A United flight headed to Spain turned around over the Atlantic after crew members discovered a Bluetooth device named “bomb.” Authorities eventually traced it to a teenager’s device. No bomb was found, but the plane still had to return to Newark.
*Stock data as of market close, cryptocurrency data as of 5:00 a.m. ET.
Lead: Israel’s New Seat at the Pentagon
Photo credit: armedservices.house.gov
Many people on social media were panicking over the weekend about a provision in the defense bill that would codify military cooperation between the United States and Israel.
“Section 224 would require the Secretary of Defense to designate an executive agent responsible for coordinating and synchronizing defense technology cooperation between the United States and Israel. That cooperation would include research, development, testing, evaluation, integration, and industrial cooperation.”
Supporters say this simply formalizes and streamlines an already close military relationship. Oh really? Israel has never committed ground troops alongside any of the wars that it supported for U.S. involvement. Americans fought and died in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan. Israel did not.
The U.S. does collaborate with Israel on weapons, technology, and now mass surveillance, but this still remains a relationship in which the United States repeatedly commits blood, treasure, weapons, and diplomatic support while receiving little reciprocal military commitment in return.
Why does this have to be codified into U.S. defense? Why does there need to be one dedicated military person to make it happen? Why does this bill prioritize Israel over other partners, namely NATO partners?
This is not just cooperation. This will undoubtedly increase Israel’s leverage over U.S. policy and limit flexibility if for some reason the U.S. wakes up and decides that it does not want to support continued attacks on civilians. If only!
Google Wants to Release 32 Million Mosquitoes. Google?
Photo credit: Debug.com
Why is Google asking for approval to release millions of mosquitoes into California and Florida?
The project is called the Debug Project, and it was developed by Verily, Google’s life sciences division.
The idea is to breed male mosquitoes carrying a naturally occurring bacteria called Wolbachia. When those males mate with wild female mosquitoes, the eggs fail to hatch, theoretically reducing populations of disease-carrying mosquitoes without spraying pesticides.
The company is now seeking approval to release as many as 32 million mosquitoes over a two-year period.
And what is so wrong with reducing mosquito populations? Maybe it’s not so much what is being done but who is doing it.
Google emerged from university research programs that received federal funding and has long maintained close relationships with government agencies and defense contractors. So when the company says, “Trust us, we’re releasing millions of mosquitoes for your own good,” not everyone is inclined to take that at face value.
The bigger question is not whether these mosquitoes can suppress disease-carrying populations. The question is whether the public should be comfortable with private technology companies conducting large-scale biological interventions in the environment.
Also, a related question: Couldn’t they just release dragonflies instead of diseased mosquitoes? A dragonfly can eat dozens or even hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
Rethink What You Put in Your Mouth
Most toothpaste contains fluoride, foaming agents, and chemicals you wouldn’t knowingly eat—yet you use them twice a day.
VanMan’s Miracle Tooth Powder flips that model. It’s made with real grass-fed cattle bone hydroxyapatite—the same mineral structure as your teeth—to naturally remineralize and strengthen enamel.
No fluoride. No SLS. No foaming agents. Just clean, edible ingredients that work with your body—not against it.
Users report whiter teeth, less plaque, and waking up without that dry, coated feeling traditional toothpaste leaves behind.
Make the switch to real oral care. vanman.shop/redactednews — use code REDACTEDNEWS for 15% off your first order
Redacted Featured Video
Don’t miss this video we did over the weekend with Damien Shields, host of the Faking Michael podcast about the biggest Michael Jackson scandal you never heard of!
One small thing that helps
If this reporting matters to you, please hit Forward and send this email to one friend who would value Redacted.
That one action helps us reach real people outside the algorithm.
News by the Numbers
Photo credit: Lionsgate
$851 million. That is how much the Michael biopic has made at the box office, making it the biggest biopic in cinema history. The film opened in Russia to rave receptions this weekend and will open in Japan in two weeks.
$60 Million. That is how much comedian Bill Cosby was ordered to pay a woman who accused him of sexual assault. A judge denied his appeal for a new trial on Friday. This is a different accuser than the woman whose case sent him to prison for which, I assert, he did not get a fair trial.
$150 million. That is how much it is estimated that it could cost Blue Origin to reconstruct the rocket that blew up on launch on Friday.
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM
Click here to grab some of our exclusive merchandise.
Want to support our independent journalism and snag some Redacted gear? Visit our store for hats, mugs, t-shirts, and more.
*Some of the links in this newsletter may come from our affiliates or sponsors, meaning we could earn a commission if you purchase.
At Redacted, we believe in digging deep into every story—and sometimes that means we invest in (or use) the products and services we cover.
Please remember: we’re not financial advisors. Our content is for educational and informational purposes only. Always perform your own due diligence and consult a qualified professional regarding your personal financial decisions. All investments involve risk.
Thanks for reading Redacted and standing up for independent journalism.
