOR WHAT’S CALLED “SELECTIVE SERVICE” –

WHICH JUST MEANS IF THERE IS A DRAFT – THEY COULD BE CALLED UP TO JOIN THE MILITARY.

THE DEBATE HAPPENING IN CONGRESS NOW –

IS WHETHER **WOMEN SHOULD BE HELD TO THE SAME STANDARD?

FIRST –

WHY IS THIS CONVERSATION EVEN happening?

CONGRESS IS LOOKING AT ITS ANNUAL MILITARY BUDGET FOR 2025.

THE HOUSE PASSED A VERSION THIS WEEK.

THE SENATE IS CURRENTLY LOOKING AT ITS OWN VERSION.

AND EVENTUALLY THE TWO CHAMBERS WILL HAVE TO COMPROMISE.

THE **SENATE’S VERSION OF THE ANNUAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION –

HAS A PROVISION TO **INCLUDE WOMEN IN THE MANDATORY REGISTRATION PROCESS – THAT IN THE CASE OF WAR – 

THE U.S. WOULD CALL NAMES FROM.

THERE’S BEEN QUITE A BIT OF STRONG REACTION FROM REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS AGAINST THE PROPOSAL – ALTHOUGH ONE PROMINENT REPUBLICAN HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN IN FAVOR OF IT.

THIS ISN’T A NEW IDEA.

SOME DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS PASSED FOR YEARS –

INCLUDING THE CHAIR OF THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE.

SENATOR JACK REED SAYS –

“IF WE WERE IN A SITUATIONS REQUIRING A DRAFT, I THINK WE WOULD NEED ALL ABLE-BODIED CITIZENS 18 AND ABOVE.”

“IT’S NOT LIKE WORLD WAR II WHERE WE NEED A LOT OF INFANTRY. WE NEED CYBER EXPERTS, WE NEED INTELLIGENCE ANALYSTS, LINGUISTS, ETC. WAIT A SECOND, THERE ARE A LOT OF WOMEN OUT THERE THAT CAN DO THIS BETTER THAN MEN.”

WHILE  REPUBLICAN  SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL HASN’T MADE COMMENTS ABOUT THE RECENT PROPOSAL –

HE SOUNDED OFF ON THE IDEA BACK IN 2016.

TELLING THE NEW YORK TIMES – “I PERSONALLY THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR [WOMEN] TO REGISTER JUST LIKE MEN DO.” ADDING WOMEN ARE “PERFORMING VIRTUALLY ALL KINDS OF FUNCTIONS IN THE MILITARY.”

WHILE THERE ARE THOSE LAWMAKERS FOR IT – 

THERE ARE ALSO THOSE AGAINST.

LIKE SENATOR JOSH HAWLEY.

INTERVIEWED BY FOX NEWS THIS WEEK ON THE ISSUE.

[JOSH HAWLEY]

“This is insane stuff, i’ve got a 3 year old daughter. One day,if she wants to volunteer for the armed forces, that is terrific. But the idea that she would be drafted against her will is insane and i bet every father in america feels the same way.”

[KARAH RUCKER]

THE SENATE’S VERSION OF THE DEFENSE PACKAGE – INCLUDING THIS CONTROVERSIAL PROVISION – PASSED THE SENATE COMMITTEE WITH A 22 TO 3 VOTE.

BUT SENATORS WHO ALREADY VOTED **FOR IT –

ARE BEING MET ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL WITH OPPOSITION FROM THOSE VYING FOR THEIR POSITIONS IN NOVEMBER.

THAT INCLUDES A HOT CONTEST IN NEVADA FOR A SENATE SEAT.

DEMOCRAT JACKY ROSEN VOTED TO APPROVE THE BUDGET.

AND REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE SAM BROWN – AN ARMY VETERAN WHO WAS SEVERELY BURNED BY AN EXPLOSIVE DURING A TOUR IN AFGHANISTAN–

TOOK TO X TO BLAST HIS OPPONENT OVER THE PROPOSAL.

[SAM BROWN]

“Look at my face. This is the high cost of war. And i just learned this week jacky rosen voted this week  to make signing up for the draft mandatory for our daughters.” 

“This is unacceptable. Our daughters will not be forced into a draft.

[KARAH RUCKER]

LAST YEAR IT TOOK 5 MONTHS TO FINALLY APPROVE THE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL. LAWMAKERS ARE FACING PRESSURE TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT QUICKLY. 

THAT’S BECAUSE WITH AN ELECTION LOOMING THIS NOVEMBER – CONTROL OF CONGRESS COULD DETERMINE THE FATE OF MILITARY SPENDING FOR YEARS TO COME. 

I’M KARAH RUCKER.

FOR MORE STORIES THAT MATTER TO YOU.

DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP.

OR VISIT US AT SAN DOT COM.

[RAY BOGAN]

Senators Richard Blumenthal and Lindsey Graham introduced a bill that would require the Biden Administration to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terror. 

It’s the duo’s second attempt at pushing this through Congress. 

They first tried in May 2022 with a resolution that simply urged the Secretary of State to make the designation, but didn’t mandate it. 

[RICHARD BLUMENTHAL]

“Russia deserves to be in this small selective club of atrocity committing killers.” 

[BOGAN]

The Senators are upping the stakes in the wake of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea where he signed a military defense agreement with the country’s dictator Kim Jong Un. 

[BLUMENTHAL]

“Signing a military partnership hostile to the United States, hostile to peace and liberty and justice around the world.” 

If signed into law, the bill would restrict Russia’s sovereign immunity in the US court system and increase penalties for evading sanctions. 

Countries on the list are also banned from defense exports and sales. In addition, there are restrictions on dual-use items which can be used for both civilian or military applications like: global positioning satellites, night vision technology, and nuclear technology. 

[LINDSEY GRAHAM]

“I don’t think we’re being provocative by labeling terrorism. I think we’re being rational. I think the designation is earned. It would matter”

[BOGAN]

The Senators don’t have a timeline for getting this bill approved. They hope to get it through committee and the normal legislative process. But they said they are prepared to ask for unanimous consent to get it passed on an expedited basis if necessary. 

[BLUMENTHAL]

“I don’t even need to go into the classified briefings that we perceive to tell you how frightening The idea is that Russia would be lending its nuclear expertise to North Korea.”

[BOGAN]

The Senators say they do not know how much support the bill would receive in the House. 

But Graham likened a failure to stand up to Putin now to those who appeased Hitler’s expansion of German territory in the 1930s. 

[GRAHAM]

“If you give Russia a pass here, given all Putin has done, then we’ve lost deterrence.”

[BOGAN]

There are four countries currently designated as state sponsors of terror – Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria. 

The Senators say Russia deserves to join their ranks for the war crimes committed against Ukraine. We will keep you updated on this bill’s progress and Russia’s status, so download the Straight Arrow News app.

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

THE FUTURE OF TIKTOK IS UNCLEAR AFTER PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED A LAW IN APRIL FORCING THE APP’S PARENT COMPANY TO SELL BY THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR. 

ONE BILLIONAIRE WANTS TO MAKE A BID – AND SAYS HE’S DOING IT ON BEHALF OF AMERICAN FAMILIES. 

FRANK MCCOURT IS PUSHING FORWARD IN HIS PURSUIT OF THE SOCIAL PLATFORM. HE ANNOUNCED IN MAY HE WANTS TO BUY TIKTOK THROUGH HIS COMPANY – PROJECT LIBERTY. AND RECENTLY HE’S BEEN SPEAKING OUT ABOUT THE REASONS WHY. 

ACCORDING TO ITS WEBSITE – PROJECT LIBERTY IS DEDICATED TO BUILDING A STRONGER, HEALTHIER INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE.

MCCOURT HAS BEEN OUTSPOKEN ABOUT THE HARMS SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE INTERNET HAVE ON FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.

MCCOURT SPOKE TO BLOOMBERG ABOUT HIS QUEST TO ACQUIRE THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANY.

[FRANK MCCOURT]

WE HAVE A BROKEN INTERNET AND ALSO, AS THE FATHER OF SEVEN CHILDREN, I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT’S GOING ON OUT THERE.

THE INTERNET HAS BEEN COLONIZED. IT’S ESSENTIALLY FIE BIG COMPANIES THAT NOW OWN IT AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY OWN US. THEY OWN AND CONTROL OUR DATA.

MCCOURT NOT ONLY WANTS TO ACQUIRE TIKTOK – BUT ALSO CHANGE THE INTERNET TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO HAVE CONTROL OVER THEIR DIGITAL IDENTITIES AND DATA.

[FRANK MCCOURT]

AND IN THIS DAY AND AGE OUR DATA IS OUR PERSONHOOD. MAKE NO MISTAKE. THESE PLATFORMS KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT US AND THEY USE IT TO MAKE MONEY, THEY USE IT TO FEED US INFORMATION AND WE’RE LEARNING NOW, THEY’RE USING IT TO HARM KIDS AS WELL SO THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM I THINK WE ALL NEED TO ADDRESS WITH GREAT URGENCY.

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

AND HE’S NOT THE ONLY ONE CONCERNED.

AS CONGRESS BELIEVES AMERICANS’ DATA IS BEING SHARED WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.

BYTEDANCE HAS FILED SUIT AGAINST THE U-S GOVERNMENT TO BLOCK THE LAW FROM TAKING EFFECT – AND ITS CEO HAS TESTIFIED IN FRONT OF CONGRESS SAYING THE COMPANY DOES NOT SHARE USER INFORMATION WITH THE CCP.

THE CEO HAS ALSO SAID IT WOULD RATHER FACE A U-S BAN THAN SELL THE SOCIAL MEDIA APP.

 I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.

IF YOU WANT MORE UNBIASED, STRAIGHT FACTS – DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP OR VISIT SAN DOT COM.

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

DISNEY EMPLOYEES ARE SUING THE HOUSE OF MOUSE  AFTER THEY PACKED UP AND MOVED FROM CALIFORNIA TO FLORIDA — AT THE REQUEST OF THE COMPANY. ONLY TO LATER BE TOLD THE REASON THEY MOVED HAD BEEN CANCELED.  

IN A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILED THIS WEEK DISNEY VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCT DESIGN MARIA DE LA CRUZ AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR GEORGE FONG ALLEGE – DISNEY RELOCATED CALIFORNIA EMPLOYEES TO FLORIDA IN 2021 – WHERE THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY SAID IT WAS CONSTRUCTING A NEW FLORIDA CAMPUS CALLED “LAKE NONA.”

ACCORDING TO THE COMPLAINT – DISNEY MADE IT CLEAR THAT IF THE AFFECTED EMPLOYEES DID NOT RELOCATE, THEY WOULD LOSE THEIR JOBS.

AND THEN THE LAKE NONA PROJECT WAS CANCELED.  

IN TOTAL, 2,000 DISNEY EMPLOYEES WERE IMPACTED. 

DE LA CRUZ AND FONG BOTH SOLD THEIR CALIFORNIA HOMES – AND PURCHASED NEW PROPERTIES IN FLORIDA.

FONG SAYS THE DECISION WAS PARTICULARLY PAINFUL FOR HIM AS THE HOME HE SOLD WAS HIS “FAMILY HOME HE HAD GROWN UP IN AND INHERITED.”

THE SUIT CLAIMS DISNEY EMPLOYEES WERE TOLD IN JUNE 2022 THE LAKE NONA PROJECT WOULD BE DELAYED UNTIL 2026. 

THEN IN MAY 2023 EMPLOYEES WERE TOLD DISNEY CANCELED THE LAKE NONA PROJECT, ALTOGETHER – AND THAT EMPLOYEES WOULD HAVE TO DECIDE BY THE END OF THE YEAR IF THEY WOULD PHYSICALLY RELOCATE AGAIN, THIS TIME – BACK TO CALIFORNIA.

THE PLAINTIFFS CITE HOUSING COSTS DROPPING IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA AFTER DISNEY CANCELED THE PROJECT – AND THE SOARING HOME PRICES AND MORTGAGE RATES IN THE CALIFORNIA AREA.

THE COMPLAINT SAYS FONG WAS ONLY ABLE TO AFFORD A SMALLER HOME THAN HE PREVIOUSLY HAD IN CALIFORNIA. 

WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO DISNEY FOR COMMENT AND ARE WAITING TO HEAR BACK.

I’M LT.

FOR MORE UNBIASED, STRAIGHT FACTS – DOWNLOAD THE SAN APP OR VISIT SAN.COM.

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

THE LEGEND OF THE CHERRY TREE IS ONE OF THE OLDEST AND MOST WELL-KNOWN MYTH’S ABOUT AMERICA’S FIRST PRESIDENT.

AND WHILE THERE ARE DOUBTS ABOUT ITS AUTHENTICITY – RECENT ARCHEOLOGICAL FINDS ARE BEARING FRUIT. LITERALLY. 

TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WAS RECENTLY DISCOVERED AT GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MOUNT VERNON HOME – CHERRIES AND BERRIES FROM THE 18TH CENTURY.

THEY WERE FOUND PERFECTLY PRESERVED IN WASHINGTON’S CELLAR– IN TOTAL 35 BOTTLES– 29 INTACT.

FROM GOOSEBERRIES TO CURRANTS– THE CONTENTS WERE CAREFULLY TAKEN OUT AND PLACED INTO REFRIGERATION– NOW ONTO SCIENTIFIC STUDIES. 

THIS LATEST FIND COMES ON THE HEELS OF TWO OTHER GLASS BOTTLES UNEARTHED IN THE SAME CELLAR EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE 18TH CENTURY CONTAINERS – FILLED WITH LIQUID, CHERRIES AND PITS.

ARCHEOLOGISTS SAY FRUIT FROM 250 YEARS AGO WILL HELP THEM GAIN INSIGHT INTO THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE TIME PERIOD.
IT COULD ALSO HELP PAINT A PICTURE OF HOW AMERICAN FOOD PRESERVATION AND CUISINE HAS EVOLVED OVER THE CENTURIES.

MOUNT VERNON HAS PARTNERED WITH THE U-S-D-A FOR POSSIBLE D-N-A TESTING TO DETERMINE THE TYPE OF SPECIES THE CHERRY PITS ARE AND MAY EVEN ATTEMPT TO GROW THEM.

MOUNT VERNON’S PRESIDENT AND CEO SAID IN A STATEMENT: “THESE ARTIFACTS LIKELY HAVEN’T SEEN THE LIGHT OF DAY SINCE BEFORE THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.”

THE HISTORICAL FINDINGS ARE PART OF A PRIVATELY FUNDED 40 MILLION DOLLAR MANSION REVITALIZATION PROJECT.

FOR MORE HISTORICAL FINDS– AND NEWS OF THE DAY– DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP AND SIGN UP FOR NEWS UPDATES.

Lauren Taylor: MORE THAN 44 YEARS AGO MOUNT SAINT HELENS BLEW ITS TOP – SPREADING 540 MILLION TONS OF ASH ACROSS THE U-S. STILL,THE LARGEST VOLCANIC ERUPTION IN AMERICAN HISTORY. NOW, NEW RUMBLINGS FROM WASHINGTON’S SLEEPING GIANT.

SINCE FEBRUARY, GEOLOGISTS HAVE DETECTED HUNDREDS SMALL EARTHQUAKES UNDER THE VOLCANO.
SO, IS IT READY FOR A RETURN IN 2024?
THE U-S GEOLOGICAL SURVEY SAYS DON’T COUNT ON IT.

SO, WHAT’S CAUSING THIS INCREASED SEISMIC ACTIVITY THAT MOST PEOPLE CAN’T EVEN FEEL?
U-S-G-S OFFICIALS SAY IT COULD BE DUE TO THE ARRIVAL OF ADDITIONAL MAGMA INSIDE THE MOUNTAIN.

THE PROCESS IS CALLED “RECHARGE” BUT THE U-S-G-S SAYS IT’S A COMMON PROCESS THAT CAN OCCUR FOR MANY YEARS WITHOUT AN ERUPTION.

THE AGENCY MAINTAINS THERE ARE NO SIGNS THE MOUNTAIN WILL BLOW ANYTIME SOON. THE U-S-G-S ASSERTS “SHORT TERM INCREASES IN EARTHQUAKE RATES ARE COMMON AT MOUNT SAINT HELENS.”

THE SLUMBERING GIANT ERUPTED IN MAY OF 1980– CLAIMING 57 LIVES AND CAUSING AROUND A BILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGE .FOR MORE NEWS AROUND THE WORLD– AND TO KEEP AN EYE ON MOUNT SAINT HELEN’S DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP AND SIGN UP FOR NEWS UPDATES.

[ryan robertson]

IT WAS A NEAR MARITIME MELEE IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA–

NEW DETAILS AND VIDEO ARE EMERGING FROM A DRAMATIC CLASH BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINE AND CHINESE COAST GUARDS. 

THE NEWLY RELEASED FOOTAGE CAPTURES THE INTENSE ENCOUNTER  NEAR THE CONTESTED SECOND THOMAS SHOAL, AND SHOWS WHAT APPEAR TO BE CHINESE OFFICERS WIELDING WEAPONS AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO PHILIPPINE NAVAL EQUIPMENT.

THE PHILIPPINE MILITARY SAYS IT’S A SERIOUS ESCALATION IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, DESCRIBING THE INCIDENT AS ‘INTENTIONAL HIGH-SPEED RAMMING’ BY THE CHINESE COAST GUARD DURING A RESUPPLY MISSION. 

ADDITIONAL FOOTAGE SHOWS CHINESE VESSELS COLLIDING WITH PHILIPPINE BOATS AND PEOPLE  BRANDISHING SWORDS, SPEARS, AXES, AND KNIVES. WHILE THE WORLD KNEW ABOUT THE DISPUTE PREVIOUSLY–THE VIDEO IS REINFORCING JUST HOW SIGNIFICANT THE INCREASE IN AGGRESSION IS IN THIS ONGOING MARITIME DISPUTE.

GENERAL ROMEO BRAWNER, THE PHILIPPINES’ TOP MILITARY COMMANDER, SAID THE CHINESE COAST GUARD AND MARITIME MILITIA ASSAULTED THE FILIPINO FORCES WHEN THEY BOARDED FILIPINO VESSELS, SEIZED WEAPONS, AND INJURED CREW MEMBERS. ONE SAILOR REPORTEDLY LOST A THUMB. BRAWNER SAYS THE CHINESE ARE ACTING LIKE MODERN DAY PIRATES. 

WHAT’S MORE, THE PHILIPPINES SAYS THE CHINESE COAST GUARD’S “BRUTAL ASSAULT” AND  “BRAZEN ACT OF AGGRESSION” HAPPENED DURING WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A ROUTINE RESUPPLY MISSION. 

TO NO ONE’S SURPRISE, CHINA IS PAINTING A DIFFERENT PICTURE–AND IS ACCUSING THE PHILIPPINES OF “PROVOCATIVE ACTS” AND “ILLEGAL TRANSPORTATION” OF SUPPLIES. THE SUPPLIES IN QUESTION WERE IN ROUTE TO A DELIBERATELY GROUNDED WARSHIP, WHICH MANILA CLAIMS AS PART OF ITS TERRITORY IN A REGION CALLED THE SPRATLYS.

I HAVE SOME PRETTY IN-DEPTH REPORTS ON THIS OVER AT S-A-N DOT COM…SO BE SURE TO CHECK THOSE OUT…

BUT ESSENTIALLY CHINA MAINTAINS IT HAS “INDISPUTABLE SOVEREIGNTY” OVER THE WHOLE OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA. SO, CHINA JUSTIFIES THE ACTIONS OF ITS COAST GUARD AS NECESSARY ENFORCEMENT OF MARITIME LAW, ESPECIALLY UNDER THE NEW ENHANCED AUTHORITY BEIJING GAVE ITS COAST GUARD TO SEIZE FOREIGN SHIPS AND DETAIN CREW MEMBERS SUSPECTED OF TRESPASSING IN CHINESE-CLAIMED WATERS.

THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT–LIKE THE MANY PREVIOUS ONES–IS DRAWING INTERNATIONAL CONCERN, PARTICULARLY FROM THE UNITED STATES, WHICH IS TREATY-BOUND TO DEFEND THE PHILIPPINES IF ATTACKED.

FOR MORE OF OUR UNBIASED, STRAIGHT FACT REPORTING ABOUT THE TENSIONS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA–BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP OR VISIT US AT SAN – DOT – COM.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M RYAN ROBERTSON.