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☆ NASA team to issue report on unidentified phenomena in July
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —A team of 16 experts and scientists assembled by NASA aims to publish its first report on unidentified anomalous phenomena, also known as unidentified flying objects, or UFOS, by midsummer. “We’re trying to assess whether those phenomena pose any risks to safety and we’re doing it using science,” Evans added. Unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAP, “are events in the sky that cannot be identified as aircraft or known natural phenomena from a scientific perspective,” according to NASA. Instead, the team’s approach has been outlining how to evaluate and study unidentified anomalous phenomena using data and technology. But since being announced in June 2022, members of the independent study team have faced online harassment.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Dan Evans, “ We’ve, ” Evans, “ We’re, Evans, UAPs, Scott Kelly, David Spergel, Kelly, ” Spergel, “, Sean Kirkpatrick, Kirkpatrick, ” Kirkpatrick, Spergel, astrobiology, Katie Hunt, Michael Conte, Jackie Wattles Organizations: CNN, NASA, UAP, National Defense, US Navy, Simons, US Department of Defense, Pentagon Locations: New York City

☆ This former Vietnam War POW spent 10 months in a 'tiger cage'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Instead he scrambled out of a porthole and found himself face-to-face with the North Vietnamese. A day that Wallingford recalled as clearly as if it were yesterday, as he recounted it to CNN at a recent reunion for surviving Vietnam War POWs in California. As a longtime veteran of combat in Vietnam, Smith also had battlefield wisdom to impart to his brothers in arms. But what can’t be disputed is that soon after those bombings took place, early in 1973, North Vietnam did finally agree to a peace deal. “He had the stones to go to Hanoi and bomb them for (12) days, which ended the war,” Wallingford said.

☆ Opinion: Fentanyl is killing a shocking number of young Americans. What the US can do to respond
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Opinion Joni Ernst | Tim Kaine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Illicit fentanyl that originates abroad is one of the most damaging weapons employed against our homeland, destroying lives and families across our country. Cartels’ fentanyl trafficking far surpasses the US government’s response. Between 2017 and 2021, the number of fentanyl trafficking offenders increased 950%, from 146 to 1,533 in the US. Curbing fentanyl trafficking and breaking up cartel networks demands an aggressive and clear approach. Mexico and the US need to be active partners in combating criminal organizations and curtailing illicit drug trafficking.

“I’m not doing that good,” Lt. Ridge Alkonis wrote in a letter dated April 30, which was shared with CNN. “The walls and bars seem to be making my cell even smaller as of late.”“I feel closer to an animal than a human being now,” Ridge Alkonis wrote. “That was the most dejected I’ve ever heard him,” his wife, Brittany Alkonis, told CNN on Thursday. As such, despite her hope for positive movement coming out the G7 trip to Hirsoshima, Brittany Alkonis said she does not have high expectations of a resolution. But based on Japan’s response, it doesn’t seem that they do think it’s a big deal,” Brittany Alkonis said.

☆ Ukraine's Patriots aren't hard to find, and Russia's gunning for them with one of its best weapons — Putin's prized Kinzhals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Ryan Pickrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Ukraine's Patriots aren't hard to find, and Russia appears to be using one of its best weapons to hunt them. Patriot missile defense system at Schwesing military airport in Germany on March 17, 2022. Photo by Axel Heimken/picture alliance via Getty ImagesUkraine presently has just two Patriot air defense batteries in its arsenal, one from the US and another provided by European partners. A general view of a mobile defence surface-to-air missile system, Patriot, before it is transported to Poland from Gnoien, Germany January 23, 2023. He asserted that "to the extent possible, replenishing Ukraine's air defense capacity should remain a priority for Western military aid for the foreseeable future."

☆ Biden may be punishing Alabama for its harsh abortion law by preventing the Space Command headquarters from relocating to the state
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The White House may be walking back a decision to relocate the US Space Command headquarters to Alabama. "This is all about abortion politics," one official told NBC. Space Command is a department of the Air Force that protects the United States and its allies "in, from, and to space." "The belief is they are delaying any move because of the abortion issue," another US official told NBC, referring to the Biden administration. A White House official told Insider that laws regarding reproductive health were not considered in the decision-making process, questioning the accuracy of NBC's reporting.

☆ Russia's military is copying the Wagner playbook of recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine, with up to 10,000 signing up in April alone, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's military is recruiting fighters for Ukraine directly from prisons, UK intelligence said. The method was previously used by the pro-Kremlin Wagner Group, but it lost access earlier this year. Other investigations have also found Russia is recruiting prisoners to fight. Getting prisoners to fight in Ukraine was a tactic widely used by the Wagner Group, a private mercenary force that has sent tens of thousands of prisoners to Ukraine. It is not clear exactly how many prisoners Wagner sent to Ukraine before it lost access to prisons earlier this year.

☆ Leaked Pentagon documents appeared on a 'Minecraft' Discord server weeks before officials knew about a breach: report
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Leaked Pentagon documents appeared on Discord servers weeks before the received official attention. At least 10 documents appeared on the server "Minecraft Earth Map" on March 4, Bellingcat reported. At least 10 such documents were posted in March on a Discord server dedicated to the "Minecraft " video game, Bellingcat investigator Aric Toler reported. Wow_Mao told The New York Times he does not spend much time managing his Discord server but admits he could have moderated it better. The analyst cited conversations with several members of the Discord server, who sent him images of the documents.

☆ A millennial who grew his net worth to $600,000 explains what it took to dig his way out of debt after overcoming a gambling addiction
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Ambus Hunter, 36, said he almost went broke when he became addicted to gambling over a decade ago. His net worth is now about $600,000, and he works part time as a financial coach. Over the course of just four weeks, he said he lost roughly $10,000 — almost all his savings — playing roulette. Hunter said he'd had one major hiccup since he committed to quitting gambling but that he was able to get back on track. He said he set out to quickly replace the roughly $10,000 he'd lost.

☆ Zelenskyy says Ukraine had to change faulty air-defense equipment from a European ally 'again and again' because it didn't work
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a European ally provided a faulty air defense system. Zelenskyy also told the AP that Ukraine is still waiting for the US Patriot system to be deployed. One air defense system provided by a European nation failed, resulting in Ukraine needing to "change it again and again," Zelenskyy told the Associated Press. Ukrainian soldiers have received training in the US on how to use the Patriot system, Zelenskyy said, but the system is yet to be deployed in Ukraine. US defense officials said last week that they intend to speed up the deployment of the Patriot system to Ukraine.

An Insider review found that his company has sold to foreign governments, including a $228 million dollar contract. What Mills didn't advertise was Pacem's munitions contracts with foreign governments. The company's chief legal officer Joseph Schmitz said all of Pacem's foreign munitions sales are approved by the Department of State. Mills's influence over American military spending while having ties to a munitions company poses the potential for conflicts of interest, an ethics watchdog said. In Congress, Mills sits on the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees, which oversee military spending and foreign weapons sales.

☆ Russia's Wagner army is recruiting fighters on Pornhub in a desperate attempt to strengthen troops, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Wagner Group has struggled to recruit more fighters to support Russia in the Ukraine war. "Don't whack off, go work for PMC Wagner," an advert on Pornhub said, according to the report. "Don't whack off, apply for a job with the Wagner Group." The advert also includes a phone number, which is reportedly linked with Wagner Group recruiters. A Ukrainian military intelligence report, published in December and first obtained by CNN, said that Wagner Group fighters, which include prisoners, "have become the disposable infantry" in Ukraine.

☆ Half of all Russian prisoners recruited to fight in Ukraine have likely been killed or wounded, says UK intelligence
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Around half of the prisoners Russia recruited for Ukraine have been killed or wounded, per UK intel. The private pro-Kremlin Wagner Group has sent many prisoners to one of the war's bloodiest battles. But the group can no longer recruit from prisons, limiting its ability to reinforce, the UK said. The UK Ministry of Defence said in an intelligence update on Monday that "about half of the prisoners Wagner has already deployed in Ukraine have likely become casualties." In February, it was reported that Wagner had stopped recruiting prisoners as growing numbers refused to be enlisted on suicide missions in Ukraine, according to multiple reports.

☆ NATO is seeing signs China might help Russia wage its war, but the US has threatened 'serious consequences' if it does
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

NATO's chief said Wednesday that there are "some signs" China may send lethal aid to Russia. The US has repeatedly threatened "serious consequences" if China further involves itself in the war. Stoltenberg then called the potential of China sending lethal aid a "blatant violation of international law." "We reinforced there that, again, there will be consequences for China should this partnership with Russia further deepen," Singh said. Blinken also said that the US has seen China "provide non-lethal support to Russia for use in Ukraine."

☆ The UFO shoot-downs show the hardest part of discovering alien life may be announcing it. Here's how NASA might break the news.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Extraterrestrial life likely wouldn't show up as flying objects, but finding it could cause similar chaos. An illustration of the CoLD scale for determining confidence in a detection of alien life. The president or other countries could be involved in announcing extraterrestrial life existsPresident Joe Biden speaks at Delaware State University. Anna Moneymaker/Getty ImagesAnnouncing the existence of alien life would be an "administration-level" affair, Glaze said, referring to the US presidency. Needless to say, any discovery of alien life would likely lead to chaos — at least in public discourse.

☆ Japan says 3 balloons that floated into its airspace years ago are 'strongly presumed' to have been Chinese spy balloons
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( David Cenciotti | The Aviationist | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Three balloon-shaped flying objects were spotted in Japanese airspace in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Japan's Defense Ministry said Tuesday that they were "strongly presumed" to have been Chinese reconnaissance balloons. "If a balloon enters Japan's airspace without permission, it constitutes an infringement of Japan's airspace. Three additional unidentified objects, later appearing to have been much smaller commercial or research balloons, were also spotted and shot down. The Chinese balloon carried "multiple antennas" capable of collecting signals intelligence, a senior State Department official said, and the balloon maker has proven ties to the Chinese military, according to a CNBC report by Abigail Williams.

☆ FAA temporarily closed airspace above Lake Michigan due to 'national defense' amid reports of a hovering 'object'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | Kadia Tubman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Federal Aviation Administration declared a "national defense airspace" over part of Lake Michigan. Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale said Sunday that officials advised him that "there IS an object and it WAS NOT an anomaly." The FAA declared a "national defense airspace" over Lake Michigan, the agency said in a notice according to Fox News. The FAA said that it "briefly closed some airspace over Lake Michigan to support Department of Defense activities" in a statement to Insider on Sunday. The US Department of Defense said that the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will be working "very closely" to investigate the object shot down over Canada in a statement.

☆ A secret Russian satellite has broken apart in orbit, creating a cloud of debris that could last a century
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A secretive Russian satellite broke apart in Earth's orbit, the US Space Force said on Monday. Kosmos 2499 launched secretly and made "suspicious" maneuvers to complete a mysterious mission. The 18th Space Defense Squadron said on Twitter Monday that it had confirmed a satellite called Kosmos 2499 had broken apart into 85 pieces. The bizarre behavior led to speculation that Russia was testing technology to follow or wreck other satellites, according to Space.com. The first secret satellite, Kosmos 2491, broke apart in 2019.

☆ China might have sent a spy balloon over the US as a power play to prove it can do what it wants, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A Chinese spy balloon was detected over the US, the Department of Defense said. Experts say spy balloons can do things satellites can't, and China may have wanted to get caught. The balloon, the Pentagon said, was "most certainly" sent by China to spy on the US. What is the Chinese spy balloon? A spy balloon is a balloon with any kind of surveillance equipment is attached.

☆ Ukrainian troops are calling the US military in the middle of shootouts with Russia for help fixing their artillery
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US military is leading a team that is helping to repair Ukraine's military hardware over the phone. Ukrainian troops, meanwhile, are pushing artillery systems to the limits to keep Russia at bay. According to the report, Ukrainian troops have been firing their heavy artillery pieces past when they would typically be due for a repair, and at unprecedented rates to keep Russian forces at bay. Because of this, the support team is learning the limits of these systems and where they might have a breaking point. In finally securing the Western-made tanks, which were much-sought-after by Ukraine, the country has now set its ambitions on acquiring fighter jets.

☆ A Chinese invasion of Taiwan is a real and dangerous possibility that could wreck armies and ruin the global economy worse than the 1929 stock market crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Experts say the military and economic impacts for could be catastrophic, and not just for China and Taiwan. Whether it's 2030, 2027, 2025, or even this year, experts say it could wreak havoc on the global economy and take a devastating toll on the militaries involved. CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty ImagesThough China's actions have stirred fears of a possible Chinese attack, the US military assesses that an invasion of Taiwan would prove extremely difficult for the Chinese military. Threats to one company could spell catastropheLooking at this situation from an economic perspective, a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could mean trillions of dollars in losses and a serious global recession. Others have argued it's in the self interest of both China and the United State to overplay the likelihood of a Taiwan invasion.

☆ UK, Japan, and Italy are joining forces to build a new next-generation fighter jet that can fight with artificial intelligence
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Britain, Japan, and Italy are working to build a next-generation fighter jet together. The fighter jet will have cutting-edge weapons and advanced capabilities, such as the ability to work with uncrewed aircraft. Britain's defense ministry said in a release that it hopes to develop the fighter jet with various advanced capabilities such as cutting-edge weapons, innovative data systems, and advanced sensors. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the aircraft's development, and partnership with Japan and Italy, highlights that "the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions are indivisible." In a joint statement with Japan's defense ministry on Thursday, the US Department of Defense said it supports Tokyo's security cooperation with London and Rome.

☆ Elon Musk's SpaceX unveils Starlink-like satellite service for governments called 'Starshield'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

SpaceX has launched a satellite network, called Starshield, to be used by governments. Starshield will offer a higher level of security than its Starlink satellite service, SpaceX says. Despite this, SpaceX indicated that Starshield will be different from the Starlink satellite constellation, which now has more than 3,200 satellites in low-Earth orbit. "While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use," SpaceX says on its website. SpaceX says it can work at "unprecedented speed" to deploy its Starshield network given that it provides "end-to-end" solutions from building rockets to user terminals.

☆ A hotline set up between Russian and US militaries at the start of the Ukraine war has been used just once, report says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia and the US set up a "deconfliction" hotline shortly after Putin's invasion of Ukraine began. But the hotline has only been used once since then, a US official told Reuters. That missile blast, which triggered global concern, was likely caused by a Ukrainian air defense missile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the time. Both the Russian Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Milley and his counterpart, Russian General Valery Gerasimov, have spoken on two occasions since the start of the war, the outlet said.

☆ SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket returns to flight after three years
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Jackie Wattles | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy — a towering, three-pronged vehicle that is the most powerful operational rocket in the world — returned to the skies on Tuesday for the first time since mid-2019. Since that first test mission, SpaceX has launched only two other Falcon Heavy missions, both in 2019. SpaceX’s workhorse Falcon 9 rocket, on the other hand, has launched nearly 50 missions so far this year alone. With each Falcon Heavy launch, the rocket puts on a dramatic showing back on Earth. After Tuesday’s mission, the company only attempted to recover two of the Falcon Heavy rocket’s first-stage rocket boosters.

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