Top Stories Today – June 14, 2019
Top Stories Today – June 14, 2019
US blames Iran for tankers attacks
The US military on Friday released a video it said shows Iran’s Revolutionary Guard removing an unexploded limpet mine from one of the oil tankers targeted near the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting the Islamic Republic sought to remove evidence of its involvement from the scene. Iran denies being involved, accusing the US instead of waging an “Iranophobic campaign” against it.
The US Navy rushed to assist the stricken vessels in the Gulf of Oman, off the coast of Iran, including one that was set ablaze Thursday by an explosion. While Iran has denied being involved in the attack, Tehran previously used mines against oil tankers in 1987 and 1988 in the “Tanker War,” when the US Navy escorted ships through the region. The black-and-white footage, as well as still photographs released by the US military’s Central Command on Friday, appeared to show the limpet mine on the Kokuka Courageous. A Revolutionary Guard patrol boat pulled alongside the ship and removed the mine, Central Command spokesman Capt. Bill Urban said. The Associated Press
FEC chair: Candidates can’t accept election help from foreign
In the wake of President Trump’s admission that he would accept political dirt on his opponents offered by foreign governments, Federal Election Commission Chairwoman Ellen Weintraub tweeted a statement on Thursday clearing up any confusion surrounding the matter.
“It is illegal for any person to solicit, accept, or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a US election,” Weintraub said. “This is not a novel concept. Electoral intervention from foreign governments has been considered unacceptable since the beginnings of our nation.” Should a political campaign ever be approached by a foreign power and offered a “prohibited donation,” they should immediately report the incident to the FBI, she added, and anyone who “solicits or accepts foreign assistance risks being on the wrong end of a federal investigation.” Ellen L. Weintraub via The Week
Trump: Sarah Huckabee Sanders is leaving WH
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders will depart her post at the end of June, President Trump announced via Twitter on Thursday. Sanders has been a part of the Trump administration since the beginning of Trump’s tenure. Trump wrote that “She is a very special person with extraordinary talents, who has done an incredible job!” Sanders has been one of Trump’s staunchest defenders since joining his team, and is known for her combative approach to White House press briefings and her willingness to appear on cable TV to speak for Trump.
She will return to Arkansas, her home state, where supporters have reportedly encouraged her to run for governor. No replacement for Sanders has been announced. Donald J. Trump via The Week
DNC names 20 candidates for first Democratic debate
The Democratic National Committee on Thursday named the 20 presidential candidates who qualified to appear on stage later this month in the first primary debate of the 2020 campaign. They are: Michael Bennet of Colorado, Joe Biden, Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Julián Castro, Bill de Blasio, John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard, Kirsten Gillibrand, Kamala Harris, John Hickenlooper, Jay Inslee, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O’Rourke, Tim Ryan, Bernie Sanders, Eric Swalwell, Elizabeth Warren, Marianne Williamson, Andrew Yang.
The two-night debate, hosted by NBC News, MSNBC and Telemundo, will take place on June 26 and 27 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami. The event will air live across all three networks from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m ET both nights. NBC News
Christchurch attacker pleads not guilty
The main suspect in the Christchurch attacks in March, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Brenton Tarrant is charged with the murder of 51 people, 40 counts of attempted murder and one terrorism charge in New Zealand’s deadliest peace time mass shooting. Appearing via video link from prison, the 28-year-old Australian sat silently as his lawyer read out his plea.
The 15 March attack saw a gunman open fire on Muslims during Friday prayers. This is the first time a terrorism charge has been brought in New Zealand. A number of the survivors of the attack and relatives of the victims were in court for the hearing. BBC
Trump official consulted climate change rejecters
A Trump administration national security official has sought help from advisers to a think tank that disavows climate change to challenge widely accepted scientific findings on global warming, according to his emails.
The request from William Happer, a member of the National Security Council, is included in emails from 2018 and 2019 that were obtained by the Environmental Defense Fund under the federal Freedom of Information Act and provided to The Associated Press. That request was made this past March to policy advisers with the Heartland Institute, one of the most vocal challengers of mainstream scientific findings that emissions from burning coal, oil and gas are damaging the Earth’s atmosphere. The Voice of America
US and Guatemala close to deal to block asylum seekers
The Trump administration hopes within days to conclude a deal with Guatemala that would block Central Americans from seeking asylum in the US A seven-page draft White House agreement which would establish a “safe third country” protocol between the US and Guatemala, is set to be presented to the government in Guatemala City this week.
Under the terms of the agreement, migrants fleeing persecution in El Salvador and Honduras would be required to seek asylum in Guatemala, a gateway to Mexico and the United States. With few exceptions, those who continue north to the US without testing their chances in Guatemala would be sent back to Guatemala by US immigration authorities. The Voice of America