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2025-06-06 07:53:35 -

Taurine is 'not a reliable biomarker of anything yet': Study challenges hype over 'anti-aging' supplement

Some studies suggested that declining levels of taurine, an amino acid, might be a key driver of aging. But a new study defies that idea.
#taurine #039not #reliable #biomarker #anything

Taurine is 'not a reliable biomarker of anything yet': Study challenges hype over 'anti-aging' supplement
Some studies suggested that declining levels of taurine, an amino acid, might be a key driver of aging. But a new study defies that idea. #taurine #039not #reliable #biomarker #anything

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Taurine is 'not a reliable biomarker of anything yet': Study challenges hype over 'anti-aging' supplement
Some studies suggested that declining levels of taurine, an amino acid, might be a key driver of aging. But a new study defies that idea.

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PCMag shared a link
2025-06-05 09:32:23 -

'No Work Today': Diehard Nintendo Fans Line Up Early For Switch 2

Lisa Jones has been a Nintendo fan since the company’s first major console, the NES, launched in the 1980s. “I’ve actually had every system, including the Virtual Boy,” she says. So, with Nintendo about to release its newest console, the Switch 2, Jones knew she had to own it on day one. “I took the day off just to make sure I’d get one,” she told PCMag as she waited outside a Best Buy store, sitting on the concrete while occasionally stretching. Jones was among the diehard Nintendo fans who began lining up outside the store in San Francisco, hoping to snag the console on launch day. The Switch 2 becomes available to consumers at 12 a.m. EST / 9 p.m. PST. But not everyone managed to snag a preorder, prompting some to fall back on the tried-and-true method of lining up in person.“Yeah, I’m cold,” said Doonie Love, an actor and model who was first in line at the store. He spoke to us with his black hoodie pulled over his head as the San Francisco wind blew by. Love began waiting at about 9 a.m. after failing to secure a preorder, which sold out quickly across retailers weeks ago. Although he’s a Nintendo and Pokémon fan, he actually showed up to the Best Buy on a “whim,” curious to see if people were lining up.“There’s no work today, I just needed something to do,” he said on deciding to wait in line. “I just called someone to bring a jacket, chair, and burrito," he later added. Others like Brad Reinke were ready to line up. “I took the day off. Yeah, I was totally prepared to play video games all day,” he told us while sitting in his foldable chair and eating a pasta takeout order from DoorDash. “We’re here all night so I've got to get lunch and dinner in me.” He too is a major Nintendo fan, and also bought the Switch 1 on launch day back in 2017. “I’m a big collector and I’m probably going to buy everything they have on sale.” he said. While Reinke wasn’t able to secure a preorder, he said he enjoys the experience of the “midnight releases," which attracts other devoted fans. “There’s good company, everyone’s here for the same reason, so we all have stuff to talk about,” he said.Meanwhile, another consumer named James Gualtieri was prepared to work remotely while waiting outside the Best Buy, carrying his laptop and a Wi-Fi hotspot. “I was in ameeting for half an hour, chatting with folks,” he said. Recommended by Our EditorsWe visited the Best Buy at around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, where the line for customers without preorders was relatively small, at about 10 people. As a result, it looked like all the consumers had a strong chance of scoring the console on launch day. But Gualtieri told us Best Buy staff wouldn’t commit to confirming if everyone in line would come away with the Switch 2 since the retailer also has to prioritize preorders. “At the end of the day, it’s not the end of the world if I don’t get one,” he said after already waiting for two hours. Fortunately, Gualtieri’s workplace is located next to the Best Buy store. “If I can’t get one, I’ll try to get in line tomorrow morning. I would really love to get one before the weekend,” he said. Meanwhile, others like Jones said it was important to snag a Switch 2 soon, rather than wait, citing the risk of Trump’s tariffs raising the price. “Get it while you can,” she said, noting Microsoft recently increased the price for its Xbox consoles.  Best Buy isn’t the only location in San Francisco to offer the Switch 2 for tonight’s release. Nintendo’s official store in the city opened last month and is slated to sell the console as well. But the product will only be available to lucky consumers who were able to snag a preorder, or “warp pass.” Hours before the sales were set to begin, the store held a prelaunch “celebration” event, giving fans a chance to demo the Switch 2. The event attracted a long line of over 80 people when it began at 1 p.m. Several Nintendo fans also dressed up for the event, including a consumer named Annie, who cosplayed as the Zelda character, and said “I came here from Mexico.”"When I was a child I play the Nintendo so much with my friends," Annie added, while also showing off a Zelda tattoo. Another consumer named Greg H. also looked forward to tonight’s launch, having scored a warp pass to buy the Switch 2 from the official Nintendo store in San Francisco. “There is this nostalgic factor of waiting up until midnight to pick up the console,” he said while standing at the prelaunch event with a Nintendo N64 bag. “There’s also a communal aspect, where you meet a lot of people with the same interest.”
#039no #work #today039 #diehard #nintendo

'No Work Today': Diehard Nintendo Fans Line Up Early For Switch 2
Lisa Jones has been a Nintendo fan since the company’s first major console, the NES, launched in the 1980s. “I’ve actually had every system, including the Virtual Boy,” she says. So, with Nintendo about to release its newest console, the Switch 2, Jones knew she had to own it on day one. “I took the day off just to make sure I’d get one,” she told PCMag as she waited outside a Best Buy store, sitting on the concrete while occasionally stretching. Jones was among the diehard Nintendo fans who began lining up outside the store in San Francisco, hoping to snag the console on launch day. The Switch 2 becomes available to consumers at 12 a.m. EST / 9 p.m. PST. But not everyone managed to snag a preorder, prompting some to fall back on the tried-and-true method of lining up in person.“Yeah, I’m cold,” said Doonie Love, an actor and model who was first in line at the store. He spoke to us with his black hoodie pulled over his head as the San Francisco wind blew by. Love began waiting at about 9 a.m. after failing to secure a preorder, which sold out quickly across retailers weeks ago. Although he’s a Nintendo and Pokémon fan, he actually showed up to the Best Buy on a “whim,” curious to see if people were lining up.“There’s no work today, I just needed something to do,” he said on deciding to wait in line. “I just called someone to bring a jacket, chair, and burrito," he later added. Others like Brad Reinke were ready to line up. “I took the day off. Yeah, I was totally prepared to play video games all day,” he told us while sitting in his foldable chair and eating a pasta takeout order from DoorDash. “We’re here all night so I've got to get lunch and dinner in me.” He too is a major Nintendo fan, and also bought the Switch 1 on launch day back in 2017. “I’m a big collector and I’m probably going to buy everything they have on sale.” he said. While Reinke wasn’t able to secure a preorder, he said he enjoys the experience of the “midnight releases," which attracts other devoted fans. “There’s good company, everyone’s here for the same reason, so we all have stuff to talk about,” he said.Meanwhile, another consumer named James Gualtieri was prepared to work remotely while waiting outside the Best Buy, carrying his laptop and a Wi-Fi hotspot. “I was in ameeting for half an hour, chatting with folks,” he said. Recommended by Our EditorsWe visited the Best Buy at around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, where the line for customers without preorders was relatively small, at about 10 people. As a result, it looked like all the consumers had a strong chance of scoring the console on launch day. But Gualtieri told us Best Buy staff wouldn’t commit to confirming if everyone in line would come away with the Switch 2 since the retailer also has to prioritize preorders. “At the end of the day, it’s not the end of the world if I don’t get one,” he said after already waiting for two hours. Fortunately, Gualtieri’s workplace is located next to the Best Buy store. “If I can’t get one, I’ll try to get in line tomorrow morning. I would really love to get one before the weekend,” he said. Meanwhile, others like Jones said it was important to snag a Switch 2 soon, rather than wait, citing the risk of Trump’s tariffs raising the price. “Get it while you can,” she said, noting Microsoft recently increased the price for its Xbox consoles.  Best Buy isn’t the only location in San Francisco to offer the Switch 2 for tonight’s release. Nintendo’s official store in the city opened last month and is slated to sell the console as well. But the product will only be available to lucky consumers who were able to snag a preorder, or “warp pass.” Hours before the sales were set to begin, the store held a prelaunch “celebration” event, giving fans a chance to demo the Switch 2. The event attracted a long line of over 80 people when it began at 1 p.m. Several Nintendo fans also dressed up for the event, including a consumer named Annie, who cosplayed as the Zelda character, and said “I came here from Mexico.”"When I was a child I play the Nintendo so much with my friends," Annie added, while also showing off a Zelda tattoo. Another consumer named Greg H. also looked forward to tonight’s launch, having scored a warp pass to buy the Switch 2 from the official Nintendo store in San Francisco. “There is this nostalgic factor of waiting up until midnight to pick up the console,” he said while standing at the prelaunch event with a Nintendo N64 bag. “There’s also a communal aspect, where you meet a lot of people with the same interest.” #039no #work #today039 #diehard #nintendo

ME.PCMAG.COM

'No Work Today': Diehard Nintendo Fans Line Up Early For Switch 2
Lisa Jones has been a Nintendo fan since the company’s first major console, the NES, launched in the 1980s. “I’ve actually had every system, including the Virtual Boy,” she says. So, with Nintendo about to release its newest console, the Switch 2, Jones knew she had to own it on day one. “I took the day off just to make sure I’d get one,” she told PCMag as she waited outside a Best Buy store, sitting on the concrete while occasionally stretching. Jones was among the diehard Nintendo fans who began lining up outside the store in San Francisco, hoping to snag the console on launch day. The Switch 2 becomes available to consumers at 12 a.m. EST / 9 p.m. PST. But not everyone managed to snag a preorder, prompting some to fall back on the tried-and-true method of lining up in person.“Yeah, I’m cold,” said Doonie Love, an actor and model who was first in line at the store. He spoke to us with his black hoodie pulled over his head as the San Francisco wind blew by. (Credit: PCMag/Michael Kan)Love began waiting at about 9 a.m. after failing to secure a preorder, which sold out quickly across retailers weeks ago. Although he’s a Nintendo and Pokémon fan, he actually showed up to the Best Buy on a “whim,” curious to see if people were lining up.“There’s no work today, I just needed something to do,” he said on deciding to wait in line. “I just called someone to bring a jacket, chair, and burrito," he later added. Others like Brad Reinke were ready to line up. “I took the day off. Yeah, I was totally prepared to play video games all day,” he told us while sitting in his foldable chair and eating a pasta takeout order from DoorDash. “We’re here all night so I've got to get lunch and dinner in me.” He too is a major Nintendo fan, and also bought the Switch 1 on launch day back in 2017. “I’m a big collector and I’m probably going to buy everything they have on sale.” he said. While Reinke wasn’t able to secure a preorder, he said he enjoys the experience of the “midnight releases," which attracts other devoted fans. “There’s good company, everyone’s here for the same reason, so we all have stuff to talk about,” he said.Meanwhile, another consumer named James Gualtieri was prepared to work remotely while waiting outside the Best Buy, carrying his laptop and a Wi-Fi hotspot. “I was in a (remote) meeting for half an hour, chatting with folks,” he said. Recommended by Our Editors(Credit: PCMag/Michael Kan)We visited the Best Buy at around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, where the line for customers without preorders was relatively small, at about 10 people. As a result, it looked like all the consumers had a strong chance of scoring the console on launch day. But Gualtieri told us Best Buy staff wouldn’t commit to confirming if everyone in line would come away with the Switch 2 since the retailer also has to prioritize preorders. “At the end of the day, it’s not the end of the world if I don’t get one,” he said after already waiting for two hours. Fortunately, Gualtieri’s workplace is located next to the Best Buy store. “If I can’t get one, I’ll try to get in line tomorrow morning. I would really love to get one before the weekend,” he said. Meanwhile, others like Jones said it was important to snag a Switch 2 soon, rather than wait, citing the risk of Trump’s tariffs raising the price. “Get it while you can,” she said, noting Microsoft recently increased the price for its Xbox consoles.  Best Buy isn’t the only location in San Francisco to offer the Switch 2 for tonight’s release. Nintendo’s official store in the city opened last month and is slated to sell the console as well. But the product will only be available to lucky consumers who were able to snag a preorder, or “warp pass.” (Credit: PCMag/Michael Kan)Hours before the sales were set to begin, the store held a prelaunch “celebration” event, giving fans a chance to demo the Switch 2. The event attracted a long line of over 80 people when it began at 1 p.m. Several Nintendo fans also dressed up for the event, including a consumer named Annie, who cosplayed as the Zelda character, and said “I came here from Mexico.”"When I was a child I play the Nintendo so much with my friends," Annie added, while also showing off a Zelda tattoo. Another consumer named Greg H. also looked forward to tonight’s launch, having scored a warp pass to buy the Switch 2 from the official Nintendo store in San Francisco. “There is this nostalgic factor of waiting up until midnight to pick up the console,” he said while standing at the prelaunch event with a Nintendo N64 bag. “There’s also a communal aspect, where you meet a lot of people with the same interest.”(Credit: PCMag/Michael Kan)

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New Scientist shared a link
2025-05-20 04:43:24 -

AI doesn't know 'no' – and that's a huge problem for medical bots

AI models can struggle to understand the captions on some medical imagesGetty Images
Toddlers may swiftly master the meaning of the word “no”, but many artificial intelligence models struggle to do so. They show a high fail rate when it comes to understanding commands that contain negation words such as “no” and “not”.
That could mean medical AI models failing to realise that there is a big difference between an X-ray image labelled as showing “signs of pneumonia” and one labelled as showing “no signs of pneumonia” – with potentially catastrophic consequences if physicians rely on AI…
#doesn039t #know #039no039 #that039s #huge

AI doesn't know 'no' – and that's a huge problem for medical bots
AI models can struggle to understand the captions on some medical imagesGetty Images Toddlers may swiftly master the meaning of the word “no”, but many artificial intelligence models struggle to do so. They show a high fail rate when it comes to understanding commands that contain negation words such as “no” and “not”. That could mean medical AI models failing to realise that there is a big difference between an X-ray image labelled as showing “signs of pneumonia” and one labelled as showing “no signs of pneumonia” – with potentially catastrophic consequences if physicians rely on AI… #doesn039t #know #039no039 #that039s #huge

WWW.NEWSCIENTIST.COM

AI doesn't know 'no' – and that's a huge problem for medical bots
AI models can struggle to understand the captions on some medical imagesGetty Images Toddlers may swiftly master the meaning of the word “no”, but many artificial intelligence models struggle to do so. They show a high fail rate when it comes to understanding commands that contain negation words such as “no” and “not”. That could mean medical AI models failing to realise that there is a big difference between an X-ray image labelled as showing “signs of pneumonia” and one labelled as showing “no signs of pneumonia” – with potentially catastrophic consequences if physicians rely on AI…

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2025-05-13 14:00:51 -

#333;">Qatar's luxury jet donation poses significant security risks, experts say. It poses a "counterintelligence nightmare," a former CIA field operative said.
The Trump administration's plan to accept a luxury jet donated by the Qatari government to use as Air Force One raises significant security concerns, intelligence experts and government officials say, as President Donald Trump said it would be "stupid" not to accept a free plane.Trump on Monday defended the administration's plans to receive a luxury jet donated by the Qatari government during remarks at the White House, calling the donation a "very nice gesture.""I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer.
I mean, I could be a stupid person and say, 'No, we don't want a free, very expensive airplane.' But it was, I thought it was a great gesture," he said.MORE: Trump admin live updatesRhode Island Sen.
Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, slammed the move, arguing that using the plane as Air Force One would "pose immense counterintelligence risks by granting a foreign nation potential access to sensitive systems and communications.""This reckless disregard for national security and diplomatic propriety signals a dangerous willingness to barter American interests for personal gain," Reed said in a statement Monday.
"It is an affront to the office of the presidency and a betrayal of the trust placed in any U.S.
leader to safeguard the nation's sovereignty."Air Force One a 'high-value target'Air Force One sits on the tarmac, May 12, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.Win McNamee/Getty ImagesThe primary aircraft used in the current Air Force One fleet includes two aging Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets that have been operational since 1990.
Despite flying for more than 35 years, the current pair of Air Force One jets are considered some of the safest and secure aircraft in the world.Many of the security features on the plane remain classified.
It has anti-missile defenses or countermeasure systems to protect against surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles, and the communication devices can also withstand the pulse of a nuclear blast.
It is also outfitted with sophisticated communications capability to allow the president to securely run the country from the plane and protect him from cyberattacks."It's designed to transport the president in a safe way and be able to withstand physical attacks, but to also ensure that the president maintains communication with military, his cabinet, other government leaders in a safe and secure manner," said John Cohen, an ABC News contributor and former acting Homeland Security official.
"Any building or vehicle or airplane that the president is located is a high-value target for foreign intelligence services who want to gather as much information about the president."Air Force One can also remain in the air for several days due to its ability to refuel in midair.
The plane also houses a small medical facility where doctors could perform surgery if needed.All of these systems would likely need to be installed on the Boeing 747-8 that Trump would receive as a gift from Qatar.MORE: Trump defends Qatar jumbo jet offer, says it would be 'stupid' to turn away free planeA jet donated by Qatar would also be a "counterintelligence nightmare," ABC News contributor Darrell Blocker, a former CIA field operative, said."If you go back to almost anything that is given by a foreign government, there are regulations and restrictions and guidelines for ensuring that they're not being bugged, and a plane would be an absolute nightmare to be able to confirm that it's not," Blocker told ABC News Live on Monday.
"From an intelligence perspective, it's not the brightest move."Blocker cited that when the U.S.
embassy was being built in Moscow in the 1980s, the U.S.
had to "take it down to its bare bones" because the Russians "put bugs through every room, every facility.""I think the people of Troy, when they accepted that horse, regretted it after the fact also," he said.The complexity and time needed to retrofit and inspect the plane raise questions on cost and a timeline."Even under the best of circumstances, it's going to take a significant effort for the military to be satisfied that the aircraft is constructed safely, that it's not compromised from the standpoint of intelligence collection capabilities being planted on it, and that it is built in a way that it will be able to assimilate the sensitive communications and countermeasure capabilities that are that are present on any plane that's Air Force One," Cohen said.
"To be done right, it's not going to happen quickly.""In order to adequately ensure that this airplane -- which was operated by a foreign government that happens to have a relationship with Iran and China and Russia -- in order to ensure that that plane has not had collection capabilities introduced into it when it was constructed, they're gonna have to basically tear it down to the airframe," he added.White House working on 'legal details'Both the U.S.
Air Force and the Department of Defense referred questions to the White House when asked about the possible transfer of the Qatari-owned Boeing 747 to the Department of Defense."The plane will be donated to the Department of Defense, and as with any foreign gift given to the United States Government, all proper safety and security protocols will be followed," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told ABC News.House Speaker Mike Johnson said Monday he would not comment on Trump preparing to receive the jet from Qatar because he hasn't seen the "details."The White House is working on the "legal details" of the Qatari government's donation to the Defense Department, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday in an appearance on Fox News."But, of course, any donation to this government is always done in full compliance with the law.
And we commit ourselves to the utmost transparency and we will continue to do that," Leavitt added.President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on his way to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 12, 2025.Manuel Balce Ceneta/APTrump said during remarks at the White House on Monday that he doesn't plan to use the plane after he leaves office.
Pressed by ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott on what he would say to people who view the luxury plane as a personal gift to him, Trump said it was not a gift to him but "a gift to the Department of Defense."Sources familiar with the proposed arrangement told ABC News that the plane would be a gift that is to be available for use by Trump as the new Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office, at which time ownership of the plane will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation.If a private contractor were able to complete the modifications needed to the donated plane before the end of Trump's presidency, many of the systems installed would then need to be removed should the Trump presidential library foundation take possession of the plane upon Trump leaving office due to the sensitive nature of the technology.Ultimately, Cohen said he suspects that members of the intelligence community and the military will assess the risk to national security and "the level of effort to minimize the risk to national security.""If they're doing their job, the president's national security team will explain to him the level of risk that exists if a foreign intelligence service were able to introduce collection capabilities that could intercept face-to-face communications on the plane, electronic communications coming from the plane," Cohen said.
"They should also be explaining to him the level of effort that it will involve in order for that risk to be mitigated.
And with that information, he can then make an informed decision on whether and under what conditions to accept the airplane."
#666;">المصدر: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/qatars-luxury-jet-donation-poses-significant-security-risks/story?id=121722135" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration: none;">abcnews.go.com
#0066cc;">#qatar039s #luxury #jet #donation #poses #significant #security #risks #experts #say #quotcounterintelligence #nightmarequot #former #cia #field #operative #said #the #trump #administration039s #plan #accept #donated #qatari #government #use #air #force #one #raises #concerns #intelligence #and #officials #president #donald #would #quotstupidquot #not #free #planetrump #monday #defended #plans #receive #during #remarks #white #house #calling #quotvery #nice #gesturequotquoti #never #turn #down #that #kind #offeri #mean #could #stupid #person #039no #don039t #want #very #expensive #airplane039 #but #was #thought #great #gesturequot #saidmore #admin #live #updatesrhode #island #senjack #reed #top #democrat #senate #armed #services #committee #slammed #move #arguing #using #plane #quotpose #immense #counterintelligence #granting #foreign #nation #potential #access #sensitive #systems #communicationsquotquotthis #reckless #disregard #for #national #diplomatic #propriety #signals #dangerous #willingness #barter #american #interests #personal #gainquot #statement #mondayquotit #affront #office #presidency #betrayal #trust #placed #any #usleader #safeguard #nation039s #sovereigntyquotair #039highvalue #target039air #sits #tarmac #may #joint #base #andrews #marylandwin #mcnameegetty #imagesthe #primary #aircraft #used #current #fleet #includes #two #aging #boeing #jumbo #jets #have #been #operational #since #1990despite #flying #more #than #years #pair #are #considered #some #safest #secure #worldmany #features #remain #classifiedit #has #antimissile #defenses #countermeasure #protect #against #surfacetoair #airtoair #missiles #communication #devices #can #also #withstand #pulse #nuclear #blastit #outfitted #with #sophisticated #communications #capability #allow #securely #run #country #from #him #cyberattacksquotit039s #designed #transport #safe #way #able #physical #attacks #ensure #maintains #military #his #cabinet #other #leaders #mannerquot #john #cohen #abc #news #contributor #acting #homeland #officialquotany #building #vehicle #airplane #located #highvalue #target #who #gather #much #information #about #presidentquotair #several #days #due #its #ability #refuel #midairthe #houses #small #medical #facility #where #doctors #perform #surgery #neededall #these #likely #need #installed #gift #qatarmore #defends #qatar #offer #says #039stupid039 #away #planea #darrell #blocker #saidquotif #you #back #almost #anything #given #there #regulations #restrictions #guidelines #ensuring #they039re #being #bugged #absolute #nightmare #confirm #it039s #notquot #told #mondayquotfrom #perspective #brightest #movequotblocker #cited #when #usembassy #built #moscow #1980s #ushad #quottake #bare #bonesquot #because #russians #quotput #bugs #through #every #room #facilityquotquoti #think #people #troy #they #accepted #horse #regretted #after #fact #alsoquot #saidthe #complexity #time #needed #retrofit #inspect #raise #questions #cost #timelinequoteven #under #best #circumstances #going #take #effort #satisfied #constructed #safely #compromised #standpoint #collection #capabilities #planted #will #assimilate #present #that039s #onequot #saidquotto #done #right #happen #quicklyquotquotin #order #adequately #this #which #operated #happens #relationship #iran #china #russia #had #introduced #into #gonna #basically #tear #airframequot #addedwhite #working #039legal #details039both #usair #department #defense #referred #asked #possible #transfer #qatariowned #defensequotthe #united #states #all #proper #safety #protocols #followedquot #spokesperson #anna #kelly #newshouse #speaker #mike #johnson #comment #preparing #hasn039t #seen #quotdetailsquotthe #quotlegal #detailsquot #government039s #press #secretary #karoline #leavitt #appearance #fox #newsquotbut #course #always #full #compliance #lawand #commit #ourselves #utmost #transparency #continue #thatquot #addedpresident #boards #riyadh #saudi #arabia #2025manuel #balce #cenetaaptrump #doesn039t #leaves #officepressed #senior #political #correspondent #rachel #scott #what #view #quota #defensequotsources #familiar #proposed #arrangement #available #new #until #shortly #before #ownership #transferred #presidential #library #foundationif #private #contractor #were #complete #modifications #end #trump039s #many #then #removed #should #foundation #possession #upon #leaving #nature #technologyultimately #suspects #members #community #assess #risk #quotthe #level #minimize #securityquotquotif #doing #their #job #president039s #team #explain #exists #service #introduce #intercept #facetoface #electronic #coming #planequot #saidquotthey #explaining #involve #mitigatedand #make #informed #decision #whether #conditions #airplanequot

Qatar's luxury jet donation poses significant security risks, experts say. It poses a "counterintelligence nightmare," a former CIA field operative said.
The Trump administration's plan to accept a luxury jet donated by the Qatari government to use as Air Force One raises significant security concerns, intelligence experts and government officials say, as President Donald Trump said it would be "stupid" not to accept a free plane.Trump on Monday defended the administration's plans to receive a luxury jet donated by the Qatari government during remarks at the White House, calling the donation a "very nice gesture.""I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. I mean, I could be a stupid person and say, 'No, we don't want a free, very expensive airplane.' But it was, I thought it was a great gesture," he said.MORE: Trump admin live updatesRhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, slammed the move, arguing that using the plane as Air Force One would "pose immense counterintelligence risks by granting a foreign nation potential access to sensitive systems and communications.""This reckless disregard for national security and diplomatic propriety signals a dangerous willingness to barter American interests for personal gain," Reed said in a statement Monday. "It is an affront to the office of the presidency and a betrayal of the trust placed in any U.S. leader to safeguard the nation's sovereignty."Air Force One a 'high-value target'Air Force One sits on the tarmac, May 12, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.Win McNamee/Getty ImagesThe primary aircraft used in the current Air Force One fleet includes two aging Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets that have been operational since 1990. Despite flying for more than 35 years, the current pair of Air Force One jets are considered some of the safest and secure aircraft in the world.Many of the security features on the plane remain classified. It has anti-missile defenses or countermeasure systems to protect against surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles, and the communication devices can also withstand the pulse of a nuclear blast. It is also outfitted with sophisticated communications capability to allow the president to securely run the country from the plane and protect him from cyberattacks."It's designed to transport the president in a safe way and be able to withstand physical attacks, but to also ensure that the president maintains communication with military, his cabinet, other government leaders in a safe and secure manner," said John Cohen, an ABC News contributor and former acting Homeland Security official. "Any building or vehicle or airplane that the president is located is a high-value target for foreign intelligence services who want to gather as much information about the president."Air Force One can also remain in the air for several days due to its ability to refuel in midair. The plane also houses a small medical facility where doctors could perform surgery if needed.All of these systems would likely need to be installed on the Boeing 747-8 that Trump would receive as a gift from Qatar.MORE: Trump defends Qatar jumbo jet offer, says it would be 'stupid' to turn away free planeA jet donated by Qatar would also be a "counterintelligence nightmare," ABC News contributor Darrell Blocker, a former CIA field operative, said."If you go back to almost anything that is given by a foreign government, there are regulations and restrictions and guidelines for ensuring that they're not being bugged, and a plane would be an absolute nightmare to be able to confirm that it's not," Blocker told ABC News Live on Monday. "From an intelligence perspective, it's not the brightest move."Blocker cited that when the U.S. embassy was being built in Moscow in the 1980s, the U.S. had to "take it down to its bare bones" because the Russians "put bugs through every room, every facility.""I think the people of Troy, when they accepted that horse, regretted it after the fact also," he said.The complexity and time needed to retrofit and inspect the plane raise questions on cost and a timeline."Even under the best of circumstances, it's going to take a significant effort for the military to be satisfied that the aircraft is constructed safely, that it's not compromised from the standpoint of intelligence collection capabilities being planted on it, and that it is built in a way that it will be able to assimilate the sensitive communications and countermeasure capabilities that are that are present on any plane that's Air Force One," Cohen said. "To be done right, it's not going to happen quickly.""In order to adequately ensure that this airplane -- which was operated by a foreign government that happens to have a relationship with Iran and China and Russia -- in order to ensure that that plane has not had collection capabilities introduced into it when it was constructed, they're gonna have to basically tear it down to the airframe," he added.White House working on 'legal details'Both the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Defense referred questions to the White House when asked about the possible transfer of the Qatari-owned Boeing 747 to the Department of Defense."The plane will be donated to the Department of Defense, and as with any foreign gift given to the United States Government, all proper safety and security protocols will be followed," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told ABC News.House Speaker Mike Johnson said Monday he would not comment on Trump preparing to receive the jet from Qatar because he hasn't seen the "details."The White House is working on the "legal details" of the Qatari government's donation to the Defense Department, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday in an appearance on Fox News."But, of course, any donation to this government is always done in full compliance with the law. And we commit ourselves to the utmost transparency and we will continue to do that," Leavitt added.President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on his way to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 12, 2025.Manuel Balce Ceneta/APTrump said during remarks at the White House on Monday that he doesn't plan to use the plane after he leaves office. Pressed by ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott on what he would say to people who view the luxury plane as a personal gift to him, Trump said it was not a gift to him but "a gift to the Department of Defense."Sources familiar with the proposed arrangement told ABC News that the plane would be a gift that is to be available for use by Trump as the new Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office, at which time ownership of the plane will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation.If a private contractor were able to complete the modifications needed to the donated plane before the end of Trump's presidency, many of the systems installed would then need to be removed should the Trump presidential library foundation take possession of the plane upon Trump leaving office due to the sensitive nature of the technology.Ultimately, Cohen said he suspects that members of the intelligence community and the military will assess the risk to national security and "the level of effort to minimize the risk to national security.""If they're doing their job, the president's national security team will explain to him the level of risk that exists if a foreign intelligence service were able to introduce collection capabilities that could intercept face-to-face communications on the plane, electronic communications coming from the plane," Cohen said. "They should also be explaining to him the level of effort that it will involve in order for that risk to be mitigated. And with that information, he can then make an informed decision on whether and under what conditions to accept the airplane."
المصدر: abcnews.go.com
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Qatar's luxury jet donation poses significant security risks, experts say. It poses a "counterintelligence nightmare," a former CIA field operative said.
The Trump administration's plan to accept a luxury jet donated by the Qatari government to use as Air Force One raises significant security concerns, intelligence experts and government officials say, as President Donald Trump said it would be "stupid" not to accept a free plane.Trump on Monday defended the administration's plans to receive a luxury jet donated by the Qatari government during remarks at the White House, calling the donation a "very nice gesture.""I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. I mean, I could be a stupid person and say, 'No, we don't want a free, very expensive airplane.' But it was, I thought it was a great gesture," he said.MORE: Trump admin live updatesRhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, slammed the move, arguing that using the plane as Air Force One would "pose immense counterintelligence risks by granting a foreign nation potential access to sensitive systems and communications.""This reckless disregard for national security and diplomatic propriety signals a dangerous willingness to barter American interests for personal gain," Reed said in a statement Monday. "It is an affront to the office of the presidency and a betrayal of the trust placed in any U.S. leader to safeguard the nation's sovereignty."Air Force One a 'high-value target'Air Force One sits on the tarmac, May 12, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.Win McNamee/Getty ImagesThe primary aircraft used in the current Air Force One fleet includes two aging Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets that have been operational since 1990. Despite flying for more than 35 years, the current pair of Air Force One jets are considered some of the safest and secure aircraft in the world.Many of the security features on the plane remain classified. It has anti-missile defenses or countermeasure systems to protect against surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles, and the communication devices can also withstand the pulse of a nuclear blast. It is also outfitted with sophisticated communications capability to allow the president to securely run the country from the plane and protect him from cyberattacks."It's designed to transport the president in a safe way and be able to withstand physical attacks, but to also ensure that the president maintains communication with military, his cabinet, other government leaders in a safe and secure manner," said John Cohen, an ABC News contributor and former acting Homeland Security official. "Any building or vehicle or airplane that the president is located is a high-value target for foreign intelligence services who want to gather as much information about the president."Air Force One can also remain in the air for several days due to its ability to refuel in midair. The plane also houses a small medical facility where doctors could perform surgery if needed.All of these systems would likely need to be installed on the Boeing 747-8 that Trump would receive as a gift from Qatar.MORE: Trump defends Qatar jumbo jet offer, says it would be 'stupid' to turn away free planeA jet donated by Qatar would also be a "counterintelligence nightmare," ABC News contributor Darrell Blocker, a former CIA field operative, said."If you go back to almost anything that is given by a foreign government, there are regulations and restrictions and guidelines for ensuring that they're not being bugged, and a plane would be an absolute nightmare to be able to confirm that it's not," Blocker told ABC News Live on Monday. "From an intelligence perspective, it's not the brightest move."Blocker cited that when the U.S. embassy was being built in Moscow in the 1980s, the U.S. had to "take it down to its bare bones" because the Russians "put bugs through every room, every facility.""I think the people of Troy, when they accepted that horse, regretted it after the fact also," he said.The complexity and time needed to retrofit and inspect the plane raise questions on cost and a timeline."Even under the best of circumstances, it's going to take a significant effort for the military to be satisfied that the aircraft is constructed safely, that it's not compromised from the standpoint of intelligence collection capabilities being planted on it, and that it is built in a way that it will be able to assimilate the sensitive communications and countermeasure capabilities that are that are present on any plane that's Air Force One," Cohen said. "To be done right, it's not going to happen quickly.""In order to adequately ensure that this airplane -- which was operated by a foreign government that happens to have a relationship with Iran and China and Russia -- in order to ensure that that plane has not had collection capabilities introduced into it when it was constructed, they're gonna have to basically tear it down to the airframe," he added.White House working on 'legal details'Both the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Defense referred questions to the White House when asked about the possible transfer of the Qatari-owned Boeing 747 to the Department of Defense."The plane will be donated to the Department of Defense, and as with any foreign gift given to the United States Government, all proper safety and security protocols will be followed," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told ABC News.House Speaker Mike Johnson said Monday he would not comment on Trump preparing to receive the jet from Qatar because he hasn't seen the "details."The White House is working on the "legal details" of the Qatari government's donation to the Defense Department, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday in an appearance on Fox News."But, of course, any donation to this government is always done in full compliance with the law. And we commit ourselves to the utmost transparency and we will continue to do that," Leavitt added.President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on his way to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 12, 2025.Manuel Balce Ceneta/APTrump said during remarks at the White House on Monday that he doesn't plan to use the plane after he leaves office. Pressed by ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott on what he would say to people who view the luxury plane as a personal gift to him, Trump said it was not a gift to him but "a gift to the Department of Defense."Sources familiar with the proposed arrangement told ABC News that the plane would be a gift that is to be available for use by Trump as the new Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office, at which time ownership of the plane will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation.If a private contractor were able to complete the modifications needed to the donated plane before the end of Trump's presidency, many of the systems installed would then need to be removed should the Trump presidential library foundation take possession of the plane upon Trump leaving office due to the sensitive nature of the technology.Ultimately, Cohen said he suspects that members of the intelligence community and the military will assess the risk to national security and "the level of effort to minimize the risk to national security.""If they're doing their job, the president's national security team will explain to him the level of risk that exists if a foreign intelligence service were able to introduce collection capabilities that could intercept face-to-face communications on the plane, electronic communications coming from the plane," Cohen said. "They should also be explaining to him the level of effort that it will involve in order for that risk to be mitigated. And with that information, he can then make an informed decision on whether and under what conditions to accept the airplane."

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