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☆ An airline passenger could face a $120,000 bill after fighter jets were scrambled when he joked about blowing up the plane
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Per the BBC, he sent a Snapchat: "On my way to blow up the plane (I'm a member of the Taliban)." He is currently facing public disorder charges in Spain after the country's air force scrambled jets. AdvertisementAn airline passenger who prompted the Spanish Air Force to scramble fighter jets after he joked about blowing up the plane he was on appeared in court on Monday, the BBC reported. Advertisement"The intention was never to cause public distress or cause public harm," Verma told the court. According to the Telegraph, Verma told the court he first thought the jets were flanking the plane as part of a military exercise related to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Persons: Aditya Verma, —, Verma, Aditya didn't Organizations: BBC, Service, Spanish Air Force, London Gatwick Airport, Facebook Locations: Spain, easyJet, London, Menorca, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Russia will send fighter jets and attack helicopters to Iran, state media says. The move could strengthen ties that already have the US worried.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russia is slated to send Iran advanced fighter jet and attack helicopters, reports say. AdvertisementRussia has agreed to send advanced fighter jets and attack helicopters to Iran in a deal that would provide a significant boost to the country's air force, Iranian media reports. A Mil Mi-28 attack helicopter performs during Army Games 2021 at Alabino Military Training Ground in Moscow on August 25, 2021. AdvertisementPrior to the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow was the world's second-largest arms exporter behind the US, according to a 2021 Congressional Research Service report . But Russia's war in Ukraine has disrupted its foreign military sales, an important component of the country's defense apparatus.

Persons: —, Yakovlev, Tasnim, that's, Stringer, John Kirby, Kirby, we've, Evgeniy, IRNA Organizations: Service, White, Tasnim News Agency, Republic News Agency, Army, Alabino, Anadolu Agency, Getty, National Security, European Union, AP, Kremlin, US Locations: Russia, Iran, Moscow, Tehran, Ukraine, East, Kyiv, Russian, European, Ukrainian, Washington, Israel, Gaza, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Syria

☆ Miss Universe 2023 preliminary: Highlights from the national costume competition
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Alex Rees | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

That’s a serious question, but with a delightfully nonsensical answer: All served as inspiration for national costumes on display during the 2023 Miss Universe pageant’s preliminary competition. (Specifically, those were the looks donned by Miss Great Britain, Miss Philippines, Miss Dominican Republic and, yes, Miss Switzerland.) Eighty-four countries are represented at this year’s Miss Universe, which is taking place in the El Salvadoran capital of San Salvador. Miss Nepal, Jane Garrett, is one of the first “curvy” women to compete at Miss Universe; Erica Robin, meanwhile, is the first woman to represent Pakistan at the pageant. Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesTrue to form for the competition, Miss France ventured into Moulin Rouge's costume department.

Persons: Miss Great, Miss Nepal, Jane Garrett, Erica Robin, R’Bonney Gabriel, Hector Vivas, Miss Brazil, El Salvador's, Alex Peña, Ireland's, carnations, Miss Nigeria's, Miss Curaçao's, Marina Machete, Miss Malaysia, Serena Lee, Jordanne Levy, Moulin, Anntonia Porsild, Bryoni Natalie Govender, Miss Mongolia's Organizations: CNN, Swiss Guard, Miss, El, Oxford English, Miss Netherlands, Games, country's Air Force, Images Locations: Miss Great Britain, Miss Philippines, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Switzerland, El Salvadoran, San Salvador, Netherlands, Portugal, Miss, Pakistan, USA, Miss Iceland, Venezuelan American, Costa Rica, Miss Portugal, Honduras, Jamaica, Thailand, South Africa

☆ Russia says it shot down 36 Ukrainian drones as fighting grinds on in Ukraine’s east
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A satellite image shows smoke billowing from Russian Black Sea navy headquarters after a missile strike, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Sevastopol, Crimea, on Sept. 22, 2023. Russian air defense shot down over 30 Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea and the Crimean peninsula overnight Saturday, Russia's Defense Ministry said Sunday. "The air defense systems in place destroyed 36 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the Black Sea and the northwestern part of the Crimean peninsula," the ministry wrote on Telegram. Local authorities in the southern Krasnodar region bordering the Black Sea said that a fire broke out at an oil refinery in the early hours of Sunday, but did not specify the cause. In Ukraine, the country's air force said Sunday it had shot down five Iranian-made Shahed exploding drones launched by Russia overnight.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Vyacheslav Volodin, Volodin, Ursula von der Leyen Organizations: Russia's Defense, Telegram . Local, Russia, Russian, UK Ministry, European Union, State Duma, European, Russian Federation Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Sevastopol, Crimea, Crimean, Krasnodar, Moscow, Siversk, Donetsk province, British, Russia, Avdiivka, Donetsk, Kyiv, Belgium, Europe

☆ Israeli soldiers could end up fighting through an 'underground nightmare' in an invasion of Gaza, home to Hamas' infamous 'metro' of tunnels
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Hamas' infamous network of tunnels await Israeli forces should they invade the Gaza Strip. A former US Army infantry soldier said Hamas can use tunnels for defensive and offensive maneuvers, challenging an invading force. Photo by Yousef Masoud/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesMuch of the tunnel network is narrow, and some portions have been discovered to be over 200 feet deep. AdvertisementAdvertisementOffensively, the tunnels give Hamas the ability to conduct surprise attacks on IDF forces, Spencer said. The tunnel issue, of course, is not the only challenge that Israeli soldiers will face in an invasion of Gaza.

Persons: —, John Spencer, Din, Yousef Masoud, Scott Peterson, Spencer, Ashraf Amra, it's, — that's Organizations: US, Service, Israel Defense Forces, West, Institute, IDF, Hamas, Getty, Israel, US Marines, Cu Chi, American, Islamic, Ordnance Air, ISIS, Combat Engineering Corps, Unit, Al, Quds Brigades, Islamic Jihad Movement, Anadolu Agency, United Nations Locations: Gaza, Israel, Egypt, Iwo Jima, Vietnam, Cu, Islamic State, Iraq, Afghanistan, Quds, Israeli, Gaza City

☆ As Israeli jets devastate Gaza, air force photos show fighter aircraft armed with what look like unguided 'dumb' bombs
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

But the Israeli Air Force recently published photos of fighter jets armed with what experts said look like unguided bombs. Israeli Air Force personnel "arming and continuing the series of attacks," per an X post on October 12, 2023. Israeli Air ForceIsraeli Air Force aircraft outfitted with bombs. AdvertisementAdvertisementAn Israeli Air Force video posted on Monday also showed fighter jets armed with unguided bombs ahead of footage of airstrikes. The unguided munitions in the photos look noticeably different from those equipped with JDAM kits, which turn unguided munitions into precision weapons.

Persons: —, it's, Israel, Michael Bohnert, Justin Bronk, Bronk, jet's, Momen Faiz, NurPhoto, JDAMs, they're, MAHMUD HAMS, Yoav Gallant Organizations: Israeli Air Force, Service, Attack Munitions, Twitter, Israeli Air Force Israeli Air Force, Rand Corporation, Royal United Services Institute, Royal Norwegian Air Force Academy, US Army Air Force, Israel Defense Forces, Air Force, Boeing, Guardian, ISIS, Hamas, Getty, Israeli Air, Israeli, IDF Locations: Israel, Gaza, Vietnam, Gaza City, AFP

☆ Three Ukrainian military pilots die in mid-air collision
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KYIV, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Three Ukrainian pilots have died after two L-39 trainer aircraft collided in mid-air in central Ukraine, the country's air force said in a statement on Saturday. The crash occurred on Friday over Zhytomyr region, which lies west of Ukraine's capital Kyiv. The air force said one of the pilots killed, using the callsign "Juice", had become well known after giving numerous interviews to international media. This is a painful and irreparable loss for all of us," the air force wrote on the Telegram app, adding that an investigation into the circumstances of the crash was taking place. Reporting by Max Hunder; Editing by David HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Max Hunder, David Holmes Organizations: Ukrainian, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Ukraine's

☆ Kim Jong Un just showed off two new North Korean aircraft that look shockingly similar to US military drones
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

North Korea unveiled two new aircraft this week that very closely resemble US military drones. Thousands of people can be seen standing along the sidelines and waving North Korean flags. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un walks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang, North Korea, on July 27, 2023. This photo provided by the North Korean government, shows what it says Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile during a military parade on Thursday. North Korea has not conducted a nuclear test since 2017 but remains determined to stand among the world's nuclear powers, despite widespread international pressure and concern.

Persons: Kim Jong, Sergei Shoigu, Kim Il, Phil Speck, it's, Hawk, Bobbi Zapka, Kim Jong Un, Shoigu, Kim, Vladimir Putin Organizations: American, Kim Jong Un, Service, North, North Korean, Korean Central News Agency, Korea News Service, AP, US Air National Guard, ISIS, Russian Defense, Getty, Air Force, U.S . Air Force, REUTERS, Korean, Russian, AP Pyongyang, DPRK, White, Democratic People's, UN Locations: Korea, China, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Pyongyang, North Korea, Wyoming, Handou, Korean, South Korea, Ohio, Kentucky, American, Ukraine, North, United States, Democratic People's Republic of Korea

☆ Russia launches sixth air attack on Kyiv in July - Ukraine's military
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 25 (Reuters) - Russia launched its sixth air attack this month on Kyiv early on Tuesday, the military administration of the Ukrainian capital said, with air raid alerts blaring for more than three hours over the city and east half of the country. Russia attacked Kyiv with Iranian-made Shahed drones, and based on preliminary information all the drones were downed by Ukraine's air defence systems, Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said on the Telegram messaging app. Air raid sirens wailed for more than three hours across most of Ukraine's east from about 1:40 a.m. (2240 GMT), the country's Air Force said. At 5:30 a.m. the Air Force said on its Telegram channel that there was a fresh threat of attacks on Ukraine's east and southeast regions using ballistic weapons and issued air raid warnings for those areas. Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Simon Cameron-MooreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Serhiy Popko, Lidia Kelly, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Reuters, country's Air Force, Air Force, Thomson Locations: Russia, Iranian, Melbourne

☆ Ukrainian pilot says its air force is so outclassed by Russia's that it can 'do nothing to them in the air'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Ukrainian pilot described his struggle against much more powerful Russian aviation. The pilot told The Sunday Times about the limited impact that Ukraine's outdated gear can have. "The Russian jets are much better quality than ours," Maksym told The Times. A top British air force general, Chief Marshal of British Air Staff Rich Knighton, told a conference in London last week that Russia's air force "remains largely intact." Citing British intelligence, Knighton said that Russia's air force had retained 96% of its 2,021 fixed-wing aircraft and 90% of its 899 helicopters, with losses of 86 planes and 90 helicopters.

Persons: Maksym, Maksim's, British Air Staff Rich Knighton, Knighton Organizations: Sunday Times, Service, Times, Lada, Ukraine, Senior Ukrainian, Financial Times, British, British Air Staff Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian, Bakhmut, Soviet, London

☆ The world's most powerful air forces in 2023, ranked
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Global Firepower ranked 145 countries based on the size of their air force fleets. Some countries overperformed, or underperformed, compared to their overall military strength. See below for the world's 25 strongest air forces in 2023. The ranking looks at how many helicopters, fighter jets, interceptors, bombers, transport jets, and other types of aircraft each country's air force has in its arsenal. Some countries found themselves in vastly different positions on the list compared to their place on Global Firepower's overall military strength ranking for the year.

Organizations: Global Firepower, Service, Global Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ Taiwan determined to safeguard freedom, democracy, President Tsai says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Through this trip we again sent a message to the international community that Taiwan is determined to safeguard freedom and democracy which won acknowledgment and support from our democratic partners," Tsai said as she met Canadian lawmakers at her office in Taipei. We are willing to do our utmost to jointly safeguard the values of freedom and democracy with Canada and many more like-minded international partners." Despite China announcing the three days of drills had ended as scheduled on Monday, Beijing has continued military activities around Taiwan. Taiwan's defence ministry said on Wednesday morning that in the previous 24 hours it had detected 35 Chinese military aircraft and eight navy vessels around Taiwan. The aircraft crossing the median line included five Su-30 fighters at its northern end, with the other planes crossing at points in the centre and south.

☆ Russian fighter jets are reportedly ambushing Ukrainian pilots in sneak attacks. Fending them off would require F-16s, pilot says, which the US previously said 'won't help them.'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russian fighter jets are ambushing Ukrainians in sneak attacks, an official told The Telegraph. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the White House to send F-16 jets to fight back. The Biden administration has so far refused to send F-16 fighters and MQ-9 drones to Ukraine. They will send up a Russian jet alone, tricking the Ukrainian pilot into thinking there is only one jet. Kahl added that the subject was discussed by President Joe Biden and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during Biden's visit to Kyiv on February 20.

☆ English resort counts down to western Europe's first satellite launch
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Henry Nicholls | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Henry NichollsNEWQUAY, England, Jan 9 (Reuters) - An English surfing resort was counting down to the first launch of orbital satellites into space from western Europe on Monday, when Virgin Orbit's mission will transform the Cornish town of Newquay into the country's first spaceport. The "horizontal" launch will catapult the resort in southwest England, population 20,000 and famous for its reliable waves rolling off the Atlantic, into the limelight as western Europe's go-to destination for small satellites. The European Space Agency's (ESA) Ariane 6 rocket, designed to carry large satellites, has also had delays. "Assuming that everything continues to look good we're currently tracking well for launch," a Virgin Orbit spokeswoman said on Sunday. The LEO sector is growing rapidly, spurred by satellite broadband companies such as Elon Musk's Starlink, Amazon and London-headquartered OneWeb.

☆ Russia is tearing through its munitions stockpiles faster than it can refill them, top US intel chief says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russia is rapidly expending its stockpiles of munitions, the top US intelligence official said. In dealing with limited precision munitions, Russia has turned to Iran and North Korea for support. Avril Haines, the director of national intelligence, told the Reagan National Defense Forum on Saturday that Russia is burning through its munitions stockpiles "quite quickly," though she did not elaborate on any precise figures. "And of course, we've indicated that their precision munitions are running out much faster. These kamikaze drones, as they have been called, are cheaper than precision munitions, making them a suitable though less destructive supplement as Russia's stockpiles run low.

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