Tuesday morning news: August 2, 2022

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington. 

Biden counterterrorism » Speaking from the Blue Room Balcony at the White House last night, President Biden announced a major counterterrorism strike.

BIDEN: The United State successfully concluded an airstrike in Kabul, Afghanistan that killed the emir of al Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahri.

The CIA carried out the drone strike on Saturday.

al-Zawahri was Osama bin Laden’s deputy during the 9/11 attacks. And he took the reins of the terror group after bin Laden’s death.

BIDEN: He carved a trail of murder and violence against American citizens, American servicemembers, American diplomats, and American interests.

During the war in Afghanistan, the US military splintered al-Qaida, sending leaders into hiding.

But following America’s exit from Afghanistan last September, U.S. military officials say al-Qaida is now ready to rebuild in Afghanistan. And they’ve warned that al-Qaida still aspires to once again attack the United States.

Pelosi leads delegation to Asia » House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is in Singapore this morning, the first of several stops in Asia.

As of last night, there was still no word on whether Taiwan will be one of those stops. But local Taiwanese media report that Pelosi will arrive on the island tonight despite threats from Beijing.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby responded to China on Monday.

KIRBY: We will not take the bait or engage in saber rattling. At the same time, we will not be intimidated.

China made another threat Monday, saying its military would—quote—“not sit idly by” if Pelosi leads a delegation to Taiwan.

The Chinese government claims Taiwan as its property and it would see a high-level US visit as an affront.

But Secretary of State Tony Blinken said if Pelosi visits the territory…

BLINKEN: This is very much precedent in the sense that previous speakers visited Taiwan. Many members of Congress go to Taiwan, including this year.

Pelosi has confirmed that she’ll meet with leaders in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea on the trip for meetings on a range of issues.

Iran nuclear readiness, threat » And new threats Monday out of Tehran after a top Iranian official claimed the country is now capable of making nuclear weapons. WORLD’s Kristen Flavin has more.

KRISTEN FLAVIN, REPORTER: Iran’s nuclear chief says his country now has the technical ability to make an atomic bomb though he claimed they don’t intend to build one.

But a social media channel linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard stated that “Iran can immediately … build an atom bomb.”

And a video posted to that channel threatened to turn—quote—“New York into hellish ruins,” if provoked.

The Biden administration maintains that diplomacy is the best way forward.

Secretary of State Tony Blinken said reviving the 2015 nuclear deal “remains the best outcome for the United States,” Iran, and the world.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Kristen Flavin.

Ship carrying Ukrainian grain leaves Odesa » AUDIO: [Ukraine Ship Horn]

In Ukraine, for the first time in months, a cargo ship carrying grain left the Port of Odesa on Monday. The ship set sail for Lebanon carrying 26,000 tons of corn.

Lebanon buys most of its grain from Ukraine and has been feeling the pinch of food shortages caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

European Commission Peter Stano spokesman reacted Monday.

STANO: This is a welcome first step towards mitigating the global food crisis which was enhanced by Russia’s illegitimate aggression and blockage of Ukrainian ports.

Ukraine and Russia signed a deal more than a week ago to allow grain out of Ukrainian ports. But before the ink was dry on that agreement, Russia bombed the sea port town of Odesa.

CA wildfire » A massive wildfire burning in California is now the largest blaze in the state this year.

The McKinney Fire near the Oregon state line has exploded in size over the last two days. It has now engulfed roughly 90 square miles.

Eighty-one-year-old Althea Schwander said she lost her home in the fire, but she’s happy to be alive.

SCHANDER: The fire department came and told me, she said just leave now. Get out of here. So I came here and I woke up happy … which was a surprise.

The fire erupted on Friday and has killed at least two people so far.

US Forest Service spokesperson Adrienne Freeman said the blaze is under investigation.

FREEMAN: We don’t have a cause yet. It is yet undetermined.

But she said lightning strikes caused multiple other fires now burning in the state.

KY flood update » Meantime, in Kentucky, officials have raised the death toll from massive flooding to 37.

And Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday that number is likely to rise.

BESHEAR: There are hundreds of unaccounted for people, minimum. And we don’t have a firm grasp on that. I wish we did.

Flood waters have knocked out bridges and made roads impassable. The National Guard has now rescued more 400 people by helicopter or by boat.

The floods in Kentucky came just days after historic flooding hit the St. Louis area and other parts of Missouri.

State Abortion Laws » A battle over life and abortion is raging at the county level in Michigan. WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has that story.

JOSH SCHUMACHER, REPORTER: A state Court of Appeals said a Michigan judge’s temporary hold on the state’s 90-year-old abortion ban does not apply to county prosecutors. That means abortion facilities in 13 counties could face criminal charges for ending pregnancies.

Prosecutors in seven of those counties have said they won’t prosecute abortion providers. But at least two counties do plan to prosecute them.

Michigan’s Democratic attorney general, Dana Nessel, says that the Court of Appeal’s ruling will not be the final say on the issue.

Neighboring Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin already have near-total abortion bans in effect. And protections for the unborn are expected to take effect in about half of the states.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher.

I’m Kent Covington. For more news, features, and analysis, visit us at wng.org. 

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