TYB
https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/Newsroom/Article-Display/Article/4453711/us-space-force-launches-dow-stp-s29a-mission-delivers-experimental-and-research
extra Space Force
https://www.petersonschriever.spaceforce.mil/Newsroom/News/Display/Article/4454194/honoring-our-defenders-21st-sfs-recognized-for-rapid-response/
https://www.petersonschriever.spaceforce.mil/Newsroom/News/Display/Article/4454160/space-base-delta-1-chapel-playground-groundbreaking-ceremony/
U.S. Space Force launches DoW STP-S29A mission, delivers experimental and research payloads
April 7, 2026
Summary: The U.S. Space Force successfully launched the Department of War’s (DoW) Space Test Program S29A (STP-S29A) mission aboard a Minotaur IV rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.
This mission delivered the the STPSat-7 space vehicle housing five DoW experiments and additional research CubeSats into low Earth orbit (LEO).
The U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) launched the U.S. Department of War’s (DoW) Space Test Program S29A (STP-S29A) mission aboard a Minotaur IV launch vehicle from Space Launch Complex 8 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., at 4:33 a.m. PDT, April 7, 2026.
This flight was the second STP mission to launch in four months, highlighting SSC’s continuing efforts to develop and test new technologies leading to the next generation of space capabilities.
The DoW’s STP, managed by SSC’s System Delta 89 (SYD 89), will oversee on-orbit operations.
The primary payload aboard the mission was STPSat-7, an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) class satellite designed and built by the DoW Space Test Program (STP).
DoW STP is headquartered at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, with an Operating Location at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
The co-prime on this mission is a pair of U.S. Army-sponsored CubeSats called Rawhide. Secondary payloads onboard are MISR-C, CANVAS, AggieSat6, and ASTRA-HyRAX. DoW-STP plays a critical role in advancing space technology by providing experimental demonstration opportunities and rapid access to space for research and development projects.
“The successful launch of STP-S29A directly answers the call for a stronger, more capable military and underscores the critical role of the Space Force in deterring future conflicts,” said USSF Lt. Col. Brian Shimek, system program manager and director for STP.
“The space domain is where we can and must maintain our strategic advantage. This mission is a clear demonstration of that principle in action.”
“The advanced experiments on board will provide invaluable data, enhance our space domain awareness, and ensure we continue to outpace our adversaries,” said Shimek.
The launch service was procured and led by SSC System Delta 80’s (SYD 80) Small Launch and Targets Division under its the Rocket System Launch Program (RSLP), which the department’s dedicated organization for small experimental, test, target, and responsive launch solutions.
“This launch, made possible through our strong partnership with the Rocket System Launch Program, is a vital step in building the next generation of space capabilities required to secure our nation's future.
I am extremely proud of the team that executed this mission with the sense of urgency our strategic environment demands.”
With multiple pathways to efficiently launch capability on orbit, RSLP has supported more than 740 launches to date.
“Fantastic launch today from Vandenberg Space Force Base with our Space Test Program, Northrop Grumman, and SLD 30 teammates,” said USSF Lt. Col. Steve Hendershot, system program manager for RSLP.
“Every mission has its unique challenges, and this one is no exception, and it’s a thrill to tackle them from mission design to spacecraft separation,”
Hendershot added that the launch profile was adapted for payload composition, trajectory, and a very specific separation timing to satisfy the individual satellite needs.
“It’s highly technical, exciting, and is what attracts talented folks to the Space Force…and being part of a successful launch that delivers capability on orbit is our reward,” Hendershot said.
RSLP used the Orbital Services Program (OSP-4), a highly flexible Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract used to provide launch services for military payloads over 400 lbs. to any orbit.
“RSLP launches from sites around the globe, including Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska at Kodiak, MARS at Wallops Flight Facility in Virgina, Cape Canaveral and here at Vandenberg…we can launch wherever, whenever the mission needs,” said Sean Mussell, RSLP’s STP-S29A mission manager.
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Northrop-Grumman is the launch service contractor and is responsible for providing the Minotaur IV launch service for the STP-S29A mission.
The initial value of the launch service was $29.9M when awarded in September 2022. The last Minotaur IV launch occurred one year prior, also from SLC-8 at Vandenberg.
The STP-S29A mission is the 308th mission for DoW’s STP. Throughout its 58-year history STP missions have supported the development of technology behind all critical Space Force capabilities such as satellite communications, positioning, navigation, and timing, space sensing, space domain awareness, and space access.
Once on orbit, the Space Test Program will operate STPSat-7 from Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX.
The spacecraft was developed using common platform avionics deployed to the International Space Station in their H-series missions as well as using commercial ground antenna infrastructure. The five experiments comprising the mission are:
The Naval Information Warfare Centers’ NanoUHF Comms will demonstrate military SATCOM capability for proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO) constellations. It will provide crucial beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communication and message broadcast services, significantly extending the operational reach of naval forces. A key innovation is the payload's ability to perform real-time Doppler compensation while in orbit. This feature allows existing Navy radio systems to seamlessly connect with LEO satellites, overcoming the frequency shifts caused by high-speed satellite movement.
The Naval Research Laboratory's Laser-sheet Anomaly Resolution and Debris Observation (LARADO) instrument will detect and characterize small orbital debris that cannot be observed from the ground.
LARADO is funded and managed by the Helio physics Division's nascent Orbital Debris and Space Situational Awareness activity within NASA's Science Mission Directorate.
The Naval Research Laboratory's GNSS Orbital Situational Awareness Sensor (GOSAS) is a CubeSat-compatible, programmable dual GPC receiver designed to characterize the orbital GNSS environment and produce high quality ionospheric space weather products.
The Naval Research Laboratory's GAgg Radiation Instrumentation-1C (GARI-1C) follows the GARI program in the goal of space qualifying the Gd3(Al,Ga)O12 (GAGG) scintillator for space-based defense applications.
The detector technology offers improved energy resolution, lower power consumption and reduced size compared to similar systems. The experiments represent teamwork across the services, and stem from a collaboration between the DoW Space Test Program, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Naval Information Warfare Center- Pacific (NIWC-PAC), and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
The co-prime payload in addition to STP-Sat7 on S29A is a payload that goes by the name of Rawhide. Rawhide continues the legacy of the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) Technology Center mission to develop and transition advanced tactical space support capabilities and concepts to the warfighter.
Secondary payloads, once in orbit, will be operated via their respective sponsors and serve a myriad of defense and academic research programs:
The Department of War's MISR-C satellite program uses 16U CubeSats to demonstrate responsive, multi-mission capabilities, including testing two-way communications with ground devices and exploring novel tactical applications for small satellites.
This program is the third in a series of missions to prove the effectiveness and versatility of CubeSat technology for the DoW.
The CANVAS SmallSat mission developed by University of Colorado Boulder, is a NASA sponsored payload that will study the effects of lightning generated Very Low Frequency (VLF) waves on Earth's inner radiation belt.
ASTRA-HyRAX, built by Auburn University and funded by the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command, is the newest mission under development in AUSSP.
The mission aims to use a hybrid retro directive array (HRA) payload developed at Auburn to characterize the direction of signals from targets of opportunity.
AggieSat6 is developed by students at Texas A&M University, in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory, to demonstrate new space domain awareness technology for tracking other satellites using commercial off-the-shelf components.
The results from the payloads will be collected after the on-orbit test period is complete and will be fed back into various development pipelines for future capabilities.
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SpaceX Starship V3 Engine Goes Up in Flames at Texas Site
April 7, 2026, 1:10 pm ET
A significant fire erupted at a SpaceX facility in Texas during a test of the Starship rocket’s engines ahead of a long-anticipated test flight.
SpaceX is in the process of preparing Starship Version 3 for its upcoming launch debut, which is currently slated for sometime in May. During a test of the Raptor engines at the McGregor test site on Monday, a huge explosion was seen from outside the facility.
NASASpaceflight captured the explosion on video during its livestream of the McGregor facility, revealing footage of the test site smothered in burning flames and a cloud of smoke.
Test jitters
Starship V3 is an upgraded version of the megarocket that’s bigger and more powerful. The rocket is equipped with a more efficient version of its engines, the third-generation Raptor engines.
The Raptor 3 engines boast 280 metric tons of thrust compared to Raptor 2’s 230 metric tons, while being lighter in weight and having significantly fewer parts.
The recent explosive incident took place during the second test of the day of the Raptor 3 engine, according to NASASpaceflight.
The engine may have experienced an anomaly during the test, leading to a huge plume of smoke that was followed by an explosion from the test stand itself.
This isn’t the first time a Raptor engine test has ended up in flames. In May 2025, a Raptor 2 engine experienced an anomaly that led to a fiery explosion that engulfed the test stand at the company’s Texas facility.
Gearing up for launch
Starship Version 2 lifted off for the last time in October 2025, paving the way for the upgraded version of the rocket to take flight. It is taking a while, though.
Earlier this year, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced that Starship V3’s debut flight would take place sometime during the second week of March.
By mid-March, the rocket’s inaugural liftoff had moved to April as SpaceX continued to run tests on Starship and its engines. Most recently, SpaceX again delayed Starship V3’s test flight to May.
The latest incident at the company’s test facility will likely not impact the upcoming launch of Starship.
The company runs qualification tests of the rocket’s engines before incorporating them into Starship to make sure they meet safety standards.
During those tests, some accidents are bound to happen, and that explosion, though it looks serious, may be a minor hiccup.
https://gizmodo.com/spacex-starship-v3-engine-goes-up-in-flames-at-texas-site-2000743390
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILsUTgpsN3A
Russia tests mortar drone with integrated robotic arm
Updated 8 Apr, 2026 13:35
A Russian defense developer is testing a tracked robotic drone capable of launching a mortar using an integrated mechanical arm, according to newly released footage.
The video, published online on Monday, shows a snow-covered training ground where the small unmanned vehicle operates its weapon system. The drone is seen picking up mortar shells from an onboard supply and dropping them into the tube.
The system is part of a broader family built on the Kurier chassis, first introduced in 2024. The state-backed design bureau behind the project has been experimenting with multiple weapons configurations for small electric-powered vehicles.
One version is armed with a small arms turret and is already being used in the Ukraine conflict, while another variant carries an incendiary rocket launcher.
The mortar module, named Bagulnik-82 (after a plant known in English as Labrador tea), appears to incorporate a Soviet-era 82 mm 2B14 Podnos mortar – weighing around 42 kg and originally designed for airborne and light infantry units.
In the footage, the robotic arm takes about five seconds to load each round, resulting in a slower firing rate compared to a trained human crew.
However, the platform’s key advantage lies in its ability to operate in high-risk environments without endangering personnel.
Its mortar has a relatively limited maximum range of under 4 km, which can be a major drawback in conditions where enemy FPV kamikaze drones pose a constant threat.
The Kurier platform also produces less heat than soldiers or vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, making it harder to detect with infrared systems.
The Ukraine conflict has significantly accelerated the development of drone-based military technology on both sides.
A notable trend has been the shift toward inexpensive, mass-produced systems that can be rapidly adapted by troops in the field.
https://www.rt.com/russia/637708-self-firing-mortar-drone/
extra RT
https://www.rt.com/africa/637722-moscow-nears-full-embassy-coverage-africa/
Ukrainian Drones Hit Oil Terminal in Feodosia, Strike Targets Across Occupied Territories
April 8, 2026, 3:53 pm
Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal in the city of Feodosia in occupied Crimea overnight on Wednesday, April 8, with additional strikes reported across several occupied regions, according to Ukrainian military personnel, partisan groups, and Russian sources.
Footage and eyewitness accounts analyzed by Russian Telegram channel Astra indicated a fire at the “Marine Oil Terminal” facility following the attack.
Strike on Feodosia oil terminal
Robert Brovdi, commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces said Ukrainian forces targeted the oil terminal as part of a coordinated operation.
He said the strike hit fuel storage infrastructure at the site.
Partisan group Atesh said its agents had conducted prior reconnaissance of the facility and passed targeting data to Ukrainian forces.
The group described the terminal as a key fuel supply hub for Russian forces in Crimea.
Astra reported that residents observed explosions and a fire in the area overnight, though local authorities did not confirm the incident.
Brovdi said Ukrainian drones also struck multiple Russian military assets in occupied territories, including Buk-M3 and Tor-M2 air defense systems and a Zoopark-1M counter-battery radar.
He added that Ukrainian forces targeted logistics warehouses and drone facilities in occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Strikes reported in Luhansk
Explosions were also reported in occupied Luhansk, with Russian-installed officials saying three people were injured in drone strikes on residential areas, according to Astra.
Footage circulating online appeared to show drones reaching targets in the city.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said 73 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight across several regions, including annexed Crimea and areas over the Azov and Black seas.
The statement could not be independently verified.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/73507
other Russia and Ukraine
https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/04/08/ukraine-and-croatia-are-building-underground-drone-factory-to-kill-chinese-supply-chain/
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/73493
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/08/russia-summons-japans-ambassador-over-ukraine-drone-deal-a92455
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4110522-usf-strike-russian-torm2-air-defense-system-and-drone-depots-in-donetsk-region.html
https://united24media.com/latest-news/buk-tor-zoopark-ukrainian-drones-tear-through-key-russian-systems-17737
https://www.cp24.com/news/world/2026/04/08/russian-drone-damages-infrastructure-vessel-at-ukraines-largest-danube-port/
https://united24media.com/latest-news/ukrainian-drones-strike-key-fuel-terminal-in-occupied-crimea-fire-reported-in-feodosia-17720
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20260408_12/
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/4110351-russian-drone-strike-damages-port-infrastructure-in-izmail.html
https://www.rt.com/news/637586-us-strikes-irans-kharg-island-live/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/2026-04-08/live-updates-892355
other Israel
https://www.aninews.in/news/world/middle-east/idf-eliminates-hamas-explosives-expert-muhammad-dawad-in-northern-gaza-strike20260408223639/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/report-trump-didnt-express-opposition-to-continued-idf-targeting-of-hezbollah-in-call-with-pm/
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/artc-israeli-defense-minister-katz-today-hezbollah-has-suffered-its-heaviest-blow-since-the-2024-beeper-operation
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/al-jazeera-journalist-reportedly-killed-in-gaza-idf-spokesman-says-he-was-a-terrorist-in-every-sense/
https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2026/04/08/israel-launches-large-wave-of-strikes-against-hezbollah/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-launches-largest-airstrikes-yet-against-hezbollah-after-truce-with-iran/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-spokesman-says-military-exceeded-goals-and-objectives-in-iran-war/
https://www.jns.org/news/israel-news/idf-launches-largest-strike-on-hezbollah-in-lebanon-since-start-of-roaring-lion
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-says-50-fighter-jets-dropped-160-bombs-on-100-hezbollah-targets-in-10-minutes/
https://www.jns.org/feature/inside-the-red-unit-the-idf-women-trained-to-think-like-the-enemy
https://www.jfeed.com/news-israel/idf-hezbollah-strikes-lebanon
Israel attacks Lebanon killing hundreds, Iran vows revenge for ‘savage massacre’ (PHOTOS, VIDEOS) From RT
Published 7 Apr, 2026 13:48 | Updated 8 Apr, 2026 17:56
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Washington and Tehran announced a two-week suspension of warfare ahead of talks on Friday, but the deal looks dead in the water after multiple violations
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US President Donald Trump's “double sided ceasefire” whereby Iran would agree to the “complete” and “immediate” opening of the Strait of Hormuz seems to be in trouble.
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The 10-point text published by Iranian state-linked media, and endorsed by Pakistan, specifically mentions Lebanon. Israel has refused to recognize that condition and launched what it described as its “biggest yet” series of attacks on the country including its capital, Beirut, killing hundreds, according to the civil defense.
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Iran has decried the “Israeli savage massacre” and the commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force has pledged revenge for the attack that, according to Tehran, is a breach of the ceasefire agreed with the US.
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Trump said Iran’s ten-point proposal delivered via Pakistan offers a “workable basis on which to negotiate.” He warned, however, that he would order devastating new airstrikes if no final deal is reached by the new deadline.
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Tehran said the agreement represents a “historic and crushing defeat” for the US, claiming Washington has been forced to accept Tehran’s 10‑point plan as the basis for talks.
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Moscow on Wednesday hailed the two-week ceasefire as a “crushing defeat” for the US and Israel, with Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova saying Washington’s “one-track, aggressive, unprovoked attack” approach has failed.
Key developments:
The US has insisted that Lebanon is not part of the deal, according to multiple sources. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also claimed that the current ceasefire does not cover Israel’s war on southern Lebanon, contradicting earlier statements by Pakistani PM Sharif.
Tasnim news has cited Iranian mediators who reportedly spoke to the Wall Street Journal, stressing that Lebanon is part of the ceasefire deal, and that shipping through Hormuz will be closed until Israel commits to respecting the condition.
Tehran’s ten-point plan reportedly includes US commitments to non‑aggression, Iran’s continued control over the Strait of Hormuz, acceptance of uranium enrichment, the lifting of all sanctions, termination of UN Security Council and IAEA resolutions, payment of war reparations, withdrawal of US combat forces from the region, and a halt to the war on all fronts, including against the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon.
18:02 GMT
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt has said Lebanon is not covered by the two‑week ceasefire arrangement between the US and Iran. “Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire,” she told reporters on Wednesday, adding that “this will continue to be discussed, I’m sure.”
18:02 GMT
Netanyahu has said Israel “has more goals to complete” despite the US-Iran ceasefire, warning that the country is “ready to return to fighting at any time.” In a video statement, he vowed those objectives would be achieved “either through agreement, or through renewed fighting,” adding that “the finger is on the trigger.”
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17:58 GMT
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that the Iran-US ceasefire terms are “clear and explicit,” warning that Washington must choose between enforcing the truce or backing Israeli attacks. In a post on X, he shared Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement that Iran and the US “along with their allies” had agreed to an “immediate ceasefire everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere,” adding, “The world sees the massacres in Lebanon… the ball is in the US court.”
17:43 GMT
Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Wishah has been killed in Gaza after an Israeli drone struck the vehicle he was driving on a main road in Gaza City, the network reports. With his death, the number of Palestinian journalists killed by Israel since October 2023 has reportedly risen to 262. Despite a US‑brokered truce in October 2025, the Gaza Government Media Office says the Israeli military has carried out around 2,000 violations in the territory.
17:30 GMT
Lebanon’s Civil Defense has reported a significantly higher toll from the latest Israeli strikes, saying 254 people have been killed and 1,165 wounded across the country. In a statement, it listed 92 dead and 742 injured in Beirut alone, and warned the numbers are likely to rise as rescue teams continue to pull survivors and bodies from under the rubble in “extremely dangerous and complex” conditions.
17:28 GMT
Italy has reportedly said that Israeli forces fired warning shots at a convoy of its UN peacekeepers in Lebanon on Wednesday, damaging at least one vehicle but causing no injuries. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto called the incident “unacceptable,” while Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote on X that he has summoned Israel’s ambassador to Rome for clarification, saying: “Our soldiers are not to be touched.”
17:27 GMT
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said there have been “violations of ceasefire… at few places across the conflict zone,” warning they “undermine the spirit of the peace process.” In a post on X, he urged all parties to “exercise restraint and respect the ceasefire for two weeks, as agreed upon, so that diplomacy can take a lead role towards peaceful settlement of the conflict.”
16:46 GMT
Israeli forces have continued to attack Beirut, according to various videos from social media. The death toll in Lebanon from today’s strikes alone has reached 112, with 837 wounded, the Lebanese Health Ministry has said.
16:33 GMT
Iranian and Turkish Foreign Ministers, Abbas Aragchi and Hakan Fidan, held a phone call in which Aragchi emphasized Tehran's willingness to “accept a ceasefire as a basis for the complete end of the war,” as reported by Tasnim. He stated, “Considering the agreement to base negotiations on Iran's ten-point plan and if there is seriousness on the American side, achieving a complete end to the war and establishing lasting stability and security will be possible.”
Fidan also made a warning “about the destructive role of the Israeli regime” and called for vigilance from all parties regarding Israel's “plots” to stop the peace process.
16:32 GMT
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned it will deliver a “regret-inducing response” if Israeli attacks on Lebanon do not stop immediately. In a statement carried by Tasnim, the IRGC said that only hours after the ceasefire was agreed, Israel had begun a “savage massacre” in Beirut, and issued a “strong warning” to the US and its “Zionist executioner partner” to halt the strikes.
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https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202604067622
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/8/white-house-says-trumps-red-line-against-iran-nuclear-enrichment-remains
other Iran and not frens
https://www.ibtimes.com/key-saudi-pipeline-red-sea-hit-iranian-drone-attack-despite-us-iran-ceasefire-announcement-3801016
https://odishabytes.com/saudis-east-west-pipeline-hit-by-drone-hours-after-us-iran-ceasefire/
https://112.ua/en/ataka-bezpilotnika-v-kuvejti-zaginuli-cetvero-vijskovih-rezervu-armii-ssa-152951
https://www.axios.com/2026/04/08/us-iran-peace-talks-vance-pakistan-saturday
https://thehill.com/policy/international/5822251-iran-allied-militia-activity/
US, Iran envoys set to meet Saturday as attacks test fragile ceasefire
April 8, 2026
Summary
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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force General Dan Caine said the ceasefire with Iran was only a temporary halt and forces remained ready to resume operations.
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A drone attack hit Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline on Wednesday, damaging a key export route carrying crude from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, hours after a ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect, the Financial Times reported.
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Iran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday or Friday ahead of talks with the United States in Pakistan if a ceasefire framework is agreed, Reuters reported, citing a senior Iranian official.
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President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday that the US would work with Iran after what he called a “regime change,” ruling out uranium enrichment and signaling possible sanctions relief.
All
BREAKING NEWS
3 minutes ago
Iran designates 'safe routes' in Hormuz over mine risks - SNN
Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization has designated alternative “safe routes” through the Strait of Hormuz due to the possible presence of naval mines in parts of the waterway, according to state affiliated news agency SNN.
19 minutes ago
Video: Heavy Israeli strikes hit several areas in Lebanon
Smoke rose over Beirut after Israeli strikes on Wednesday, while the Israeli military said it carried out what it described as its largest attack on Lebanon since the start of Operation Roaring Lion, hitting about 100 military sites and Hezbollah infrastructure across Beirut, the… pic.twitter.com/4QBySSeq1Y
21 minutes ago
Iran hints at UAE role in post-truce attack on Lavan Island
The attack on Lavan Island was carried out by Mirage fighter jets used by the United Arab Emirates, Iran’s judiciary-affiliated Mizan News Agency reported.
Earlier, Axios reported, citing a US defense official, that the strike on the Iranian refinery in Lavan was not conducted by the United States or Israel.
32 minutes ago
Qatar urges building on US-Iran ceasefire in call with Saudi Arabia
Qatar’s foreign minister spoke by phone with his Saudi counterpart to discuss regional developments following the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
Doha welcomed the truce and stressed “the necessity of building on it urgently to prevent the expansion of the scope of tension in the region,” Qatar’s foreign ministry said in a post on X.
The ministry said the Qatari minister also emphasized the importance of “ensuring the security of maritime passages and the freedom of navigation” in order to preserve regional stability and global supply chains.
42 minutes ago
BREAKING NEWS
UAE says it seeks clarification on US-Iran ceasefire terms
The United Arab Emirates will seek clarification on the terms of the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, UAE's foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.
The spokesperson said the clarification would be to ensure Iran’s full compliance with the immediate cessation of all attacks in the region and the unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
44 minutes ago
Iran says US will be responsible for any ceasefire violation
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the United States would be responsible for any violation of the temporary ceasefire understanding.
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51 minutes ago
Netanyahu says Israel ready to return to combat at any moment
“We are prepared to return to combat at any moment required. Our finger is on the trigger,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday.
He said the pause in fighting does not mark the end of Israel’s campaign against Iran.
“This is preparation on the way to achieving all of our objectives. Iran is entering these negotiations beaten, weaker than ever,” he said.
He added that the ceasefire came into effect “in full coordination with Israel” and said it does not include operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“We are continuing to strike forcefully. Hezbollah suffered the most severe strike today since the beeper operation,” he said.
51 minutes ago
BREAKING NEWS
Ghalibaf questions basis for US-Iran talks, citing violations of proposal
Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said several key clauses of Tehran’s proposed framework for negotiations with the United States have already been violated, casting doubt on the basis for talks expected to begin in Pakistan.
In a statement published on X, Ghalibaf said three provisions of Iran’s 10-point proposal had been breached even before negotiations began.
He cited continued attacks in Lebanon despite what he said was a commitment to an immediate ceasefire, the entry of a drone into Iranian airspace that was later destroyed in the southern city of Lar, and what he described as the denial of Iran’s right to uranium enrichment.
“The very workable basis on which to negotiate has been openly and clearly violated, even before the negotiations began,” Ghalibaf wrote.
He added that under such circumstances “a bilateral ceasefire or negotiations is unreasonable.”
1 hour ago
BREAKING NEWS
White House confirms US, Iran to hold talks in Pakistan on Saturday
The United States and Iran will hold talks in Pakistan on Saturday, the White House confirmed, as diplomacy gathers pace following the two-week ceasefire announced earlier this week.
“The first round of those talks will take place on Saturday morning local time, and we know we look forward to those in-person meetings,” White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt t told reporters.
She also said Tehran had indicated it would be willing to turn over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Leavitt confirmed that US Vice President JD Vance will lead the American delegation, accompanied by presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
1 hour ago
Exiled prince Pahlavi urges patience, says Iranians must deliver 'final blow'
Iran’s exiled prince Reza Pahlavi urged Iranians to remain patient following a two-week ceasefire, saying the government had been weakened but that its repression apparatus had not been fully eliminated and that the final blow must come from the Iranian people.
“I know that news of the two week ceasefire between the Islamic Republic, America and Israel has disheartened many of you. But today is not a time for despair, it is a time for even greater belief in victory,” Pahlavi said in a video message addressed to Iranians inside the country.
He said that while the Islamic Republic has been “profoundly weakened,” its capacity for repression has not been “entirely eliminated.”
“We knew from the outset, however, that the Islamic Republic would not fall solely through the elimination of its command structure and the degradation of its repressive apparatus by aerial strikes. That is precisely why, in every message I have addressed to you, I emphasized that it is we, the Iranian nation, who must deliver the final blow to this weakened regime and bring about its ultimate end,” he said.
He said his priority was to ensure any final move to topple the Islamic Republic minimizes loss of life, urging Iranians to remain patient, protect themselves and stay ready, while pledging to continue efforts abroad to support calls for the regime's end.
“I therefore ask that you remain patient, protect yourselves and, with faith in victory and full readiness, await the decisive moment. In the meantime, I and all our compatriots abroad will raise your demand for an end to the Islamic Republic with every ounce of our strength,” he said.
1 hour ago
Araghchi says US must choose between ceasefire and continued war via Israel
“The Iran–US ceasefire terms are clear and explicit: the US must choose—ceasefire or continued war via Israel. It cannot have both,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X.
“The world sees the massacres in Lebanon. The ball is in the US court, and the world is watching whether it will act on its commitments,” he added.
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Drone Attacks on Naga Civilians: GNF Calls for Independent, Time-bound International Investigation
April 8, 2026
UKHRUL: The Global Naga Forum (GNF) has reiterated its urgent and unequivocal appeal to the United Nations, relevant international human rights bodies, and the Government of Myanmar to take immediate and decisive action and initiate an independent and time-bound international investigation into the continued drone attacks on Naga civilians in the Naga Self-Administered Zone (NSAZ), Myanmar.
Condemning the continued extrajudicial drone strikes targeting civilian populations in the Naga Self-Administered Zone (NSAZ), Myanmar, allegedly carried out by the Indian Army, GNF stated that the drone attack on Khammaoi Village on April 6 reflected a disturbing pattern of indiscriminate force that endangers innocent lives and violates international humanitarian law and fundamental human rights.
“Although the recent strike resulted in the destruction of a thatched house and, fortunately, spared the lives of an elderly man and his grandchild who were inside, the deployment of three drone bombs in and around the same location reveals a clear intent to inflict harm and instill fear among civilians,” GNF said in a statement.
It also stated that the incident must be seen as an “escalation” of the devastating drone strike on Khammaoi Village in October last year.
“That attack claimed the lives of a 27-year-old student and a 7-year-old child, while several others, including a 10-year-old boy sustained serious injuries,” GNF stated, adding that the recurring pattern of targeting unarmed civilians under the cover of darkness reflects a grave and unacceptable abuse of military power.
Stating that it remains deeply alarmed by such continued attacks on Naga civilians within their ancestral lands, the GNF called for an immediate halt to all forms of violence, particularly the indiscriminate use of drone warfare against non-combatants.
The GNF reiterated for the second time its urgent and unequivocal appeal to the United Nations, relevant international human rights bodies, and the Myanmar government to take immediate and decisive action by condemning such grave violations in the strongest terms.
It demanded an independent and time-bound international investigation, ensuring full accountability of those responsible, and taking concrete measures to prevent any further attacks on innocent civilians, while upholding international law and safeguarding the fundamental rights, dignity, and security of the Naga people.
The GNF further reaffirmed its solidarity with the Naga people in Myanmar, particularly the residents of Khammaoi Village, in their demand for safety, justice, and the recognition of traditional authorities in safeguarding civilian life and ancestral Naga territories.
https://ukhrultimes.com/drone-attacks-naga-civilians-gnf-international-investigation/
https://interestingengineering.com/military/chinese-underwater-drone-found-in-indonesia-2026
https://www.newsweek.com/chinese-underwater-drone-discovered-indonesia-waters-11801106
Torpedo-shaped drone linked to China recovered from Indonesian waters
Apr 08, 2026 10:02 AM EST
An Indonesian fisherman has recovered what authorities believe is a Chinese underwater drone near one of Southeast Asia’s most strategically important maritime corridors, starting a naval investigation and renewed scrutiny of unmanned surveillance activity in the region.
The torpedo-shaped object was discovered in early April in waters north of Gili Trawangan near the Lombok Strait, a deepwater channel linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Local fishermen spotted the unusual metallic device while casting their nets and alerted Indonesian authorities, who later secured the object and transferred it to the Indonesian Navy’s Mataram base for analysis.
Initial examinations by police and bomb disposal teams found no explosives or radioactive materials inside the device. Officials described it as a marine technology system and said experts would conduct further analysis to determine its origin, purpose, and whether it contains operational data.
The cylindrical device measures roughly 3.7 meters in length and about 0.7 meters in diameter and carries markings associated with the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), one of China’s largest state-owned shipbuilding and naval technology developers.
Strategic location raises questions
According to a South China Morning Post (SCMP) report, the drone-like object was discovered near the approaches to the Lombok Strait, one of the few deepwater routes in the region capable of accommodating submarines operating at operational depth.
The strait, located between the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok, serves as an essential maritime corridor linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The area is closely watched by several countries because it allows large naval vessels and submarines to move between the two oceans without passing through shallower waterways.
Indonesian police said the device appeared to be observation or underwater survey equipment, citing its cylindrical shape and configuration, which are typical of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).
According to local authorities, the device showed no signs of explosives or hazardous materials during inspection.
Defense analysts note that underwater drones used for oceanographic surveys can collect detailed data about seabed terrain, currents, and acoustic conditions.
While often used for scientific research, such data can also have military value because it helps submarines navigate stealthily through strategic waterways.
Indonesian authorities said the device would undergo further technical evaluation at the Mataram naval base to determine whether it was conducting a research mission, a mapping operation, or another form of maritime survey.
Pattern of underwater drone discoveries
The Lombok Strait incident is not the first time such devices have been recovered in Southeast Asian waters.
Indonesia has previously discovered several suspected Chinese underwater drones. In December 2020, fishermen near Selayar Island in South Sulawesi recovered a “Sea Wing” (Haiyi) underwater glider.
Analysts suggested the device was likely collecting oceanographic data to help map underwater conditions in the Lombok Strait and nearby sea lanes.
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Earlier discoveries were also reported in 2020 near the Masalembu Islands in the East Java Sea and in 2019 near the Riau Islands, close to the Strait of Malacca.
Those drones reportedly carried markings linked to Chinese research institutions, including the Shenyang Institute of Automation.
Similar incidents have been documented in the Philippines as well.
Several underwater drones recovered between 2022 and 2024 in locations such as Calayan Island and Masbate Province were found equipped with sensors capable of monitoring underwater conditions and mapping the seabed in strategic sea lanes.
China’s expanding underwater drone network
China has significantly expanded its deployment of autonomous underwater vehicles over the past decade as part of broader oceanographic research and maritime monitoring programs.
According to an analysis published by The Diplomat, Chinese Sea Wing (Haiyi) underwater gliders, developed by the Shenyang Institute of Automation under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, have been deployed in several oceanographic missions and are capable of collecting large volumes of hydrological data such as temperature, salinity, turbidity, and oxygen levels.
These gliders operate by adjusting their buoyancy and slowly gliding through the water column, allowing them to travel long distances while collecting environmental data.
Because they consume far less energy than conventional underwater vehicles, glider-type drones can remain at sea for extended periods before resurfacing to transmit data.
Reports by defense analyst H. I. Sutton writing in Forbes noted that China deployed a fleet of Sea Wing gliders in the Indian Ocean in 2019, gathering thousands of oceanographic observations during the mission.
Such drones are increasingly viewed as part of an extensive maritime intelligence infrastructure capable of gathering environmental data across strategic waterways.
For Indonesia, the discovery near the Lombok Strait highlights the challenges of monitoring underwater activity across one of the world’s largest archipelagic states.
With thousands of islands and multiple deepwater channels used by global shipping and naval forces, maritime surveillance remains a complex task.
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“It’s redundant," Gillibrand aide on Trump's promise to release UFO files. "NDAA already did it”
Apr 08, 2026
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) — Armed Services & Intelligence Committees
Ask a Pol asks:
Haven’t seen you since President Donald Trump’s call for UAP disclosure — what do you make of him publicly calling for the federal government’s UFO files to be made public?
Key Gillibrand:
“It’s great,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand exclusively tells Ask a Pol UAP. “It’s a great step in the right direction.”
Is AARO going to be part of this?
“I don’t know,” Gillibrand tells us. “I don’t know what he meant. I tweeted back at him, ‘Great, let’s work on this together!’ though.”
Caught our ear — per the Senator’s aide:
“It’s redundant, because we already passed it in the NDAA and that stuff has to be public,” Gillibrand’s senior aide interjects. “He was just talking out of his ass. NDAA already did it.”*
https://www.askapoluaps.com/p/ndaa-already-did-it-gillibrand-aide
https://x.com/AskaPol_UAPs/status/2041960411789193407
https://x.com/MattLaslo
Matthew McConaughey Named “Grand Marshal” for Aliens by Dale Earnhardt Jr.
April 7, 2026 | 4:22 PM EDT
A lighthearted conversation recently took an imaginative turn when broadcaster Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his guest explored a fun but thought-provoking question.
If aliens were to send a representative to Earth, whom should Earnhardt choose to greet them first? The answer that sparked both laughter and curiosity was Matthew McConaughey.
Matthew McConaughey Chosen as Earth’s Representative by Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Speaking on “The Dale Jr. Download” (specifically the “Ask Jr. Live Presented by Xfinity” segment), Earnhardt was asked by a member of the virtual live audience, “If the alien delegation sent someone here to Earth, who would you nominate from the human race to meet and be that person to start?”
To which he replied in an instant, naming McConaughey. Notably, the actor has also served as a Grand Marshal for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin in 2021.
At first, the idea feels playful, almost Hollywood-esque. But it quickly reveals something deeper about how we think about representation and communication.
McConaughey is not just a well-known actor. He has a unique personality that combines calm confidence, reflective thinking, and a relaxed charm. These qualities make him feel approachable, even in a situation as unusual as meeting extraterrestrial life.
There was a brief pause in the conversation before settling on a name, which makes sense. Choosing one person to represent all of humanity is no small task, even as a hypothetical.
Still, McConaughey stood out as a natural choice. His role in “Interstellar,” a film deeply connected to space and human survival, may have added another layer to the idea. For many, he already feels linked to themes of exploration and our place in the universe.
What makes this discussion interesting is that it was not focused on traditional authority figures. Instead of scientists or political leaders, the choice leaned toward someone completely different.
There is also a clear sense of humor in the choice. The conversation quickly shifted from a clear choice to the fact that an Earth delegate might have perils looming over them, and sending the Academy Award winner or anyone did not appear as a great idea then.
Even the name of veteran Ward Burton popped up before the conversation shifted to a new topic.
If humanity ever faces that moment, sending someone like McConaughey might not be such a strange idea after all.
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nascar/dale-jr-matthew-mcconaughey-alien-ambassador-april-2026/
https://x.com/DaleJr
https://x.com/McConaughey
what if congress is the space aliens!?
Real-life 'X-Files' investigator who ran UFO program dies at 60 after cancer battle
14:47 EDT, 7 April 2026 | Updated: 14:48 EDT, 7 April 2026
A famous UFO expert, dubbed a real-life 'X-Files investigator, has died following a battle with cancer.
Nick Pope, who examined UFO phenomena while employed at the UK's Ministry of Defence (MOD), passed away at the age of 60 on Monday afternoon at his home in Tucson, Arizona.
His wife, Elizabeth Weiss, shared the loss of her husband on X, saying: 'The last few weeks of his life, even as he suffered, he managed to do a few interviews from home.
'I was so lucky to have met and to have married Nick. He was a wonderful husband. I loved him dearly.'
Pope announced that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer, a disease where malignant cells form in the tissue of the esophagus, back in February, noting it had metastasized to his liver.
The former MOD official led Britain's so-called 'UFO Desk' for three years between 1991 and 1994.
He investigated UFO sightings, analyzed radar data and photos and briefed ministers on whether Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) posed a defense threat.
During that time, he reviewed case files on some of Britain's most mysterious sightings, including the Rendlesham Forest incident, often dubbed 'Britain's Roswell,' which occurred in 1980.
'A while ago, following some digestive issues, I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer,' Pope wrote on February 12. 'Unfortunately, it's Stage 4 and has metastasized to my liver.
While I know that it's kindness and hope that lead people to suggest healers and supposed miracle cures, and to say things like "fight it" and "you can beat it," I'm afraid my diagnosis and my situation leave no doubt whatsoever: I can't beat it.'
In the message, he reflected on his life, calling it 'an amazing adventure.' 'A 21-year career at the UK Ministry of Defence, where I got involved in subjects ranging from financial policy to counter-terrorism; from military policing to UAP,' Pope continued.
'And I saved six cows; it's a long story. The things I've done, the places I've been, the people I've met, and the secrets I've been privy to. I wouldn't have swapped it for the world.'
After leaving government service, his involvement in UFO investigations brought him to global attention, turning him into a frequent commentator on television news programs and documentaries.
He later worked as a consultant and spokesperson on UFO- and alien-themed films, television series and video games, earning the nickname the 'real-life Fox Mulder' from the 1990s hit series The X-Files.
The sci-fi mystery series, which ran from 1993 to 2002, follows FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigate unsolved paranormal cases known as the X-Files.
Pope recalled his wife with such admiration, saying: 'She's a real-life Agent Scully: a scientist, a skeptic and a redhead.
'We met randomly in the lobby bar of the Fairmont Hotel in downtown San José (she was an anthropology professor at San José State University) in October 2010 and got married three months later.'
They applied for his Green Card and Elizabeth had him 'shipped to the US, where Pope continued his public work on UFO investigations while appearing at conferences, live events and television productions, including serving as moderator for the touring show 'Ancient Aliens Live.'
He remained active in media appearances and public events until shortly before stepping back from work due to declining health.
Pope concluded the post with: ' It's all been amazing, and I'm grateful for the things I've done, not mournful for the things that I won't now get to do. Per Aspera Ad Astra!'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-15713441/nick-pope-ufo-investigator-dies-arizona.html
extra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ2oWvuOK8g (Somewhere in the Skies w/ Ryan Sprague: Remembrance of Nick Pope (1965 -2026))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AodCexU9Cg (Miles Johnston: Nick Pope Obituary - Bases 11 re-release)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK3ZgwgJ8kY (Eyes On Cinema: The 1993 Cosford Incident: Nick Pope’s Turning Point on UFOs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHlzgGmnZN4 (What Happens After Alien Contact? | Billy Carson Nick Pope)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGXuGecB7P0 (SEPI Agency: Remembering Nick Pope — A Tribute to a Truth Pioneer)
https://x.com/nickpopemod
Pentagon’s UFO Office to Be Eliminated Under New Bill
Apr 08, 2026 at 03:38 PM EDT
Representative Tim Burchett moved to dismantle the Pentagon office that investigates UFOs under legislation introduced this week.
The bill authored by the Tennessee Republican would eliminate the Defense Department’s All‑domain Anomaly Resolution Office and redistribute its responsibilities across the Pentagon, while also prohibiting the creation of any future office that holds centralized authority over investigations into unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), often referred to as UFOs.
This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.
https://www.newsweek.com/pentagon-ufo-office-elimination-bill-burchett-uap-11801961
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8197/text?s=1&r=1
https://www.westernjournal.com/watch-country-come-unglued-tim-burchett-reveals-alien-life-briefing-attended-2-weeks-ago/
https://x.com/timburchett
Pentagon’s UFO Office to Be Eliminated Under New Bill
Apr 08, 2026 at 03:38 PM EDT
Representative Tim Burchett moved to dismantle the Pentagon office that investigates UFOs under legislation introduced this week.
The bill authored by the Tennessee Republican would eliminate the Defense Department’s All‑domain Anomaly Resolution Office and redistribute its responsibilities across the Pentagon, while also prohibiting the creation of any future office that holds centralized authority over investigations into unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), often referred to as UFOs.
This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.
https://www.newsweek.com/pentagon-ufo-office-elimination-bill-burchett-uap-11801961
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8197/text?s=1&r=1
https://www.westernjournal.com/watch-country-come-unglued-tim-burchett-reveals-alien-life-briefing-attended-2-weeks-ago/
https://x.com/timburchett