Two F-16AM Fighting Falcons with the Romanian Air Force were scrambled early Thursday to investigate an unidentified naval surface drone spotted near the Neptun Deep Project, a major European offshore natural gas field off the coast of Romania in the Black Sea.
On approach, the drone - believed to be of Russian origin - was determined to be an active threat, with one of the F-16s using its M61A1 Vulcan Six-Barrel Gatling Gun to target and destroy the explosive-laden surface drone, roughly 80NM east of the Romanian Black Sea coastal city of Constanța.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan blamed the incident on Russia, stating in a post online: “I strongly condemn the intensification of these types of irresponsible incidents on the part of the Russian Federation.” While European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described it as part of an “escalating campaign of threats” against the European Union.
On approach, the drone - believed to be of Russian origin - was determined to be an active threat, with one of the F-16s using its M61A1 Vulcan Six-Barrel Gatling Gun to target and destroy the explosive-laden surface drone, roughly 80NM east of the Romanian Black Sea coastal city of Constanța.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan blamed the incident on Russia, stating in a post online: “I strongly condemn the intensification of these types of irresponsible incidents on the part of the Russian Federation.” While European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described it as part of an “escalating campaign of threats” against the European Union.
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Sailors onboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) assist with a vertical replenishment-at-sea by a Eurocopter AS-332 Super Puma from the Henry J. Kaiser-class replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) in the Arabian Sea, on August 16, 2026.
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As the Russian 2026 Parliamentary Elections are quickly approaching and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine shows no sign of stopping, traders on Polymarket are predicting - with a 72% chance - that Vladimir Putin’s All-Russian Political Party, known as United Russia and the ruling party since 2001, will retain control and possibly even gain seats in Russia’s Federal Assembly.
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U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163, based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, launch from the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) in support of the U.S. naval blockade of Iran.
The Ospreys are embarked aboard Boxer as part of the aviation combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), which is deployed to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations.
According to this morning's update from CENTCOM, U.S. forces have now redirected 67 commercial vessels, boarded two to ensure compliance, and disabled three vessels that failed to comply with blockade directives.
The Ospreys are embarked aboard Boxer as part of the aviation combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), which is deployed to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations.
According to this morning's update from CENTCOM, U.S. forces have now redirected 67 commercial vessels, boarded two to ensure compliance, and disabled three vessels that failed to comply with blockade directives.
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The U.S. Navy is in the process of renaming the the fourth Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, USS Doris Miller (CVN-81), named for Messman Second Class Doris Miller, an African American Sailor who received the Navy Cross for his heroic actions during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, according to an exclusive report by CNN.
Currently, it is unclear what the Navy is seeking to change the name of the carrier to, though two of the sources said there have been internal conversations about renaming it to honor President Donald J. Trump. In what would be an unprecedented move to name an aircraft carrier after a sitting President of the United States.
Currently, it is unclear what the Navy is seeking to change the name of the carrier to, though two of the sources said there have been internal conversations about renaming it to honor President Donald J. Trump. In what would be an unprecedented move to name an aircraft carrier after a sitting President of the United States.
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Federal prosecutors say an Albany, New York, woman was arrested after allegedly developing a plan to attack the New York State Capitol and kill state senators in the name of ISIS.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, Jessica Bowie, 35, was arrested Aug. 19 after taking possession of what she believed was an explosive device. Investigators allege she had sworn allegiance to ISIS, photographed the Capitol and discussed destroying the building, killing lawmakers and disrupting the U.S. government.
The complaint also alleges Bowie expressed support for al-Qaeda's 9/11 attacks online, threatened to poison Americans and recorded and distributed a formal bay'ah, or oath of allegiance, to ISIS.
Prosecutors say the alleged plan went beyond rhetoric: investigators allege Bowie intended to attack the Capitol and then flee to join ISIS controlled territory. The device she obtained was apparently part of the FBI's effort to identify and disrupt the alleged plot before an attack could occur.
Bowie was charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, a federal offense carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years.
She was ordered detained pending further proceedings.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, Jessica Bowie, 35, was arrested Aug. 19 after taking possession of what she believed was an explosive device. Investigators allege she had sworn allegiance to ISIS, photographed the Capitol and discussed destroying the building, killing lawmakers and disrupting the U.S. government.
The complaint also alleges Bowie expressed support for al-Qaeda's 9/11 attacks online, threatened to poison Americans and recorded and distributed a formal bay'ah, or oath of allegiance, to ISIS.
Prosecutors say the alleged plan went beyond rhetoric: investigators allege Bowie intended to attack the Capitol and then flee to join ISIS controlled territory. The device she obtained was apparently part of the FBI's effort to identify and disrupt the alleged plot before an attack could occur.
Bowie was charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, a federal offense carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years.
She was ordered detained pending further proceedings.
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Prince Harry visited Arlington National Cemetery earlier this week, participating in a public wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
During the visit, Harry also went to Sections 60 and 57, where he paid respects at the graves of fallen service members and met with their families.
The visit was hosted by the Office of Army Cemeteries and Army National Military Cemeteries, with senior Army cemetery officials greeting Harry upon his arrival at Section 60.
During the visit, Harry also went to Sections 60 and 57, where he paid respects at the graves of fallen service members and met with their families.
The visit was hosted by the Office of Army Cemeteries and Army National Military Cemeteries, with senior Army cemetery officials greeting Harry upon his arrival at Section 60.
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According to the Wall Street Journal, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is expected to leave his post by the end of the year, or possibly sooner, after months of reported tension with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
Driscoll has served about 18 months and developed a close working relationship with former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George. The two pushed the Army toward greater use of commercial technology and lessons from Ukraine, including integrating commercially available systems more rapidly into military operations.
George was abruptly fired by Hegseth in April and has not been replaced by a Senate-confirmed successor. Gen. Christopher LaNeve is currently serving as acting Army chief of staff.
Driscoll's departure would therefore leave both of the Army's top civilian and uniformed leadership positions without Senate-confirmed permanent leaders.
The reported split also appears to reflect a broader disagreement over Army transformation. Driscoll had advocated adopting Ukrainian style approaches to commercial technology and battlefield innovation, while his relationship with Hegseth reportedly deteriorated after Driscoll became involved in efforts to arrange senior level visits and Army reform discussions.
There has been no official confirmation of Driscoll's departure. The Pentagon and Driscoll's representatives declined to comment.
Source: https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/army-secretary-expected-to-step-down-by-years-end-d7477efb
Driscoll has served about 18 months and developed a close working relationship with former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George. The two pushed the Army toward greater use of commercial technology and lessons from Ukraine, including integrating commercially available systems more rapidly into military operations.
George was abruptly fired by Hegseth in April and has not been replaced by a Senate-confirmed successor. Gen. Christopher LaNeve is currently serving as acting Army chief of staff.
Driscoll's departure would therefore leave both of the Army's top civilian and uniformed leadership positions without Senate-confirmed permanent leaders.
The reported split also appears to reflect a broader disagreement over Army transformation. Driscoll had advocated adopting Ukrainian style approaches to commercial technology and battlefield innovation, while his relationship with Hegseth reportedly deteriorated after Driscoll became involved in efforts to arrange senior level visits and Army reform discussions.
There has been no official confirmation of Driscoll's departure. The Pentagon and Driscoll's representatives declined to comment.
Source: https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/army-secretary-expected-to-step-down-by-years-end-d7477efb