News Dump for Apr. 21, 2024

US

This one is from earlier in the week. Don’t know how I missed it.
WAPO – NRA averts another trial by settling lawsuit by D.C. attorney general
The National Rifle Association is promising to reform how its charitable arm distributes money in a settlement with D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb (D), allowing the beleaguered organization to avoid another potentially embarrassing and expensive trial.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/04/17/nra-dc-lawsuit-charity-settlement/

This happened yesterday as well.
CNN – The House just voted on a potential TikTok ban (again). Now what?
House lawmakers have once again passed legislation that could lead to a nationwide TikTok ban, renewing a massive threat to the company’s US operations. The move could fast-track a proposal TikTok has been fighting against for weeks. If the House’s gambit succeeds, TikTok could be forced to find a new owner or be banned from the United States entirely.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/20/tech/tiktok-ban-explained/index.html

Bloomberg – TikTok Set to Remove Executive Tasked With Fending Off US Claims
Erich Andersen, US-based general counsel, to exit current role. Move comes as TikTok divest-or-ban bill advances in Congress.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-21/tiktok-set-to-remove-executive-tasked-with-fending-off-us-claims?embedded-checkout=true

CNN – US sailor found guilty at court martial on attempted espionage charges
A US sailor who served in Japan was found guilty on Friday at a general court martial for attempted espionage, failure to obey a lawful order and attempted violation of a lawful general order. The sailor, Chief Petty Officer Bryce S. Pedicini, will be sentenced on May 7, according to a statement from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/20/politics/espionage-us-sailor-pedicini-navy-found-guilty/index.html

WAPO – Trump’s legal bills drain millions more from his political committees
They account for more than a quarter of the spending in March, campaign finance filings show. His fundraising effort with the RNC is raking in big checks, but his available cash at the end of March trailed far behind what President Biden and allied Democratic groups had stashed.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/04/20/trump-legal-bills-fundraising-reports/

Mother Nature was all: “Not today, Satan.”
Guardian – Trump cancels North Carolina rally due to storm in first public address since New York trial
Former president told thousands of supporters gathered at Wilmington, NC airport the event would be rescheduled ‘bigger and better’.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/21/trump-cancels-north-carolina-rally-due-to-storm-in-first-public-address-since-new-york-trial

Because of course.
WAPO – Proud Boys appear at Trump rally, drawing condemnation from Biden
Members of the violent extremist group were calling for the release of everyone charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Trump has pledged to pardon rioters.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/04/20/trump-rally-proud-boys-north-carolina/

Daily Beast – MTG Literally Curses Mike Johnson’s Speakership After Ukraine Vote
Greene fumed over Johnson’s alleged offenses, culminating in the Ukraine vote, which she called “this bullsh*t in here on the House floor.”
https://www.thedailybeast.com/marjorie-taylor-greene-literally-curses-mike-johnsons-speakership-after-ukraine-vote

Guardian – Residents push for renaming of Trump Plaza to disassociate from ex-president
Tenants of the high-rise in New Rochelle, New York, want to abandon the name which has at times affected real estate value.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/21/trump-plaza-rename-real-estate-value

WORLD

Axios – Scoop: U.S. expected to sanction IDF unit for human rights violations in West Bank
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to within days announce sanctions against the Israel Defense Forces “Netzah Yehuda” battalion for human rights violations in the occupied West Bank, three U.S. sources with knowledge of the issue told Axios. The sanctions will ban the battalion and its members from receiving any kind of U.S. military assistance or training, the sources said.
https://www.axios.com/2024/04/20/us-israel-sanctions-idf-west-bank

BBC – Israel Iran attack: Damage seen at air base in Isfahan
Satellite imagery released over the past 24 hours has revealed evidence of probable damage at an Iranian air base following an Israeli strike in the early hours of Friday morning.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68866548

Guardian – Japan navy helicopters crash, leaving one dead and seven missing
Defence minister says possibility of a collision between the two helicopters is being analysed.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/21/japan-navy-helicopters-crash-leaving-one-dead-and-seven-missing

WAPO – Gaza aid flotilla plans to challenge Israeli blockade, organizers say
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a flotilla of ships bound for the Gaza Strip, is preparing to sail from Turkey in the coming days on a mission aimed at breaching Israel’s naval blockade and highlighting the lack of aid reaching Palestinians in the besieged enclave.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/21/gaza-aid-flotilla-turkey-israel/

SCIENCE

Independent – Ancient humans hid in Saudi Arabian lava tube for over 7,000 years
Archeologists find artefacts, rock art and skeletal remains in Umm Jirsan.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/saudi-arabia-ancient-humans-lava-tube-b2530657.html

MISC

AP – Marijuana grow busted in Maine as feds investigate trend in 20 states
The bust of the home with a hidden grow operation and seizure of nearly 40 pounds (18 kilograms) of processed marijuana marked the latest example of what authorities describe as a yearslong trend of foreign nationals to exploit U.S. state laws that have legalized cannabis for recreational or medical use to produce marijuana for the illicit markets in the U.S.
https://apnews.com/article/illicit-marijuana-operation-charges-maine-ad17b4bf2cab5cf4379fac394045335b

CBS – More than a dozen injured after crash involving tram at Universal Studios
More than a dozen people were injured during a crash involving a tram at Universal Studios Hollywood on Saturday. Investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department say that there are between 14 and 15 injuries, and despite earlier reports, none appear to critical and all are non-life-threatening. They believe that the crash may have been caused by a mechanical failure of some sort.
https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/more-than-a-dozen-injured-after-crash-involving-tram-at-universal-studios/