May 16 top stories
Hello, it is May 16. Here are today’s top stories.
Mexico to help US keep migrant crossings down
Mexico is stopping nearly three times as many migrants who have crossed its southern border as it was a year ago, a trend that U.S. officials say has helped blunt the surge in crossing of the U.S. border usually seen at this time of year.
Biden administration officials also point to the increased help from Mexico in slowing migration as proof that their relationship with their southern neighbors is more effective than the Trump administration’s.
Trump has derided Biden’s record and claimed that his administration was more successful at controlling the border.
Early last year, Mexico interdicted roughly 100,000 migrants at its southern border or inside Mexico per month, while the U.S. was apprehending over 193,000 migrants monthly at the U.S.-Mexico border. This year, more migrants are being stopped inside Mexico than in the U.S., with over 280,000 being interdicted in Mexico and 189,000 in the U.S. in March.
The high numbers of migrants stopped in Mexico show how chaotic the U.S. border could become if Mexico cannot sustain its interdiction efforts.
Slovakia’s PM shot multiple times in attempted assassination
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was rushed to hospital in critical condition on Wednesday after he was shot five times in an assassination attempt that shocked the country.
Fico is the most powerful lawmaker in Slovakia. Unlike the president, whose role has limited scope, the prime minister holds rank as the decision-making head of government.
Local media reported that the attack took place after an off-site government meeting in the central Slovak town of Handlova. The suspected gunman was among a small crowd of people waiting to greet the prime minister on the street, where the meeting took place.
Footage from the scene shows the gunman approaching Fico and firing at him from close range across a security barrier. The injured prime minister is then seen being bundled into a vehicle by his staff before it speeds away with him inside.
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Later in the evening, the deputy prime minister said he believed the prime minister would survive following surgery that went well and was not life-threatening at this moment.
Officials said no one else was injured in the attack and said the suspected gunman was detained by the police–described as a politically motivated “lone wolf”.
Russia-Ukraine war updates
Here is a recap on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from multiple sources:
Russia is pushing into northeastern Ukraine after a surprise assault there last week. More than 7,500 people have been evacuated from the Kharkiv region. Ukraine warns the northern front has significantly worsened as Russia claims capture of several villages.
Russian President Putin told a meeting of the defense minister and top generals that Russian forces have been every day improving their positions in all directions in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has traveled to the city of Kharkiv and said the situation in the northeast is under control after the military managed to partially halt a Russian advance.
Zelensky halted his upcoming international visits as his country grapples with the Russian offensive.
The U.S. announced $2 billion in military financing for Ukraine. On a surprise trip to Kyiv Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken said: “Ukraine is facing this renewed brutal Russian onslaught. We are rushing ammunition, armored vehicles, missiles, air defenses. Rushing them to get to the front lines to protect soldiers, to protect civilians. Air defenses are a top priority.”
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Caitlin Clark’s pro debut is most-watched WNBA game in ESPN history
ESPN said in a statement Wednesday more than 2 million people tuned in to see Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut Tuesday, making it the most-watched game in the league’s history across the network platforms.
The Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun game drew 2.1 million viewers and peaked at 2.3 million.
The ratings topped the previously most-watched game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Connecticut Sun on May 22, 2004.
Clark struggled for most of the game for the Indiana Fever, scoring 20 points but also committing 10 turnovers in Connecticut’s 92-71 victory.
Last month, more than 18 million people tuned in to watch Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes in an NCAA title matchup against South Carolina. South Carolina won the game, which drew more eyes than the men’s title game the previous day.
See Alex’s report on Biden and Trump agreeing to two presidential debates.
Biden and Trump agree to 2 presidential debates
Thanks, Callie.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, who is running to take back the White House, agreed to hold two debates. The first is on June 27 and the second is on September 10.
AP News said the first debate is “unusually early on the political calendar.”
Biden and Trump said they accepted an invitation from CNN for the debate in June. The second debate will be hosted by ABC.
Biden said he will use his Air Force One presidential plane to get to the debate and that Trump would arrange his own transportation. Biden said he plans to keep his plane for another four years.
Trump said about the debate: “Let’s get ready to Rumble!!!”
Third-party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. complained that he was being excluded from the debates and said it was because they were afraid that he would win.
So, if all goes according to plan, we’ll get a first look at the 2024 head-to-head matchup between Biden and Trump.
Thanks for that report/brief/update. That’s all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light!
Mexico to help US keep migrant crossings down
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/immigration-us-mexico-border-migrants-illegal-crossings/
https://www.kget.com/border-report-tour/mexico-to-help-us-keep-migrant-flows-under-4000-a-day/
Slovakia’s prime minister shot multiple times in attempted assassination
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/16/world/slovakia-prime-minister-fico-shot
Russia-Ukraine war updates
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/16/russia-ukraine-war-list-of-key-events-day-812
Caitlin Clark’s pro debut is most-watched WNBA game in ESPN history
https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/40154904/caitlin-clark-fever-debut-most-watched-wnba-game-2001
Biden and Trump agree to 2 presidential debates