defense

Defense Secretary Picks Musk, Luckey, Gingrich to Advise on Future Warfare

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has appointed Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich to lead a 120-day study on the future of warfare, following the Pentagon's recent explosive tenure at Doge. The study aims to explore new technologies and strategies for military operations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has appointed Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich to lead a 120-day study on the future of warfare. The study aims to identify the technology the US military needs to fight future wars. The project is led by SpaceXAI CEO Elon Musk, Anduril co-founder Palmer Luckey, and former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.).

4 key facts

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth launched a 120-day study on the future of warfare.
Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich will co-lead the study.
The study aims to identify the technology the US military needs to fight future wars.
Pete Hegseth announced the project on Wednesday.

AI-generated — verify key facts against the sources below.

8 sources · TechCrunch, Engadget, The Guardian US, The Hill, Axios, The Next Web, Techmeme, The New Republic

TechCrunch — The Pentagon taps Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey to help decide what the military should do next
Engadget — Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey will advise the government on the future of warfare
The Guardian US — Pete Hegseth appoints Elon Musk to US taskforce on future of warfare
The Hill — Hegseth puts Musk, Luckey, Gingrich in charge of military future warfare review
Axios — Musk returns to Trump world for Pentagon war study
The Next Web — Musk, Luckey and Gingrich get 120 days to map America’s future wars
Techmeme — DOD taps Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich for Project Meridian, a 120-day study of capabilities the US may need in future wars (Luke Fountain/CNBC)
The New Republic — Hegseth Announces Elon Musk and Newt Gingrich Will Help Lead Military

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defense

UK PM Andy Burnham: Strong Indications Iran Involved in RAF Fairford Incident

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says there are 'strong indications' that Iran was involved in a security incident on Sunday near an airbase in England. Iran's foreign minister has responded, saying the PM was 'barking up the wrong tree'.

5 key facts

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham claimed Iran may be linked to a plot to use an RAF airbase in Fairford, England.
The claim drew angry denial from Iran, which has denied involvement in the incident.
The UK government has provided strong indications that Iran was involved in the foiled attack.
The UK government has not provided specific details about the alleged plot or the nature of the incident.
The UK government has not provided any evidence to support its claim of Iranian involvement.

AI-generated — verify key facts against the sources below.

7 sources · Al Jazeera, The Japan Times, BBC News Politics, France 24, The Hill, Axios, ABC News (US)

Al Jazeera — UK says Iran may be linked to alleged airbase plot, drawing angry denial
The Japan Times — U.K. PM says ‘strong indications’ Iran involved in airbase incident
BBC News Politics — UK believes Iran involved in RAF Fairford incident, Burnham says
France 24 — British PM alleges there are 'strong indications' Iran was involved in Fairford airbase incident
The Hill — UK believes Iran ‘played a part’ in foiled attack, Burnham says
Axios — "Strong indications" Iran had role in U.K. bomb plot, PM Andy Burnham says
ABC News (US) — UK says there are strong indications Iran played a part in a security incident at a US-run air base

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defense

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Announces 20% Cut to Military Generals and Admirals

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has announced plans to cut 20% of the military's generals and admirals during the second Trump administration, eliminating roughly 1 in 5 generals and admirals. The move is seen as a response to criticism of the military's diversity and inclusion policies.

5 key facts

General Mark Hegseth announced plans to cut 20% of the US military's top brass.
The cuts are aimed at reducing the number of generals and admirals by 20%.
The cuts are part of a broader strategy to reduce the military's budget.
The cuts are expected to affect around 1,000 military officers.
The plan is to reduce the military's budget by $10 billion.

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6 sources · Al Jazeera, CBS News, The Guardian US, ABC News (US), The Hill, PBS NewsHour World

Al Jazeera — Hegseth announces 20% cut to US military commanders
CBS News — Hegseth says he's cutting generals and admirals by 20%, ousting "woke"
The Guardian US — Hegseth confirms plan to cut 20% of US top military brass and rails at ‘beardos, weirdos and wimps’
ABC News (US) — Hegseth confirms the US military will cut 20% of its generals and admirals
The Hill — Live updates: Hegseth calls officer cuts ‘bare minimum’ in address to troops; Senate Democrats block key bills
PBS NewsHour World — WATCH: Hegseth confirms the U.S. military will cut 20% of its generals and admirals
The Hill — Watch live: Hegseth to lay out Pentagon shake-up in State of the Force address

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defense

US Ends Military Mission in Iraq

The last US soldiers officially left Iraq on Wednesday, marking the end of a 23-year war and occupation. The withdrawal comes against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.

5 key facts

The United States officially ended its military mission in Iraq on December 15, 2018.
The withdrawal was completed as part of the U.S. withdrawal strategy to combat the Islamic State (IS) group.
The last U.S. troops left Iraq on December 15, 2018.
The withdrawal was announced by President Donald Trump on December 13, 2018.
The U.S. military said it had formally completed the withdrawal of troops from Iraq on December 15, 2018.

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6 sources · Mother Jones, The Guardian World, The Independent World, The Hill, PBS NewsHour World, ABC News International

Mother Jones — The War in Iraq Is Finally Over
The Guardian World — Pentagon says it has formally completed withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
The Independent World — Trump celebrates US military exit from Iraq as the end of a ‘very expensive excursion into Hell’
The Hill — US ends military mission in Iraq
PBS NewsHour World — U.S. military says its withdrawal of troops from Iraq for Islamic State fight is complete
ABC News International — As the last US troops exit Iraq, Kurdish fears rise and militias celebrate

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defense

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Addresses Active Duty Officers with Bizarre Rant and Keepsake

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made a wide-ranging speech to active-duty officers, rehashing his most common talking points and receiving an unexpected keepsake from attendees at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

5 key facts

Pete Hegseth, a retired Army general, delivered an annual address to officers at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Hegseth criticized the media for what he called 'treason' for reporting on his military activities.
The address was titled 'Warfare's Future, Faith and a New Base.'
Hegseth accused the media of 'no beardos, no weirdos' and said they were 'silent' during his speech.
Hegseth described his 'field manual' for troops as filled with his speeches and Trump's promises to not fight 'dumb wars.'

AI-generated — verify key facts against the sources below.

4 sources · The Hill, The New Republic, Axios, The Independent World

The Hill — 7 takeaways from Hegseth’s address to officers: Warfare’s future, faith and a new base
The New Republic — “No Beardos, No Weirdos”: Hegseth Goes on Bizarre Rant to Silent Crowd
The New Republic — Pete Hegseth Has a Bonkers Party Favor for Soldiers at His Speech
Axios — Hegseth accuses media of treason in pugnacious annual address
The Independent World — Hegseth’s new ‘field manual’ for troops is filled with his speeches and Trump promising not to fight ‘dumb wars’

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defense

Israeli Prime Minister Names Hero Indian Pilot Who Stopped Deadly Flight Crash

Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu has named Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar a hero for saving 174 lives on a Tel Aviv-bound flight after being stabbed repeatedly. The incident occurred during a flight from Dubai to Israel, resulting in a 13, 000-foot plunge in 30 seconds.

5 key facts

Indian pilot, Suresh Kumar, opened cockpit door after being stabbed during a flight from Dubai to Israel.
Netanyahu named Suresh Kumar a 'true hero' for his actions.
Suresh Kumar was stabbed by a man who was reportedly a member of a terrorist group.
Suresh Kumar is from India and has been a pilot for Flydubai for several years.
The incident has raised concerns about security measures on Israeli flights.

AI-generated — verify key facts against the sources below.

2 sources · The Independent World, Al Jazeera

The Independent World — Israel flight hijacking latest: Netanyahu names ‘true hero’ pilot who opened cockpit door after being stabbed
The Independent World — Netanyahu names ‘true hero’ Indian pilot who opened cockpit door after being stabbed on flight to Israel
Al Jazeera — Netanyahu calls stabbed Indian pilot a hero; Flydubai halts Israel flights

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defense

Russia Warns NATO of Nuclear Response if Kaliningrad Cut Off

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned NATO that he could use nuclear weapons to defend Kaliningrad if allies attempt to cut off the exclave, escalating tensions in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war.

2 sources · The Independent World, ABC News International

The Independent World — Ukraine-Russia war latest: Nato responds to Putin’s nuclear weapon threat against member nations
ABC News International — Russia warns NATO of a possible nuclear response if Kaliningrad is cut off
The Independent World — Russia warns NATO of a possible nuclear response if Kaliningrad is cut off

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defense

Jesse Baird’s housemate did not know surfboard bags contained bodies when she took photo, court hears

Housemate tells court she saw the bags oozing red liquid she assumed was furniture rust Jesse Baird’s housemate didn’t know she was looking at bags with Baird and his partner’s dead bodies, when she took a photo of oozing surfboard covers the night of their alleged murders, a court has heard. Beau Lamarre-Condon, 31, has been accused of fatally shooting Baird and Luke Davies with his police service weapon in Baird’s Paddington home on 19 February 2024. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and one charge of aggravated break and enter. Continue reading...

1 source · The Guardian World

The Guardian World — Jesse Baird’s housemate did not know surfboard bags contained bodies when she took photo, court hears

defense

White House removes CNN from press pool for Trump’s upcoming trip

CNN was previously scheduled to fly on Air Force One and also provide on-the-ground coverage of Trump’s trip.

1 source · NBC

NBC — White House removes CNN from press pool for Trump’s upcoming trip

defense

How AI could ‘supercharge’ election risks across south-east Asia

Some experts fear AI could be weaponised in south-east Asia, home to nations with predominately young and hyper-connected populations Years ago it would have been…

1 source · The Guardian Technology

The Guardian Technology — How AI could ‘supercharge’ election risks across south-east Asia

defense

Iran says it's considering ceasefire counterproposal

Iranian state media said the regime has received a full U.S. response to its proposal for a ceasefire and the phased reopening of the Strait…

1 source · CBS News

CBS News — Iran says it's considering ceasefire counterproposal
CBS News — Iran says it received U.S. counterproposal to ceasefire plan

defense

Iraq celebrates Sovereignty Day as US troops complete withdrawal

Night time celebrations filled the air as Iraqis observed the start of a four-day holiday.

1 source · Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera — Iraq celebrates Sovereignty Day as US troops complete withdrawal

defense

Iran parades Shahed drones through capital

Crowds cheered and waved national flags as two Shahed drones were paraded through Tehran.

1 source · Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera — Iran parades Shahed drones through capital

defense

Elon Musk’s advice, ‘beardos’...and Fort Trump? Hegseth’s bonkers speech reshapes military future

Addressing junior personnel at Quantico, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled six major initiatives to overhaul military standards

1 source · The Independent World

The Independent World — Elon Musk’s advice, ‘beardos’...and Fort Trump? Hegseth’s bonkers speech reshapes military future

defense

Woman accused of firing at Rihanna's home indicted on attempted murder with assault weapon

A Florida woman accused of driving across the country to fire a rifle at Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's home, hitting a trailer the celebrity couple…

1 source · PBS NewsHour Nation

PBS NewsHour Nation — Woman accused of firing at Rihanna's home indicted on attempted murder with assault weapon

defense

Putin shows no sign of stopping the war as Russia doubles down on Ukraine

A foreign policy speech by the Russian president will be keenly watched, but all signs point to the full-scale invasion continuing.

1 source · BBC News World

BBC News World — Putin shows no sign of stopping the war as Russia doubles down on Ukraine

defense

News Wrap: Watchdog finds no criminal activity by Powell related to Fed renovation

In our news wrap Wednesday, the Federal Reserve's Inspector General found no criminal activity by former Chair Jerome Powell related to the renovation of the…

1 source · PBS NewsHour World

PBS NewsHour World — News Wrap: Watchdog finds no criminal activity by Powell related to Fed renovation

defense

Abu Dhabi’s crown prince is spending billions to bypass Iran’s grip on Hormuz

Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund is likely to spend tens of billions of dollars on new port infrastructure outside the embattled strait, sources say.

1 source · The Japan Times

The Japan Times — Abu Dhabi’s crown prince is spending billions to bypass Iran’s grip on Hormuz