North Korea says spy satellite launch successful
North Korea said Wednesday it had succeeded in putting a military spy satellite in orbit after two previous failures, as the United States led its allies in condemning the launch...
2023-11-22 12:25
Trump's darkening language sparks fears of violence
Donald Trump's populist, politically incorrect language is often framed as an asset but a troubling escalation in his incendiary rhetoric is prompting fears over the potential for...
2023-10-10 09:57
Judge says civil trial over Trump's real estate boasts could last three months
An upcoming civil trial over allegations that former president Donald Trump lied about his wealth could last as long as three months
2023-09-09 07:22
House aims to ease air travel delays with more money for air traffic controllers
The House has overwhelmingly passed a bill that would give the Federal Aviation Administration more money to hire air traffic controllers
2023-07-21 02:16
Bruce Buffer wants Logan Paul vs Paddy Pimblett to take place in UFC: 'I’d love to see that fight'
Logan Paul wants to make his UFC debut on the Elon Musk vs Mark Zuckerberg undercard and is willing to fight for free
2023-07-16 15:20
Former Haitian senator pleads guilty in US court to charges related to Haiti president's killing
A former Haitian senator has pleaded guilty in the United States to charges related to the 2021 assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse
2023-10-11 07:21
Senators press Pentagon on whether Musk used Starlink programme to thwart Ukrainian attack
Three senators who serve on the Committee on Armed Forces have reportedly sent a letter to the Department of Defence (DoD) expressing concern over allegations that Elon Musk controlled Ukrainian soldiers’ ability to access satellite communications via Starlink. Democratic senators Jeanne Shaheen, Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Duckworth have asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to provide clarification over an incident from last year in a letter sent on Friday according to NBC News. The incident, laid out in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Mr Musk, claims that the billionaire tech entrepreneur stopped the Ukrainian armed forces from accessing satellite communications via Starlink near the Crimean Peninsula thus thwarting a potential assault on Russian ships. Mr Musk clarified on X that he did not discontinue Starlink connectivity but refused a request by Ukraine to provide it there out of fear of escalating war. The three senators said the “confusion over what actually happened” demands answers and expressed great concern about Mr Musk’s role in the incident. “The reports raise serious concerns about whether Mr Musk has personally intervened to undermine a key US partner at a critical juncture,” a portion of the reported letter said. Several officials, including the three senators, have shared similar worries that commercial satellite companies similar to Starlink could cause issues by intervening on significant decisions like this one. Senator Jack Reed who serves as the chairman of the Committee on Armed Forces, said in a statement obtained by Bloomberg, that the situation with Mr Musk raised concerns about national security. “Neither Elon Musk, nor any private citizen, can have the last word when it comes to US national security,” Mr Reed said. “We’ve got to look at the broader satellite markets and the role of government outsourcing, the outsized role Mr Musk and his company have taken on here, and the Pentagon’s actions and contractual arrangements,” Mr Reed added. At the time of the incident, Starlink had no contract with the Pentagon and therefore no directive from US officials. Mr Musk said had he received an order from President Joe Biden to extend services to Ukrainians in Crimea he would have done so. In June, the Pentagon and Starlink signed a contract in which the DoD agreed to buy its services for Ukraine. Now, the three senators are imploring leaders to consider the implications of Mr Musk’s actions and look to prevent situations like this from arising in the future. “We are deeply concerned with the ability and willingness of SpaceX to interrupt their service at Mr Musk’s whim and for the purpose of handcuffing a sovereign country’s self-defense, effectively defending Russian interests,” the letter said according to NBC News. The senators requested Mr Austin provide answers by the end of October. The Independent has reached out to the offices of Ms Duckworth, Ms Shaheen and Ms Warren for comment. Read More Putin praises Musk as ‘outstanding person’ days after report Tesla boss stopped Ukrainian attack Elon Musk's refusal to have Starlink support Ukraine attack in Crimea raises questions for Pentagon Elon Musk ignores reporter after claims he stopped Ukrainian attack on Russia
2023-09-16 01:59
Israel Braces for More Upheaval as Judicial Bill Edges Ahead
Israel is braced for a new wave of turmoil as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government pushes ahead with
2023-07-10 21:53
Ukraine war: Kyiv comes under missile attack
In video circulating on social media, air defence systems can be seen shooting down missiles.
2023-05-16 10:57
Unravelling the story of an unmarked wartime grave
How research established the identity of a body washed up on the South Ayrshire coast in 1940.
2023-09-09 06:20
Internet trolls snigger as Grace Hopper Women in Tech summit is reportedly swamped by 'nonbinary' men
Scores of cisgender men are accused of infiltrating the event by allegedly misrepresenting themselves as 'non-binary' attendees
2023-10-05 15:55
Kerala boat accident: 'I lost 11 members of my family'
Kunnummal Saithalavi and his brothers lost their wives and children in a boat accident that killed 22.
2023-05-12 12:21
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