Spy balloon is featured in US congressional hearing about UFOs
South China Morning Post
23-07-26 21:54
A US Congressional hearing has heard that the government is not being transparent about unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and UFOs. The hearing referred to the incident earlier this year when a spy balloon was shot down by the US military. Representative Glenn Grothman, chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, called on the White House to clarify the government's investigations into UFOs and criticised the administration for not being forthright about the spy balloon and three other unidentified objects that were shot down.
US to meet Taliban for rare talks about economy and women’s rights
The Independent
23-07-27 12:15
US officials and Taliban representatives will hold talks in Doha, Qatar, to discuss Afghanistan’s economic crisis, security issues, and women’s rights. The talks mark the first direct dialogue between the two parties since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2021. The US has stressed that the talks do not indicate recognition or legitimacy of the Taliban and that engagement will only take place when it is in the US’ interest to do so. The talks come amid concerns about human rights abuses and the treatment of women and girls under Taliban rule.
Grave fears after reports of military helicopter crash in Whitsundays
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-07-28 22:04
A military helicopter has reportedly crashed near Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays during the Talisman Sabre military exercise. It is unclear how many people were onboard the helicopter or their nationalities. The exercise involves thousands of personnel from the defence forces of Australia and the United States. The Queensland police and paramedics are aware of the crash.
Grave fears after reports of military helicopter crash in the Whitsundays
The Age
23-07-28 22:04
A military helicopter has reportedly crashed near Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays during the military exercise Talisman Sabre. It is unclear if there were any casualties or the nationalities of the people on board. Talisman Sabre is the largest and most complex exercise of its kind, involving the defence forces of Australia and the United States.
Wing-Commander Martin Bee, pilot who flew the U-2 spy plane and formed an RAF aerobatics team – obituary
Telegraph
23-07-31 14:58
Wing Commander Martin Bee, a former RAF fighter pilot, has died at the age of 85. Bee was part of a select group of pilots who flew the top-secret Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft while on an exchange appointment with the United States Air Force. The involvement of RAF pilots in the development of the U-2 remained top secret for decades. Bee flew the U-2 for five years and tested many advanced variants of the aircraft. In 1965, he was tasked with demonstrating the U-2 to a group of US Senate members and senior RAF officers. The aircraft took off at 90 knots and reached 10,000 feet in just one minute. Bee also demonstrated the landing, which required precise attention to detail. The work of RAF pilots on the U-2 was so secret that none of their flights were recorded in their log books. Bee was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1969, but no citation was published. After leaving the RAF, he joined the Sultan of Oman's Air Force and later worked for Laker Airways and the Dubai Royal Flight before retiring.
Warner Bros. apologizes for ‘Barbenheimer’ tweets that sparked criticism in Japan
CNN
23-08-01 19:24
Warner Bros. Film Group has issued an apology after its Barbie Twitter account sparked backlash over its use of memes that appeared to depict the character immersed in atomic blast imagery from Universal's film Oppenheimer. The Japanese branch of the studio called the tweets "inconsiderate" and demanded a response from its US headquarters. The tweets were later deleted, but screen grabs posted on Twitter showed the Barbie account responding positively to a meme of a mushroom cloud superimposed on the head of Margot Robbie, the film's star.
China’s aircraft carrier forces boosted as navy shifts assets, US report says
South China Morning Post
23-08-02 06:29
China's navy has transferred most of its aviation units to the air force, allowing the navy to focus more on its aircraft carriers, according to a study by the China Aerospace Studies Institute. The transfer of assets is part of China's efforts to strengthen its aircraft carrier forces and build a mature carrier-based aviation force. The move will also provide crucial capacity to the PLA Air Force, enabling it to create more bomber units capable of carrying nuclear warheads. China currently has two operational aircraft carriers and is seeking to enhance its carrier capabilities amid rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.
What to make of a surprise shake-up in China’s nuclear force
Economist
23-08-03 18:47
China's President Xi Jinping has purged the top ranks of the military elite once again, this time removing the commander and political commissar of China's Rocket Force, which is in charge of the country's land-based nuclear and conventional missiles. The reasons for their removal have not been given, but there is speculation that it could be due to corruption or leaking military secrets. This clean-out of the military top brass suggests that Xi's efforts to reform the People's Liberation Army (PLA) are facing more obstacles than previously thought. It also reflects badly on Xi's leadership and suggests an unusual degree of turmoil within China's corridors of power. The suddenness and lack of explanation surrounding the purge has raised questions about Xi's own appointees running into trouble and his ability to judge character. Some experts argue that the removals demonstrate Xi's resistance to favouritism and his commitment to his anti-corruption drive and military reform program. However, others believe that the upheaval indicates a deeper rot within the PLA and the Rocket Force in particular. The Rocket Force has been a priority for Xi in recent years, as it oversees China's world-leading arsenal of land-based missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear warheads. The force has been rapidly expanding and upgrading China's nuclear arsenal, and its share of China's military budget is believed to have grown. There are concerns that this large-scale military spending could have enabled corruption and graft. The appointment of outsiders to lead the Rocket Force suggests that Xi is trying to disrupt patronage networks within the service. The recent changes in the operations of the force, including being frequently put on alert, also suggest a shift in China's nuclear policy towards a "launch on warning" stance. If military secrets have indeed been leaked, it raises serious concerns about the trustworthiness of individuals within the nuclear chain of command. Overall, the purge of the Rocket Force's top leadership highlights the challenges and potential internal divisions that Xi faces in his efforts to reform and modernize China's military.
Chinese scientific study challenges concept for ‘rods from God’ weapon
South China Morning Post
23-08-07 09:00
A hypersonic space weapon concept known as "rods from God" may not be as effective as previously thought, according to a study from the North University of China. The idea involves dropping a large tungsten rod from a satellite or spacecraft in orbit. When the rod hits a target at Mach 10, it releases a tremendous amount of kinetic energy, similar to that of a nuclear weapon. However, the study found that when tungsten rod projectiles hit a military concrete target at an extremely high speed, it generates a high-pressure shock wave that compresses and melts the target material, causing it to transition from a solid to a plasma state. This plasma state is highly conductive to electrical currents generated by the high-pressure shock wave, which can create a magnetic field that interacts with the plasma, generating a force that accelerates the plasma to even higher velocities. However, the plasma jet also interacts with the tungsten rod, causing it to erode due to the high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. At Mach 8, the entire rod can vanish almost instantly after impact.
Arizona woman accused of trying to murder husband by poisoning coffee
The Independent
23-08-07 13:15
An Arizona woman has been arrested for allegedly attempting to kill her estranged husband by poisoning his coffee. Melody Felicano Johnson has been indicted on charges of first-degree attempted murder, attempting to commit aggravated assault, and poisoning food or drink. Her husband, Roby Johnson, used hidden cameras to catch her in the act. Johnson noticed a strange smell in his coffee in March and later discovered high levels of chlorine using pool testing strips. Hidden cameras allegedly revealed Melody Johnson adding bleach to the coffee maker. Johnson believes his wife wanted to kill him in order to collect his death benefits.
US Conscription History and How It Ended Fifty Years Ago
Ludwig von Mises Institute
23-08-07 16:00
The US ended its military conscription in 1973, following the winding down of the Vietnam War. The draft law was set to expire in June 1971, but President Richard Nixon requested a two-year extension. Nixon believed that ending the draft could be used as a political weapon against the antiwar movement. He had become interested in an all-volunteer force during his time out of office, influenced by a professor at Columbia University. A commission was formed to examine the issue, initially headed by Thomas Gates Jr., a former secretary of defense. The commission's report in February 1970 concluded that military strength could be maintained without conscription. The draft has a long history in the US, dating back to the Civil War, with the first comprehensive draft authorized in 1778. During the Civil War, the draft led to a series of violent riots. The draft was re-adopted in 1948 and continued until it was officially halted in 1973. Since then, the US has relied on a volunteer military service. The number of US military personnel has remained relatively stable since 1974, with the Army being the largest service branch.
Secret home cameras caught wife ‘pouring bleach in husband’s coffee’
Telegraph
23-08-08 17:23
Melody Johnson, a woman from Arizona, has been accused of attempting to kill her US Air Force husband by poisoning his coffee. The husband, Roby Johnson, caught her in the act using hidden cameras and alerted the police. Mr Johnson became suspicious after his coffee tasted strange while stationed in Germany, and chemical testing strips on his coffee machine water showed high levels of chlorine. Footage from hidden cameras allegedly shows Mrs Johnson pouring something into her husband’s coffee pot. Mr Johnson reported his wife to the police, who were initially unsure what substance had been used. However, further camera footage allegedly shows Mrs Johnson decanting bleach into a container before pouring it into the coffee maker. She has been charged with first-degree attempted murder and is currently being held in jail.
Gen X mom worries about Gen-Z’s economic future in viral rant
The Independent
23-08-08 17:03
A video posted on TikTok by Jessica McCabe, a Gen X mom, has gone viral for highlighting the struggles faced by young adults in the current US economy. McCabe expressed frustration with rising rent and insurance rates, which have made it difficult for her adult children to financially support themselves. She argued that the system has changed, making it harder for young people to succeed compared to when she was their age. McCabe's video resonated with many parents who commented on the challenges faced by their children in the current economic landscape.
South China Sea confrontation hits China-Philippines ties
Deutsche Welle
23-08-08 15:14
The Philippines has criticised China for firing water cannon at its vessels in the South China Sea, calling the act "illegal" and "dangerous". Beijing, however, said that it had taken "necessary controls" against the Philippine boats that had "illegally" entered its waters. The incident occurred as the Philippine boats were on a resupply mission to a grounded warship, the BRP Sierra Madre, which is used as a military outpost. The ship was grounded by Manila in 1999 to reinforce its sovereignty claims and has long been a flashpoint between the two countries.
Gen X mother goes viral for attack on ‘tired’ American Dream
The Independent
23-08-08 20:17
A video posted on TikTok by Gen X mom Jessica McCabe has gone viral as she expresses her frustration with the current state of the US economy and how it has made it nearly impossible for young adults to become financially independent. McCabe argues that rising rent and insurance rates have made it difficult for her adult children to stay afloat financially. Many parents commented on the video, agreeing that the economic future their children faced was "insane." According to the New York Times, post-pandemic inflation is pricing college graduates and low-wage workers out of big cities.
It’s not the F-16 fighter which will win the Ukraine war, but the missiles it carries
Telegraph
23-08-11 11:52
The US and NATO are preparing to donate old F-16s to Ukraine, a move that will give the Ukrainian air force a significant advantage over Russia. The F-16s are compatible with a range of long-range missiles and bombs, some of which have already been donated to Ukraine by the US and other allies. These weapons are equipped with very long ranges, meaning that an F-16 squadron would be able to hit Russian targets along the entire length of Russian-occupied Ukraine, including the Crimean Peninsula. This will significantly impact Ukraine’s war effort as it will be able to strike Russian forces without leaving the safety of Ukrainian-controlled airspace. The Ukrainian air force has already learned to arm its existing planes with Western munitions, which has resulted in a lower number of losses in the first eight months of this year compared to the first year of the conflict. A squadron or two of F-16s could turn this aerial impasse into an air-war advantage for Ukraine as it would be fully compatible with all of the country’s current Western-made munitions.
Washington open to training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s in US
Telegraph
23-08-12 17:26
The US has offered to train Ukrainian fighter pilots to fly F-16s in the US if European countries are struggling with capacity. The training would help speed up the arrival of Ukrainian fighter pilots on the frontline battlegrounds. Ukraine's counter-offensive has stalled due to a lack of air superiority, as Russia's air force and military helicopters are able to pick off Ukrainian forces. Equipping the Ukrainian air force with F-16s would provide them with a better chance of taking on the superior Russian fighter jets. Although Nato has agreed to set up training schools for Ukrainian pilots in Europe, the programme has hit major stumbling blocks and it is more likely that the first Ukrainian F-16s will not be in action until next summer.
As Ukraine uses cluster munitions, a 50-year-old lesson it must remember
Al Jazeera
23-08-15 05:12
The US dropped 2.7 million tonnes of bombs on Cambodia during the Vietnam War, with 10 percent of the raids not even having designated targets, according to scholars at Yale University. At least 150,000 civilians were killed during the bombings, which continued until 1973. The bombings delayed the victories of the North Vietnamese and the Khmer Rouge, and drove many civilians to support the Communists. The bombings have continued to kill people, with an estimated 9-27 million submunitions unexploded in Indochina today. In the early 2000s, people began moving into the regions most bombed, leading to a surge in accidental deaths. Since 1995, US Army veteran Chuck Searcy has been working to eradicate unexploded ordnance (UXOs) in Vietnam. The 2010 Convention on Cluster Munitions, which was supposed to prohibit the use, development, acquisition, stockpiling or transfer of cluster munitions, was not signed by the US, Russia, China or Ukraine. Cluster bombs have been used since 2010 in Afghanistan, Libya, Sudan, Yemen and Syria. President Joe Biden last month approved the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine.
If Trump still gets away, America’s global democracy talk will draw sneers
Al Jazeera
23-08-15 14:58
Former US President Richard Nixon famously stated in a 1977 interview that if the president does something, that means it is not illegal. This flawed understanding of the presidency helps to explain how Nixon could engage in plots against American democracy. Nixon was never prosecuted for his actions, as his successor Gerald Ford pardoned him. Now, former President Donald Trump faces three concurrent indictments, none of which are directly related to his duties as president. The fear of setting certain precedents, as well as concerns about America's international image, may be why there is resistance to pursuing Trump in a way that would make American foreign policy seem felonious or brand a former US president as a crook. However, many functioning democracies around the world prosecute former leaders, even if they rarely serve prison time. The US needs to consider the implications of subjecting a former leader to the rule of law. While it may be embarrassing in the short term, it would establish the US as truly dedicated to its vision of governance in global affairs. A failure to do so would damage the US's image and reputation on the global stage.
Cancer among military personnel found linked to ‘forever chemicals’
The Independent
23-08-16 04:26
Researchers have discovered a direct link between "forever chemicals" in the blood of Air Force servicemen and testicular cancer. The study, which analysed the blood of 530 servicemen, found that those who worked as firefighters had elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The chemicals, which are found in products such as stain-resistant rain gear and non-stick cookware, have been dubbed "forever chemicals" because they do not break down in the environment. The researchers believe that the findings should prompt further investigation into PFAS levels in the blood of other populations and military branches.
