Nation and world news in brief for November 27
US Air Force says drones spotted over its military bases in England
LONDON/WASHINGTON (Reuters) — A number of unidentified drones have been spotted over three United States Air Force bases in England over the last six days, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.
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“Small unmanned aerial systems were spotted in the vicinity of and over RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell from Nov 20 to Nov 26,” a spokesperson said in an emailed response to Reuters.
The three bases, two in Suffolk and one in Norfolk, are leased by the USAF from Britain.
Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder said that the U.S. military was taking the incidents seriously.
Walmart to roll back some diversity policies amid pressure from conservatives
(Reuters) — Walmart plans to cut back some of its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, a spokesperson for the retailer said on Monday, joining a growing list of firms feeling the heat from conservative groups.
Bloomberg News reported that Walmart will no longer consider race and gender to boost diversity when granting supplier contracts and that eligibility for financing will not be assessed based on suppliers providing certain demographic data.
The retailer will scale back racial equity training, stop participating in rankings by an LGBTQ advocacy group and review its support for Pride and other events, the report added.
A spokesperson for Walmart confirmed Bloomberg’s report.
Trump Jr. says White House press room could replace journalists with podcasters, ‘friends’
(TNS) — Donald Trump Jr. claims his father’s White House Briefing Room could potentially swap out traditional journalists for podcasters and other content creators they consider “our friends.”
Speaking on the latest episode of his “Triggered With Donald Trump Jr.” podcast, the president-elect’s eldest son claimed talks have been underway to load the deck with friendly faces better known for supporting than questioning Donald Trump.
The topic came up when Trump Jr.’s co-host, Michael Knowles, suggested it was time to “take away some people’s seats.”
Trump Jr. revealed the very matter was discussed during a recent flight with his dad and Elon Musk.
Rocket engine fire stalls Japan’s ambitions to launch satellites
TOKYO (NYT) — Japan halted an engine test for one of its flagship rockets after a fire broke out at the launch site on Tuesday, marking the latest setback in the country’s efforts to establish a foothold in the growing market for vehicles capable of launching satellites into orbit.
Japan’s space agency had been testing the engine combustion of its Epsilon S rocket when what it described as an “abnormality” occurred shortly after ignition. Footage from NHK, the public broadcaster, showed a blaze erupting at the test site in southwestern Japan.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, known as JAXA, said in a statement that there had been no reports of injuries or damage to the surrounding facilities. It was investigating he cause of the engine malfunction.
Australia Senate committee backs bill to ban social media for children
SYDNEY (Reuters) — An Australian Senate committee has backed a bill that would ban social media for children under 16 but said social media platforms should not force users to submit personal data such as passport and other digital identification to prove their age.
Australia plans to trial an age-verification system that may include biometrics or government identification to enforce a social media age cut-off, some of the toughest controls imposed by any country to date.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left Labor government is rushing to pass the bill, largely supported by the opposition Liberal party, by the end of the parliamentary year on Thursday.
United says FAA staffing shortages causing significant disruption at Newark hub
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — United Airlines said on Tuesday that an acute shortage of air traffic controllers was causing “significant disruption” for travelers at its busy Newark, New Jersey, hub outside of New York City.
The airline said the Federal Aviation Administration has been forced to reduce traffic flows to Newark hub because of low staffing on 12 of the first 25 days of November, disrupting more than 343,000 United travelers by delays, cancellations, long taxi times and longer flight times related to air traffic control delays for Newark.
United said that on Nov. 15 alone, air traffic control staffing issues resulted in canceled flights that disrupted 1,880 customers; gate and other delays disrupted an additional 24,558.
