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☆ US Air Force team airlifts critically ill passenger from Carnival Venezia in open Atlantic waters
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Forrest Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A US Air Force rescue team airlifted a civilian passenger needing urgent medical care this past weekend from a Carnival cruise ship that was hundreds of miles out in open Atlantic waters. The dramatic May 4 medical rescue involved three helicopter air-to-air refuelings to reach the Carnival Venezia, according to a news release from the 920th Rescue Wing. The mission was carried out by two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two teams of rescuers. When the aircraft arrived, rescuers were hoisted down from the helicopters and began preparing the patient for transport, the release said. Neither the 920th Rescue Wing nor the cruise line had further information about the patient’s condition or where he was taken for treatment.

Persons: ”, Dylan Gann, CNN’s Karla Cripps Organizations: CNN, US Air Force, Carnival Venezia, 920th Rescue Wing, Venezia, Patrick Space Force, HC, 130J, King, HH, U.S . Department of Defense, 920th, Wing, 301st Rescue Squadron, ” Carnival, CNN Travel, Air Force, US Coast Guard Locations: New York City, Bahamas, Caribbean, Florida, New York

☆ Congressmen demand answers after CNN report contradicts Pentagon investigations into deadly Kabul airport attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | Mick Krever | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The reporting included a video obtained by CNN captured by a Marine’s GoPro camera that had not been seen publicly in full before. Much of the controversy about the Pentagon’s two investigations into the attack has focused on gunfire in the aftermath of the blast. “Lastly, why do journalists have this video footage and the Department does not? The recent discovery of new video released by CNN directly contradicts and exposes outright lies from our recent briefing last month from CENTCOM officials,” the Gold Star families said in a statement they sent to CNN. Haroon Sabawoon/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images/FileThe evidence also suggests the Pentagon may have more video footage than it has acknowledged in public.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin “, –, ”, Mike Waltz, Darrell Issa, Tim Burchett, Brian Mast, Rich McCormick, Keith Self, Cory Mills, Chris Smith –, Sayed Ahmadi, Ahmadi, “, ” James Adams, Hamid, Jared Schmitz, Humberto Sanchez, Taylor Hoover, Nicole Gee, Kareem Nikoui, Hunter Lopez, Rylee McCollum –, Biden, Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM, I’m, Haroon Sabawoon, Rob Lodewick, ” Lodewick Organizations: CNN —, Defense, CNN, Pentagon, House Foreign Affairs, Command, Marines, House Foreign Affairs Committee, Department, Gold Star, Department of Defense, Biden Administration, “, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Army, DoD, Service Locations: Kabul, Afghanistan, US

☆ China has a lot more missiles — with US warships and bases in its sights
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +18 min

American warships and bases in the Pacific are within reach of an increasingly worrying threat, a missile force unlike anything the US has faced in combat. With these missiles, China is signaling that it could attack US bases and ships in the region with little to no warning, Clark said. TK Department of DefenseThere's a lot more to the Chinese Rocket Force than these weapons, though. AdvertisementThat said, the US and its allies can't afford to assume the Rocket Force won't be ready should conflict come. In other words, how the US prepares itself and adapts to the Chinese Rocket Force gives it the best shot at avoiding a fight altogether.

Persons: China's, Andersen, Thomas Shugart, Bryan Clark, John Aquilino, Kevin Frayer, Harry Harris, Harris, Clark, Shugart, Gerald R, Kendall Warner, Byrd, US Defense Department Harris, Robert Peters, Peters, Ronald Reagan, Andrea Rosembert, Cpl, Ryan Little, Charles Flynn, I'm, Flynn, it's, Andy Wong Organizations: Business, Army Rocket Force, Pentagon, China's Rocket Force, Department of Defense TK Department of Defense, Center, New, New American Security, US Navy, PLA, Hudson Institute, Pacific Command, People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, Eastern Theater Command, People's Liberation Army PLA, Getty, Rocket Force, Liberation, TK Department of Defense, Chinese Rocket Force, US Defense Department, Ford, Virginian, Tribune, Service, Japan, Self, Defense Force, Misawa Air Base, Pacific, US, Defense, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, Army, Heritage Foundation, Aegis, Guam, Area, Ronald, Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense, Department of Defense, US Air Force, Marine Corps, Andersen Air Force Base, Marine, Combat, US Army Pacific, Stealth, Force, Military Locations: Beijing, China, American, Guam, South, Washington, Japan, New American, People's Republic of China, South Korea, Taiwan, South China, AFP, U.S, Marshall, Pearl, Pacific, PLARF, Tiananmen

Arm Ukraine With Fanfare and Israel in Secret? That package will pay for billions of dollars of arms flowing to Ukraine, Israel and other nations. As soon as the bill became law, the administration issued new announcements about weapons shipments to Ukraine, but not about transfers to Israel. Press releases about military aid for Ukraine and Israel Since both wars began, the U.S. government has issued at least 126 press statements or updates describing military aid sent to Ukraine and just three describing military aid sent to Israel. Information on maritime support sent to … Ukraine IsraelInformation on air-based weaponry and drones sent to … Ukraine IsraelThere is another distinction worth noting.

Persons: Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Antony Blinken, ”, Josh Paul, Israel —, Ukraine Israel “, Daniel C, it’s, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Reuters, Israel Defense Forces, Israel . Press, U.S . Department of State, U.S . Department of State ; U.S . Department of Defense, Internet, State Department, Defense Department, State and Defense, Washington Post, Ukraine authorizations, Democratic Party, West Bank, White, New York, Facebook Locations: Israel, Ukraine, U.S, U.S . Department of State ;, Ukraine Israel, Gaza, American, Egypt, Russian, Rafah, Lebanon, Iran, Iranian, Syria, United States

☆ A bloodthirsty ISIS branch is 'on the upswing' after the US left Afghanistan in a lurch, a former top commander says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

AdvertisementIn the years since the US and its NATO allies left Afghanistan, a particularly violent branch of the Islamic State terror group has grown stronger. During the first few years of its existence, ISIS-K attacks were mainly confined to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The first year under the Taliban's rule saw a sharp uptick in terror attacks inside Afghanistan. But that trend has changed in recent months; attacks inside the country declined while attacks beyond its borders have increased. Thus, the conditions inside Afghanistan have awarded the terror group space to develop a greater capacity to stage external attacks.

Persons: —, Joseph Votel, Hamid, Taylor Crul, Michael Kugelman, Kugelman, MARCUS YAM, Votel, that's, Doug Ellis, Qassem, STRINGER, Michael Kurilla, John Kirby, Biden, Kirby Organizations: Service, NATO, 82nd Airborne Division, U.S . Air Force, US Air Force, REUTERS ISIS, Islamic, ISIS, Department of Defense, Hamid, AP, South Asia Institute, Wilson, Kabul International Airport, ANGELES, US Central Command, Security Forces, Staff, Getty, White, National Security, Department, Defense Locations: Afghanistan, Moscow, Kabul, Handout, Khorasan Provence, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Washington, Darzab district, Jowzjan province, Mar, Iran, Central Asia, Iranian, Kerman, Europe, Russia, Islamic State, Crocus, American, Achin, Nangarhar Province

☆ Vinod Khosla and Palantir's Jacob Helberg call on Senate to ban TikTok: It's 'a weapon of war'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Investor Vinod Khosla and Palantir advisor Jacob Helberg penned an open letter Thursday calling on Senators to pass a bill that would force the divestiture of Bytedance-owned TikTok in the U.S. Describing the social media platform as "a weapon of war," Helberg and Khosla compared the bill to decades-old restrictions on foreign ownership of U.S. media outlets. Some critics have compared the ban to a bill of attainder, given that it singles out one company. The company mobilized its user base in opposition of the House bill, urging its millions of users to call their congressional representatives and voice their opposition. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has also been lobbying D.C. lawmakers against a ban, meeting with Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., in March.

Persons: Vinod Khosla, Jacob Helberg, Khosla, Helberg, Shou Zi Chew, Sen, John Fetterman Organizations: CNBC, House, Khosla Ventures, Sun Microsystems, U.S . Department of Defense, Valley, TikTok Locations: North Korea, Iran, U.S, Hill

☆ Exclusive: State Department officials told House investigators they created Afghanistan withdrawal plans from scratch
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Kylie Atwood | Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

The State Department has continued to publicly defend its decision making around the NEO as well as the ending of the war. Milley and retired Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, who were in charge of the US military during the withdrawal, blamed the State Department for not ordering a NEO sooner. The State Department officials did not weigh in on whether calling a NEO sooner would have had a substantial impact, as this would have preceded their arrival in Afghanistan. Although the State Department has faced sharp criticism from the Defense Department – most recently in a congressional hearing with retired Gens. Coordination with the militaryAnd on the ground, as they grappled with the frenzied and fluid situation, State Department officials and service members at Hamid Karzai International Airport were regularly coordinating.

Persons: John Bass, Jim DeHart, Jayne Howell, Michael McCaul’s, McCaul, Biden, ”, Mark Milley, ” Howell, DeHart, ” Bass, Hamid, Bass, Wendy Sherman, Washington . Howell, I’m, Howell, “, Trump, Anna Moneymaker, Milley, Kenneth McKenzie, McKenzie, Vedant Patel, “ It’s, Defense Department –, Gens, Kenneth McKenzie –, ” DeHart, didn’t Organizations: CNN, State Department, House Foreign Affairs, Republican, Department, Foreign Affairs, Chiefs, House Foreign, ”, DC, State, Department of Defense, Airport, Foreign Service Institute, Pentagon, Biden, Joint Chiefs, Staff, US, US Central Command, ” State Department, Defense Department, Hamid Locations: Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghan, Ukraine, Kabul Afghanistan, Washington ., Turkey, Rayburn, Washington , DC, extremis

☆ The Quiet Power of Supply Chain Diplomacy in Latin America - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Farah Stockman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Americans used to think of China as a place to do business, and Latin America as a place to vacation. More recently, our neighbors to the south are seen as the source of desperate migrants. I saw evidence of that in Costa Rica, a stable democracy that is vying to become the Silicon Valley of Latin America — with active support from the United States. More than 40 percent of the chips the U.S. Department of Defense uses for weapons systems and infrastructure rely on Chinese suppliers. More than 90 percent of all advanced chips are produced in Taiwan, a self-governing island claimed by China.

Organizations: . Department of Defense Locations: China, America, American, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, United States, Taiwan

BANGKOK (AP) — A Nasdaq-listed Chinese technology company that makes parts for self-driving vehicles is threatening to sue the U.S. government after it was included in a list of companies the Pentagon says have links to the Chinese military. It was among 17 companies the U.S. Department of Defense recently added to its list of companies it considers “Chinese military companies.”The revised list also includes Megvii, a Beijing-based artificial intelligence company and IDG Capital, a major private equity investment company with holdings in many Chinese technology companies, and major Chinese energy, telecoms and aviation companies. In a statement issued last week, the company said its LiDARs were not designed to conform to military specifications. Under Biden, the U.S. has further limited China’s access to advanced U.S. technology, limited U.S. investments in strategically sensitive Chinese industries and expanded sanctions on leading Chinese companies like Huawei Technologies. The Defense Department periodically updates its list of now nearly four dozen Chinese military companies to counter links between Chinese military and companies and other entities that it says appear to be civilian.

Persons: Yifan “ David ” Li, Li, Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, Biden, China’s Organizations: Pentagon, U.S . Department of Defense, IDG Capital, U.S . Department of Commerce, Beijing, Huawei Technologies, The Defense Department, Xiaomi Corp, Apple Inc, U.S ., China’s People’s Liberation Army Locations: BANGKOK, Beijing, U.S

The U.S. Department of Defense plans to install two more groundwater treatment systems at a former Michigan military base to control contamination from so-called forever chemicals, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin's office announced Friday. The base closed in 1993 as part of a base realignment. Pentagon documents show at least 385 military bases nationwide are contaminated with PFAS, mostly from firefighting foam used during training. DOD records released in 2021 showed PFAS had been detected in groundwater around Wurtsmith at levels up to 213,000 parts per trillion. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesThe Department of Defense announced in August that it would install two groundwater treatment systems near the base.

Persons: Elissa Slotkin's, PFAS, ” Slotkin, “, Tony Spaniola Organizations: U.S . Department of Defense, . Rep, Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Pentagon, Clarks, Department of Defense, Action Locations: Michigan, Clarks, Oscoda, Lake Huron, Wurtsmith

☆ OpenAI quietly removes ban on military use of its AI tools
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Hayden Field | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, during an interview at Bloomberg House on the opening day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 16, 2024. OpenAI has quietly walked back a ban on the military use of ChatGPT and its other artificial intelligence tools. The shift comes as OpenAI begins to work with the U.S. Department of Defense on AI tools, including open-source cybersecurity tools, Anna Makanju, OpenAI's VP of global affairs, said Tuesday in a Bloomberg House interview at the World Economic Forum alongside CEO Sam Altman. The news comes after years of controversy about tech companies developing technology for military use, highlighted by the public concerns of tech workers — especially those working on AI. Workers at virtually every tech giant involved with military contracts have voiced concerns after thousands of Google employees protested Project Maven, a Pentagon project that would use Google AI to analyze drone surveillance footage.

Persons: Sam Altman, OpenAI, Anna Makanju, OpenAI's, Makanju, Maven Organizations: Bloomberg House, Economic, U.S . Department of Defense, Bloomberg, Workers, Google, Pentagon, Microsoft, CNBC PRO Locations: Davos, Switzerland

☆ Why U.S. ports are getting a $21 billion upgrade
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-17 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. ports are receiving multimillion dollar grants to upgrade cargo handling infrastructure. The grants are part of the Biden administration's $21 billion commitment to modernize port infrastructure in the U.S.Midsize port cities such as Baltimore are among the 2023 grant recipients. In November, the Port of Baltimore received a $47 million grant to kick-start an offshore wind manufacturing hub, among other improvements. More than $653 million in Port Infrastructure Development Program grants were awarded to U.S. ports in 2023 by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration. Ports America formed a public-private partnership with the state of Maryland to manage equipment and operations in sections of the Port of Baltimore.

Persons: John Deere, Walter Kemmsies Organizations: Biden, BMW, Maryland Port Administration, Port Infrastructure Development Program, U.S . Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, Tacoma Husky, North, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S . Department of Defense, Kemmsies, Port Authority of, CNBC, Midwest ., Port Locations: U.S, Baltimore, Port, Washington, Long Beach , California, Port Authority of Georgia, Savannah, Maryland, Port of Baltimore, Midwest

Though aerospace and defense funds understandably haven't done well in this year's faltering market, some individual stocks have posted substantial gains. U.S. support in what's turning out to be a long war in Ukraine will likely push overall contractor spending higher, benefitting aerospace and defense companies. In this era of high-tech warfare, when strategic military engagement is more about digital systems and aerial weapons than boots on the ground, aerospace and defense companies are advantageously positioned. Lucrative products include fighter jets, helicopters, parts for them, avionics products, missile guidance system, drones and anti-drone technology and support services. Curtiss-Wright Corp (CW) Projected five-year annual earnings growth: Data was not available.

Persons: Lockheed Martin, Giuseppe Cacace, Northrup Grumman, Howmet's, Wright, Woodward, Gerald R, Ford Organizations: US Air Force, USAF, Lockheed, Maktoum International Airport, Afp, Getty, U.S, Publicly, General Dynamics, TransDigm, Inc, Parsons Corp, U.S . Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency, State Department, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Energy, Federal Aviation Administration . Products, Aerospace, Curtiss, Wright Corp, CW, N.C . Products, Woodward Inc, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Coast Guard, Ford, Pentagon Locations: Dubai, Al, Maktoum, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, what's, Virgina, Washington, Davidson, N.C, Fort Collins , Colorado

☆ How the U.S. courted the Philippines to thwart China
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +14 min

What followed was two trips to the United States in less than a year for Marcos, and visits to the Philippines by high-ranking Biden administration officials. Marcos’ predecessor, the populist firebrand Rodrigo Duterte, was openly hostile to the United States and attempted to bring his country closer to communist China during his six-year term. For the United States, cementing alliances in the Asia-Pacific region is likewise crucial to keeping China in check. China’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement to Reuters, characterized China and the Philippines as “close neighbors across the sea” with a common interest in friendship. At the time, he said the cancellation of his visa was the latest in a list of “gripes and disrespect” by the United States.

Persons: Ferdinand “ Bongbong ” Marcos Jr, Joe Biden, Marcos, Gregorio Maria Araneta III, “, ” Araneta, Biden, Kamala Harris, Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin, Julio Amador III, Marcos ’, Rodrigo Duterte, China’s, Xi Jinping, ” Marcos ’, Ferdinand Marcos Sr, ”, Marcos family’s, Washington, Duterte, China “, Becca Wasser, Wasser, Barack Obama, Xi, “ I’ve, ” Duterte, Ronald “ Bato, dela Rosa, Dela Rosa, gripes, Toribio Adaci, hadn’t, Blake Herzinger, Herzinger Organizations: Reuters, U.S, Defense, ., Party, China, U.S . State Department, ” Reuters, Philippine, United, Foreign Ministry, ” ‘, People’s Liberation Army, Center, New, New American Security, CNAS, U.S . Department of Defense, U.S ., Initiative, Philippines National Economic Development Authority, United States, Philippine National Police, Washington, Forces, VFA, Mutual, China’s, U.S . Pacific Fleet, Cooperation Locations: Philippines, Philippine, Manila, United States, U.S, China, America, Asia, Taipei, Taiwan, Beijing, South, East Asia, Pacific, Washington, Hawaii, South China, It’s, American, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New American, Taiwan . U.S, Duterte, China’s, Guangdong

Instead, ongoing exercises in Hawaii, which conclude Friday, highlight part of a new American approach to Pacific defense and deterrence, with a focus on small groups of mobile land forces operating from islands like those off China's coast. As part of its “Operation Pathways” revamp of Pacific defense set in motion nearly a decade ago, the U.S. has been increasing its number of exercises with partners in the Indo-Pacific. “And that helps the U.S. to overcome its numerical disadvantages as China's navy is continuing to expand. The exercises provide experience in technical and procedural interoperability and also build human bonds that can be critical in times of crisis. Austin’s travels overlap with Secretary of State Antony Blinken ’s own visits to Tokyo, Seoul and New Delhi.

Persons: ”, Marcus Evans, Euan Graham, ” Graham, Evans, ” Evans, Defense Lloyd Austin, Antony Blinken ’, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Graham Organizations: 25th Infantry Division, U.S . Air Force, Wheeler Army, U.S . Department of Defense, U.S . Navy, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, U.S, United States Army, Defense, ” Aircraft Locations: BANGKOK, Taiwan, U.S, Beijing, China, Israel, Iran, Hawaii, American, New Zealand, Indonesia, Thailand, Britain, Oahu, United States, Mariana Islands, Guam, Pacific, Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Australia, India, Tokyo, Seoul, New Delhi, Solomon Islands, Washington

☆ GlobalFoundries projects profit above estimates in positive sign for chip market
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 7 (Reuters) - Contract chipmaker GlobalFoundries (GFS.O) forecast fourth-quarter profit above analysts' estimates on Tuesday, providing the latest sign that a supply glut in the semiconductor industry was easing. Both Intel (INTC.O) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD.O) have indicated that a recovery is afoot in the personal computer market, a key source of revenue for semiconductor makers. GlobalFoundries said it expects adjusted profit per share to be in the range of 53 cents to 64 cents in the three months to December, above estimates of 52 cents, according to LSEG data. The company, whose customers range from mobile phone chip designer Qualcomm (QCOM.O) to the U.S. Department of Defense, said net revenue fell 11% to $1.85 billion in the third quarter, but came in line with estimates. Adjusted earnings of 55 cents per share beat estimates of 49 cents.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Thomas Caulfield, GlobalFoundries, Arsheeya, Sriraj Organizations: Nasdaq, REUTERS, Intel, Devices, Qualcomm, U.S . Department of Defense, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Bain Capital to buy consulting firm Guidehouse in $5.3 bln deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Bain Capital is displayed on the screen during a news conference in Tokyo, Japan October 5, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/FIle photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 6 (Reuters) - Private equity firm Bain Capital will acquire government and business consulting firm Guidehouse in a deal valued at $5.3 billion, the companies said on Monday. Bain Capital declined to comment on specific terms of the Guidehouse deal, when contacted by Reuters. Guidehouse has been owned by Veritas Capital since 2018, when the PE firm acquired Big Four firm PwC's U.S. public sector business and rebranded it as Guidehouse. It also agreed to acquire 90% of India's Adani Capital and Adani Housing, buying out all of the Adani family's private investments in the company.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Guidehouse, Grant, Pritam Biswas, Devika Nair, Savio D'Souza, Shailesh Organizations: Bain Capital, REUTERS, U.S . Department of Defense, Homeland Security, Reuters, Veritas Capital, Big, Macquarie, Dovel Technologies, Chindata, Adani, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United States, Bengaluru

☆ US MQ-9 Reaper spy drones patroling Gaza's sky to search for hostages held by Hamas, says Pentagon
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Lara O'Reilly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Pentagon confirmed it has sent unarmed MQ-9 reaper drones to fly over Gaza. The Pentagon said the hi-tech drones were sent to support Israel's hostage-recovery efforts. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAdvertisementThe US Defense Department confirmed Friday it has sent surveillance drones into Gaza, indicating the Pentagon is playing an active role in the effort to help rescue hostages held by Hamas. The unmanned and unarmed MQ-9 Reapers began flying in the region shortly after the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig.

Persons: Israel's, —, Pat Ryder, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Pentagon, Service, US Defense Department, Pentagon Press, Air Force, US Air Force, Department of Defense, New York Times, Times Locations: Gaza, Israel

Yemen’s Houthi militia claimed an attempted attack on southern Israel on Tuesday, saying it had launched a “large batch” of ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones toward Israeli targets. The Israeli military did not say who was behind the attacks. Last week, Abdulaziz bin Habtour, prime minister of the Houthi government, said the Houthis might attack Israeli ships in the Red Sea. Even the potential of Houthi attacks on southern Israel means that “Israel must now allocate capabilities that otherwise would have been used elsewhere,” Mr. Sobelman said. The Israeli military, in contrast, maintains high-tech air defense systems and is backed by staunch U.S. government support.

Persons: Yemen’s, Yahya Sarea, Sarea, Israel “, Israel —, ”, Ahmed Nagi, Abdulaziz bin Habtour, Farea, Yemen —, Daniel Sobelman, ” Mr, Sobelman, Nagi Organizations: U.S . Department of Defense, Lebanese, Hezbollah, Crisis, of, Chatham House’s, United Arab, Harvard Kennedy School’s, East Initiative, Iron, U.S Locations: Israel, Iran, Gaza, Palestine, Yemen, Sana, Saudi, Iraq, Red, East, North Africa, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Eilat, Iranian, Saudi Arabia

☆ Raytheon's CEO said on an earnings call that the company stood to 'benefit' from DoD budget increases due to the war in Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Caroline Haskins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

President Biden requested an additional $106 billion to the DoD budget, citing the Israel-Hamas war and other global conflicts. The CEO of military contractor RTX said Tuesday the company could "benefit" from an increased DoD budget. RTX Corporation, formerly known as Raytheon, is a long-time US defense contractor which has worked on supplying Israel's Iron Dome since 2014. Liwag asked how quickly RTX Corporation, formerly known as Raytheon Corporation, could profit if Congress approves President Biden's request for a DoD budget increase in 2024. He called the budget request "a smart investment" in American security and emphasized the need to support Israel's Iron Dome.

Persons: Biden, RTX, —, Greg Hayes, Hayes, Kristine Liwag, Morgan Stanley, Liwag, Biden's, you've, Liwang, Israel, Kevin McCarthy's, Jake Sullivan, USA, Sam Deneke Organizations: RTX Corporation, Raytheon, Service, RTX, US Department, Raytheon Corporation, Israel, Raytheon Defense, CNBC, Israeli Defense Force, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, DoD, Republican Party, National, U.S . Department of Defense, Corporation Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Gaza, U.S, Egypt

☆ Australia, U.S. Leaders to Discuss Pacific Infrastructure, Critical Minerals
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Kirsty NeedhamSYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia and the United States will announce plans to cooperate on critical minerals and bolster Pacific Islands infrastructure as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits Washington this week, a senior Biden administration official said. The two leaders will flesh out details of further cyber security cooperation, in addition to a $5 billion Microsoft investment in Australia, the Biden administration official said. The minerals that will power the globe in the 21st century are things that Australia has significant amounts of," he told reporters in Washington on Monday. Albanese and Biden will also discuss the South China Sea, where tensions between China and the Philippines are rising. The partnership aims to sell Australia nuclear-powered submarines and build a new class of submarine in Australia by 2040.

Persons: Kirsty Needham SYDNEY, Anthony Albanese, Albanese's, Biden, Albanese, Kirsty Needham, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Biden, U.S, U.S . Department of Defense, USAID, Australia, U.S . Congress Locations: Australia, United, Pacific, Washington, United States, U.S, China, Papua New Guinea, Solomon, Philippines, Britain

Israel is escalating its bombardment of targets in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected ground invasion against Hamas militants. More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, mostly civilians who died in the initial Hamas rampage. In addition, 222 people including foreigners were believed captured by Hamas during the incursion and taken into Gaza, Israel's military has said. UNRWA said it found shrapnel in its facilities in the Bureij camp and in Nuseirat in central Gaza from Israel’s bombardment of nearby areas Sunday. Israel said Monday it struck 320 militant targets throughout the besieged Gaza Strip over the last 24 hours.

Persons: Israel, HAVE, won’t, —, ROME —, Antonio Tajani, Nir Forti, ’, Forti, “, barbarously, ’ Tajani, Tajani, Ní Aoláin, Ní, Antonio Guterres’s, ” Ní Aoláin, ” Organizations: Hamas, Health Ministry, West Bank, U.S . Department of Defense, UNRWA, Association of University Heads, Israel Army Radio, Gaza, Gaza’s Health Ministry, UNITED, United Nations, University of Minnesota Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.S, Beirut, israel, CAIRO, Nuseirat, Sunday, ISRAEL, al, Aqsa, Deir al, “, ITALY, Geneva, United

"You can't look at what has happened here," with the killings of babies and the elderly, "and not scream out for justice," Biden said. Middle East Cartoons View All 133 Images"You are not alone," Biden told the group of Israeli citizens. He promised $100 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza and the West Bank to provide relief to suffering Palestinian civilians, an amount he said would help 1 million displaced and conflict-affected people. Before his formal remarks, Biden met with families of Hamas' victims, appearing to weep as he heard their stories. But not you, not Israel," Biden said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, –, Biden's, Rachel Edri, Beau, Israel Organizations: Israel . Middle, West Bank, Protesters, ., State Department, U.S . Department of Defense Locations: United States, U.S, Tel Aviv, Israel, Iraq, Gaza, Rafah, Egypt, Gaza ., Istanbul, Lebanon

Gaza authorities said more than 2,200 people have been killed, a quarter of them children, and nearly 10,000 wounded. On Friday, the Israeli military told residents of the northern half of the Gaza Strip, which includes the enclave's biggest settlement, Gaza City, to move south immediately. Hamas told people not to leave and says roads out are unsafe. Israel says Hamas is preventing people from leaving in order to use them as human shields, which Hamas denies. The only route out of Gaza not under Israeli control was a checkpoint with Egypt at Rafah.

Persons: Biden, Netanyahu, Abbas, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Ismail Haniyeh, Joe Biden, Mahmoud Abbas, Amir Cohen, Lloyd Austin, Shaheen, Israel's Kan, Tzachi Hanegbi, Israel, Nidal al, Ari Rabinovitch, Dan Williams, Henriette Chacar, Dedi, Maayan Lubell, Emily Rose, James Mackenzie, John Davison, Idrees Ali, Trevor Hunnicutt, Michelle Nichols, Patricia Zengerle, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Hamas, Lebanese, United Nations, . Security, Saturday, Israel, REUTERS, U.S . Department of Defense, Eisenhower, . Troops, Reuters, Palestinian Health Ministry, U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Iran, GAZA, JERUSALEM, Israel, Sunday, Lebanon, Qatar, New York, Russia, Ashkelon, Gaza City, Egypt, Rafah, Cairo, U.S, United States, Palestinian, Washington, Israel's, Jerusalem

☆ U.S. ready to send more military aid to Israel, says Austin
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks to the media during a NATO Defence Ministers' meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium October 12, 2023. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsJERUSALEM, Oct 13 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Friday that the Pentagon was ready to deploy more military aid to Israel as Israeli forces prepare for a likely invasion of Gaza in response to a devastating attack by militant group Hamas. Austin said that munitions, air defence capabilities and other equipment and resources were "rapidly flowing" to Washington's closest Middle Eastern ally. Israel has vowed to crush Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist movement that rules Gaza. Israel launched its heaviest ever bombardment of the Gaza Strip after Hamas carried out an unprecedented and shock cross-border attack into southern Israel on Oct. 7.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Johanna Geron, Austin, Israel, Yoav Gallant, Ari Rabinovitch, Dan Williams, Henriette Chacar, John Davison, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Defence, NATO Defence Ministers, REUTERS, Rights, . Defense, Pentagon, Hamas, U.S . Department of Defense, Israel, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Israel, Gaza, Washington's, Palestinian, Tel Aviv, United States, Ukraine

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