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Mike Baker
It's Thursday, the 8th of May. Welcome to the President's Daily Brief. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. All right, let's get briefed. We'll start things off today in Moscow, where foreign leaders are gathering for Vladimir Putin's big victory day celebrations.
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Even as President Zelensky delivers a stark.
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Warning, Ukraine can't guarantee their safety. Later in the Show, a second $60 million Navy fighter jet crashes into the.
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Sea in as many weeks, raising questions.
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About what's happening on America's carriers. Plus, a suspected terrorist recently deported from.
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The US and now in custody in Brazil was allegedly plotting to to carry.
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Out a mass attack at a Lady.
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Gaga concert with a plan to live.
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Stream executions and bomb the stage. And in the back of the brief, remember former President Biden's floating dock for Gaza?
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Well, the one that was going to be used to deliver aid, that one.
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A new Pentagon report reveals it didn't.
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Just cost hundreds of millions.
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It also left more than 60 US service members injured.
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But first, today's PDB. Ukrainian forces are intensifying their campaign of.
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Drone warfare inside Russian territory, just as some world leaders arrive in Moscow for Russian President Putin's victory day celebrations on.
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Friday, commemorating, Of course, the 80th anniversary.
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Of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. On Tuesday evening, the two Ukrainian drones were reportedly shot down by Russian air defenses and as they made their way towards Moscow. The activity came less than one day after Ukraine bombarded a dozen regions of.
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Russia in a massive aerial attack that.
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Forced Moscow's four airports to temporarily suspend flights.
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While no casualties were reported in the.
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Moscow region during the attack, Russia's Defense Ministry said that their air defenses had intercepted a total of 105 Ukrainian drones.
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Including 19 near the Russian capital.
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That's according to a report from the Guardian. But at least two people were injured in the Kursk region during the bombardment, while infrastructure damage was reported in the southern Russian city of Voronezh. The drone barrage also shut down nine.
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Other regional airports and triggered fresh concerns over the security of Russia's domestic airspace just before Victory Day on Friday.
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The drone campaign appears to be an effort by leaders in Kyiv to unnerve.
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The Kremlin ahead of the country's most symbolic holiday. 29 foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, will be in attendance.
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Kyiv, however, has remained silent on the strikes.
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They come ahead of a unilateral 72.
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Hour ceasefire recently announced by Putin, set to begin on 8 May.
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The Kremlin described the move as a humanitarian gesture intended to coincide with Victory Day ceremonies, which will feature a major.
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Military parade in Moscow's Red Square.
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Now, if one were cynical of Putin's motives, one could suspect the only reason he's called for the ceasefire is to.
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Try and avoid the embarrassment of Xi.
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Jinping and other leaders ducking for cover.
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As Ukrainian drones buzz the parade.
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Ukrainian President Zelensky has rejected the ceasefire proposal as little more than a public.
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Relations maneuver designed to placate visiting dignitaries. Notable attendees besides Xi include Putin allies.
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Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and Brazilian President Luiz Ignacio. Lula Da Silva. That's quite the cabal. Zelensky issued a veiled warning to Putin.
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And the dignitaries bound for the parade.
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Recently, stating, quote, we cannot be held.
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Responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation. Zelenskyy elaborated, saying arsons or explosions could.
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Be carried out in the Russian capital in an attempt to blame Ukraine and further inflame diplomatic tensions at a time.
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When the US is pursuing a peace deal. As a reminder, Zelenskyy continues to back.
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A more expansive 30 day ceasefire proposed by Washington that the Putin regime has so far rejected. Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security.
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Council, brushed off Zelenskyy's remarks as just a verbal provocation, nothing more. But the Kremlin appears to be erring on the side of extreme caution. Security measures have been tightened across Moscow.
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With critical facilities in the capital being.
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Placed under reinforced protection. The Kremlin has also redeployed a number of air defense systems to the region. Medvedev issued a threat of his own.
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Against Ukraine, saying in the event of a real provocation on Victory Day, no.
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One will guarantee that 10 May will come.
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In Kyiv, the festivities mark the largest gathering of foreign leaders in Russia since.
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Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine In.
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February of 2022, a display of support.
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That the Putin regime, of course, will.
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Undoubtedly capitalize on to show that they.
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Are not isolated on the foreign stage. Military units from 13 countries, including China, will participate in the Red Square parade alongside Russian troops and military vehicles. Notably, however, the Kremlin has said that North Korean troops who have been fighting.
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And dying alongside Russian forces will not.
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Take part in the parade.
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Those North Korean troops, of course, are.
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For cannon fodder, not parade grounds. But representatives of the Hermit Kingdom will reportedly be in attendance.
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Ukraine, meanwhile, has asked EU leaders to.
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Gather in Kyiv on the same day.
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In a show of diplomatic unity as.
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Fighting continues to rage on along the front lines.
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All right, coming up after the break.
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Another US Navy jet crashes into the.
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Sea, and a terrorist suspect deported from.
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The US Is now in custody in Brazil after allegedly plotting a mass attack.
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At a Lady Gaga concert. I'll be right back. Hey, Mike Baker here.
Mike Baker
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Mike Baker
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See full terms@mintmobile.com welcome back to the PDB. For the second time in less than two weeks, a 60 million dollar FA18.
Mike Baker
Super Hornet has splashed into the Red Sea off the deck of the USS Harry Truman, this time during a failed landing attempt. Preliminary reports indicate a possible malfunction of the arresting gear during the landing sequence.
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On Tuesday, forcing both the pilot and the weapons systems officer to eject moments.
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Before the aircraft struck the water. The pair were rescued by helicopter and sustained only minor injuries.
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That's according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to cnn.
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The aircraft remains submerged in the Red Sea. The Pentagon has acknowledged the incident and stressed that the jet was not brought down by enemy fire.
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Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated we can.
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Confirm that this aircraft was not struck by the Houthis, adding that the carrier.
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Strike group remains, in his words, fully mission capable. Well, that is exactly what they said after the previous loss of a jet.
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As we reported on the PDB in late April, another $60 million Super Hornet rolled off the flight deck while under.
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Tow in the hangar bay. In that case, Navy officials said the carrier executed a sudden evasive maneuver to dodge incoming fire from Houthi terrorists, causing.
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The tow crew to lose control of the jets. No injuries were reported. Taken together, the back to back incidents underscore mounting operational strain aboard the Truman, which has come under near constant harassment.
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From the Iran backed terror group since.
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Deploying to the region back in December. CNN reports that the carrier was targeted by Houthi fire as recently as Tuesday.
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Morning, the same day as the crash.
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As we've been tracking in a surprise.
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Turn that same morning, President Trump in.
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A news conference at the White House declared a ceasefire deal with the Houthis. The commander in chief told reporters, quote, they just don't want to fight, adding.
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The US Would accept their, quote, capitulation.
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And halt airstrikes on Yemen immediately. Although ongoing reports from the Houthi political wing have not officially conceded defeat.
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Now, the Truman's current deployment has been anything but routine. In December, one of its F A 18s was accidentally shot down by the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg.
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Both aviators survived.
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In February, the carrier collided with a.
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Civilian merchant vessel while transiting the Mediterranean near Egypt. The investigation into this latest incident, well, it remains ongoing.
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All right, moving on to Brazil.
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A man recently deported from the US.
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Is is now accused of plotting a mass casualty attack at Lady Gaga's record crowd setting concert in Brazil, reportedly with.
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Plans to live stream child executions and bomb the stage. Authorities arrested 44 year old Luis Da.
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Silva and a 17 year old boy just hours before Saturday's show on Copacabana beach, which drew more than 2 million fans, surpassing even Madonna's all time record.
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For a solo performance.
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Now I'll be honest, I do pride myself on being a font of useless.
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Knowledge, but I had no idea that Madonna previously held the record for crowd attendance at a solo performance. Investigators say Da Silva had planned to carry out a satanic ritual during Gaga's.
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Performance, accusing the singer herself of promoting.
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Satanism and LGBTQ values.
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His alleged goal?
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To kill children during the concert and broadcast the murders live online. According to investigators, De Silva operated a violent extremist network on the messaging platform Discord, where he and his teenage accomplice.
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Trafficked in child pornography, anti LGBTQ extremism and misogynistic propaganda, all while attempting to.
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Radicalize others, particularly minors, into carrying out similar acts of terror. The psycho freak's online activity reportedly tipped off investigators. Police say the plot included the use of Molotov cocktails and explosive backpacks.
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The arrests were part of a wider.
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Multi state crackdown spanning four Brazilian states where nine additional suspects were also taken into custody.
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One of them, a 16 year old.
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Confessed to producing hate content for Da Silva's network, though he denied participating in the bombing plans. Of particular concern is the fact that Da Silva had only been deported from the US Last month. The circumstances behind his deportation remain murky. Brazilian authorities are now investigating the circumstances.
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Surrounding his removal from the U.S. including.
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Whether U.S. officials flagged him as a threat.
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Shockingly, I do mean shockingly.
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Da Silva was arrested solely on an illegal firearms charge. He was released on bail earlier this week in a decision that has, as you might imagine, sparked outrage across Brazil.
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The Let me repeat that he was released earlier this week.
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The 17 year old accomplice, meanwhile, has been charged with possession of child pornography, but authorities have not confirmed whether he remains in custody. Despite the scale and seriousness of the.
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Threat, Lady Gaga and her team were.
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Never informed of the plot.
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In a statement following the concert, a representative of the singer said, quote, prior.
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To and during the show, there were no known security concerns nor any communication from police or authorities to Lady Gaga about any potential risks. End quote. Authorities later defended the decision not to.
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Warn Gaga, arguing that public disclosure could.
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Have sparked panic among the massive crowd.
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For her part, Gaga is keeping a poker face.
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See what I see what I did there. She hasn't commented publicly on the incident. Police say that their rapid intervention helped pull the concert back from the brink of a mass casualty terror, eventually saving Gaga fans from the edge of disaster and letting them dance to the Edge of glory instead.
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Yeah, I'm sorry I didn't write that line, but I, I did agree to.
Mike Baker
Read it, so, yeah, I. I apologize. Okay.
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Coming up next in the back of the brief, what was billed as a humanitarian triumph has quietly turned into a costly fiasco.
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A new Pentagon report says former President.
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Biden's floating pier for Gaza injured more.
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Than 60American service members during its construction.
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And short, limited operation.
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I'll have those details next.
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Mike Baker
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Mike Baker
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Mike Baker
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Hey, Mike Baker here. Now, this July, maybe you've heard about this.
Mike Baker
There's going to be a global summit of BRICS nations in Rio de Janeiro. The block of emerging superpowers that includes.
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China and Russia, India and Iran are.
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Meeting with the goal of displacing the US Dollar as the global currency. They're calling it the Rio Res. As BRICS nations push forward with their plans, demand for US Dollars will decrease, bringing down the value of the dollar. And while this transition won't happen overnight, the real reset marks a pivotal moment when BRICS objectives move from possibility well, toward reality.
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In today's Back of the Brief, A new report out of the Department of Defense has revealed.
Mike Baker
That former President Biden's ill fated Gaza.
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Floating Pier was a more disastrous project than previously known. As you may recall, back In March of 2024, the Biden administration greenlit the.
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Building of a floating pier off the.
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Coast of Gaza as part of a.
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Broader initiative to get aid into the battered enclave.
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But the project quickly turned into a.
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$230 million boondoggle and was shut down.
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After just 20 days of being operational.
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In short, the controversial project was a.
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Large scale failure that became a source.
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Of embarrassment for the previous admin. Now we're learning, according to a report.
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From the Pentagon's inspector general, that more.
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Than 60 U.S. service members were injured during the construction and operation of the pier.
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The IG report also found that the.
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Army and Navy failed to properly plan, prepare, train for, and coordinate the mission, and that the Biden administration ignored multiple warnings that the project was not meeting safety standards. Just a remind in case you didn't follow the saga of the Gaza dock, the pier was made up of two components. A large floating dock made up of.
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Steel segments and a two lane 1200 foot causeway.
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The causeway part of the project was composed of a series of interconnected 40 foot steel pieces linked together and attached to the shore. The shaky design left the pier vulnerable.
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To the elements and it suffered repeated damages and was relocated multiple times due to adverse weather. Last May, the Pentagon had said three of the more than 1,000 U.S. troops were involved in executing the project suffered.
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Non combat injuries while operating the pier, with one medically evacuated with critical injuries. One of those injured tragically died in October while under long term medical care.
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That's according to the New York Post. The new Inspector General report however put.
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The number of injured troops at 62. Now while it's not exactly clear why that figure has not previously been disclosed.
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It appears it may have to do with the negligent planning that went into building the structure. The report states, quote, the army and.
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Navy did not allocate sufficient maintenance, manning or training and also quote, did not organize, train and equip to a common joint standard. It further states that the piers designers quote, did not fully consider mission specific.
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Information requirements such as beach conditions, average sea states and other factors that affect.
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The ability to successfully plan and conduct operations. End quote.
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Yes, when designing a floating pier, well.
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No point in considering the beach or sea conditions. In addition to the staggering $230 million price of building and operating the pier.
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For 20 days, the report said the.
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Disorganized nature of the construction contributed to.
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The damage of 27 watercraft and other.
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Equipment that cost roughly $31 million in repairs. We should note only a fraction of the aid that the pier was intended.
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To deliver ever made its way into Gaza over the 20 days that it was operational. And that my friends, is the President's.
Mike Baker
Daily brief for Thursday 8th May.
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Now if you have any questions or.
Mike Baker
Comments, please reach out to me at.
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Pdb@The firsttv.com and of course to listen.
Mike Baker
To the show ad free.
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Well you can do that and you can do it very simply.
Mike Baker
Just become a premium member of the.
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President's Daily brief by visiting pdbpremium.com I.
Mike Baker
Told you it was simple.
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I'm Mike Baker and I'll be back.
Mike Baker
Later today with the PDB afternoon Bulletin. Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool.
The President's Daily Brief: May 8th, 2025
Hosted by Mike Baker
Overview: As Moscow prepares for President Vladimir Putin's Victory Day celebrations commemorating the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II, Ukrainian forces have escalated their drone warfare campaigns within Russian territory. This intensification comes amidst the gathering of 29 foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, for the celebrations.
Key Points:
Ukrainian Drone Attacks: Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow, with two reportedly shot down by Russian air defenses as they approached the city (02:08). This follows a massive aerial attack by Ukraine on multiple Russian regions, forcing the suspension of flights at four Moscow airports (02:30).
Putin's Ceasefire Announcement: President Putin announced a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire coinciding with Victory Day, which Ukrainian President Zelensky has rejected as a superficial gesture aimed at placating visiting dignitaries (03:31).
International Attendance: The Victory Day parade in Red Square will feature military units from 13 countries, excluding North Korea. Notable attendees include Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (05:37).
Notable Quotes:
Zelenskyy on Responsibility: "We cannot be held responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation," warning potential sabotage attempts during the parade (04:25).
Russian Deputy Chairman Medvedev: "In the event of a real provocation on Victory Day, no one will guarantee that 10 May will come," indicating a possible escalation (05:22).
Implications: The drone campaign by Ukraine aims to disrupt the symbolic Victory Day celebrations and unsettle the Kremlin amidst high-profile international attendance. The tightening of security measures in Moscow underscores the volatile atmosphere surrounding this significant event.
Overview: For the second time in less than two weeks, a $60 million F/A-18 Super Hornet jet from the USS Harry Truman has crashed into the Red Sea. The incident occurred during a failed landing attempt, highlighting operational strains aboard the carrier.
Key Points:
Incident Details: The jet crashed due to a suspected malfunction of the arresting gear during landing (08:40). Both the pilot and weapons systems officer ejected safely with minor injuries and were rescued by helicopter (08:53).
Pentagon's Statement: Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that the jet was not downed by enemy fire and described the carrier strike group as "fully mission capable" (09:20).
Previous Incident: Earlier, in late April, another Super Hornet was lost when the carrier executed an evasive maneuver to avoid Houthi fire, resulting in the jet rolling off the flight deck without injuries (09:37).
Notable Quotes:
Implications: The back-to-back jet losses suggest increasing operational challenges for the USS Harry Truman, which has been under continuous threat from Iran-backed Houthi forces since its deployment. The incidents raise concerns about the safety and readiness of U.S. naval assets in hostile environments.
Overview: Brazilian authorities have arrested Luis Da Silva, a man recently deported from the U.S., for allegedly plotting a mass casualty attack at Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert in Copacabana Beach. The plan involved live-streaming executions and bombing the stage.
Key Points:
Plot Details: Da Silva intended to conduct a satanic ritual during the performance, targeting children and promoting anti-LGBTQ sentiments. He operated a violent extremist network on Discord, trafficking child pornography and encouraging terrorism (11:34).
Arrests and Investigation: Alongside Da Silva, a 17-year-old accomplice was also arrested, charged with possession of child pornography. Additionally, nine other suspects were detained across four Brazilian states as part of a broader crackdown (12:33).
Deportation Controversy: Da Silva was deported from the U.S. last month on an illegal firearms charge and released on bail, leading to public outrage and investigations into whether U.S. authorities had flagged him as a threat before his deportation (12:42).
Concert Impact: Lady Gaga's team was unaware of the plot, and authorities chose not to inform the artist to prevent public panic. The rapid intervention by police prevented the attack, ensuring the safety of over 2 million attendees (13:45).
Notable Quotes:
Implications: The thwarted attack highlights vulnerabilities in international security protocols, especially concerning deported individuals with extremist backgrounds. The incident raises questions about information sharing between U.S. and Brazilian authorities and the effectiveness of current measures to prevent such plots.
Overview: A new Pentagon Inspector General report has exposed significant shortcomings in the Biden administration's Gaza floating pier initiative. Originally intended as a humanitarian effort to deliver aid, the project resulted in substantial financial losses and numerous injuries among U.S. service members.
Key Points:
Project Details: Approved in March 2024, the floating pier was designed to facilitate aid delivery to Gaza. Comprising a large floating dock and a two-lane, 1,200-foot causeway, the structure was operational for only 20 days before being shut down (18:39).
Costs and Damages: The project incurred $230 million in expenses, with over 60 U.S. service members injured during construction and operation. Additionally, $31 million was spent on repairing 27 damaged watercraft and other equipment (19:27).
Operational Failures: The Army and Navy failed to adequately plan, prepare, and train for the mission. The pier's design did not account for mission-specific factors like beach conditions and sea states, leading to repeated damages and relocations (20:29).
Impact on Aid Delivery: Only a small fraction of the intended aid reached Gaza during the short operational period, undermining the project's humanitarian goals (21:35).
Notable Quotes:
Implications: The failure of the Gaza floating pier project represents a significant mismanagement of resources and oversight within the Department of Defense. The injuries sustained by service members and the minimal aid delivered highlight the operational inefficiencies and lack of preparedness, potentially undermining future humanitarian missions.
Overview: The upcoming BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, dubbed the "Rio Reset," aims to challenge the dominance of the U.S. Dollar as the global currency. The coalition, comprising China, Russia, India, and Iran, seeks to reduce reliance on the dollar, which could have profound implications for the global economy.
Key Points:
Summit Objectives: The BRICS nations plan to establish mechanisms to decrease the demand for U.S. Dollars, potentially leading to a decline in its value over time (16:06).
Economic Impact: A successful shift away from the dollar could disrupt international trade, investment, and financial markets, altering the current global economic balance (16:32).
Preparation Strategies: Financial advisors like Birch Gold Group recommend transitioning assets into tax-sheltered IRAs and investing in precious metals such as gold to hedge against the potential decline of the dollar (16:36).
Implications: If BRICS nations successfully diminish the U.S. Dollar's global influence, it could lead to significant economic realignments. Investors and policymakers may need to adapt to a new financial landscape, emphasizing the importance of diversification and alternative asset holdings.
Today's President's Daily Brief covered critical geopolitical tensions, military incidents, thwarted terrorist plots, and significant failures in U.S. defense projects. The escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia, operational challenges within the U.S. Navy, and the implications of global economic shifts underscore the complex and interconnected nature of international relations and national security. Additionally, the revelations about the Gaza floating pier project highlight the importance of effective planning and oversight in humanitarian efforts.
Mike Baker continues to provide in-depth analysis and updates on these pressing issues, ensuring listeners are well-informed to engage with America's most urgent challenges.
For more detailed insights and updates, subscribe to the President's Daily Brief podcast by visiting pdbpremium.com. Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead.