Israel says Houthis will pay ‘heavy price’ after attack on Tel Aviv
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retaliation after a missile fired by Houthi rebels reached central Israel for the first time. A Houthi spokesman said the hypersonic ballistic missile, fired from Yemen, traveled more than 1,200 miles in just over 10 minutes Sunday, Sept. 15.
The Israeli Defense Forces said there were repeated attempts to shoot down the missile mid-air, but it most likely fragmented as it approached Tel Aviv. Israel said there were no direct casualties from the missile, but at least nine people suffered minor injuries.
Trump was target of apparent ‘attempted assassination’ at his golf club: FBI
For the second time in just over two months, authorities say former President Donald Trump was the target of an apparent “attempted assassination.” We have the latest on the investigation. And the red carpet was rolled out for TV’s biggest stars Sunday night. We recap who won at the 76th Emmy Awards. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Sept. 16, 2024.
FBI: Trump was target of apparent ‘attempted assassination’
The FBI is investigating what it said “appears to be an attempted assassination” of former President Donald Trump near his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida Sunday, Sept. 15. Authorities said Trump was playing a round of golf when Secret Service agents spotted the gunman a few hundred yards away pointing a weapon through the bushes.
The agents fired five to six shots at the gunman. The suspect dropped his weapon, described as an AK-47-style rifle, and fled in his vehicle. It was not clear if the suspect had fired any shots.
The suspect was soon taken into custody during a traffic stop in a nearby county.
Authorities said the rifle with a scope was found in the shrubbery along with two backpacks, ceramic plates, and a GoPro camera.
Shortly after the incident, a spokesperson for the Republican presidential nominee said Trump was safe. Trump later sent out a letter to supporters saying, “Nothing will slow me down! I will never surrender.”
Law enforcement sources have told multiple news outlets the suspect has been identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh of Hawaii. Authorities are said to be looking into Routh’s possible motives, including his reported grievances about the war in Ukraine. The New York Times reported the paper interviewed Routh last year about recruiting Afghan soldiers fleeing the Taliban to fight in Ukraine.
During a Sunday afternoon press conference, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw spoke about the Secret Service’s presence protecting Trump at the time of the assassination attempt.
“At this level that he is at right now, he’s not the sitting president. If he was, we would have this entire golf course surrounded,” Bradshaw said. “Well, because he’s not, the security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible. So, I would imagine the next time he comes to the golf course, there’ll probably be a little bit more people around the perimeter. But the Secret Service did exactly what they should have done.”
Biden said he has directed his team to ensure the Secret Service “has every resource” necessary for Trump’s “continued safety.” Harris said, “We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence.”
Late Sunday night, Trump posted a message on Truth Social thanking law enforcement for “an incredible job done” and saying, “It was certainly an interesting day.”
I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – It was certainly an interesting day! Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible… pic.twitter.com/mV15rJygOR
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) September 16, 2024
Israel says Houthis will pay ‘heavy price’ after attack on Tel Aviv
Israel’s Prime Minister has vowed retaliation after a missile fired by Houthi rebels reached central Israel for the first time. A Houthi spokesman said the hypersonic ballistic missile, fired from Yemen, traveled more than 1,200 miles in just over 10 minutes Sunday.
Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in central Israel, a surface-to-surface missile was identified crossing into central Israel from Yemen and fell in an open area. No injuries were reported.
The Israeli Defense Forces said there were repeated attempts to shoot down the missile mid-air, but it most likely fragmented as it approached Tel Aviv. Israel said there were no direct casualties from the missile, but at least nine people suffered minor injuries.
This is just the latest attack by the Houthis, in what they say is solidarity with the Palestinians, in support of Hamas.
At least 8 dead as torrential rain triggers flooding in central Europe
At least eight people are confirmed dead as torrential rain continues to pound central Europe, causing widespread flooding. Thousands of people evacuated their homes in the Czech Republic Sunday as rivers overflowed their banks in various parts of the country.
A storm system named Boris has caused heavy downpours from Austria to Romania, leading to the worst flooding the Czech Republic and Poland have seen in nearly 30 years.
The relentless rain is expected to last at least through Monday.
US Coast Guard hearing into deadly Titan submersible implosion begins
Former employees of OceanGate are expected to testify. The company was behind the experimental submersible that imploded while on its way to the wreckage of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean in June 2023, killing all five people on board.
On Friday, Sept. 13, the Coast Guard released a statement saying the hearing “aims to uncover the facts surrounding the incident and develop recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.”
The hearing will take place in Charleston County, South Carolina and is expected to last about two weeks. Witnesses scheduled to appear include one of OceanGate’s co-founders and the company’s former engineering, operations, and scientific directors.
Apple’s AI-powered operating system to launch Monday
Apple’s latest operating system, featuring the company’s artificial intelligence capabilities, is set to go live Monday. iOS 18 will come with changes for all compatible iPhone models, but Apple Intelligence will be the highlight of the update for iPhone 15 Pro and later models.
Some tech experts say this is Apple’s biggest update since it originally launched the iPhone.
Apple usually releases its updates at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET.
‘Shogun,’ ‘Hacks,’ ‘The Bear’ win at the 76th Emmy Awards
History was made at the 76th Emmy Awards Sunday night in Los Angeles. The big winner was the historical drama Shogun.
“Shogun” became the first non-English language series to win best drama. It claimed a total of 18 wins, including lead actor, actress, and directing.
Oil tanker ablaze, adrift in Red Sea after Houthi attack, 150,000 tons of oil aboard
An oil tanker continues to burn in the Red Sea days after it was set ablaze by Houthi rebels. New photos released on Sunday, Aug. 25, show flames spilling from the hull of the Greek-flagged vessel, but there are no signs of an oil spill yet.
There is still a significant environmental hazard, with 150,000 tons of crude oil aboard. The crew abandoned the vessel on Thursday, Aug. 22.
British and U.S. forces have been working to stop Houthi drone and missile attacks. Analysts say they are unlikely to stop until there is a cease-fire in Gaza.
If an oil spill does occur, it has to the potential to be one of the largest from a ship in recorded history.
Commercial ship attacked in the Red Sea, British suspect Houthis behind it
A commercial ship traveling through the Red Sea came under siege Wednesday, Aug. 21. The British military suspects Yemen’s Houthi rebels are behind the attack, which would be the latest in an ongoing campaign by the group targeting ships traveling through the trade route.
According to officials, the attack involved men on small boats firing small arms and hitting the ship with three projectiles.
The vessel lost all power and is no longer under command, meaning it is unable to maneuver properly in the waters. No casualties were reported.
The Houthis already sunk two ships in their efforts to disrupt the channel. Group leaders said their attacks are a direct response to the Israel-Hamas war.
In July, the Houthis admitted responsibility for a drone attack in Tel Aviv that killed one person.
The U.S. believes Iran is “deeply involved” in Houthi attacks, though Tehran denies it.
This latest attack in the Red Sea comes as the U.S. continues to raise concerns over a broader regional conflict being imminent.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said “time is of the essence” for Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire deal to prevent escalations.
Blinken spent the past several days in the Middle East trying to hammer out an agreement, which Israel had agreed to but Hamas did not. Blinken left Egypt still with no deal, no return of hostages and no relief in Gaza.
US service members injured in suspected rocket attack at Iraqi base
Multiple service members are injured after a U.S. air base in Iraq was hit in a suspected rocket attack Monday. And Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to announce her VP pick before holding a rally in Philly. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024.
U.S. service members injured in suspected rocket attack at Iraqi base
A U.S. base in Iraq was hit Monday, Aug. 5, in what’s being reported as a “suspected rocket attack.” According to the Department of Defense, several U.S. personnel were injured in the incident, however, no details were given as to how many troops were injured and the extent of those injuries.
U.S. bases have been previously targeted by Iran-backed proxy groups over the past several years, but those attacks have only intensified since the Israel-Hamas War began last October.
Meanwhile, the suspense is building in the Middle East as Israel is bracing for a potential multi-day attack from Iran and Hezbollah. Iran’s government has said its proxy groups — from Hezbollah to the Houthis — will participate in its retaliatory hit against Israel.
According to Axios, President Joe Biden was briefed Monday, Aug. 5, and told the timing and details of Iran’s planned assault are still unclear.
Nine U.N. Workers fired over possible involvement in Hamas attack on Israel
Nine United Nations workers in Gaza have been fired after an investigation found they may have taken part in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The U.N. investigation was ordered in January after Israel said employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency participated in the attack.
The U.N. investigated 19 relief workers and said it found enough evidence on nine of them to conclude they may have been involved in the attack that launched the ongoing Israel-Hamas War.
Vice President Kamala Harris expected to announce VP pick ahead of Philly rally
Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to formally announce her running mate Tuesday, Aug. 6. The announcement may come in the form of a pre-taped video that Harris’ campaign will drop.
This comes after she secured 99% of state delegate votes from the Democratic National Convention’s “virtual roll call” to officially get the bid for the party’s presidential nominee.
Once her vice president is chosen, the two will set out on a seven-state battleground tour beginning in Pennsylvania Tuesday, Aug. 6, afternoon at a joint rally in Philadelphia.
Former President Donald Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, is also slated to appear at a campaign event Tuesday in Philadelphia.
At least 5 dead as Tropical Storm Debby makes its way back to Atlantic
Hurricane Debby has weakened back into a tropical storm but it’s still packing a punch as it slowly makes its way up Georgia and into South Carolina. It’s been a deadly storm with five people losing their lives, so far — four in Florida and one in Georgia.
More than 150,000 people are without power, most in Florida, but the outages have already started to reach South Carolina.
Debby is expected to unleash potentially record rainfall in Georgia and South Carolina — up to 30 inches in some areas — as it moves offshore into the Atlantic later Tuesday, Aug. 6, morning. Forecasters said the storm could strengthen again once it does move offshore and could make landfall again in South Carolina by Thursday, Aug. 8, before moving into North Carolina Friday, Aug. 9.
Judge says Google is an ‘illegal monopoly’ in antitrust lawsuit ruling
A decision has come down in the nation’s largest antitrust showdown in more than 20 years. The Department of Justice has been handed a major victory over Google.
In the decision, the judge said Google has been exploiting its widely used search engine to crush competition. This included paying cellphone makers like Apple and Samsung $26 billion in 2021 to make Google their default search engine.
The judge will later decide what changes and penalties should be imposed.
Google and its parent company, Alphabet, have released a statement condemning the ruling and said they plan to appeal.
Biles wins one more Olympic medal on final day of gymnastics
It was a bittersweet day for Olympic great Simone Biles on the final day of gymnastics at the Paris Games on Monday, Aug. 5. Biles started the day’s competitions by falling off the balance beam and missing the podium, as did her teammate Suni Lee.
Later in the day, Biles’ performance on floor exercises earned her silver — her 11th Olympic medal. Team USA’s Jordan Chiles took the bronze, after originally placing 5th in the competition. After her coaches called for a review, Chiles received a tenth of a point back on her final score earning her the medal.
Yemen’s Houthis intensify strikes on Israeli soil, maritime targets
The Houthis launched their first lethal strike on Israeli soil as the militant group continues targeting vessels in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. One person is dead and 10 others were wounded following the drone attack near the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv. The attack penetrated Israel’s usually robust air defenses — a significant security breach.
This incident marks one of the most serious attacks on Israel since Oct. 7 and raises concerns about the effectiveness of national security protocols. The strike by the Iranian-backed group occurred hours after Israel’s military confirmed one of its airstrikes had killed a Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon.
Israeli military officials said human error may be to blame for why the drone was able to fly so deep into Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is launching a full investigation.
The attack tops off several days of escalation in activity from the Yemen-based militant group. A Houthi spokesperson confirmed Friday, July 19, the group carried out a strike on a vessel in the Gulf of Aden.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore also reported that at around 10:30 a.m., the container ship LOBIVIA was hit by “unidentified projectiles” while passing through the Gulf of Aden. The attack caused a fire onboard, which the crew managed to extinguish.
This comes after several other vessels were targeted days earlier, including oil tankers in the Red Sea, using a combination of ballistic missiles, drones and explosive-laden boats. The uptick is in retaliation for a recent Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis, a city in the southern Gaza Strip. That strike targeted Hamas’ military commander, Mohammed Deif.
Satellite images revealed an extensive oil spill over 125 miles long in the Red Sea near Hodeidah. While the exact source of the slick is still unknown, its timing aligns with the recent Houthi attacks.
These strikes are part of a wider pattern of Houthi activity, disrupting key global shipping routes and heightening regional tensions. As a result, major shipping companies are avoiding the Red Sea corridor, leading to a significant decline in traffic. Experts note shipping through the Red Sea has plummeted by 60% since 2023.
Houthi militants target ships in new Red Sea attacks
Yemen’s Houthi militants launched two separate attacks Monday, July 15, on ships in the Red Sea, escalating tensions in this vital maritime corridor. The initial attack targeted the MT Bentley I, a Panama-flagged and Israeli-owned vessel, off the coast of Yemen.
Three Houthi vessels attempted to breach the ship, leading to a 15-minute defense by the crew before the attackers withdrew. The ship’s captain later reported that three waves of missiles exploded near the vessel.
In a second incident, the MT Chios Lion, a Liberian-flagged oil tanker, was struck by an unmanned aerial vehicle. The drone hit the tanker’s port side, causing minor damage.
All crew members from both ships were reported safe.
U.S. Central Command confirmed the incidents, denouncing the Houthis’ actions as reckless and destabilizing. This happens as the USS Theodore Roosevelt heads to the region to replace the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which has been countering Houthi threats for months.
These latest attacks are part of an ongoing pattern since November 2023. During this period, the Houthis have targeted over 70 vessels, resulting in the deaths of four sailors and significant disruptions to maritime traffic. Attacks peaked in June, reaching levels not seen since the previous December. One recent strike even sank the bulk carrier Tutor.
As a result, container shipping through the Red Sea has plummeted by 90% since December, according to the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency.
The Houthis assert that their attacks target vessels linked to Israel, the United States or Britain, purportedly supporting Hamas in its conflict with Israel. However, many of the targeted ships have no direct connection to this conflict.
In response, the international community, led by the U.S., has intensified its military and diplomatic efforts against the Houthis. U.S.-led airstrikes have increased since January, with significant strikes in May killing at least 16 people.
The Ike Carrier Strike Group is returning to Norfolk, Virginia, after an extended deployment, with the crew is being recognized for their role in one of the most intense naval conflicts since World War II. This marks the first time a carrier has operated in Middle Eastern waters since the end of the Afghanistan War in 2021.
The carrier’s deployment involved approximately 14,000 flight missions targeting Houthi drones and attack boats, launching a total of 155 standard missiles, 135 Tomahawk missiles, 60 air-to-air missiles and 420 air-to-surface weapons.
Addressing moral injury within the special forces: Weapons and Warfare
In this episode of Weapons and Warfare, the focus is on moral injury — a type of trauma that can’t be seen. Host Ryan Robertson delves into the topic, exploring its definition and the level of understanding surrounding it. The episode highlights experts’ insights and the necessary steps to address moral injury within the special forces community.
Also featured in this episode:
A warning from U.S. intelligence that China is attempting to recruit American aviators.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposed terms for a cease-fire.
The commander of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower turned to social media to battle a misinformation campaign from Houthi rebels.
Celebrate Independence Day with America’s patriotically named vessels, vehicles and weapons in this weapon of the week
Israel’s Iron Dome naval variant scoring kills at sea
Israel’s Iron Dome is one of the world’s premier air defense systems. It was first put into service to protect land-based targets more than a decade ago. Now, the technology behind it is scoring kills at sea too.
The C-Dome is the naval version of the Iron Dome. It uses advanced radars and sensors to identify, track and intercept aerial threats. It can also be programmed to ignore threats that aren’t going to hit anything critical.
A Sa'ar 6-class corvette successfully intercepted a UAV that approached Israeli territory from the southeast using the "C-Dome" Defense System earlier this evening.
The Israeli Navy installed C-Domes on its four modern Sa’ar 6-class corvettes and deployed the vessels to the Red Sea and Mediterranean. Corvettes are naval ships that are smaller and more maneuverable than frigates or destroyers, and they are typically used for patrolling coastlines.
One of the C-Domes on those corvettes scored the system’s first combat interception in April. It was an unmanned aerial vehicle downed over the Red Sea, likely fired by the Houthis in Yemen.
Israel’s Sa’ar 6 corvettes are seeing plenty of action as the Israel Defense Forces continue to battle Hamas terrorists in Gaza, prepare for a larger fight with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria, while also defending against aerial attacks from the Houthis and other Iranian-backed proxies — not to mention Iran itself.
With so many outside threats, Israel’s air defense systems need to be exceptional.
Rafael, the company that makes the Iron Dome and C-Dome systems, said they each serve as critical layers in Israel’s overall air defense array. To date, the Iron Dome is responsible for more than 6,000 combat interceptions, including everything from mortars to rockets, missiles and drones.
Much like the land-based Iron Dome, the C-Dome can intercept a variety of threats, bringing versatility in defending potential targets at sea. It can intercept rockets, cruise missiles, sea-skimming missiles, helicopters and drones.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the C-Dome is its modularity; any vessel with enough deck space could carry the C-Dome and immediately integrate a top-of-the-line air defense system into the ship without the need to punch holes in the hull or retrofit the deck.
It’s entirely possible, or even likely, the U.S. Navy will look to the C-Dome as a possible solution for some of its own defensive needs. In the era of Great Power Competition — with a conflict between China and/or Russia on the horizon — proven, effective, and adaptable air defense systems are going to be worth their weight in gold.
This is why the U.S. Marine Corps bought dozens of Iron Dome systems from Rafael and plans to put them on as many small islands as possible in the Pacific.
The Houthis are reaping Reapers in the Red Sea
Since October, Houthi militants in Yemen have shot down five U.S.-operated MQ-9 Reapers. These unmanned aerial systems, larger than some planes, are primarily used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), but they can also carry munitions, such as Hellfire missiles.
Straight Arrow News’ Ryan Robertson spoke to Jonathon Molik, a U.S. intelligence officer with 30 years of experience.
“Is that alarming to you, as an intelligence officer, to hear so many Reapers going down and being recovered?” Robertson asked.
“You know, that’s a good question,” Molik said, “I think, first of all, what it does is it helps to detail what the difference is between counterinsurgency operations and a conventional fight.”
Molik noted that Reapers first started flying during the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, when coalition forces enjoyed total air superiority.
“We had the ability to fly any assets — fixed-wing UAS or remotely piloted aircraft — with impunity, really,” he said.
Today, the Houthis are using Iranian-supplied SA-6 air defense missiles, which are finally proving capable of downing 20+ year old U.S. technology. Molik suggested that this might be why the public is not seeing any U.S. military attempts to scuttle the tech before it falls into enemy hands.
According to Molik, the military would likely move to destroy the hardware if it carried technology the enemy doesn’t already know about.
“It all really depends on which capabilities are on the device or on the asset at the time,” he said. “Some of these capabilities are widely known. They have electro-optical sensors, which basically just take images and video, and synthetic aperture radar, which was developed in the 1950s but is becoming more capable now. Those types of technologies are not something we’re all too concerned about. Pretty much everybody knows that we use those.”
Molik suggested the Reapers flying over Yemen right now are likely some of the more basic models, which are already being copied by the North Koreans and Iranians.
Iran’s domestically built drone, Mohajer-10, is displayed in an exhibition in a military compound belonging to the Defense Ministry, in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. Credit: AP Images.
In 2023, the Russians were able to force a Reaper into the Black Sea after a Russian fighter jet collided with the drone. That particular craft was running some advanced software, which the Defense Department was able to wipe remotely before the Reaper crashed.
After more than 20 years of gathering intelligence mostly unimpeded, Molik said the Reaper needs to adapt — and it is.
“[The military is] trying to find the best way to integrate these assets within a whole system of technologies,” he said. “They’re adding communications packages, advanced radar defense capabilities. They want to see these MQ-9 Reapers or the Grey Eagle, the Army version, the MQ-1C, integrated into a greater network of assets flying around at the same time.”
One example of the Reaper’s adaptation is pairing it with an Apache attack helicopter, part of a concept called “Manned-Unmanned Teaming.” Molik said the Apache pilot could tell the Reaper to perform duties the helicopter can’t, acting as a more direct force multiplier.
“That’s what we’re going to see going forward into the future,” he said. “And those are the types of capabilities and technologies you won’t see on the Reapers flying over Yemen right now because they don’t need them.”
Clearly, Reapers are not going away anytime soon. Molik said they’re too capable a platform to ditch, so they’ll be upgraded and integrated accordingly, like many other highly capable systems in the Defense Department’s inventory, such as the Bradley IFV and the B-52. (Long live the Buff!)
It’s also important to note that it’s not just the United States that will be using Reapers for years to come, other countries will too. In fact, India just bought 31 Reapers from the U.S. for just under $4 billion.
