European Christmas markets are opening this year under tightened security and rising operational costs, as officials across Germany, France and other parts of Europe respond to what authorities describe as elevated threats to public safety. In Germany, spending on security for public events " including Christmas markets " has increased by about 44% over the past three years, according to a new survey by the Federal Association of City and Town Marketing. Berlin's main market launched this season behind concrete barriers, enhanced video surveillance, and an expanded private security presence. Several smaller municipalities warn that the added requirements may force them to scale back or cancel markets next year. read more
A mass shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday left at least 10 people dead and 11 others injured, according to authorities. The New South Wales Police Force confirmed on X that ten people were killed in the shooting, including one of the suspected shooters. The second alleged gunman is in critical condition. read more
"The right has cast Mamdani as an Islamist or jihadist who will cover New York City in a burqa. Now, it's true that Mamdani defended calling for a global intifada, an Arabic term that means a mass Palestinian uprising that always includes the murder of Jewish children," Ungar-Sargon said on "Batya!," her new show on NewsNation. "But when he refuses to condemn Hamas, Mamdani just doesn't sound like an Islamist. He sounds like every other college-educated simp whose moral compass has been broken by American higher education." read more
The Department of Defense is shifting $8 billion in previously allocated money to pay troops for the middle of the month as the government shutdown continues. read more
Two years on from Hamas's massacre and with Gaza lying in ruins, the West still refuses to look the real problem in the eye. The obstacle to lasting peace between Israel and Gaza is not a few masked gunmen, but a widespread conviction in the West Bank and Gaza (and on uni campuses and on London's streets) that Israel itself is a mistake to be undone. Until that idea dies, no ceasefire, no summit and no "two-state solution" will hold. read more
"Of course it is. How's that twin engine F-35 coming along?"
Is this a real question, or prompted by something dumb Trump has said in the past.
NGAD is on track, but intended to be a replacement for the F-22, not the F-35. The F-35 is probably the most revolutionary aircraft since the P-51. But it is an ISR aircraft that can shoot missiles or drop bombs.