News

Trump refurbishing Qatari plane for interim Air Force One

Trump is refurbishing a Qatari 747 as an interim Air Force One due to delays with Boeing’s new jets.

Published

9 months ago

May 2, 2025

Ahron Young

Trump is refurbishing a Qatari 747 as an interim Air Force One due to delays with Boeing’s new jets.

In Short

Donald Trump is seeking an interim Air Force One from L3Harris due to delays with Boeing’s new jets, which are significantly behind schedule.

The aim is to have the retrofitted plane ready by fall, as the current jets require extensive maintenance and a backup is needed.

President Donald Trump is seeking a new Air Force One due to delays with Boeing.

Frustrated with Boeing’s progress, he has turned to L3Harris to retrofit a former Qatari Boeing 747 as an interim solution.

The goal is to have this plane ready by the fall.

Boeing was awarded a $3.9 billion contract for two new Air Force One jets, which are now significantly behind schedule and over budget.

L3Harris has been involved with Boeing on communications systems for the new aircraft and is expected to provide a quicker alternative.

Currently, the aging VC-25A jets used for Air Force One require extensive maintenance, limiting transportation options for the president.

Backup jet

The U.S. Air Force has expressed the need for a backup jet while one of the current planes is being serviced.

Recent discussions suggested that Boeing may not deliver the new planes until around 2035, attributing delays to complex engineering issues.

During previous administrations, there have been considerations to cancel Boeing’s contract, with the potential of working with other manufacturers like Airbus.

Developing the interim plane quickly poses challenges, particularly in achieving modifications that meet presidential standards.

Additionally, there were talks about re-painting the current Air Force One jets to suit Trump’s preferences, which were ultimately rejected.

News

UK, Canada and Australia consider banning Elon Musk’s X over AI risks

UK, Canada, Australia discuss banning Elon Musk’s X over AI tool Grok’s potential for misuse; regulatory action may follow.

Published

6 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Harvey Vargas

UK, Canada, Australia discuss banning Elon Musk’s X over AI tool Grok’s potential for misuse; regulatory action may follow.

Downing Street has opened talks with Canada and Australia about a possible ban on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X. Concerns are growing over the platform’s AI tool, Grok, which could be misused to generate explicit images.

The scrutiny comes as government officials, including Sir Keir Starmer, voice serious worries about the platform’s impact and the potential for harm. Officials believe coordinated international action could send a clear message to Musk about the urgency of addressing these risks.

Ofcom is expected to release recommendations soon, potentially paving the way for regulatory action. How Musk responds could determine whether X faces restrictions in multiple countries.

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News

Trump weighs options as Iran protests escalate

Trump to discuss US responses to Iran protests with officials, including sanctions and military action options.

Published

6 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump to discuss US responses to Iran protests with officials, including sanctions and military action options.

President Donald Trump is set to meet with senior US officials to discuss possible responses to the growing protests in Iran. The talks will focus on how Washington should react as unrest continues to spread across the country.

Options on the table reportedly include tougher sanctions and the possibility of military action. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top officials are expected to attend, as concerns mount over how US involvement could impact regional stability.

Iran has warned it will retaliate if the US intervenes, raising fears that any move by Washington could sharply escalate tensions in the Middle East.

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News

Trump declares US ready to support Iranian protesters

Trump pledges US support for Iranian protesters as regime arrests 100 amid escalating crackdown on dissent

Published

1 day ago

January 11, 2026

Ahron Young

Trump pledges US support for Iranian protesters as regime arrests 100 amid escalating crackdown on dissent

In Short:
– Trump supports Iranian protesters and promotes their quest for freedom amid government crackdowns.
– Iran reports arrests and increased military threats against protesters, with international demonstrations in solidarity emerging.

Donald Trump has warned Iran’s clerical regime that the US is “ready to help” anti-government protesters facing a crackdown. He stated on his social media platform, Truth, that the nation is witnessing a push for freedom like never before.On Saturday, Iran’s government reported the arrest of 100 “armed rioters” amid ongoing demonstrations. Rights groups claim at least 116 protesters have been killed, with unrest erupting over Iran’s currency collapse and demands for the overthrow of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

The Iranian military has intensified threats against protesters, warning that anyone participating could be deemed “enemies of God”, carrying a potential death sentence. There have been claims of “terrorist agents” linked to the US and Israel stirring unrest.

Protester Responses

International protests have also emerged in solidarity with Iranian demonstrators.

In London, an individual was seen tearing down the Iranian flag from the embassy, drawing attention to the global dissent. Iranian state media has accused “rioters” of violence and targeting military bases, amidst a climate of increased government scrutiny and restrictions.

With the internet down in Iran, accurate assessment of the situation remains challenging. Reports indicate scattered protests continue, but fear of government retaliation complicates participation.

The Iranian government’s response highlights the volatility of the political situation, and the growing international pressure on Tehran.