## Pentagon Stands by Secret Anti-Vaccination Disinformation Campaign in Philippines After Reuters Report

Authored by military.com

The Pentagon on Friday stood by its decision to conduct a clandestine disinformation campaign in the Philippines in 2020 that aimed to sow doubt about China's COVID-19 vaccine during the height of the global pandemic -- a campaign that was first revealed in a bombshell report by Reuters.

At the time, the Philippines was struggling to vaccinate its population and had one of the worst death rates in the region.

The Philippines disinformation campaign marks an unusual use of military power in a country that has often been a U.S. ally in a strategically crucial region and at a time of great public health risks.

Lawrence also echoed Reuters' reporting, saying, "China [in 2020] initiated a disinformation campaign to falsely blame the United States for the spread of COVID-19.".

Reuters found at least 300 accounts on X, formerly Twitter, "that matched descriptions shared by former U.S. military officials familiar with the Philippines operation.".

Pakistan and Afghanistan are now the only two countries that have yet to be declared free of wild poliovirus type 1.

Related: Pentagon Complied with COVID-19 Waiver Rules According to Watchdog But Services Moved Slowly. »

### Trump challenges Biden to a cognitive test but confuses the name of the doctor who tested him

Authored by washingtonpost.com

I think he should take a cognitive test like I did,” the former president said of Biden during a speech at a convention of Turning Point Action in Detroit.

Trump took the cognitive test in 2018 at his own request, Jackson told reporters at the time.

Trump nonetheless seized on the video clip, falsely describing Biden turning around “to look at trees,” drawing laughter and hoots from the crowd. »

### Counterfeit Titanium Found In Boeing And Airbus Jets

Authored by avweb.com

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Spirit AeroSystems, a supplier of fuselages for Boeing and wings for Airbus, are investigating counterfeit titanium found in recently manufactured jets.

The use of fake titanium affects certain Boeing 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner airliners, as well as Airbus A220 jets, according to sources who spoke anonymously to The New York Times.

Both Boeing and Airbus reported their testing of the affected materials has not revealed any issues and airworthiness of their aircraft fleets remain uncompromised. »

### W.Va. bill bans smoking in car with children under 16

Authored by wsaz.com

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A bill has passed the West Virginia Senate to ban smoking in a car with children under the age of 16.

According to Senate Bill 378, smoking tobacco products in the presence of children under 16 would be a misdemeanor charge, and if found guilty would be fined $25.

This will make smoking in the car with children under 16 years old a secondary offense. »

### Seoul Says North Korea Sent Almost 5 Million Artillery Shells to Russia

Authored by kyivpost.com

North Korea has sent at least 10,000 shipping containers with nearly 5 million artillery shells to Russia, South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik told Bloomberg News.

He also added that North Korea has sent dozens of ballistic missiles to Russia.

In February Seoul stated that Russia could receive up to three million artillery shells from North Korea. »

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