Friday, August 16, 2024
It is Friday, August 16, 2024. Here are four top stories.
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Bulletproof glass for Trump rallies
The Secret Service plans to use bulletproof glass to protect former President Donald Trump when he resumes his outdoor rallies. ABC News said bulletproof glass is typically used only for sitting presidents but the Secret Service is making an exception after the assassination attempt last month. Since then, Trump has held only indoor events but he wants to be outside again.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/secret-service-prepares-bulletproof-glass-outdoor-trump-rallies/story
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U.S. approves $20 billion in arms sales to Israel
The U.S. government approved $20 billion in arms sales to Israel which includes up to 50 fighter jets, tactical vehicles, and various missiles and explosives. The weapons in this deal will not go to Israel immediately but will be delivered between 2026 to 2029 or later. The fighter jets will be built by an American company, Boeing. CBS News explained that the weapons are intended to maintain and build Israel’s overall long-term defensive capability.
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Sweden reports mpox case
Swedish authorities said there is one person in the country who has tested positive for mpox who had recently been in an area of Africa where there is a large outbreak of a dangerous type of mpox called Clade 1b. BBC News explained that the 2022 mpox health emergency was the Clade 2 strain, which is mild and not as serious as Clade 1, which has killed at least 500 people in Central and Eastern Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) said other countries need to act quickly and transparently like Sweden because there will probably be more cases of Clade 1 mpox in the European region over the coming days and weeks. Mpox spreads through close contact and causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions. Vaccines are available but there are supply concerns.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gqr5lrpwxo
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4.1 Rare deep sea fish found in California
A rare and very unique-looking deep sea fish called an oarfish was found floating near San Diego, California last weekend. A group of snorkelers and kayakers saw it and brought it onshore. It is 12 feet long and oarfish can grow longer than 20 feet.
ABC 7 news said it is only the 20th time an oarfish has washed up in California. This is a bit spooky — oarfish have a mythical reputation as predictors of natural disasters or earthquakes, but this is not scientifically proven.
Scientists plan to do a necropsy to determine the cause of death of this oarfish, which typically lives in waters so deep that light cannot reach.
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That is all the top stories for this week. Have a nice weekend and stay with the light.