Category: Defense and National Security
French nuclear attack submarine “Barracuda” surfaces in Canada
A curious discovery in Canadian waters. A French attack submarine , the FS Tourville, appeared Monday in the port of Halifax in Nova Scotia, a Canadian province. Photos of the vessel were posted on social media, fueling speculation amid geopolitical turmoil . Some see it as evidence of a show of force by the European Union in the face of Donald Trump’s multiple provocations. The submarine is owned by French Naval Group, the European leader in the sector. It made its first Atlantic crossing on Monday as a test, as Canada prepares to renew its submarine fleet. Last February, the French naval group responded to a request for information from Ottawa, which aims to put 6 to 12 new submarines into service from 2035.
US has suspended all military aid to Ukraine, White House official says, in wake of Trump-Zelenskyy row
The Trump administration has suspended delivery of all US military aid to Ukraine, a White House official has said, blocking billions in crucial shipments as the White House piles pressure on Ukraine to sue for peace with Vladimir Putin. The decision affects deliveries of ammunition, vehicles, and other equipment including shipments agreed to when Joe Biden was president. It comes after a dramatic blow-up in the White House on Friday during which Donald Trump told Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he was…
Trump’s ‘bald power grab’ could set US on path to dictatorship, critics fear
Unusually for him, Donald Trump made no great fuss as he signed one drily worded executive order last Tuesday. Public attention was distracted that day – by the headline-grabbing drama of Elon Musk bludgeoning his way through the federal bureaucracy, by immigrants deported to Guantánamo Bay, and by the torrent of other directives Trump has issued since his inauguration last month. But Trump’s 69th executive order of his second presidency, under the deceptive title of “Ensuring accountability for all agencies”,…
White House official pushes to axe Canada from Five Eyes intelligence group
Here’s a suggestion Canadians may actually like: A White House official has proposed expelling Canada from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network as Donald Trump increases pressure on the country he talks about turning into the 51st US state. Peter Navarro, one of the US president’s closest advisers, is pushing for the US to remove Canada from the Five Eyes — which also includes the UK, Australia and New Zealand — according to people familiar with his efforts inside the administration. Trump…
Israeli Freight Forwarder Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Violating Export Restrictions Imposed on Russia
Gal Haimovich, 49, of Israel, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to illegally ship aircraft parts and avionics from U.S. manufacturers and suppliers to Russia, including for the benefit of sanctioned Russian airline companies. In addition, Haimovich paid the full forfeiture amount of $2,024,435.44 at today’s sentencing. As part of his plea agreement, Haimovich admitted that his scheme involved deceiving U.S. companies about the true destination of the goods at…
EU Slaps Fresh Sanctions on Russia, Targeting Aluminum and ‘Shadow Fleet’ Ships
EU countries have agreed on a new round of sanctions against Russia, diplomats said Wednesday, as the bloc looks to maintain pressure on Moscow ahead of the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The wide-ranging package, which includes a ban on imports of Russian aluminum, will be formally adopted by EU foreign ministers on Monday. “The EU is clamping down even harder on circumvention by targeting more vessels in Putin’s shadow fleet and imposing new import and export…
Coast Guard data breach delays pay for more than 1,100 service members
The Coast Guard is in the midst of investigating a data breach within its personnel and payroll system that delayed bi-weekly pay for 1,135 service members. The Coast Guard said it temporarily shut down its Direct Access (DA) system as it investigates the breach. News articles won’t speculate, but supposedly enlisted users on certain online forums have said that hackers entered the DA system and changed the direct deposit data of the affected users. Coast Guard members take to social…
Trade tariff turmoil pushes Canada to rethink US ties | DW News
Video: Trump’s tariff policies are straining US-Canada relations. After imposing and then suspending tariffs, Canadian leaders are reassessing their ties with the US. Some are now looking to the European Union as a potential alternative. Major publications, including The Toronto Star and The Economist, are openly questioning whether Canada could align more closely with Europe. European politicians are also weighing in. Could this mark a significant shift in global alliances?
Lockheed Martin Corporation agrees to settle allegations of defective pricing on military contracts
Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMC) has agreed to pay $29.74 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations of defective pricing on contracts for F-35 military aircraft. This payment is in addition to $11.3 million that LMC previously paid to the Department of Defense (DOD) for the same undisclosed cost and pricing data on some of the same contracts. LMC, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is one of the world’s largest defense contractors. According to court documents, between 2013 and 2015, LMC inflated…
Justice Department Announces Formation of Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism
Pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order on Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism, the Justice Department announced today the formation of a multi-agency Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism. The Task Force’s first priority will be to root out anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on college campuses. In addition to the Department of Justice, the Task Force will include representatives from the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and other agencies as it develops. The Task Force…
Trump call with Denmark’s PM over Greenland described as confrontational, serious, dangerous
Trump has apparently not ruled out the use of military force to annex Greenland. During a press conference on January 8, 2025, Trump stated that “all options were on the table,” refusing to exclude the possibility of military force (The Guardian). The confrontational stance has raised concerns among European leaders, with Germany and France warning against any use of force over Greenland (The Guardian). German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said “the principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country……
Tennessee Republican Introduces Amendment To Allow A Third Trump Term
A Republican congressman has introduced an amendment to the Constitution that would allow President Donald Trump to seek a third term in office, arguing that it will ensure “we can sustain the bold leadership our nation so desperately needs.” Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee revealed his long-shot measure Thursday that would amend the 22nd Amendment, which sets the current two-term limit for presidents. “He has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nation’s…
You’re now a threat to US National Security and Public Safety if:
You’re now a threat to US National Security and Public Safety if you fall into one of the categories below. President Trump’s executive order, titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” identifies several “threats,” including: Terrorist Attacks: Aliens who intend to commit terrorist acts within the country. Hateful Ideology: Individuals who promote ideologies that could incite violence or threaten societal harmony. Exploitation of Immigration Laws: Individuals manipulating U.S. immigration laws for…
The latest on Putin and Trump: January 22, 2025
As of January 22, 2025, here are some developments concerning President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump’s Ultimatum to Putin on Ukraine War: President Trump has demanded that President Putin end the war in Ukraine, describing the conflict as “ridiculous.” He warned that Russia would face economic sanctions, including taxes and tariffs, if it does not cooperate. Trump emphasized his preference for an easy resolution but is prepared to implement other measures if necessary. The Sun Putin’s Response to…
Canadian National Sentenced to 40 Months for Multimillion-Dollar Export Control Scheme
Nikolay Goltsev, a Canadian national, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for orchestrating a multimillion-dollar export scheme that provided advanced U.S. electronic components to sanctioned Russian military companies. Goltsev used two Brooklyn-based companies to source and ship dual-use technology through intermediary front companies in countries like Turkey, Hong Kong, and the UAE, ultimately rerouting the products to Russia. The electronics, including components for precision-guided weapons, were found in Russian weapons systems used in Ukraine. Goltsev demonstrated awareness of U.S….
