News
Senate Republicans filibuster Hagel nomination
Senate Republicans delivered a sharp rebuke to President Obama Feb. 14 when they began a filibuster of Chuck Hagel’s nomination as secretary of defense.
Business
Rolls-Royce profits soar on fuel-saving engine demand
Britain’s Rolls-Royce reported a 24 percent rise in full-year profit, led by strong growth at its civil aerospace unit, and said it did not expect the grounding of Boeing’s Dreamliner jet to dent profits.
Boeing appears confident about launching folding wing 777X
Boeing said Feb. 13 it plans to bring its next-generation 777X jet into service by the end of the decade, a time frame that had come under question after remarks from the company’s chief executive last year.
New Finmeccanica head faces fallout from India crisis
The new head of Italian defense group Finmeccanica has inherited a corruption crisis over a $750 million helicopter deal with India that risks hurting the company’s business in other foreign markets.
Boeing denies misconduct after union files complaint
Boeing denied misconduct by its managers after a union representing engineers and technical workers accused the plane maker’s security staff of intimidating some members over labor contract votes.
EADS confirms Ranque in line to be its new chairman
Airbus parent EADS confirmed Feb. 13 it had proposed former Thales Chief Executive Denis Ranque as its next chairman under a new shareholder structure.
Spirit AeroSystems reports 17 percent growth in revenue
Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc., which supplies parts to major aircraft makers, reported a 17 percent increase in quarterly revenue.
Defense
Pentagon stands by use of lithium-ion batteries on F-35 fighters
The Pentagon said it plans to continue using lithium-ion batteries on the new F-35 fighter jet despite problems with similar batteries that have grounded Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner and are causing Airbus to rethink thir sue on its A350 jet.
Veterans
Jake Wood is paranoid. To stand any chance of sleep at night, he must lie facing a closed bedroom door with a hammer close to hand under the bed, so he can kill any night intruders before they kill him.
United Kingdom: Wounded veterans are spared cuts to benefits
Seriously wounded veterans will be protected from cuts in disability benefits and given their own special allowance, ministers have announced.
Space
Spinning Mercury: NASA reveal stunning animation showing giant craters on the planet’s surface
NASA has revealed a stunning video showing Mecury rotating, revealing the crater filled surface of the planet in unprecedented quality.
Viewpoint
A military medal for drone strikes? Makes sense
by Peter W. Singer, Washington Post
It is an odd medal indeed that “may not be awarded for valor in combat under any circumstances.” But that definition is precisely what drives the need for and the controversy surrounding the military’s new Distinguished Warfare Medal.
In defense of Obama’s drone war
by Charles Krauthammer
The nation’s vexation over the morality and legality of President Obama’s drone war has produced a salutary but hopelessly confused debate. Three categories of questions are being asked. They must be separated to be clearly understood.
