President Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, despite their prior disagreements, met at the White House and focused on common goals, particularly housing affordability, groceries, and utilities. Trump, who had previously criticized Mamdani, expressed surprise at his potential to appeal to conservatives and stated he would be comfortable living in the city under his leadership. The meeting showcased cooperation, with Trump predicting Mamdani would evolve his views, while Mamdani did not comment.
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Sweden and Ukraine deepen air force cooperation, signs letter of intent for Ukraine to buy 100-150 Saab Gripen E fighter jets, marking a significant step in bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities. This is a big deal, not just for Ukraine, but for European defense cooperation as a whole, and it’s certainly grabbing attention. The potential purchase of 100 to 150 Gripen E fighter jets is a serious commitment. Just consider, the lower end of that range, 100 aircraft, would nearly double the number of Gripens currently in service in the Swedish Air Force. It’s a bold move, and it’s easy to see why Ukraine is excited.… Continue reading
European allies are reconsidering their commitment to the Lockheed Martin F-35, prompting exploration of alternative sixth-generation fighter programs. Australia and Canada, facing trade tensions with the U.S. and considering alternatives to the F-35, have shown interest in joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a UK, Italy, and Japan collaborative effort. GCAP aims to field a next-generation fighter by the mid-2030s, featuring advanced technologies like AI co-pilots and potentially directed-energy weapons. Australia’s existing F-35As and both nations’ Commonwealth ties make their participation in GCAP feasible.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood