Friday,  May 20th, 2022 

Musk says he’s ditching Democrats and voting Republican Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Wednesday he is turning away from the Democratic Party and would now vote Republican. “In the past I voted Democrat, because they were (mostly) the kindness party,” Musk tweeted. “But they have become the party of division & hate, so I can no longer support them and will vote Republican.” Musk, the world’s richest man, says he still plans to buy Twitter once it provides data on how many of the social media platform’s accounts are fake. He has said if the deal goes through he would lift the permanent ban on former President Donald Trump, a Republican. Tesla’s stock fell nearly 7 percent on Wednesday after Musk’s comments and Tesla’s removal from the S&P sustainability index. REUTERS 

SpaceX paid $250,000 to settle sexual misconduct claim against Musk SpaceX paid a flight attendant $250,000 in 2018 to settle a sexual misconduct claim against the space-flight company’s founder, Elon Musk, Business Insider reported Thursday. The attendant, who worked on contract for SpaceX’s corporate fleet, said Musk offered to buy her a horse in exchange for an erotic massage, exposed his erect penis to her, and rubbed her leg without her consent, Insider reported, citing interviews and documents it obtained. Some of the details about the alleged 2016 incident came from a declaration signed by a friend of the attendant. Musk told Insider in an email the report was a “politically motivated hit piece.” Musk tweeted late Thursday that the claims were “utterly untrue.”  REUTERS 

Tesla booted from S&P 500’s ESG Index The S&P 500 has kicked Tesla out of its ESG Index, which recommends companies to investors based on environmental, social, and governance data. A spokesperson for the index explained in a blog post on Wednesday that Tesla’s score suffered due to the electric-car maker’s “lack of a low-carbon strategy” and “codes of business conduct,” as well as allegations of racism and poor working conditions at its Fremont, California, factory. The change came as part of an annual update to the index. Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and energy giant Exxon Mobil held on to their spots on the list. Tesla’s stated mission is to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy, but it ranked 22nd on last year’s Toxic 100 Air Polluters Index. CNBC 

More experts warn U.S. economy on brink of recession A growing number of banks and economists are warning that the U.S. economy could be heading toward a recession in the next year, The Washington Post reported Thursday. Early this week, an ex-Goldman Sachs chief executive warned of the “very, very high risk of recession,” and Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf said there was “no question” a downturn is coming. Former Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernanke warned of possible stagflation, combining a slowing economy and high inflation. “Recession risks are high — uncomfortably high — and rising,” Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, told the Post. “For the economy to navigate through without suffering a downturn, we need some very deft policymaking from the Fed and a bit of luck.” THE WASHINGTON POST 

Ukraine says that it has repelled a Russian advance on the cities of Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk in Luhansk Oblast. Authorities say that twelve people were killed in the offensive and that over 60 houses were destroyed. (AP) 

Ukraine’s chief military command orders all remaining troops in the Azovstal steel plant to stop defending Mariupol. (AFP via Le Devoir)  

Russia says that its forces have seized the Azovstal steel plant after the last remaining Ukrainian troops surrender. (BBC News) 

Russia announces that it will suspend its supply of natural gas to Finland beginning at 4:00 GMT tomorrow due to Finland’s refusal to comply with Russia’s demand that gas be paid for in rubles. (Reuters) ( 

Around 200 anti-government militants block a road in Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan, which links the country to China. Some of the militants, armed with firearms and petrol bombs, later ambush a security convoy on the same road. Eight militants and one officer are killed, while 13 officers are injured and more than 70 militants are arrested. The Tajik interior ministry later say the attack was an attempt to “destabilise the social and political situation” in the region. (Reuters) 

Syrian state media says that Israeli airstrikes have killed three soldiers close to Damascus. (Times of Israel) 

Transport for London announces their intention to consult on an expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone to cover almost all of Greater London beginning on 23 August 2023. (BBC News) 

The World Health Organization holds an emergency meeting in response to the recent monkeypox outbreak.  (The Globe and Mail) 

Spain confirms 30 monkeypox cases, becoming the country with the most reported cases. (La Vanguardia) 

The Philippines says that it has established coast guard outposts on three Filipino-controlled islands of the Spratlys in the South China Sea. (AP) 

An unusually strong and early heat wave increases temperatures above 40 °C (104 °F) in Spain. Seville records a temperature of 41.0 °C (105.8 °F), beating its all-time high for May, while the hottest settlement, Andújar, ties the record with 42.3 °C (108.1 °F). Several settlements in France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and western Austria beat all-time high records for the month. (The Guardian)  

Morocco records its highest May temperature ever in Sidi Slimane, at 45.7 °C (114.3 °F). (The Washington Post) 

Biden hosts Finland, Sweden leaders to boost NATO bids President Biden met with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish President Sauli Niinistö at the White House on Thursday to discuss their applications to join NATO, a decision prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Biden and the leaders of the long-neutral Baltic nations called for NATO’s 30 members to quickly welcome Sweden and Finland into the Western military alliance. “Finland and Sweden make NATO stronger,” Biden said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Thursday that his country will oppose the NATO expansion. He says Finland and Sweden have supported groups Turkey considers to be terrorists, including the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. NATO said it is working to address Erdogan’s stated concerns. ABC NEWS 

Senate approves $40 billion Ukraine aid package The Senate on Thursday approved a $40 billion military and humanitarian aid package for Ukraine. The measure now goes to President Biden for his signature. The package marks a major escalation of the U.S.’s commitment to helping Ukraine resist Russia’s invasion. It provides $24 billion for Ukrainian forces and $5 billion for countries hurt by disrupted Ukrainian crop exports. The Senate vote was 86 to 11, with some Republicans balking at the price tag. “Anyone concerned about the cost of supporting a Ukrainian victory should consider the much larger cost should Ukraine lose,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the vote sent Ukrainians the message that “help is on the way.” CNN 

Biden lands in South Korea on trip to reassure Asia allies President Biden arrived in South Korea on Friday, starting a five-day tour of Asia, the first of his presidency. Biden will use the trip to assure allies in the region of his administration’s support in response to China’s increasing influence. He is expected to start in his first speech in South Korea by calling for Congress to approve a bill seeking to boost U.S. competitiveness against China. The administration is trying to show “that America is back as a global leader,” said Georgetown scholar Evan Medeiros, who served as an Asia adviser to President Barack Obama. “It’s, ‘Hey, I’m not going to forget about you; this is not a choice between Europe and Asia.’” THE WASHINGTON POST 

Oklahoma legislature passes bill banning most abortions after fertilization Oklahoma state lawmakers on Thursday approved an anti-abortion bill that would prohibit all abortions after “fertilization,” allowing individuals to sue providers and anyone who “aids or abets” an abortion except when necessary to save the life of a pregnant person, or in cases of rape or incest. Abortion providers say the bill, the latest passed in Republican-controlled states, will be the most restrictive ban in the nation once Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signs it, as he has indicated he will. The 73-16 vote came after the leak earlier this month of a draft decision suggesting the Supreme Court’s conservative majority is poised to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that established abortion rights nationwide. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

CDC signs off on Pfizer booster for children age 5 to 11 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday announced its final endorsement of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shots for children ages 5 to 11. The decision came hours after a CDC advisory committee voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing the third vaccine dose for children in that age group. The CDC said they should get a booster at least 5 months after their second shot. The approval for the Pfizer booster, the first authorized for children under 12, came as the Omicron subvariant BA.2 and an offshoot called BA.2.12.1 fuel rising COVID cases. Vaccination rates for children ages 5 to 11 lag behind other age groups, “leaving them vulnerable to serious illness,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said. NBC NEWS 

Sri Lanka defaults on its debts Sri Lanka has defaulted on its debts for the first time in its history as it faces economic and political troubles triggered by COVID-19 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, The Guardian reported Thursday. The governor of Sri Lanka’s central bank said it’s in a “preemptive default” after the deadline passed for making $78 million worth of payments to international creditors. A default, which occurs when a government is unable to repay some or all of its debt payments, can have a damaging effect on a country’s reputation, currency, and economy. “Our position is very clear,” central bank governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said Thursday: “Until there is a debt restructure, we cannot repay.” THE GUARDIAN 

Senate approves bill to help low-income families get scarce baby formula The Senate on Thursday approved a bill by unanimous consent that aims to boost low-income families’ access to baby formula amid a nationwide shortage caused by supply-chain disruptions and the safety-related shutdown of the biggest U.S. formula plant. The House approved the bill, the Access to Baby Formula Act, on Wednesday, so it now goes to President Biden for his signature. The legislation authorizes the Agriculture Department to waive certain requirements to allow families to buy a wider array of baby formula with Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits during a public health emergency, product recalls, and other supply-chain issues. CNN 

Red Power Ranger actor arrested for COVID fraud The red Power Ranger may be morphin his way to prison. Actor Austin St. John, who played the red Power Ranger on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, has been arrested as part of an alleged scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration’s COVID-19 relief program. He was one of 18 people charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and prosecutors said the defendants submitted false information on their applications for loan money and then didn’t use it for the intended purpose, instead spending it “on various personal purchases.” They allegedly obtained 16 loans totaling at least $3.5 million. According to TMZ, “approximately 15 FBI agents in tactical gear rolled up to” St. John’s home to arrest him, and if he’s convicted, he could spend 20 years behind bars. The arrests were announced in a Department of Justice press release — which at one point actually refers to St. John as “the Red Power Ranger.”   TMZ 

Thursday, May 19th, 2022 

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency says that a foreign vessel has been attacked off the coast of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. (AP) 

The United States Senate votes 86-11 to pass a $40 billion package aimed at sending aid to Ukraine. The legislation will head to U.S. President Joe Biden for his signature. (Reuters) 

Sri Lanka defaults on its debt for the first time in the country’s history as it struggles with its worst financial crisis in more than 70 years. (BBC News) 

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) votes to recommend a third dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 years old. (CBS News) 

Bavarian Nordic announces that it will supply the Imvanex vaccine to Europe in response to the monkeypox outbreak. (GlobeNewswire) 

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterates that he will vote against the admittance of Finland and Sweden into NATO, effectively preventing their accession. Erdoğan has accused the two countries of supporting the Kurdistan Workers Party and the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units, which Turkey considers to be terrorist organizations. (Yahoo! News) 

Two people are killed and seven wounded during a mass shooting near a McDonald’s restaurant in Chicago, Illinois, United States. (AP) 

An unusually cold spell of weather hits southern Brazil. A meteorological station in Gama noted the lowest temperature since the beginning of weather observations (1963) in the Federal District, which contains the capital, Brasília, at 1.4 °C (34.5 °F). Several locations in the area have also seen snowfall, which is very rare in the country. (France 24) 

U.S. reopens Kyiv embassy, confirms ambassador to Ukraine The United States has reopened its embassy in Kyiv, which it closed just before Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Wednesday. “The Ukrainian people, with our security assistance, have defended their homeland in the face of Russia’s unconscionable invasion, and, as a result, the Stars and Stripes are flying over the Embassy once again,” Blinken said in a statement. Hours later, the Senate confirmed Bridget Brink as ambassador to Ukraine, giving the embassy its first confirmed chief since former President Donald Trump recalled Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch in May 2019 under pressure from Rudy Giuliani and his allies. CNN 

Turkey blocks talks on Finland, Sweden NATO membership Turkey on Wednesday blocked NATO from starting talks on admitting Finland and Sweden hours after the two Nordic nations formally applied to join the Western military alliance. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan objects to what he calls Sweden’s sheltering of Kurdistan Workers’ Party members, which Turkey considers terrorists. “So you won’t give us back terrorists but you ask us for NATO membership?” Erdogan said in a speech. Turkey is seeking concessions before going along with the NATO expansion, which requires agreement by all 30 NATO members and ratification by their parliaments. Sweden and Finland have long held proudly to their nonaligned military status, but both decided to join NATO after nearby Russia invaded Ukraine. REUTERS 

Ex-officer pleads guilty to manslaughter in George Floyd killing Thomas Lane, the former Minneapolis Police officer who held down George Floyd’s legs, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree manslaughter under a deal with prosecutors. Lane, 39, is one of three officers accused of aiding and abetting in the killing of Floyd, who died after another former officer, Derek Chauvin, pressed a knee into the unarmed Black man’s neck for more than nine minutes. The officers detained Floyd in May 2020 after a store clerk said he had used a counterfeit $20 bill to buy cigarettes. Under the plea deal, the state agreed to dismiss a second-degree murder charge. Defense lawyers and prosecutors jointly recommended a 36-month sentence for Floyd’s death, which triggered nationwide Black Lives Matter protests. CNN 

CDC: With COVID rising, a third of U.S. should consider indoor masks With COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations rising, areas with higher transmission risk that are home to a third of the U.S. population should consider issuing new calls for people to wear masks indoors, federal health officials said Wednesday. New U.S. cases have risen above 100,000 a day, up 26 percent in the last week. More than 22,000 people are now hospitalized with COVID-19. The Northeast and Midwest have been hit hardest, but other regions should be on alert, officials said. “Prior increases of infections, in different waves of infection, have demonstrated that this travels across the country,” Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director, said at a White House briefing. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

Dow, S&P 500 plunge in worst day since 2020 The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1,165 points, or 3.6 percent, on Wednesday in its worst day since June 2020. A disappointing quarterly earnings report from retail giant Target fueled fears that inflation will tip the economy into a recession. The S&P 500 fell just over 4 percent, also its worst single-day decline since 2020. The tech-heavy Nasdaq plummeted 4.7 percent, its worst drop since May 5. Stock futures fell sharply early Thursday. Target is one of many retailers and other large companies seeing their profits eroded by high transport and inventory costs. “It’s clear that transportation costs matter and they’re impacting [some of] the largest companies,” said Kim Forrest, founder of Bokeh Capital. “So I think investors are scratching our heads going, ‘So, who’s next?” CNBC 

U.S. Soccer reaches equal-pay deal with men’s, women’s players The U.S. men’s and women’s national soccer teams on Wednesday announced a collective bargaining agreement with the United States Soccer Federation that achieves women players’ years-long goal of equal pay. The new contracts, which run until 2028, call for pooling future World Cup earnings, and sharing endorsement money and other revenue 50-50. “To be able to say finally, equal pay for equal work feels very, very good,” women’s team captain Becky Sauerbrunn told Today. U.S. Soccer and the United States Women’s National Team Players Association reached a settlement earlier this year to end a gender discrimination lawsuit filed by the women players, who for years performed better than their male counterparts but made far less. CNN 

Biden invokes Defense Production Act to speed baby formula to stores President Biden on Wednesday invoked the Defense Production Act to accelerate infant formula production as part of an effort to ease a shortage worsened by the shutdown of the largest U.S. formula factory. The Defense Production Act order requires suppliers to fulfill orders from baby formula producers before other customers. Biden also authorized the Defense Department to use commercial aircraft to fly formula from other countries into the U.S. The White House is calling the effort “Operation Fly Formula.” Formula supplies were already tight due to global supply-chain disruptions, but the crisis deepened when Abbott Nutrition had to shut down its factory in February and recalled formula produced there over safety concerns. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

Ringling Brothers to launch revamped circus  Feld Entertainment announced Wednesday that it will launch a new, revamped version of its Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus starting next year, five years after it said it was shutting down for good. The circus ended its 146-year run as it struggled with declining sales and increasing criticism from animal rights activists for its use of lion, tiger, and elephant acts. The new version of what Ringling Brothers long billed as the “Greatest Show on Earth” will have no animal acts. But the circus is actively recruiting ringmasters, clowns, and acrobats in preparation for a tour of more than 50 cities scheduled to start Sept. 28, 2023. USA TODAY 

Google’s Russian subsidiary announces its intention to file for bankruptcy after Russian authorities seize the company’s bank account. (Reuters) 

The United States confirms its first case of monkeypox in 2022, in a man from Massachusetts who recently traveled to Canada. (ABC News) 

Mozambique confirms its first polio case in 30 years in the northwestern province of Tete. (Reuters) 

The American embassy in Kyiv reopens for the first time since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine. (Reuters) 

The Russian Foreign Ministry expels 85 diplomats from France, Spain, and Italy in response to the expulsions of Russian diplomats from European Union nations. (Reuters) 

Finland and Sweden both formally apply to join NATO. (Reuters) 

Premier of Alberta Jason Kenney announces his intention to resign as leader of the United Conservative Party after a leadership review results in 51.4% approval of his leadership from party members. He will be replaced as leader and premier once a successor is named. (AP) 

The End