Fighter jets used today

The Royal Australian Air Force and Boeing have teamed up for their first test flight of a pilotless fighter-like jet in South Australia. The "Loyal Wingman" provides new military strategies through its autonomous technology. Australia and the aerospace giant announced Tuesday the successful flight, which took place on Saturday. Loyal Wingman took off under its own power and flew on a predetermined route over the Australian desert, before flying at various different speeds and altitudes to test its systems and demonstrating the performance of design. The fact that the jet is functional and effective without a pilot is key to new approaches in military strategy — with this particular uncrewed aircraft designed to provide air support to a human pilot in another plane. "The heart of this program is the autonomous systems, being a part of a manned, unmanned team approach," said the chief of the Royal Australian Air Force, Mel Hupfeld. The fighter-like jet is 11.6 meters long … [Read more...] about Boeing tests automated ‘Loyal Wingman’ jet in 1st flight

The chancellor will promise to utilise his "fiscal firepower" to protect the jobs and livelihoods of Britons when he delivers his budget on Wednesday. Rishi Sunak will tell the Commons that he will do "whatever it takes" to help business and people through the "moment of crisis" caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a lunchtime statement to MPs, the chancellor is expected to lay out a three-point economic plan focused on helping people through the pandemic, fixing the public finances and building the future economy. Possible announcements in Budget 2021 include: An extension to the furlough scheme An increase in corporation tax A freeze in income tax thresholds - a tactic which would not technically be a tax-raising measure but would still mean employees paying more as their salaries rise A six-month extension in the £20-a-week temporary increase in Universal Credit An extension of the stamp duty holiday, which is currently due to end this month … [Read more...] about Chancellor promises to use ‘fiscal firepower’ in budget to protect jobs and livelihoods

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has struck a "binding legal agreement" with the owner of Pontins after claims it used an “undesirable guests” list to stop bookings by Gypsies and travellers. The EHRC said it received the information from a whistleblower, alleging calls were monitored in Pontins' contact centre and that bookings for its holiday parks made by people with an Irish accent or surname were refused or cancelled. It was also alleged that a list of Irish surnames, published on the company's intranet page, was entitled "undesirable guests". Staff were required to block any potential customers with those names from booking, it was claimed. Pontins was also said to use its commercial vehicles policy to exclude Gypsies and travellers from its sites. Advertisement The EHRC said it had seen a copy of the "undesirable guests" list, and the claims aligned with previous complaints it had received. Pontins was "declining to … [Read more...] about Pontins used ‘undesirable guests’ list to discriminate against Gypsies and travellers, EHRC says

A US special forces veteran and his son accused of helping ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn escape from Japan have been extradited to the country. They are accused of aiding a plot to smuggle Ghosn out of the country, where he was awaiting trial on financial misconduct charges in December 2019. Michael Taylor and son Peter Taylor allegedly helped him escape in a music box and on a private jet to his home country of Lebanon, which has no extradition treaty with Japan . Prosecutors say they received at least $1.3m (£936,000) for their services. The pair landed in Tokyo on Monday after a high-profile battle to avoid being handed over, with lawyers claiming they faced the prospect of relentless interrogation and "mental and physical torture". Advertisement They had been in a Boston jail since May, but last month the US Supreme Court cleared the way for their extradition. "This is a sad day for the family, and for all who believe that veterans … [Read more...] about Carlos Ghosn: Special forces veteran and son extradited over ex-Nissan chief’s ‘music box’ escape from Japan

TED Cruz has been a staple figure in American politics since he was first elected as Texas Senator in 2012. The Texas senator has come under fire after jetting with his family to Cancun during the power cuts - and leaving his pet dog behind. How many dogs does Ted Cruz have? Ted Cruz and his family include one dog among their unit. A 2014 Facebook post by Cruz , showed a picture of the cute, fluffy canine. Rescue puppy Snowflake arrived in the Cruz household in November 2014, much to the delight of Cruz's children. But seven years later in February 2021, Cruz came under fire after it emerged that he left Snowflake behind at home in storm ravaged Texas in February 2021 - while the rest of the family jetted off to sunny Cancun . However a security guard at Cruz's Texan home said that he was taking care of the family dog and revealed that Snowflake, was doing well. What breed is Ted Cruz's pet dog? Texas Senator Ted Cruz's only dog is a … [Read more...] about How many dogs does Ted Cruz have and what breed are they?