Photo: Science Photo Library RF
1 US And UK Launch Airstrikes On Dozens Of Sites, Say More Are Coming
The US and the UK launched airstrikes Saturday targeting Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen in response to attacks from the group in the Red Sea. The attacks struck 36 Houthi targets in 13 locations using missiles launched from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and over two dozen aircraft. The Saturday strikes weren’t related to the strikes carried out against 85 sites on Friday in Iraq and Syria that were in retaliation for the killing of three American soldiers in Jordan.
2 Senators Release Bipartisan Immigration Bill
A bipartisan Senate proposal that would put new border enforcement policies into place was released yesterday but still has some major hills to climb. The $118-billion proposed package would tie border enforcement with wartime aid for Ukraine, Israel, and other US allies, but it immediately attracted strong opposition from top Republicans in the House. The deal has been months in the making, and includes among other provisions: The end of the “catch and release” policy at the border, putting into place instead a policy that offers either detention or an immediate return to their country of origin for any immigrants who aren’t allowed entry. $14-billion in military aid to Israel. Almost $5-billion in aid to allies in the Asia-Pacific region. Humanitarian aid for civilians in Ukraine and Gaza
3 Potentially Life-Threatening Storms Lead To State Of Emergency In Parts Of California
An atmospheric river began moving into Southern California yesterday, and meteorologists say it’ll continue to affect the area through tomorrow. The system that’s bringing heavy rain, extremely high winds, and potentially life-threatening flash flooding is coming at the same time as incoming mountain snow, prompting Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency in eight counties including Los Angeles County. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also declared a separate state of emergency for her city, and said in a press conference yesterday that “This has the potential to be a historic storm, severe winds, thunderstorms, and even brief tornadoes.” Mayor Bass also said that mandatory evacuation orders have been put into place for several areas, especially those where mudslides could become a problem. Those orders include areas around the locations of various wildfire sites, where the burn scars could make mudslides more likely. Evacuation orders were also issued in Ventura, Orange, and Santa Barbara Counties.