Biden admin imposes new sanctions on Iran for anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death
The Biden administration on Friday imposed sanctions on more than two dozen Iranian individuals and entities tied to the violent suppression of protests following the death of Mahsa Amini one year ago.
2023-09-16 03:23
Former Wells Fargo executive avoids prison time for her role in fake-accounts fraud
Former Wells Fargo executive Carrie Tolstedt was sentenced to three years' probation on Friday for her role in the bank's sprawling fake-accounts scandal.
2023-09-16 02:51
Berlin protesters condemn Russian soprano Netrebko's opera performance
Anna Netrebko has been accused of failing to denounce Vladimir Putin for Russia's war in Ukraine.
2023-09-16 02:46
US military orders new interviews on the deadly 2021 Afghan airport attack as criticism persists
The Pentagon’s Central Command has decided to interview roughly two dozen service members who were at the Kabul airport when suicide bombers attacked during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal but weren’t included in the military’s initial investigation
2023-09-16 02:28
Progressive Councilmember Freddie O'Connell wins Nashville mayor's race
Nashville metro councilmember Freddie O'Connell has resoundingly won the race to become the next mayor of the Democratic-leaning city
2023-09-16 02:19
Fact check: Trump makes four false claims related to DeSantis
Former President Donald Trump made false claims about a variety of people and subjects, notably including Florida governor and Republican presidential primary rival Ron DeSantis, in an interview this week with conservative host Megyn Kelly.
2023-09-16 02:19
Alaska lawmaker's husband was flying meat from hunting camp when crash occurred, authorities say
Authorities say the plane flown by the husband of Alaska U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola was carrying a load of moose meat from a remote hunting camp when it crashed, killing him earlier this week
2023-09-16 02:15
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
Wagner group formally banned as terror organisation in the UK
The move comes just weeks after the death of the group's founder Yevgeny Prigozhin.
2023-09-16 01:57
Twitter turned over at least 32 direct messages from Trump's account to special counsel
Twitter turned over at least 32 direct messages from former President Donald Trump's account -- @realDonaldTrump -- to special counsel Jack Smith earlier this year as part of the federal election subversion investigation, according to newly unsealed court filings.
2023-09-16 01:54
Texas Senate begins deliberations in impeachment trial for state AG Ken Paxton
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's political fate is now in the hands of the state Senate, which began private deliberations in Paxton's impeachment trial just before noon Central time Friday after House impeachment managers and the attorney general's defense attorneys delivered their closing arguments.
2023-09-16 01:46
EU lets Ukrainian grain ban expire even as countries threaten to pass their own
The European Union has decided not to renew a ban on Ukrainian food imports heading to nearby countries
2023-09-16 01:28