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AOC dodges Taiwan and 2028 chatter as Warner warns of domestic election meddling; Louvre ticketing fraud indictments, Norfolk councillor quit pledge, Pennsbury lockdown scare, Cuba shortages, Epstein’s hacker-conference outreach, Navalny toxin claim, and SR-72’s uncertain hypersonic future
AOC sidesteps Taiwan troop question, and 2028 talk too
At the Munich Security Conference, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was pressed on whether the U.S. would, and should, commit troops to defend Taiwan if China invaded. She delivered a long, carefully hedged answer about long-standing U.S. policy and avoiding confrontation, but declined to give a yes-or-no. In a separate exchange, she also avoided confirming whether she is considering a 2028 presidential run while discussing support for a wealth tax.
Nine indicted in alleged Louvre ticketing fraud
Prosecutors say a ticketing scam at the Louvre may have cost the museum more than €10 million, and nine people have now been indicted in the investigation.
Norfolk councillor renews pledge to quit seat over election postponement
Independent councillor Simon Ring, elected in 2024 for Freebridge Lynn, says he will give up his seat at the next local elections in protest of the postponement of May’s contests in 29 authorities, including Norfolk. He calls the delay an erosion of democracy and says voters should be able to replace representatives who no longer reflect their views. Ministers argue postponements are needed for local government reorganisation and new unitary councils, while critics say millions will miss a ballot this year.
European foreign ministries claim Navalny was killed with toxin from Ecuadorian frog
Foreign ministries from five European countries say Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was killed using a “deadly toxin” extracted from an Ecuadorian frog. Navalny died in February 2024 at age 47 while imprisoned in Russia, where he was serving a 19-year sentence on extremism-related convictions.
Pennsbury High School lockdown lifted after threat deemed not credible
Pennsbury High School went into lockdown Saturday following a threat of violence targeting the campus. Authorities later determined it was not credible, and the lockdown was lifted.
Cuba faces worsening shortages as fuel constraints hit food distribution and services
Cuba’s food and water supplies are shrinking as reduced imported fuel disrupts food distribution and essential services, including water systems and hospitals. The United Nations warned U.S. efforts to block Cuba’s oil imports are worsening the humanitarian situation, even as Mexico and other countries provide food and emergency aid.
Documents show Epstein corresponded with cybersecurity community, eyed hacker conferences
Justice Department documents indicate Jeffrey Epstein communicated for years with people in the cybersecurity world and expressed interest in attending conferences like DEFCON and Black Hat, though it is unclear if he ever went. Emails suggest interests in cybersecurity and cryptography, including search-engine reputation management and network security.
Lockheed’s SR-72 remains a hypersonic concept with an uncertain future
Lockheed Martin’s SR-72 “Son of Blackbird” is still an early-stage concept for a hypersonic aircraft using a turbine-based combined-cycle engine, reaching about Mach 3 on a turbine before switching to ramjet or scramjet propulsion for sustained flight near Mach 6 to Mach 7. The proposed mission is time-critical reconnaissance, but the program remains uncertain and may never progress beyond design work.
Sen. Mark Warner warns U.S. election system faces growing domestic interference risks
Sen. Mark Warner said he is increasingly worried about the condition of the U.S. election system ahead of the midterm elections, arguing that domestic interference linked to the Trump administration now concerns him more than threats from foreign actors like China or Russia.
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