Pentagon accepts 'unconditional donation' of Qatari jet, agreement says: Sources
The memorandum of understanding, or MOU, was signed earlier this month by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Qatar's Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Soud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.
The deal paves the way for the Air Force to begin the process of retrofitting the plane -- dubbed a 'flying palace' because of its luxurious finishes -- for the president's use.
MORE: Pentagon accepts luxury jet from Qatar to use as Air Force One
Sources told ABC News earlier this year that after the president left office, the plan called for transferring ownership of the plane to the Trump presidential library foundation.
The cost of refurbishing the plane is classified, although lawmakers have speculated that it could cost as much as $1 billion.
The Air Force referred questions on the deal to Hegseth's office, which referred a reporter back to the Air Force.
'Why would we ask the American taxpayer to spend upwards of $1 billion on a plane that would then only be used for a handful of months and then transfer directly to the president? That doesn't sound like a wise use of taxpayer dollars,' said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-N.Y., during a Senate hearing in June.
MORE: Qatar's luxury jet donation poses significant security risks, experts say
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers that the money to refurbish the jet would be pulled from a program intended to replace aging nuclear missiles, called the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program.
But Meink said the Sentinel nuclear program, which is over budget, wouldn't be immediately impacted because it was being restructured.
Trump has long complained about the primary aircraft used in the current Air Force One fleet, which are Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets that have been operational since 1990. The Air Force is under contract with Boeing to replace those aircraft.
'The aircraft is donated in its current condition ('as is'), without any guarantees or warranties, unless otherwise agreed upon in future arrangements,' the new memo states.
'The donation is unconditional, and the aircraft may be used or disposed of by the DOD in its sole discretion, in any manner it deems appropriate, so long as such use or disposal remains in accordance with United States laws,' the memo later adds.
Nothing in the agreement should be 'interpreted or construed' as 'an offer, promise, or acceptance of any form of bribery, undue influence, or corrupt practice,' the memo adds, calling it a 'bona fide gift.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
OpenAI releases open-weight reasoning models optimized for running on laptops
By Anna Tong SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -OpenAI said on Tuesday it has released two open-weight language models that excel in advanced reasoning and are optimized to run on laptops with performance levels similar to its smaller proprietary reasoning models. An open-weight language model's trained parameters or weights are publicly accessible, which can be used by developers to analyze and fine-tune the model for specific tasks without requiring original training data. "One of the things that is unique about open models is that people can run them locally. People can run them behind their own firewall, on their own infrastructure," OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman said in a press briefing. Open-weight language models are different from open-source models, which provide access to the complete source code, training data and methodologies. The landscape of open-weight and open-source AI models has been highly contested this year. For a time, Meta's Llama models were considered the best, but that changed earlier this year when China's DeepSeek released a powerful and cost-effective reasoning model, while Meta struggled to deliver Llama 4. The two new OpenAI models are the first open models OpenAI has released since GPT-2, which was released in 2019. OpenAI's larger model, gpt-oss-120b, can run on a single GPU, and the second, gpt-oss-20b, is small enough to run directly on a personal computer, the company said. OpenAI said the models have similar performance to its proprietary reasoning models called o3-mini and o4-mini, and especially excel at coding, competition math and health-related queries. The models were trained on a text-only dataset which in addition to general knowledge, focused on science, math and coding knowledge. OpenAI did not release benchmarks comparing the open-weight models to competitors' models such as the DeepSeek-R1 model. Microsoft-backed OpenAI, currently valued at $300 billion, is currently raising up to $40 billion in a new funding round led by Softbank Group. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Why Oklo Stock Is Soaring Higher Today
Key Points Oklo stock is rising today despite a lack of news from the company. BWX Technologies reported strong financial results yesterday, which Oklo investors are seeing as a positive sign for the nuclear energy industry. An investment in Oklo requires a high threshold for risk, so investors shoulda act accordingly. 10 stocks we like better than Oklo › Rebuffing the general bearing sentiment that is driving the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI) lower today, investors are powered up about nuclear energy stock Oklo (NYSE: OKLO). Although the company hasn't reported any developments to substantiate the stock's rise, there is industry news that investors are interpreting as positive for the small modular reactor (SMR) developer. As of 12:41 a.m. ET, shares of Oklo have risen 8.7%. BWX Technologies just proved that the state of the nuclear energy industry remains strong It's not just speculation that the nuclear energy will soon grow that's driving investor interest into SMR stocks like Oklo. BWX Technologies (NYSE: BWXT) is seeing tangible benefits in its financials. Providing manufacturing and engineering services for the nuclear energy industry, BWXT reported second-quarter 2025 financial results yesterday. Oklo investors are likely giving weight to commentary from Rex Geveden, BWX Technologies president and CEO, who recognized that "demand for nuclear solutions in the global security, clean energy, and medical markets continues to accelerate." Is now the time to buy Oklo stock? The financial results that BWX Technologies reported are certainly encouraging; however, it hardly seems sufficient for investors to predicate an Oklo investment on right now. Nonetheless, Oklo stock is certainly a worthy consideration for those interested in gaining exposure to SMR technology and the growth of the nuclear energy industry. Buying growth stocks such as Oklo -- stocks that aren't generating revenue -- require extremely high tolerances for risk, so investors should act accordingly. Of course, buying a nuclear energy ETF provides another option that helps to gain industry exposure while limiting risk. Should you buy stock in Oklo right now? Before you buy stock in Oklo, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Oklo wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $631,505!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,103,313!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,039% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 181% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 4, 2025 Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends BWX Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Oklo Stock Is Soaring Higher Today was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bocana Resources Corp. Signs Letter of Intent to Acquire Mining Claims in Arizona
CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bocana Resources Corp. (TSXV: BOCA) (Frankfurt: VC1) ("Bocana" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding letter of intent (the "LOI") dated July 24, 2025 for the proposed acquisition (the "Transaction") of 100% of the rights, title and interests in the U.S. Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") placer mining claims (the "Claims") owned by LP Associates, LLC of Buffalo MN. ("LPA, LLC" or the "Seller"), an arm's length limited liability company formed under the laws of the State of Minnesota. The Transaction The Claims, which are comprised of seventy-two (72) 20-acre claims, total approximately 1,440 acres in size. The Claims are located in Pinal County, Arizona, approximately 85 miles southeast of Phoenix (Figure #1) and are in two contiguous areas, one containing 1,240 acres and the other block containing 160 acres. Figure # 2 also provides a more detailed location of the placer claims. Pursuant to the LOI, Bocana will acquire a 100% ownership interest in the Claims through a newly formed subsidiary, Arizore LLC, a limited liability company registered in the state of Nevada. Bocana will acquire the Claims for a total purchase price of US$27,500,000 (the "Purchase Price"). An initial $200,000 deposit has been made to the Seller, which shall be applied as a credit toward the Purchase Price at closing. 'Bocana is very pleased with the proposed acquisition of the LPA, LLC's Claims. This acquisition is significantly better than several of the other opportunities that the Company has reviewed, and we look forward to developing this asset as quickly as possible for the benefit of our shareholders," said Tim Turner, Bocana's Chief Executive Officer. The transactions contemplated by the LOI are subject to the following conditions: a) The entering into of a definitive agreement in respect of the Transaction (the "Definitive Agreement") between LPA, LLC and Bocana. The Definitive Agreement will describe the terms and conditions upon which the Transaction will be completed; b) the completion of all financing by Bocana to satisfy the Purchase Price; c) the completion of satisfactory due diligence by Bocana; and d) regulatory approvals, including but not limited to the TSX Venture Exchange. The Transaction will be treated as a "Fundamental Acquisition" pursuant to TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.3. No finder's fees are to be paid in connection with the Transaction. Figure # 1- Location Map of Placer ClaimsHistorical Technical Reports Technical reports have been prepared for four (4) of the Claims in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The results of these technical reports are briefly summarized below. 1. Placer Mining Claim LPA4-04- 20 Acres The first technical report, entitled Technical Report for the LPA4-04 Placer Gold Claim in the Florence Basin, Pinal County, Arizona, USA, was prepared by A. Roach, Ph.D., R.G., with an effective date of January 25, 2021. Data disclosed in this news release on the LPA4-04 claim was provided from this report. Figure # 3 provides the location of the auger drill holes completed on the LPA4-04 placer claim. Table #1 provides the assay results from the auger drill holes. Key Findings: Average grade estimations of 4.6 oz/ton of gold and 1.9 oz/ton of silver (Table # 1) from 6 drill holes. Multi-element assay results. Assay results were from auger drilling to 10-foot depths. Consistency of high-grade gold assay results in all holes (Table # 1). Figure # 2 – Location Map of Placer ClaimsFigure # 3 – Drill Hole Location MapTable # 1 – Holes DP01-06 Located on LPA4-04 Placer Claim2. Placer Mining Claim LPA4-08- 20 Acres The second 20-acre technical report, entitled Technical Report for the LPA4-08 Placer Gold Claim in the Florence Basin, Pinal County, Arizona, USA, was prepared by A. Roach, Ph.D., R.G., with an Effective date of January 25, 2021. Drill hole locations posted on Figure #3, DP-07-10, Table # 1 provides the multi-element assay results. Key Findings: Average grade estimates of 1.4 oz/ton (48 g/t) of gold and 0.4 oz/ton (13.7 g/t) of silver were determined from 4 holes. Similar consistency in higher grade gold concentrations as in LPA4-04 results. Multi-element concentrations lower than adjoining claim LPA4-04 to the east. 3. Placer Mining Claim Dirt-01 – 20 Acres The third technical report, also on a 20-acre claim, entitled Technical Report for the Dirt-01 Placer Gold Claim in the Florence Basin, Pinal County, Arizona, USA, was prepared by Ronnie G Parker, CPG-#06163, with an Effective date of February 1, 2022. The Dirt-01 Placer Gold Claim is located approximately 1-1/2 miles (0.9 kilometer) west of Highway 79. Highway 79 may be accessed by Highway 77 and Interstate 10, which is located 27 miles (43.2 kilometers) to the south and west of the claim, as shown on Figure #4 below. Figure # 5 provides the drill collar locations on the claim. Table # 2 posts the assay results from the drilling program. Key Findings: Average estimated grades of 0.589 oz/ton (16.7 g/t) of gold and .475 oz/ton (13.5 g/t) of silver from 9 drill holes. Demonstrating consistency in higher-grade mineralization. Figure #4 Dirt-01 Location MapFigure #5 – Drill Collar Location Map – Dirt-01 Placer ClaimTable 2. - Assay data from the DIRT-01 Placer Gold Claim for the 2020 drill holes. Assay Date Sample # Goldoz/ton Silveroz/ton Platinumoz/ton Palladiumoz/ton Rhodiumoz/ton 11-Mar-20 Dirt-14 0.287 0.200 0.207 0.099 0.067 Fire+ AA 10-Mar-20 Dirt-15 0.380 0.291 0.166 0.102 0.031 Fire+ AA 13-Jul-20 Dirt-19 0.457 0.492 0.044 0.034 0.038 Fire+ AA 13-Jul-20 Dirt-20 0.474 0.510 0.068 0.040 0.044 Fire+ AA 15-Aug-20 Dirt-21 0.379 0.409 0.025 0.031 0.038 Fire+ AA 15-Aug-20 Dirt-22 0.275 1.330 0.019 0.031 0.030 Fire+ AA 15-Aug-20 Dirt-23 1.219 0.398 0.028 0.019 0.033 Fire+ AA 15-Aug-20 Dirt-24 0.945 0.601 0.029 0.028 0.026 Fire+ AA 15-Aug-20 Dirt-25 0.885 0.047 0.031 0.027 0.031 Fire+ AA 4. Placer Mining Claim Dirt-02 – 20 Acres The fourth 20-acre technical report, entitled NI-43-101 Technical Report for the Dirt-02 Placer Gold Claim in the Florence Basin, Pinal County, Arizona, USA, was prepared by Ronnie G Parker, CPG-#06163, with an Effective date of February 1, 2022 and a Technical Update as of August 8, 2022. The Dirt-02 Placer Gold Claim is located approximately 2-1/2 miles (0.9 kilometer) west of Highway 79. Highway 79 may be accessed by Highway 77 and Interstate 10, which is located 27 miles (43.2 kilometers) to the south and west of the claim. Access to the claim is via a small dirt road off Highway 79 at mile marker 10. See Figure #6. Figure #7 provides the Dirt-02 drill collar locations. Figure #6 – Dirt-02 Location and #7 Drill Collar LocationsTable #3 Assay information for the 2020 drill holes from the DIRT-02 Placer Gold Claim. All data listed below is shown in ounces per ton. Assay Date Sample # Gold Silver Platinum Palladium Rhodium 15-Aug-20 Dirt-26 0.374 0.499 0.028 0.021 0.035 15-Aug-20 Dirt-27 0.608 0.800 0.033 0.025 0.042 15-Aug-20 Dirt-28 0.376 0.505 0.037 0.024 0.040 15-Aug-20 Dirt-29 0.316 0.755 0.032 0.026 0.030 15-Aug-20 Dirt-30 1.005 0.743 0.040 0.036 0.027 15-Aug-20 Dirt-31 0.558 0.963 0.042 0.020 0.057 22-Mar-18 Dirt-09 0.189 0.202 - - - 23-Mar-18 Dirt-10 0.148 0.200 - - - 11-Mar-20 Dirt-12 0.46 0.40 0.165 0.1 0.041 11-Mar-20 Dirt-13 0.49 0.4 0.183 0.086 0.033 Key Findings: Average grades from 10 drill holes - 0.452 oz/ton (12.81 g/t) of gold and 0.546 oz/ton (15.48 g/t) of silver. All drill holes assayed high gold concentrations. Continuation of multi-element mineralization. Comments on Sampling Drilling was conducted using a two-man auger. Sufficient auger flights were required to reach depths up to 11 feet (3.05 meters). Sample material was collected in a specially designed metal container that surrounded the auger. Samples were transferred to a clean plastic bucket for transport to the splitting location. Sample splitting was conducted onsite with a small riffle splitter. The site geologist performed the sample splitting. One split of material was packaged in a plastic bag for sample analysis. The remaining portion of the split was returned to the plastic bucket for storage at a secure locality off-site. The splitter was cleaned between samples. All historical assay results are documented in the four NI-43-101 reports provided to the Company; however, assay certificates indicating the methods used, weight of samples, details on the assay procedures were not in the reports and have not been provided to the Company. Conclusions/Recommendations Historical assay results indicate potentially economic concentrations of gold with associated silver, platinum, palladium, and rhodium on all four claims mentioned. Bocana will require due diligence studies, including additional drilling, sample assays, and metallurgical studies to confirm the results from each of these four reports. It is recommended that, in future drilling programs on all of the claims that notes on detailed logging of the sample material be undertaken, in particular the presence/ absence of apparent gravel layers during the drilling, along with approximate depth. The removal of gravel from samples, either because it is not carried by the auger or is at the splitting stage, has the potential to lead to higher or lower assay values. Therefore, one or more bulk samples should be taken in order to assess whether grades are significantly different than those obtained by drilling. Qualified Person Mr. Lorne Warner, the Company's consulting geologist, is an independent, "Qualified Person" as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Warner has approved the scientific and technical information included in this news release for dissemination. The LOI was negotiated at arm's length. The Transaction does not represent a change of business. There will be no change of directors or officers of the Company required by the Transaction. The TSX Venture Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. About Bocana Resources Corp. Bocana is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North and South America. Bocana, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Huiracocha International Service SRL, holds a 100% working interest in the mineral properties known as the Escala area concessions located in the Department of Potosi, Sud Lipez Province, Bolivia, as awarded by Comibol. Contact Information For more information on Bocana, visit: For more information or interview requests, please contact: Timothy J. Turner – Chief Executive Officerinfo@ 858-3329 Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information can be identified by words such as: "intend", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "approximately", "planning", "projected", "anticipate", and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Bocana, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but without limitation, statements pertaining to the Transaction including Bocana's ability to obtain financing and the necessary approvals, including regulatory approvals for the Transaction, the negotiation and execution of the Definitive Agreement, the estimates of potential quantity, grade, and metal and mineral content at the Claims, Bocana's assessment of the reliability and relevance of the historical drill results, and the ability of Bocana to operate the exploration and development programs for the Claims. All statements included herein involve various risks and uncertainties because they relate to future events and circumstances beyond Bocana's control. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and the actual performance may be affected by several material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of the parties, including expectations and assumptions concerning (i) the Seller; (ii) the Transaction; (ii) the ability of the Parties to negotiate and enter into the Definitive Agreement on satisfactory terms as proposed, (iii) the timely receipt of all required regulatory approvals (as applicable), including the approval of the TSXV, (iv) if the Definitive Agreement is entered into, the satisfaction of other closing conditions in accordance with the terms of the Definitive Agreement, and (v) the ability of the Parties (as applicable) to complete the Financing and/or the Transaction on the terms outlined in this news release (or at all). Although Bocana has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, except as required by law. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any accompanying this announcement are available at
