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☆ Taiwan to acquire more than 1,000 armed drones in new US arms sale
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The United States has approved the $360 million sale of more than 1,000 small armed drones to Taiwan, as the self-ruled island claimed by China aims to strengthen its asymmetrical warfare abilities with an eye on successful tactics used on the battlefield in Ukraine. The proposed sale comes as China increases military pressure on Taiwan, with extensive military exercises around it and almost daily warplane flights near the island. In a statement Wednesday, Taiwan’s presidential office thanked the US for its security commitments, adding this was the Biden administration’s 15th weapons sale to the island since 2021. That includes $6.1 billion in asymmetrical weapon systems, including Harpoon missiles, PAC-3 missile interceptors and MQ-9B aerial drones, Cato said. Many analysts have urged Taiwan to pursue more asymmetrical weapons, which they say would be harder for China to counter than conventional arms in any invasion of the island.

Persons: “, Adm, Dong Jun, ”, Wahid Nawabi, Anduril, Biden, Karen Kuo, Cato Organizations: US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Communist Party, Taiwan Relations, Washington, Chinese Defense, “, Cato Institute, Harpoon Locations: States, Taiwan, China, Ukraine, Taipei, Beijing, Singapore, “ Taiwan, Washington

☆ A US attack submarine and one of Russia's most formidable subs are in Cuba at the same time
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewA US Navy nuclear-powered attack submarine arrived in Cuba on Thursday, the Pentagon revealed, putting the American combat vessel in the Caribbean nation at the same time as one of Russia's most formidable subs. AdvertisementThe Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Helena transits the Atlantic Ocean. One of these vessels is the Kazan, a Yasan-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine. A spokesperson for SOUTHCOM said that the Helena's arrival in Cuba was not a direct response to the Russian naval vessels. AdvertisementThe Russian nuclear-powered submarine Kazan arrives at Havana's harbor on June 12.

Persons: —, Helena, Rafael Martie, SOUTHCOM, ADALBERTO ROQUE, Dmitry Peskov, it's, Sabrina Singh, We're, Singh Organizations: Service, US Navy, Pentagon, US Southern Command, Business, Getty Images, US, Kremlin Locations: Cuba, Caribbean, Helena, Guantanamo Bay, SOUTHCOM's, Los Angeles, Angeles, Havana, Kazan, United States, Havana's, Moscow, Russia, Ukrainian, Washington, Ukraine, Kyiv

☆ China's military exercises last week 'looked like a rehearsal' for a Taiwan invasion, US' top officer in the Pacific says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

China's large-scale military exercises surrounding Taiwan last week "looked like a rehearsal" for an invasion, the US' top officer in the Pacific said. Related storiesIn the aftermath of the exercises, US lawmakers and officials have been responding with clear shows of support for Taiwan. The US would be dependent on Japan's bases to threaten a Chinese threat to Taiwan, as President Joe Biden has vowed. Taiwan's army held a military exercise following China's large-scale joint military drill around Taiwan on May 23, 2024. TAIWAN Military News Agency, Ministry of National Defense, R. O. C. / HANDOUTLast week's exercises weren't the first time China has held provocative exercises around Taiwan.

Persons: Adm, Samuel Paparo, Paparo, Joe Biden, Michael McCaul, McCaul, Nancy Pelosi, Party's Lai Ching, Tsai Ing Organizations: Service, Business, Pacific, Japan's Nikkei, TAIWAN Military News Agency, Ministry of National Defense, Democratic Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, US, China, United States, Taiwan's, Japan

☆ The red flags that will tell us when China's actually ready to invade Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

"I don't think they lack for anything that they need," Lyle Goldstein, director of Asia engagement at Defense Priorities, said of China's forces. Military forces are being deployed nearer to Taiwan than ever, effectively shortening Taiwan's reaction time. Stockpiling of China's rocket force, too, suggests it would have more than enough missiles and rockets to target Taiwan. One common concern is that as China's military exercises around Taiwan have grown in frequency and size, the line between exercise and potential attack is becoming blurred. Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via Getty ImagesExperts, as well as US and Taiwan lawmakers and military officials, have long debated about the readiness of the People's Liberation Army as China's military is known.

Persons: —, Lyle Goldstein, Stringer China, Xi, Thomas Shugart, who's, Shugart, Goldstein, Mike Studeman, Xi Jinping, Dean Cheng, haven't, Cheng, Xie Huanchi, There's, Kyle Amonson, Dane Egli, Annabelle Chih, Getty Images Goldstein, Joe Biden Organizations: Service, Business, Defense, REUTERS, Taiwan's, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense, US Department of Defense, China Economic, Security, PLA, Patriot, US, Center, New, New American Security, Marine Corps, China Coast Guard, Scarborough, ROSA, Military, of Naval Intelligence, Pacific Command, US Institute of Peace, of, People, Getty Images, People's Liberation Army, CCP, Soviet, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Japan, US Coast Guard, Chinese Communist Party, Democratic Progressive Party, Kyodo, Stills Locations: China, Taiwan, Asia, Liaoning, Beijing, New American, AFP, Hong Kong, Xinhua, DoD's China, Cuba, US, Tainan, Japan, Philippines

☆ Merck beats earnings expectations, raises outlook on strong Keytruda and vaccine sales
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Merck on Thursday reported first-quarter revenue and adjusted earnings that topped expectations as it posted strong sales of its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda and vaccine products. The pharmaceutical giant also raised and narrowed its full-year revenue and adjusted earnings forecasts. Merck now expects 2024 sales to come in between $63.1 billion and $64.3 billion, up from previous guidance of $62.7 to $64.2 billion. That outlook includes a one-time charge of roughly 26 cents per share related to Merck's acquisition of Harpoon Therapeutics in January. Merck raked in $15.78 billion in revenue for the quarter, up 9% from the same period a year ago.

Persons: Merck Organizations: Merck, Harpoon Therapeutics, LSEG Locations: Rahway , New Jersey, U.S

☆ Denmark closes major shipping strait over faulty missile launcher
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Caitlin Danaher | Antonia Mortensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Denmark has closed one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes over an activated but malfunctioning missile launcher on a Danish navy ship, the country’s military said Thursday. The Niels Juel ship is stationed in Denmark’s Great Belt strait, the main maritime gateway to the Baltic Sea. “Until the booster is disabled, there is a risk that the missile could launch and fly several kilometers away,” it said. The missile is not in the direction of the Great Belt Bridge. The air space in the area is also currently closed, the military said.

Persons: Niels Juel Organizations: CNN —, Naval Locations: CNN — Denmark, Danish, Baltic

☆ These are the last remaining US battleships, now serving as floating museums after modern warfare made them obsolete
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Lauren Frias | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

USS New JerseyAn aerial port bow view of the battleship USS New Jersey launching an RGM-84 Harpoon missile on the Pacific Missile Test Center Range. Nicknamed "Big J," the New Jersey served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, during which it was the only battleship to be reactivated. The warship was decommissioned for the last time in 1991, entering the reserve fleet while the details of converting it into a museum ship were being ironed out. In 1999, Congress allowed Big J, under the management of nonprofit Home Port Alliance, to be turned into a museum ship. Since 2000, Big J has been moored across the channel from USS Olympia, but the museum ship is back on the move for the first time in decades.

Persons: Big J Organizations: Pacific Missile Test, Getty, Big, Home Port Alliance, Philadelphia Navy Yard Locations: New Jersey, USS New Jersey, an Iowa, Vietnam, Olympia, Camden , New Jersey

☆ Ukraine is struggling hard on land, but thrashing Russia repeatedly at sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Tom Porter | Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AdvertisementIf confirmed, it would mark strike twenty-five in a remarkable kill streak that Ukraine told CNN represents the disabling of a full third of Russia's Black Sea Fleet. AdvertisementUkraine's most astonishing triumph came early, in April 2022, when it sank Russia's Black Sea flagship, the Moskva. "Ukraine has been extremely successful against the Black Sea Fleet, forcing Russia to relocate assets further away from Ukraine and the frontline," Germond told BI. AdvertisementDown, but not outIs Ukraine's Black Sea success a solution to Ukraine's stalled ground offensive? This means that any ships sunk result in a longer-term decrease in the Black Sea Fleet.

Persons: —, Caesar, Ukraine Navy's, Murad Sezer, Sahaidachny, MAX DELANY, it's, Basil Germond, Germond, Michael Kofman, ” Sidharth, Kaushal, Russia can’t, ” Organizations: Service, Business, Russia's Ministry of Defence, Ukraine, CNN, Reuters, Getty, Military, Lancaster University, Shadow, Black, The Carnegie Endowment, Planet Labs PBC, Labs, UK’s Ministry of Defence, Royal United Services Institute, Montreux Convention, NATO, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence Locations: Ukraine, Crimea, Bosphorus, Sevastopol, Moskva, Russian, Syria, Rostov, Minsk, Russia, France, Novorossiysk, Odesa, Ukrainian

☆ Japan's 'Big Whale' submarines add another weapon to bottle up China's navy
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Ben Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Named, JS Raigei (“Thunder Whale” in Japanese), the diesel-electric attack sub is the fourth boat of the Taigei-class , which translates to “big whale.”Its launch comes almost exactly one year after the launch of the third Taigei-class sub, JS Jingei (or “Swift Whale”). With a building time of about two years each, Japan has launched a new Taigei-class sub every year since 2020. China’s current sub fleet, numbering some 59 boats, includes approximately 10 improved Kilo-class , 12 Type 039-class , and 21 Type 039A-class diesel-electric attack subs. Japan is building a larger submarine fleet but it is still only about a third the size of China's. AdvertisementJapan has so far launched four Taigei-class submarines since 2018; JS Taigei, JS Hakugei, JS Jingei, and JS Raigei.

Persons: —, JS, Japan’s, ”, Li Organizations: Service, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, JS Raigei, Jingei, Self, Defense Force, AIP, JS Ōryū, JS Tōryū, JS Taigei, US Navy, Center for Strategic, International Studies, JS Hakugei, JS Jingei Locations: Japan, Kobe, Soviet Union, Russia, China, Beijing, Taiwan, East, South China, Miyako Strait, Philippines, Australia, South

☆ Ukraine's homemade sea drones often fail, but they're so cheap that it doesn't matter, expert says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewUkraine's home-developed naval drones are offering vital capabilities that cruise missiles just don't have, a naval expert told Business Insider. This could have a sizable impact on Ukraine's ongoing efforts to subdue Russia's Black Sea Fleet. Defense Intelligence of UkraineSidharth Kaushal, a naval expert at the UK's Royal United Services Institute, outlined Ukraine's sea drones' limitations and advantages to BI. "The Ukrainians don't have very many cruise missiles that can target things at the ranges that they've been able to go after" with sea drones, he added. Since then, sea drones have been involved in multiple high-profile attacks, including reported strikes on two Russian landing ships in November.

Persons: —, Russia's, Kyrylo, Ukraine Sidharth, Kaushal, they've, Ukraine hasn't, Ivan Khurs, Basil Germond Organizations: Service, UK's Ministry of Defence, Business, Autonomous Guard, Defense Intelligence, Royal United Services Institute, CNN, Russia's Defence Ministry, Russian Defence Ministry, REUTERS, Lancaster University Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Russia's, Ukrainian, REUTERS Ukraine, Russian, Crimea

☆ ‘Save the Whales’ was a shining success. Now can humpbacks save us from ourselves?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Bill Weir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

Antarctic Peninsula CNN —About 15 billion miles from where you sit, two 12-inch golden records are hurtling through outer space with multilingual greetings to the universe from 55 humans and one humpback whale. WWF's Johnson said the whales are not harmed by this -- to the whales, the dart feels like "a mosquito bite." It feels like “a mosquito bite” to the whales, Johnson said, but what they can test for is priceless: from stress hormones to toxins to — most importantly — pregnancy rates. Ten million copies were inserted into National Geographic magazine in 1979 — the largest single pressing in history — and a global movement to Save The Whales grew big enough to … save the whales. Seth Wenig/AP“I don’t think a wind turbine can kill a whale,” Friedlaender told CNN.

Persons: Anderson Cooper, Carl Sagan, ” Sagan, could’ve, “, Ari Friedlaender, Friedlaender, ”, Chris Johnson, ” Eva Prendergast, WWF's Johnson, Evelio Contreras, Bill Weir, Johnson, ” Friedlaender, Shepherd, WWF’s Johnson, Roger, Katy Payne, David Keyton, Frank Watlington, cetologist Scott McVay, Donald Trump, ” Trump, Seth Wenig, that’s, Biden, ” Johnson, Twain, CNN “, ” Brenda McCowan, Fred Sharpe, ” McCowan, ’ ” Sharpe, Natalia Botero, Acosta, ’, Maria Camila Medina Martínez, Julian Quinones, ” Carl Sagan Organizations: Antarctic Peninsula CNN, “, ” CNN CNN, University of California, International Monetary Fund, World Wildlife Fund, Ocean Endeavor, CNN, UC Santa Cruz, Shepherd Global, Norwegian Aker, United Nations, Geographic, Whales, International Whaling Commission, Atlantic, Republican, Templeton Foundation, Whale SETI, UC Davis Locations: Santa Cruz, Colombia, British, Antarctica, Norwegian, Southern, Orkney, Bermuda, Japan, Norway, Iceland, Atlantic, South Carolina, Lido Beach , New York, Davis, Alaska, Columbia, Colombian, Tribuga, United Nations, Palau, Chile, Maldives

☆ Merck results beat expectations as top drugs Keytruda, Gardasil post strong sales
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Merck on Thursday reported fourth-quarter revenue and adjusted earnings that topped estimates as it saw strong demand for its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda and HPV vaccine Gardasil. Excluding acquisition and restructuring costs, Merck earned 3 cents per share for the fourth quarter. Merck raked in $14.63 billion in revenue for the quarter, up 6% from the same period a year ago. Analysts surveyed by LSEG expected Merck to forecast full-year sales of $63.52 billion and adjusted earnings of $8.42 per share. Merck recorded charges of $190 million related to the program in the fourth quarter, which is excluded from its adjusted results.

Persons: Merck Organizations: Merck & Co, New York Stock Exchange, Merck, LSEG, Harpoon Therapeutics Locations: New York City , New York, U.S

☆ Taiwan Air Force Shows off Its Sub Hunting, Early Warning Prowess
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Fabian HamacherPINGTUNG, Taiwan (Reuters) - Taiwan's air force showed off its armed-to-the-teeth submarine hunters and early warning and control aircraft on Tuesday, demonstrating how it keeps watch on the skies and waters around the Chinese-claimed island. Taiwan's air force, dwarfed by China's but well-armed with mostly U.S. equipment, has been at the front lines of responding to these missions and regularly scrambles to shadow and warn away Chinese aircraft and ships. On a defence ministry-organised media visit to the Pingtung air base in southern Taiwan, the air force displayed its Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion anti-submarine aircraft and Northrop Grumman-built E-2K Hawkeye early warning and control aircraft. The air force also conducted flybys with one of their E-2K Hawkeye aircraft. Taiwan has reported Chinese warships and warplanes frequently passing through the Bashi Channel.

Persons: Fabian Hamacher PINGTUNG, Lockheed Martin, Crews, Tsai Tsung, Fabian Hamacher, Ben Blanchard, William Maclean Organizations: Lockheed, Northrop Grumman, U.S . Navy, Hawkeye Locations: Taiwan, China, Taipei, Philippines, Pacific . Taiwan

☆ US Army flight tested the seeker that will help turn its newest missile into a ship-killer
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The US Army recently obtained its new Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), a surface-to-surface weapon. Earlier this month, the Army revealed it made progress on a new variant of the ballistic missile. AdvertisementThe US Army has flight tested the seeker that will allow its newest missile to hunt down warships, among other targets. Last month, the Army received its first delivery of the next-generation Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), a short-range, surface-to-surface ballistic missile. On Tuesday, for example, US forces struck and destroyed four anti-ship ballistic missiles that the Houthis were preparing to launch.

Persons: —, Lockheed Martin, James Kirsch, AvMC, DEVCOM AvMC, Biden, Gerald R, Technology Doug Bush Organizations: US Army, Strike, Army, Service, MGM, Tactical Missile Systems, Lockheed, Ship, Command's Aviation, Missile Center, Ford, High, Artillery Rocket Systems, Systems, Acquisition, Logistics, Technology Locations: Ukraine, Yemen, Iran, China, Beijing

☆ After years of building up its navy, Saudi Arabia is testing its new warships with real-world missions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in its navy in recent years, buying a number of new warships. AdvertisementThe first of the Spanish-built corvettes, Al Jubail, arrived at the Saudi naval base in Jeddah in August 2022. Patrol boats for Saudi Arabia at a German shipyard in April 2019. During that decade, Saudi Arabia initiated the first Saudi Naval Enhancement Program, which equipped its navy with modern American, French, and British warships. The current buildup, called Saudi Naval Enhancement Program II, or SNEP II, is the most significant one since then.

Persons: —, Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco, MCS3 Louis Thompson Staats, Mazzucco, Al Jubail, Juan Carlos Toro, Lockheed Martin, Stefan Sauer, Nixon, Shah, HMS Badr, Paul Iddon Organizations: Service, Saudi, Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Combined Maritime Forces, International, Analytics, Stimson Center, US Navy, Royal Saudi Naval Force, Getty, RIM, Saudi Western Fleet, Saudi Eastern Fleet, Lockheed, Fleet, Saudi Naval Enhancement, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, IRGC Navy, SNEP Locations: Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Persian, Saudi, Iran, Yemen, Washington, Al, Madinah, Navantia's, Cádiz, Spain, Jeddah, East Africa, Iraq, Gulf

☆ Founders Fund backed Jennifer Campbell's startup before she sold it to Coinbase for millions. Now she's looking to 'harpoon' a startup 'whale' as the firm's newest partner.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Melia Russell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Jennifer Campbell left Coinbase to become a partner at Founders Fund. Before Founders Fund, Campbell built and sold a crypto prime brokerage startup. Before Campbell invested at Founders Fund, she got funded by them. Before long, she caught the attention of several funds, including her former backers at Founders Fund, circling the same deals. AdvertisementAdvertisement"I felt like I always knew I wanted to come back to Founders Fund," Campbell said.

Persons: Jennifer Campbell, Coinbase, Campbell, —, let's, Fund's, Erin Gleason Organizations: Founders Fund, Fund, Service, SpaceX, Quiet Locations: San Francisco's Presidio, Coinbase, OpenAI

Tiny but bountiful, Antarctic krill make up one of the planet’s largest biomasses, nourishing everything from fish to marine mammals and seabirds. At Steinberg’s lab, researchers are examining how warming oceans — Antarctic krill need water colder than 4 degrees Celsius (39 Fahrenheit) to survive — are altering krill’s life cycle. However, a leading marine biologist the industry once relied on to burnish its environmental credentials has since denounced krill fishing. She accepted with the hope that she could help mitigate the effects of krill fishing on the Antarctic ecosystem. Today, she believes that krill fishing should be banned.

Persons: “ What’s, ”, Alistair Allan, Bob, it’s, Santa Cruz, Deborah Steinberg’s, ” Steinberg, Emma Cavan, Steinberg, Claire Christian, “ It’s, aren’t, Dirk Welsford, Matts Johansen, ” Johansen, Kjell Inge Røkke, Brett Glencross, “, Jesse Trushenski, Trushenski, Johansen, William Harris, he’s, Javier Arata, Helena Herr, CCAMLR, Ari Friedlaender, ” Friedlaender, Peter Hammarstedt, JoNel, Helen Wieffering, Fu Ting Organizations: Bob Brown Foundation, Soviet Union, Associated Press, Shepherd, Walton Family Foundation, AP, University of California, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, World Wildlife Fund, Imperial College London, Commission, Conservation, Antarctic Marine Living Resources, Antarctic, Southern Ocean Coalition, U.S, United Nations, Antarctic Provider, Aker BioMarine, Aker, Aker ASA, National Institutes of Health, University of South, Association, Pew, University of Hamburg, Foods, Amazon, Wildlife Fund, LCA, Sea Shepherd, Washington , D.C Locations: Antarctica, Chilean, Alaska, U.S, Soviet, Russia, China, South America, Orkney, Norwegian, Santa, Cavan, Tasmania, It’s, Washington, Moscow, Beijing, Texas, Australian, Montevideo, Uruguay, dwarfing, Norway, American, Europe, Canada, Australia, Houston, Aker, Oslo, Brussels, Boise , Idaho, University of South Dakota, Salt Lake City , Utah, Santa Cruz, Virginia, Peruvian, Ski, Los Angeles, Washington ,, Investigative@ap.org

☆ What does the US carrier strike group near Israel bring? Tremendous firepower and an unmistakable message
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was deployed in the eastern Mediterranean amid a growing crisis in Israel. Carrier strike groups host significant airpower and firepower, and the Ford's new technological capabilities make it a major presence. US officials announced the movement of the carrier strike group toward Israel on Sunday, the day after Hamas carried out deadly terror attacks against the US ally. The amount of firepower each vessel brings adds up, especially considering the capabilities of the air wing aboard USS Gerald R. Ford. It set out on a short maiden deployment last year and its first full deployment as part of a fully certified carrier strike group earlier this year.

Persons: Gerald R, —, Burke, Thomas Hudner, Ramage, USS Carney, Roosevelt, Bryan Clark, Maxwell, Ford, Clark, Gray, Jackson Adkins, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Bryan Goodman, William Sum, Israel Organizations: Ford Carrier Strike, Israel . Aircraft, Carrier, Service, US, Sunday, Israel, Ford, Ticonderoga, Arleigh, US Navy, Hudson Institute, Nimitz, Central Command, Hornets, EA, Electronic Attack, U.S . Navy, Pentagon, Defense, US Central Command, Hamas, British Royal Navy, Wall, US Department of Defense, Airborne Command, Control Squadron, Jackson Adkins US, US State Department, Israeli Defense Force, IDF Locations: Israel, Normandy, United States, Ticonderoga, Gaza, Iran, Iraq, Wellington , Florida, Panorama City , California, Persian

☆ Armed with a heavyweight torpedo made to 'break ships in half,' Taiwan's first homemade submarine will represent a new threat to China's navy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The vessel's ability to carry a powerful heavyweight torpedo capable of defeating ships and submarines — the US-made Mark 48, or Mk-48 — is a real eye-catching feature. The vessel — its English name "Narwhal" and Mandarin name "Hai Kun" — is the first sub of the island's Indigenous Defense Submarine program, a top priority in Taipei. AdvertisementAdvertisementTaiwan President Tsai Ing-wen receiving a submarine model in front of Taiwan's first locally built submarine, "Narwhal," during the vessel's unveiling ceremony at the CSBC Corporation shipbuilding company in Kaohsiung in September. US Navy/MC1 Michael B ZingaroOriginally designed in the late 1960s and deployed in the late 1980s, the Mk-48 torpedo was intended to counter advances in Soviet submarine technology. These considerations make the Mk-48 torpedo key.

Persons: —, Tom Shugart, who's, they're, Tsai Ing, Bryan Clark, Clark, Donald Trump, Michael B, It's, Shugart, MCSN Jaimar Carson, Huang Shu, kuang, they've, Philip Davidson, Michael B Zingaro, it's, Huang, wouldn't Organizations: China, Service, US, Center, New, New American Security, Indigenous Defense, CSBC Corporation, SAM, Getty, US Navy, Hudson Institute, Army, Pacific Command, Tomahawk, Maritime Locations: Taiwan, bulking, New American, Kaohsiung, Taipei, AFP, Los Angeles, Columbia, Soviet, Jefferson City, Beijing, China, Ukraine

☆ Armed with a heavyweight torpedo made to 'break ships in half,' Taiwan's first homemade submarine represents a new threat to China's navy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

☆ New missiles could help Ukraine's future F-16 fighters to take on Russian jets, but the planes will likely be more useful for other missions
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

The Pentagon plans to send highly capable air-to-air missiles that the jets can carry. A US Air Force aircraft fuels craftsman marshals a US F-16 at Rovaniemi Air Base in Finland during Astral Knight 23 Part 6 on August 23, 2023. These capabilities, coupled with its physical design, make the F-16 a formidable opponent for Russian fighter jets like the MiG-31 and Su-35, experts and former pilots say. AdvertisementAdvertisementAn F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 85th Test Evaluation Squadron flies a test mission March 19, 2019 near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Snodgrass said these missiles are "fairly comparable" to Russian air-to-air missiles like the R-27 and R-77.

Persons: Albert Morel Additionally, John Baum, Baum, it's, Guy Snodgrass, Russia's Su, Joshua Hoskins, Snodgrass, Biden, ANDREY SMIRNOV, Doug Birkey, Evgeniy, we've, Tannehill, ABIS Kayla Hayes, Moscow's, Perry Aston Organizations: Pentagon, Aviation, Service, AIM, US Air Force, Rovaniemi Air Base, Astral, Russian, Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Air Missiles, Air & Space Forces Magazine, Washington, Air Missile, US Navy, Getty, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, AP, Kyiv, Avionics, 3C Orion, Marine Corps Base, Australian Defense Force, NATO, Army Tactical Missile, Storm, Alabama National, 187th Fighter Wing, Joint Base, Sweden, Gripen Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Russian, Finland, Fla, Kyiv, Moscow, Russia, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Crimean, Md, Stockholm

☆ Iceland resumes fin whale hunting, but killing needs to be faster
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Sigtryggur Johannsson/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOSLO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Iceland's government said on Thursday it will resume hunting fin whales after a two-month halt, but with new guidelines aimed at killing them as quickly as possible to reduce suffering. Iceland resumed hunting fin whales, which can reach lengths of over 20 metres (65 feet), in 2006 after a 20-year pause. Although several are still endangered or even on the brink of extinction, Iceland, along with Norway and Japan, have resumed commercial whaling. The hunting will be resumed after a government working group concluded that it was possible to improve the hunting methods. Iceland's public broadcaster said whale hunters would be required to complete a course in whale biology, pain perception and stress.

Persons: Sigtryggur, Nerijus, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, International Whaling Commission, Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Fisheries, Thomson Locations: Reykjavik, Rights OSLO, Iceland, Norway, Japan

☆ Why Mark Meadows wants an Obama-appointed judge to oversee his Georgia indictment
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Mark Meadows wants his criminal case moved to federal court, under an Obama-appointed judge. A federal judge may be more sympathetic to arguments that he's immune from the case, experts say. Meadows, Clark, and several other defendants have asked to have their cases removed to federal court. "A federal court judge might be more sympathetic to some of their federal constitutional defenses that they might want to raise," Ratakonda told Insider. A state court proceeding would also take in jurors from Fulton County, which voted overwhelmingly for Biden in 2020.

Persons: Mark Meadows, Obama, Trump, Mark Meadows —, Donald Trump's, —, Barack Obama, Fani Willis, Jeffrey Clark, Joe Biden's, Meadows, Ronald Carlson, it'll, Mai Ratakonda, Ratakonda, Steve C, Jones, Clark, David Shafer, Cathleen Latham, Biden, Donald Trump, Sarah Silbiger, Norm Eisen, Brad Raffensperger, they're, Eisen, Azmi Haroun Organizations: Service, Meadows, Justice, Trump, University of Georgia School of Law, United Democracy Center, White, Prosecutors, Georgia, States United Democracy Center Locations: Wall, Silicon, Fulton County, Trump, Georgia, Joe Biden's Georgia, Meadows, Clark

☆ Dunkin is releasing spiked versions of their iced coffees and teas
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

After setting the internet abuzz last week, Dunkin’ will officially announce Monday the debut of Dunkin’ Spiked Iced Coffees and Iced Teas, which are both scheduled to roll out in the coming weeks. The two malt-based beverages, scheduled for an early September release, will feature eight flavors between them, all based on the chain’s iced coffee and tea flavors. Last year, Pabst Blue Ribbon axed their hard coffee flavor drink because of poor sales. The slightly sweet ice tea flavor is being sold in a six-pack of 12-ounce cans and a single 19.2-ounce cans. Dunkin' Spiked iced tea is coming out in late August.

Persons: New York CNN —, Dunkin ’, Dunkin, RTDs, ” Duane Stanford, ”, Samuel Adams, Dave Williams, Bump, ” Dunkin, Scott Murphy, ” Stanford, “, Bravo’s, Brian Gilbert Organizations: New, New York CNN, Beverage Digest, CNN, Boston Beer Company, Bump Williams Consulting, Pabst, Ribbon, Molson Coors, La, Dunkin Locations: New York, Kahlua, Florida , Massachusetts, Texas, England

☆ A fierce naval battle 35 years ago shows how destructive another US showdown with Iran could get
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

More than 50 IRGCN and Iranian Navy personnel were killed, while the US lost one SeaCobra helicopter and its two crew members. After all, Iran has made significant changes to its naval forces and tactics over the past 35 years, becoming "much more asymmetric," according to Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and expert on naval operations. Iran's naval force now consists of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, known as the IRGCN, and the regular Iranian Navy, Clark told Insider. The Iranian Navy still primarily consists of frigates and corvettes, which operate outside the Gulf, and is much more like other conventional navies. Iranian Navy warship Sahand in Persian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz in April 2019.

Persons: Biden, Earnest Will, Chance, Samuel B, Roberts, Bryan Clark, Clark, Nadimi, Abu Musa Island, IRGC, Morteza, Kyle Jia Iran's, weren't, Paul Iddon Organizations: Service, US Navy, US, Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, US Naval Forces Central Command, Fleet, SS, Iranian Navy, Hudson Institute, Washington Institute for Near East, Iran's Navy, REUTERS, Getty, US Marines, US Marine Corps Locations: Persian, Iran, Wall, Silicon, China, Marshall, Iranian, Gulf, Strait, Hormuz, Tehran, Iraq, SS Bridgeton, Abu Musa, Handout, Persian Gulf, Soviet Union, Lebanon, Bataan

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