DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

VIENTIANE, Laos — Women and racial diversity are vital to the strength of U.S. armed forces, outgoing Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in an exclusive interview with NBC News as he prepares to shortly exit the top military post after four years. “I would tell you that, you know, our women are the finest troops in the world. Our military is going to remain a diverse military," Austin said. Austin did not weigh in on what he thinks about Trump's choice of Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense. Austin, a four-star general who was previously commander of U.S. Central Command, was appointed as Secretary of Defense by President Joe Biden and was sworn in on Jan. 22, 2021.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, “, ” Austin, Donald Trump’s, Pete Hegseth, Hegseth, ”, Austin, Trump, Biden, Vladimir Putin, —, we've, Joe Biden, Lester Holt Organizations: NBC News, Defense, Army National Guard, Pentagon, Senate, Republicans, Department of Defense, ., Korean, U.S . Central Command, NBC Locations: VIENTIANE, Laos, Iraq, Afghanistan, United States, Ukraine, Russia, U.S, Russia's Kursk, Jan

“We know they can do it.”More than 300,000 women served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, Manning said. More than 9,000 women received Army Combat Action Badges for “actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy,” according to a 2015 report by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. Two were given a Silver Star, the third-highest military combat decoration, for “gallantry in action,” the report said. Manning said another 383 women were awarded a Purple Heart — the nation’s oldest military award, which recognizes sacrifice and heroism. “To cast this wide net and say women shouldn’t serve in combat — well, guess what?

Persons: Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s, ”, hasn’t, ” Hegseth, Shawn Ryan, Ben Shapiro, “ I’m, Ash Carter, Shapiro, “ shouldn’t, Lory Manning, Manning, “, Allison Jaslow, Jaslow, ” Jaslow, Trump, Hegseth, Steven Cheung, Trump’s, Sen, Tammy Duckworth, ” Duckworth, Raquel Durden, shouldn’t Organizations: U.S, Army, NBC News, Fox News, Pentagon, Army Rangers, Green Berets, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, ”, Defense Department, Service, Congressional Research Service, Star, Afghanistan Veterans, Army’s Ranger, Republican, Army National Guard, CNN Locations: U.S, America, Iraq, Afghanistan, California, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba

☆ 10 House races to watch on election night (and beyond)
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-03 | by ( Terence Burlij | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

With so much at stake, CNN has identified 10 races to watch on Tuesday – grouped into buckets that nod to broader themes across the House landscape. Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger decided against seeking a fourth term, instead launching a campaign for governor in 2025. Democratic Rep. Jared Golden has crafted a moderate profile by challenging his party on issues ranging from spending to immigration. This year she faces a challenge from GOP state Rep. Gabe Evans, a fellow Mexican American and a former Army helicopter pilot and police officer. GOP Rep. Zach Nunn, an Air Force officer, was first elected in 2022 – defeating Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne by about 2,000 votes.

Persons: CNN —, Mike Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Eugene Vindman, Derrick Anderson, Abigail Spanberger, Biden, Vindman, Anderson, Trump’s, Alexander –, Volodymyr Zelensky, Jen Kiggans, Missy Cotter Smasal, Don Bacon, Tony Vargas, –, Joe Biden, Brad Ashford, Bacon, Vargas, Harris, Jared Golden, Austin Theriault, Golden, Theriault, Elissa Slotkin’s, Curtis Hertel, Tom Barrett –, Barrett, Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan’s, Dan Kildee, Yadira Caraveo, Gabe Evans, Hyoung Chang, Yadira, Evans, Scott Perry, Janelle Stelson, Stelson, Josh Shapiro, Perry, Marc Molinaro, Josh Riley, Sen, Al Franken, Trump, Michelle Steel, Derek Tran, Don Davis, Davis, Laurie Buckhout, Zach Nunn, Cindy Axne, Lanon Baccam, CNN’s David Wright, Matt Holt, Molly English, Renée Rigdon, Andrew Menezes Organizations: CNN, Congress, Republicans, GOP, Louisiana Republican, New York Democrat, White, Republican, Democratic, Labor, Army, National Security Council, NSC, Biden, Nebraska Rep, GOP Rep, Air Force, Democrats, Electoral College, Harris, Capitol, Trump, Marine Corps, Trump voters, NASCAR, Democrats outpacing Republicans, Republican Democratic Rep, Army helicopter, Slotkin, Hertel, CIA, Central Michigan, Colorado Rep, Denver Post, crosscurrents, Colorado, Latina, Caucus, – Trump, MAGA, Empire, Democrats outspending Republicans, District :, US Army, North, North Carolina –, an Air Force, Iowa’s, Dallas County, US Department of Agriculture Locations: Louisiana, Virginia’s, Washington, Virginia, District, Virginia Beach, Omaha, Maine’s, Canada, Lewiston –, AdImpact, Michigan’s, Michigan, Lansing, Central, Denver, exurbs, Mexican, Aurora, Central Pennsylvania, New York, Empire, Hudson, It’s, California’s, District : California, California, Orange, Los Angeles, Korean, North Carolina’s, North Carolina, Alabama, Iowa’s, Des Moines, Laos

☆ Andrew Webber's forever war
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-27 | by ( Sam Fellman | Ryan Pickrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +38 min

Like others in Chosen Company, Webber had been drawn to Ukraine for reasons he couldn't quite explain. AdvertisementNow, as Webber and his fellow members of Chosen Company got acquainted in the bar, uncertainty hung over the gathering. One showed an assault team clearing a World War I-style bunker, using live rounds. AdvertisementCats are everywhere on the front lines in Ukraine; Webber rescued one from a building under fire. "It seemed like he had stuff he was working on," says O'Leary, the CO of Chosen Company.

Persons: Andrew Webber, Webber chatted, he'd, Webber, Vera, Gwen, DeeDee, He'd, Jovelle Tamayo, she'd, I'm, hadn't, Rhodesian Bush, Dee Dee, David Roller, Sweeney, Tom Mader, Mader, vomited, patting, Andrew, Matthew James When Webber, wasn't, Karla Stephens, Karla, He's, Dubs, would've, Ryan O'Leary, Thomas Waszak, Elizabeth Gil, Fenwick, —, Sayed Zuhoor, Hilarie Atkisson, who's, Joe, O'Leary, Webber wasn't, marveled, Tango, Pervomaiske, Chosen, Wayne Hallatt, Hallatt, Thomas Waszak Wearing, wouldn't, Delta, Lance Lawrence, Lawrence, CeeBee, it's, Webber couldn't, we're, Waszak, Nichole, he's, Sam Fellman, Ryan Pickrell Organizations: White Sox, Chosen Company, Army, Company, corgi, Chosen, French Foreign, Rhodesian, Ranger School, intel, Operating, Taliban, Motorized Infantry Brigade, LinkedIn, Northwestern, Fenwick & West, Big Law, United, Fenwick, Ranger, Volunteers, Delta, AK, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Webber, Business Locations: Ukrainian, Dnipro, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, America, Seattle, Bakhmut, Washington, West Point, West, Georgia, Afghanistan's, Taliban, Kandahar, Fort Benning, Russian, Donetsk, Pervomaiske, Kabul, United States, Afghan, Russia, German, Delta, Kyiv

☆ This Young Lawmaker in Lebanon Confronts Fears of a Spreading War
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-19 | by ( Matthew Cassel | Meg Felling | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The 37-year-old is from Hasbaya, a town about six miles from Lebanon’s southern border with Israel. Israeli strikes near the town are happening every day as part of the ongoing war with Hezbollah. Just over one year ago, Hezbollah launched rockets at Israeli positions across the border in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israel responded in a war that has killed more than 2,400 Lebanese and displaced over 1 million. Hamdan’s father, Ismail, a former Army general, was witness to multiple Israeli invasions and an 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon, including Hasbaya.

Persons: Firas Hamdan, Hamdan, Israel’s, Ismail Organizations: Army Locations: Lebanese, Hasbaya, Lebanon’s, Israel, Beirut, Gaza, Lebanon

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Democrats have long tried to oust Rep. Scott Perry, the former head of the far-right Freedom Caucus and a staunch Donald Trump ally, in this Pennsylvania swing district. We need to be educated, we need to be safe, we need to be healthy,” she continued. And, you know, she just rattles it off,” Perry said, referring to the House Democrats’ campaign operation. On immigration, Stelson sounds much like Perry and Trump, calling for more border funding and deporting those who are in the country illegally. That takes more judges, more attorneys, and I think that people who are here illegally need to be sent home, as well."

Persons: Scott Perry, Donald Trump, Janelle Stelson, Perry, MAGA, —, It’s, Trump, Joe Biden, Shamaine Daniels, Josh Shapiro, Scott Wong, “ It’s, ” Perry, She’s, “ She’s, Stelson, Andrea Mitchell, staving, Court’s Dobbs, Roe, Wade, Dobbs, ” Stelson, “, doesn’t, hasn’t, Abigail Spanberger, Del, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mike Pence, Jeffrey Clark, Mike Johnson, Johnson, ” Organizations: Democrats, Caucus, Capitol, Republican, Cornerstone, State Capitol, Democratic, National Democrats, Harrisburg City, GOP, NBC, House Democrats, MSNBC, ABC, WGAL, Hamas, Washington, Capitol Police, White, FBI, Intelligence Locations: HILL, Pa, Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s 10th, Camp Hill, Washington, Iraq, Lancaster, “, District, Dauphin, Cumberland

☆ Chelsea Manning avoids Google and Microsoft — and says she prefers Apple products for cybersecurity
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

She and Nym CEO Harry Halpin said they avoid Google and Microsoft products over security concerns. In her consulting role, she assesses clients' data privacy practices and makes recommendations to improve their security. Advertisement"I'm not saying that you have to go out and buy an iPhone or Apple products — I have no investment in Apple," Manning told BI. Halpin is a cryptographer and former senior research scientist at MIT, who said he also avoids Microsoft and Google products because of his concerns about keeping his data secure. Related storiesMicrosoft, Google, and Apple representatives did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider about this story.

Persons: Chelsea Manning, Harry Halpin, —, Chelsea Manning —, Manning, Obama, doesn't, Nym's, Halpin, Chris Hauk, Dinesh Besiahgari, Besiahgari, it's, " Halpin Organizations: Google, Microsoft, Service, Army, Apple, MIT, Business, Trust, Security, Amazon Web Services

☆ I spent $2 million restoring a cruise ship I bought on Craigslist. The project took over my life, but I don't regret it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

In 2010, Christopher Willson bought a deteriorating historic cruise ship off of Craigslist. It looked more like a giant yacht than a cruise ship. A vintage picture of the Aurora cruise ship. A side view of the Aurora cruise ship. Inside of the Aurora cruise ship.

Persons: Christopher Willson, —, Wappen von Hamburg, wasn't, Willson, leaseholder, Aurora Organizations: Craigslist, Service, Aurora Locations: Aurora, Santa Cruz , California, Silicon Valley, Rio Vista, Germany, California, San Francisco, Port of San Francisco, Stockton , California

☆ Small town in Thailand hold mass cremation for 23 who died in a school trip bus fire
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Story Associated Press | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Lan Sak, Thailand AP —Mourners wept and monks prayed at a cremation ceremony Tuesday in a small town in central Thailand for 23 young students and teachers who died in last week’s bus fire on a school field trip. A large cremation site was set up close to the temple in Lan Sak town whose compound hosts the school that was attended by the victims. Six teachers and 39 elementary and junior high school students were on the bus when it caught fire on October 1 on a highway in Pathum Thani, a northern suburb of Bangkok. Transport officials were being scrutinized after information emerged that the bus had passed an inspection about four months before the fire. Police believe that a gas tube from one of the canisters had come loose, with sparks then setting the leaking gas on fire.

Persons: Lan, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Surayud Chulanont Organizations: Thailand AP, Police, Education Ministry Locations: Lan Sak, Thailand, Pathum Thani, Bangkok, Uthai Thani

Some of the ads feature doctors speaking passionately about abortion and saying that Republican candidates shouldn't represent "us" or "our" communities in Congress. But in at least four instances, House Majority PAC, a super PAC aligned with House Democratic leadership, featured Republican-blasting doctors in their ads who did not live in the district where they were advertising. The path to the House majority runs through all four of the districts where these ads ran. Since then, both doctors and patients have often become key personal messengers on abortion for Democrats. But Republicans blasted House Majority PAC over the ads, calling them misleading and accusing the group of spreading falsehoods about GOP incumbents and candidates.

Persons: Gabe Evans “, Lori Chavez DeRemer, Emily Schneider, Evans, Michelle Berlin, Lowe, Chavez, Destinie Marquez, Yvette Herrell, ” Marquez, Joe Biden’s, Melanie Stansbury, Juan Ciscomani, Sen, Kirsten Engel, Dr, Sigrid Williams, “, Roe, Wade, Williams, Amy Walter, here’s, Hakeem Jeffries ’, Will Reinert, Marquez, Schneider, Lori Chavez, Gabe Evans, Janelle Bynum, Jeff Potts, Susan Wild, ” Potts, Potts, Mike Eby, Vasquez, Gabe Vasquez, …, ” Eby, Luna County Sheriff Raymond Cobos, Derrick Anderson, Anderson Organizations: PAC, House Democratic, Republican, New, Colorado GOP, ”, GOP, OB, University of Colorado, University of New, University of New Mexico Hospital, Democratic, NBC, Republicans, House, National Republican Congressional, NBC News, HMP, Congressional, Fund, House Republican, New York Post, Post, Congress, Luna County Sheriff, New York Times, Army Green Locations: New Mexico’s, Arizona’s, Colorado’s 8th, Oregon’s 5th, Colorado, Oregon, Colorado ’, Oregon’s, New Mexico, Arizona, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, Joe Biden’s State, Arizona’s 6th, Arizona’s 7th, Berlin, Colorado’s 6th, state’s, Pennsylvania’s, Luma County, Washington, Luna County, Virginia

☆ Fearful of the 'middle-income trap,' Indonesia pushes for major policy reform
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-26 | by ( Shafi Musaddique | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Incoming President Subianto has promised to continue the charge toward making Indonesia a high-income economy. Economic reforms passed through by the outgoing president will make the achieving Indonesia's grand vision easier. "Widodo put in place a bunch of economic reforms, the most noticeable being making it easier to hire and fire new workers. Indrawati hopes to avoid "the middle-income trap" — an economic development situation where growing economies stagnate at middle-income levels and are unable to advance to the ranks of high-income countries. Major policy reforms, she believes, will help Indonesia sidestep that.

Persons: Sri Mulyani Indrawati, CNBC's, Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto, Subianto, Widodo, Gareth Leather, Indrawati Organizations: Afp, Getty, country's Finance, International Monetary Fund, Defense, Capital Economics, CNBC, Lowy Institute Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Washington, Australian, China, Asia

An initial DNA test on remains believed to be those of Joseph Couch, the suspect in the Interstate 75 shootings, was inconclusive, but an autopsy confirmed the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, state officials said. The soft tissue DNA test was “inconclusive due to extreme decomposition of the body,” and a further DNA test with material extracted from bone will be completed, the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet said in a news release. The remains were found in deep brush by a highway exit in Laurel County, which is where London is and where the shootings occurred, state officials said. A couple livestreaming the search for Couch's body helped in the effort and the discovery, state police said. The DNA test from bone is expected to begin Friday and take 24 to 48 hours, the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet said.

Persons: Joseph Couch, “ I’m, William Ralston, Phillip Burnett Jr, Fred, Sheila McCoy, they'll Organizations: Kentucky Justice, Public, Army, Authorities, State Police, Justice, Cabinet Locations: London, Laurel County

A week and a half after a highway shooting spree and an ensuing manhunt for an “armed and dangerous” suspect, officials in Kentucky have located a body near where the shooting happened. Kentucky State Police troopers are working to confirm the identity of the body discovered in Laurel County, officials said Wednesday. Laurel County Sheriff's OfficeThe gun used, an AR-15 rifle, was purchased legally in London the day of the shooting, authorities said. Law enforcement officials said the gunman parked near a ridge overlooking the highway to fire upon vehicles. Just before the shooting, a woman who shares a child with Couch called dispatchers in Laurel County and shared a chilling message.

Persons: Joseph A ., Couch, Steele, “ I’m, ” Couch Organizations: Kentucky State Police, Authorities, Army Locations: Kentucky, Laurel County, London

A grueling manhunt for the suspect wanted in a highway shooting spree stretched into its fifth day as authorities said they believe he retreated deep into a forested swath of southeastern Kentucky with no indication he has fled elsewhere. “There’s so many people that have eyes on this investigation around the world that now we should have gotten a pretty good tip that he exited the woods,” Pennington told reporters 72 hours into the operation. Amid the search, authorities went to his home in Woodbine, about 23 miles from the shooting site, to collect evidence. The search by foot remains daunting, Pennington said, as temperatures have stayed above 80 degrees during the day. “I hope he doesn’t have water, and I hope he doesn’t have food," Pennington said at a news conference Tuesday.

Persons: Joseph A ., Couch, Scottie Pennington, “, ”, “ I’m, ” Couch, Gilbert Acciardo, ” Acciardo, Daniel Boone, ” Pennington, London Mayor Randall Weddle, Pennington Organizations: Army, Kentucky State Police, Toyota, . Forest Service, Daniel Boone National, Target Firearms, NBC, Army Reserve, London Mayor, NBC News Locations: Kentucky, Laurel County, London, Laurel, Daniel Boone National Forest, Woodbine

☆ Fugitive accused of opening fire near Kentucky highway had sent text saying 'I'm going to kill a lot of people,' authorities say
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( Marlene Lenthang | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Dennis-Romero-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

They Laurel County Sheriff’s Office identified them Monday as Rebecca Puyear, Norma Liberia, Renee Walker, Janet Booth and Erick Tavin. Couch has been charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault, according to an arrest warrant. Couch had served in the Army Reserve and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, Weddle told NBC News on Monday. An AR-15, believed to have been used in the shooting, was found near Couch’s vehicle, which was found near the scene Saturday night. Investigators interviewed the woman Sunday, and she showed a screenshot of that text that read, in part, “I’m going to kill a lot of people.

Persons: Joseph A ., ”, Rebecca Puyear, Norma Liberia, Renee Walker, Janet Booth, Erick Tavin, Couch, “, Jackie Steele, London Mayor Randall Weddle, Weddle, Timothy D, Laurel, “ I’m, …, didn't, Sheriff’s Capt, Richard Dalrymple, Sheriff John Root, Joseph, Steele, ” Weddle Organizations: Sheriff’s Office, Judicial, NBC News, London Mayor, Army Reserve, NBC, Dispatch, Easley, Sheriff, Kentucky State Police, Army, Reserve, Laurel County Public Schools, White Locations: Kentucky, London, Laurel, Livingston, Ky, Laurel County

☆ Thai court dismisses prime minister over cabinet appointment
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

BANGKOK — Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for appointing to his cabinet a former lawyer who served jail time, raising the specter of more political upheaval and a reset of the governing alliance. Real estate tycoon Srettha becomes the fourth Thai premier in 16 years to be removed by verdicts by the same court, after it ruled he violated the constitution by appointing a minister who did not meet ethical standards. Deputy premier Phumtham Wechayachai is expected to take over as caretaker prime minister. If successful, she would be Thailand’s third Shinawatra premier after Thaksin and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra. Other potential candidates include Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga and Prawit Wongsuwan, an influential former army chief who was involved in the last two coups.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Srettha’s, Thaksin Shinawatra, Pichit Chuenban, Pichit, Phumtham Wechayachai, ”, Olarn Thinbangtieo, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin, Yingluck Shinawatra, Anutin Charnvirakul, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Prawit Organizations: Thai, Party, Thai Party, University’s, Political Science, Law, Interior, Energy Locations: BANGKOK

☆ Democrats Turn to Their National Security Go-To for Trump Assassination Inquiry
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Luke Broadwater | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It was April 2022, weeks after Russia had invaded Ukraine and touched off an international crisis, and two Republican lawmakers had rushed to be the first to travel to the besieged country. Now Ms. Pelosi wanted to quickly arrange her own visit — and she wanted Mr. Crow, whose national security background distinguished him in his party, to come with her. A late-night phone call from Ms. Pelosi to Mr. Crow would have been improbable when he first came to Congress in 2019. Hailing from a competitive district in Colorado, he had run as a centrist and avowed detractor of the liberal Ms. Pelosi, and after he knocked off a Republican incumbent he pledged that he would not vote for her for speaker. But since then, his credentials — including three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and a Bronze Star, as well as a law degree and a background in private-sector investigations — have made Mr. Crow a go-to lawmaker for Democratic leaders on difficult national security issues.

Persons: Jason Crow, Nancy Pelosi, Pelosi, Crow Organizations: Colorado Democrat, Army, Republican, Democratic Locations: Colorado, Bucharest, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Iraq, Afghanistan

☆ Ex-Military Police Officer Sentenced to Prison for Role in Capitol Riot
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Ed Shanahan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A former Army National Guard police officer was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on Tuesday after admitting that he pepper-sprayed law enforcement officers, while a mob of former President Donald J. Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He surrendered two days later, and in April he pleaded guilty to assaulting, resisting or impeding officers during the Capitol riot, federal prosecutors said. Judge James E. Boasberg of Federal District Court in Washington, D.C., also sentenced Mr. Yetman to 18 months of supervised release and ordered him to pay $2,000 in restitution. Prosecutors had sought a 45-month prison term; Mr. Yetman’s lawyer, Nicholas D. Smith, had asked for 17 months. Mr. Smith declined to comment on the sentence.

Persons: Donald J, Trump’s, Gregory C, James E, Yetman, Prosecutors, Yetman’s, Nicholas D, Smith Organizations: Army National Guard, U.S, Capitol, Guard, Court, Washington , D.C Locations: Helmetta, N.J, New Jersey, Federal, Washington ,

☆ Incumbents pay the price in year of global elections
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

And elections in Taiwan and South Korea proved the dynamism of the idea that free elections can promote stable governance. The two round French election system once again kept the far-right out of power on Sunday but Macron’s gamble didn’t exactly pay off. An era of political turmoil now looms with a hung parliament, a likely shaky coalition and instability ahead of the next presidential election in 2027. Kevin Coombs/ReutersIndonesiaPrabowo Subianto, a former army general, won the presidential election in the world’s fourth most populous nation, which is home to its largest Muslim population. IranIran wasn’t supposed to have a presidential election this year.

Persons: El, they’ve, Donald Trump’s, Joe Biden, Trump —, Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron, Le, Macron, Keir Starmer, Kevin Coombs, Suharto, Narendra Modi, Adnan Abidi, Imran Khan, Nawaz, Asif Ali Zardari, Benazir Bhutto, Sheikh Hasina, Vladimir Putin, Alexey Navalny, Putin, El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, ”, Bukele, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, ObturadorMX, Claudia Sheinbaum, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Sheinbaum, Lai Ching, Yoon Suk Yeol, André Ventura, Peter Pellegrini, Robert Fico, Fico, Nelson Mandela —, —, Macky Sall, Sall, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Ebrahim Raisi, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Masoud Pezeshkian, ultraconservative Saeed Jalili, Pezeshkian Organizations: CNN, European Union, United States –, France, European People’s Party, Popular Front, Britain Voters, Conservative, Labour Party, Reuters, Reuters Indonesia Prabowo, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Pakistan Muslim League, Pakistan People’s Party, Bangladeshi, Kremlin, El, El Salvador Strongman, El Salvador —, Getty, Democratic Progressive Party, Portugal Incumbents, Democratic Alliance coalition, Putin, Russian, South Africa Voters, National Congress, ANC, Democratic Alliance Locations: France, Britain, Iran, El Salvador, Slovakia, Russia, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, United States, India, Senegal, Taiwan, South Korea, Germany, London, Reuters Indonesia, Subianto, New Delhi, Reuters Pakistan, Pakistan, —, Bangladesh, South Asia, America, China, Beijing, Portugal, Ukraine, Europe, Senegal Senegal, Africa, Sall, Iran Iran, Islamic Republic

It was a one-time, lump-sum special separation benefit offered to service members when the U.S. had to reduce its active-duty force. Courtesy Vernon ReffittThousands have found themselves in Reffitt’s position due to a little-known law that prohibits veterans from receiving both disability and special separation pay. Under the law, the VA has to recoup special separation benefits from veterans before those eligible can begin receiving disability payments. Army veteran Daphne Young said she would not have taken the separation pay had she known. Under the law, veterans have a chance to pursue a waiver of their recoupment responsibilities for voluntary separation pay, but the standards are high.

Persons: Vernon Reffitt, Reffitt, Stephanie Rennane, Rennane, it’s, Daphne Young, Daphne Young Young, Young, Marquis Barefield, Barefield, Shane Collins, Collins, Ruben Gallego, Gallego, I’ve Organizations: Department of Veterans Affairs, RAND Corporation, NBC News, Army, Young, DAV, American Veterans, Veterans, recoupment, RAND, Marine, Marines, Pentagon, Defense Locations: U.S, Twin City , Georgia, Panama, Honduras, Germany, Columbus , Georgia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Twin Falls , Idaho, United States

CNN —Bolivia has arrested more than a dozen high-ranking military and intelligence officials following a failed attempt to unseat the country’s president in a coup allegedly led by its former army chief. All three men are among 17 people arrested so far in connection with Wednesday’s events – most of them members of the military, the report says. Other top officials arrested include military intelligence chief Julio Buitrago. As he was being arrested Zúñiga alleged – without providing evidence – that he was acting on Arce’s instructions. The investigation into Wednesday’s events will continue until all “participants” in the coup are identified, according to the Bolivian government report.

Persons: Juan Jose Zúñiga, Juan Arnez, Julio Buitrago, Jorge Bernal, Zúñiga –, Luis Arce –, Zúñiga, Arce, Ivan Lima, Zúñiga’s, “, Aizar Raldes, Edmundo Novillo, Evo Morales Organizations: CNN, Military, Plaza Murillo, Bolivian, Getty, Air Force Locations: Bolivia, Bolivian, American, Quemado, La Paz, AFP, La Paz , Bolivia

☆ Who is Julian Assange, what did the Wikileaks founder do to go through a 12-year legal battle?
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was released from a British prison and was making his way back to his home country Australia on Monday after his 12-year battle against extradition to the United States ended in a plea deal. Assange boarded a flight from London’s Stansted airport on Monday after being released on bail from prison, according to a statement from WikiLeaks on Tuesday. “Julian Assange is free,” WikiLeaks said. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange boards a plane at a location given as London, Britain, in this still image from video released on June 25, 2024. Former Ecuadorian president Lenín Moreno told CNN he is glad the Wikileaks founder won’t be handed over to the US.

Persons: Julian Assange, Assange, “ Julian Assange, “, Chelsea Manning, ”, Jack Taylor, Hillary Clinton’s, John Podesta, Abu Hamza al, Masri, Joe Biden, Assange’s, Stella Assange, “ Julian, Lenín Moreno, won’t, Moreno, Gustavo Petro Organizations: CNN, Ecuadorian, WikiLeaks, US Justice Department, Wikileaks, Army, US, of Scientology, European, Human Rights, Westminster Magistrates, Democratic National Committee, London’s Metroplitan Police, UN, Amnesty, American Locations: Australia, United States, London, Iraq, Afghanistan, London’s Stansted, ”, United Kingdom, Britain, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, Hawaii, Townsville, Queensland, Guantanamo Bay, Iraqi, Sweden, Stockholm, Westminster, England, London’s, Colombia, Mexico

☆ Julian Assange ends stalemate with US, exchanging guilty plea to felony charge for his freedom
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Lauren Said-Moorhouse | Thomas Manglona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images Assange addresses the Oxford Union Society from the Ecuadorian Embassy in January 2013. David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Getty Images Assange attends a news conference inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in August 2014. FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images Assange, on the balcony of the Ecuadorian Embassy, holds up a United Nations report in February 2016. Carl Court/Getty Images Assange speaks to the media in May 2017, after Swedish prosecutors had dropped their investigation of rape allegations against Assange. Jack Taylor/Getty Images Assange was seen for the first time in months during a hearing via teleconference in Quito, Ecuador, in October 2018.

Persons: Julian Assange, “, ” Assange, Assange, Kim Hong, Ramona Manglona, Chelsea Manning, Jack Taylor, LEON NEAL, BERTIL ERICSON, FABRICE COFFRINI, Carl Court, Geoff Caddick, Oli Scarff, CARL COURT, Leon Neal, Philip Toscano, Ricardo Patino, Frank Augstein, David Paul Morris, John Stillwell, Mike, Pompeo, Maria Sol Borja, Alastair Grant, Daniel Leal, Elizabeth Cook, Anthony Albanese, Joe Biden, ASSANGE, Adrienne Watson, Stella, ”, Gabriel Shipton, he’s, hasn’t, Julian, –, ” Shipton Organizations: Northern Mariana Islands CNN, Northern, Northern Mariana Islands . Justice Department, WikiLeaks, United States, Reuters, Army, Metropolitan Police, US Justice Department, British, Justice Department, Guardian, Getty, Swedish Trade Union Confederation, St, Paul's, Court, Ecuadorian Embassy, Oxford Union Society, Ecuadorian Foreign, Southwest Festival, Bloomberg, United Nations Human Rights, United, United Nations, CIA, CNN, Ecuadorian, Ecuador, Southwark Crown, White, Sweden, National Security, Department of Justice, BBC Radio Locations: Saipan, Northern Mariana, London, United Kingdom, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands, Australia, United States, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sweden, Ecuadorian, Ecuador, Westminster, AFP, Stockholm, Geneva, Switzerland, Austin , Texas, United Nations, Quito, Southwark, Baghdad, Guantanamo Bay

The plea deal allows Assange to avoid prison in the US and return to his native Australia. “That never came up in our conversations,” said David Stilwell, the State Department assistant secretary for the Pacific region during the Trump administration. Sessions’ focus on national security-related leaks was “probably one of the reasons why the [Assange] case had more traction,” Hickey told CNN. Hickey said he was not involved in the Assange case when he was a senior official at DOJ’s National Security Division from 2016 to 2023. Stilwell, the former State Department official under the Trump administration, pushed back on the Assange plea deal.

Persons: Julian Assange, Assange, Biden, Trump, ”, David Stilwell, Anthony Albanese, Joe Biden, General Merrick Garland, Chelsea Manning, Manning, Barack Obama, Obama, Trump’s, Jeff Sessions, Adam Hickey, ” Hickey, Hickey, “ Assange, who’s, Mayer Brown, Garland, Andrew McCabe, “, it’s, ” McCabe, Stilwell, ” Stilwell, Bradley Moss, would’ve, ” Moss, ” CNN’s Zachary Cohen, Marshall Cohen, Kevin Liptak Organizations: CNN, United, Wikileaks, State Department, Australian, Justice Department, FBI, Northern, London’s, US Justice Department, White, Pentagon, Army, Assange ., Department, Obama, Biden, DOJ’s National Security Division, Protect Journalists, Amnesty International, American Civil Liberties Union, Computer, Ecuadorian Locations: United States, Washington, London, Stockholm, Quito, Ecuador, Australia, Pacific, Virginia, London’s, Northern Mariana Islands, Iraq, Guantanamo, Washington ,

☆ Julian Assange agrees to plea deal with Biden administration that will allow him to avoid imprisonment in US
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Evan Perez | Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The plea deal would credit that time served, allowing Assange to immediately return to Australia, his native country. The plea deal must still be approved by a federal judge, but as of Monday morning, Assange had been released from a UK prison, according to WikiLeaks. A federal judge in the Northern Mariana Islands set a plea hearing and sentencing for Wednesday morning, according to the US District Court there. President Joe Biden in recent months has alluded to a possible deal pushed by Australian government officials to return Assange to Australia. FBI and Justice Department officials have opposed any deal that didn’t include a felony guilty plea by Assange, people briefed on the matter told CNN.

Persons: Julian Assange, Assange, “ Julian Assange, ” Assange, Chelsea Manning, Manning, Joe Biden, Katelyn Polantz, Holmes Lybrand, Lauren Said, Moorhouse, Claudia Rebaza, Christian Edwards Organizations: CNN, Justice Department, WikiLeaks, High Court, Stansted, Department, Prosecutors, Court, Army, FBI Locations: United States, London, Australia, Northern Mariana Islands, Iraq, Guantanamo

Search resuls for: "former Army"

25 mentions found