Latest news with #Spencer
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Heidi Montag Gets Emotional Months After Losing Home in Palisades Fire
Originally appeared on E! Online is releasing more than just her inhibitions. After she and husband lost their home to the devastating Pacific Palisades wildfires that hit Los Angeles in January, the Hills alum admitted it's been difficult coming to terms with her new reality. 'To lose that property,' she told E! News' in an exclusive interview, trailing off as she became emotional. 'It's a place that we loved so much.' In the wake of the tragedy, the 38-year-old noted that she and Spencer, 41—who share kids sons Gunner, 7 and Ryker, 2—are still on the hook financially for their fire-ravaged property. 'We can't rebuild as of right now,' she explained. 'I don't know what we're gonna do. We still have to pay a mortgage on it every month.' Given the harsh reality of the situation, Heidi has poured her energy into her new album Heidiwood, which hits streaming services May 30, in order to help give her family a fresh start. Keep reading to see what other stars have said about the L.A. fires. More from E! Online Donald Trump Addresses Whether He'd Pardon Sean "Diddy" Combs Amid Sex Trafficking Trial How Julie Chrisley Feels About Ditching Her Blonde Hair After Prison Nicola Peltz Beckham Allegedly "Left the Room Crying" at Wedding Over Victoria Beckham 'I want to buy a house that we could live in now and exist in now,' she continued, 'so I'm praying and hoping that we get really successful.' It's not the first time Heidi has discussed the challenge she and Spencer are facing. 'It seems kind of like old news to other people,' she told E! News in February, 'but there's a long road ahead and it's gonna take years to get our life back.' Nonetheless, she kept an optimistic outlook, adding, 'Hopefully we can.' As for Spencer—who has stepped up on social media to boost his wife's music streams—the reality TV veteran has also been candid about struggling to process the impact of losing his home. 'I don't know if Heidi was processing sooner than I was,' he told E!, 'and I was so focused on Heidi's music success that I didn't have time to think about our situation.' Keep reading to see what other stars have said about the L.A. fires. Taylor SwiftLeonardo DiCaprioBill HaderJennifer LopezSarah LevyBella HadidGwyneth PaltrowHarvey GuillenJamie Chung & Bryan GreenbergJoshua JacksonBarbara CorcoranDiane WarrenJessica SimpsonCary ElwesRicki LakeMel GibsonMiles Teller & Keleigh TellerMandy MooreMilo VentimigliaOlivia WildeBozoma Saint JohnChrissy TeigenJen AtkinOlivia Culpo For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Economic Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Target locked: India's homebuilt weapons outclass Chinese imports
Navbharat Times Chinese systems like the HQ-9 and PL-15 are not as tested or dependable as their Western or Russian counterparts. India defeated Pakistan on the battlefield—but also beat China in a technology war, says John Spencer, a US military expert and chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute. In his detailed analysis on X, Spencer described Operation Sindoor as a strategic and technological milestone, marking the debut of India's sovereign defence arsenal. 'Operation Sindoor pitted India's indigenously developed weapons systems against Chinese-supplied platforms fielded by Pakistan. What unfolded was not just retaliation but the strategic debut of a sovereign arsenal built under the twin doctrines of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat,' Spencer said. Also Read: China's deafening silence on arms sent to Pakistan comes amid desi roar of Indian firepowerIndia, Spencer said, fought as a sovereign power with precise and domestically developed tools. In contrast, Pakistan acted as a proxy, dependent on Chinese systems built primarily for export.'India fought as a sovereign power—wielding precision tools it designed, built and deployed with unmatched battlefield control. Pakistan fought as a proxy force, dependent on Chinese hardware that was built for export, not for excellence. When challenged, these systems failed—exposing the strategic hollowness behind Islamabad's defence posture,' he added. Also Read: AI vs Nukes: How China's new tech could shake up global arms controlIndia's military edge came from a wide range of indigenously developed systems. These included the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Akash surface-to-air missile system, Akashteer air defence command system, Rudram anti-radiation missile, Netra AEW&C aircraft, and a suite of loitering munitions like SkyStriker and noted, 'India's transformation into a modern defence power began in 2014, when PM Modi launched the 'Make in India' initiative. Within a few years, systems like the BrahMos missile, K9 Vajra howitzer, and AK-203 rifle were being produced inside India—many with technology partnerships but increasing domestic control.'In the air, India's Rafale jets, Su-30MKIs, and Mirage 2000s led the charge, flying under the support of Netra AEW&C and neutralising enemy air defences using Rudram missiles. These jets launched deep strikes with SCALP and Meteor missiles, gaining and retaining airspace control. India's key indigenous systems were critical to battlefield success. BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile: Jointly developed with Russia but largely made in India, this missile flew at Mach 3 and struck hardened enemy bunkers and radar stations with precision. Akash SAM and Akashteer System: All-weather mobile air defence was paired with AI-based command and control, intercepting enemy drones, aircraft and cruise missiles. Rudram Anti-Radiation Missile: India's first of its kind, used to destroy enemy radar installations across the Line of Control. Netra AEW&C System: Built by DRDO, this airborne system provided real-time tracking of enemy aircraft and missiles, vectoring jets to strike deep inside enemy territory. One Pakistani Saab 2000 AEW&C was reportedly neutralised by a long-range Indian missile. Loitering Munitions – SkyStriker and Harop: These kamikaze drones silently hovered before destroying key targets, including mobile radars and convoys. D4S Counter-UAV System: A multi-layer system that used radar, jammers, EO/IR sensors and kinetic action to down dozens of Pakistani drones. India's air forces deployed an impressive fleet. French-built Rafales, Russian-designed Su-30MKIs, and Mirage 2000s executed strikes with SCALP cruise missiles and Meteor air-to-air missiles. Flying under Netra's guidance and supported by Rudram missiles for SEAD missions, these platforms overwhelmed enemy defences. T-72 tanks and M777 howitzers backed ground operations, especially in high-altitude zones. While the M777 came from the US, its integration into Indian doctrine proved vital. Zorawar light tanks, optimised for mountain combat, are in advanced stages of military leaned heavily on Chinese imports, including the HQ-9 and HQ-16 SAM systems, LY-80 and FM-90 air defences, and CH-4 drones. The JF-17 Thunder jets, co-developed by China and Pakistan, struggled to hold their ground.'India didn't just win on the battlefield—it won the technology referendum,' Spencer said. He added that Indian systems intercepted and outperformed the Chinese-built platforms, which were unable to prevent Indian strikes or assert air superiority. Also Read: Lockheed to Boeing: How India's Operation Sindoor may loosen the grip of US defence giants India's push for self-reliance accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic and the Galwan Valley clash in 2020. Spencer observed that India imposed phased import bans, gave emergency procurement powers to its armed forces, and significantly increased its domestic defence content—from 30% to 65% by 2025.'The goal was clear: reduce dependence on foreign arms imports and build a world-class domestic defence industry. The policy incentivised joint ventures, opened defence to foreign direct investment up to 74%, and encouraged both public and private sector manufacturers,' he policies bore fruit on the battlefield—and beyond. Defence stocks in India surged post-Operation Sindoor. Paras Defence & Space rose 49% in May, with other companies like MTAR Technologies and Data Patterns seeing strong investor interest. In contrast, Chinese firms such as AVIC, NORINCO, and CETC saw sharp market Sindoor was more than a military operation. It was a statement. As Spencer put it, 'India showcased the strength of self-reliance in modern warfare, affirming that the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' holds true even under the most demanding conditions.'The message was clear: India's future defence lies not in imports, but in innovation. And that future is already in play.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Target locked: India's homebuilt weapons outclass Chinese imports
Chinese systems like the HQ-9 and PL-15 are not as tested or dependable as their Western or Russian counterparts. Operation Sindoor wasn't just a battlefield success for India—it was a decisive demonstration of homegrown military strength. While Pakistan fielded Chinese-made weapons and struggled, India relied on its indigenously developed systems under Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. According to military expert John Spencer, India's sovereign arsenal proved superior. The campaign signalled not only military dominance but also a shift in global defence credibility. Indian defence firms soared in the markets, while Chinese firms saw sharp declines as their weapons underperformed. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Sovereign weapons, proxy forces Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Homegrown arsenal, battlefield supremacy BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile: Jointly developed with Russia but largely made in India, this missile flew at Mach 3 and struck hardened enemy bunkers and radar stations with precision. Akash SAM and Akashteer System: All-weather mobile air defence was paired with AI-based command and control, intercepting enemy drones, aircraft and cruise missiles. Rudram Anti-Radiation Missile: India's first of its kind, used to destroy enemy radar installations across the Line of Control. Netra AEW&C System: Built by DRDO, this airborne system provided real-time tracking of enemy aircraft and missiles, vectoring jets to strike deep inside enemy territory. One Pakistani Saab 2000 AEW&C was reportedly neutralised by a long-range Indian missile. Loitering Munitions – SkyStriker and Harop: These kamikaze drones silently hovered before destroying key targets, including mobile radars and convoys. D4S Counter-UAV System: A multi-layer system that used radar, jammers, EO/IR sensors and kinetic action to down dozens of Pakistani drones. Chinese systems falter Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads From 'Make in India' to market gains India defeated Pakistan on the battlefield—but also beat China in a technology war, says John Spencer, a US military expert and chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute. In his detailed analysis on X, Spencer described Operation Sindoor as a strategic and technological milestone, marking the debut of India's sovereign defence arsenal.'Operation Sindoor pitted India's indigenously developed weapons systems against Chinese-supplied platforms fielded by Pakistan. What unfolded was not just retaliation but the strategic debut of a sovereign arsenal built under the twin doctrines of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat ,' Spencer Spencer said, fought as a sovereign power with precise and domestically developed tools. In contrast, Pakistan acted as a proxy, dependent on Chinese systems built primarily for export.'India fought as a sovereign power—wielding precision tools it designed, built and deployed with unmatched battlefield control. Pakistan fought as a proxy force, dependent on Chinese hardware that was built for export, not for excellence. When challenged, these systems failed—exposing the strategic hollowness behind Islamabad's defence posture,' he military edge came from a wide range of indigenously developed systems. These included the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Akash surface-to-air missile system, Akashteer air defence command system, Rudram anti-radiation missile, Netra AEW&C aircraft, and a suite of loitering munitions like SkyStriker and noted, 'India's transformation into a modern defence power began in 2014, when PM Modi launched the 'Make in India' initiative. Within a few years, systems like the BrahMos missile , K9 Vajra howitzer, and AK-203 rifle were being produced inside India—many with technology partnerships but increasing domestic control.'In the air, India's Rafale jets, Su-30MKIs, and Mirage 2000s led the charge, flying under the support of Netra AEW&C and neutralising enemy air defences using Rudram missiles. These jets launched deep strikes with SCALP and Meteor missiles, gaining and retaining airspace air forces deployed an impressive fleet. French-built Rafales, Russian-designed Su-30MKIs, and Mirage 2000s executed strikes with SCALP cruise missiles and Meteor air-to-air missiles. Flying under Netra's guidance and supported by Rudram missiles for SEAD missions, these platforms overwhelmed enemy defences.T-72 tanks and M777 howitzers backed ground operations, especially in high-altitude zones. While the M777 came from the US, its integration into Indian doctrine proved vital. Zorawar light tanks, optimised for mountain combat, are in advanced stages of military leaned heavily on Chinese imports, including the HQ-9 and HQ-16 SAM systems, LY-80 and FM-90 air defences, and CH-4 drones. The JF-17 Thunder jets, co-developed by China and Pakistan, struggled to hold their ground.'India didn't just win on the battlefield—it won the technology referendum,' Spencer said. He added that Indian systems intercepted and outperformed the Chinese-built platforms, which were unable to prevent Indian strikes or assert air push for self-reliance accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic and the Galwan Valley clash in 2020. Spencer observed that India imposed phased import bans, gave emergency procurement powers to its armed forces, and significantly increased its domestic defence content—from 30% to 65% by 2025.'The goal was clear: reduce dependence on foreign arms imports and build a world-class domestic defence industry. The policy incentivised joint ventures, opened defence to foreign direct investment up to 74%, and encouraged both public and private sector manufacturers,' he policies bore fruit on the battlefield—and beyond. Defence stocks in India surged post-Operation Sindoor. Paras Defence & Space rose 49% in May, with other companies like MTAR Technologies and Data Patterns seeing strong investor interest. In contrast, Chinese firms such as AVIC, NORINCO, and CETC saw sharp market Sindoor was more than a military operation. It was a statement. As Spencer put it, 'India showcased the strength of self-reliance in modern warfare, affirming that the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' holds true even under the most demanding conditions.'The message was clear: India's future defence lies not in imports, but in innovation. And that future is already in play.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
US Military Expert On Why Op Sindoor Is A "Decisive Victory" In Modern Warfare
New Delhi: Operation Sindoor has become a testament to India's growing military prowess, targeting nine key terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), avenging the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and redefining India's anti-terror strategy on the global stage, said John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute and Executive Director of the Urban Warfare Institute. In a detailed article posted on X, titled "Operation Sindoor: A Decisive Victory in Modern Warfare", Spencer stated that India had achieved a "massive victory" following Operation Sindoor, which he claimed is still not "completely over" despite the undertaking of the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan. Spencer noted that the operation "exceeded its strategic aims" as it neutralised terrorist infrastructure and showcased India's military dominance, reinforcing deterrence as well as introducing a "new national security doctrine". He called the action decisive and not just "symbolic", and that it was applied with clear intent. He stated that the cessation was "not merely a pause" but a "strategic hold" following this military victory. Spencer noted that, unlike the previous attacks executed by India following such terror attacks, India "didn't wait", nor appealed to the international forum for mediation or issued a diplomatic demarche but launched "warplanes". The swift and precise calibration on May 7 sent a clear message that "terror attacks launched from Pakistani soil will now be treated as acts of war." Spencer further recognised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new doctrine as "India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. India will strike precisely and decisively at the terrorist hideouts developing under the cover of nuclear blackmail." He further acknowledged PM Modi's unveiling of a strategic doctrine as he said, "Terror and talks can't go together. Water and blood can't flow together." In his article Spence says that the nine precision strikes on major terror training camps, particularly Pakistan's Bahawalpur and Muridke, on May 7; the damages done to the 11 Pakistani military airbases; and the "temporary halt" in firing weren't just a tactical success but were a "doctrinal execution" under live fire. These actions had redefined India's stance against terrorism by drawing and enforcing a new red line: terror attacks from Pakistani soil will now be met with military force. Additionally, it, combined with a display of overwhelming military superiority, has restored deterrence and asserted India's strategic independence. "Critics who argue India should have escalated further miss the point, as strategic success lies not in the scale of destruction but in achieving the desired political effect", Spencer writes. "India was not fighting for vengeance. It was fighting for deterrence. And it worked," he wrote. "India's restraint is not weakness--it is maturity. It imposed costs, redefined thresholds, and retained escalation dominance. India didn't just respond to an attack. It changed the strategic equation," Spencer noted. — John Spencer (@SpencerGuard) May 14, 2025 He argues that in an era defined by "forever wars" and cycles of violence without strategic direction, Operation Sindoor stands apart. It offers a model of limited war with clearly defined ends, matched ways and means, and a state that never relinquished the initiative. "India absorbed a blow, defined its objective, and achieved it--all within a contained timeframe. The use of force in Operation Sindoor was overwhelming yet controlled--precise, decisive, and without hesitation. That kind of clarity is rare in modern war," Spencer acknowledged. He states that India of 2008 absorbed attacks and waited; this India hits back--immediately, precisely, and with clarity. According to Spencer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's doctrine, combined with India's advancing domestic defence industry and the professionalism of its armed forces, signals a country no longer preparing for the last war but for the next one. The halt in operations is not the end of Operation Sindoor but a pause. India holds the initiative. If provoked again, it will strike again. Spencer believes that Operation Sindoor was a modern war--fought under the shadow of nuclear escalation, with global attention, and within a limited objective framework. By every measure that matters, it was a strategic success and a decisive Indian victory.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Arkansas Supreme Court orders gag order lifted in Lonoke County deadly shooting
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A Thursday ruling by the Arkansas Supreme Court is expected to lead to a gag order being lifted in a deadly Lonoke County shooting. The case came to the court on behalf of Aaron Spencer, who is facing charges of second-degree murder in the October 2024 shooting death of 67-year-old Michael Fosler. Lonoke County deputies arrest man after altercation leads to deadly shooting According to court records, Fosler had been charged in July 2024 with 'numerous sexual offenses against Spencer's teenage daughter, and he was released on bond.' On the night of the shooting, Spencer realized his daughter had left the house and went looking for her. He found Fosler's truck with his daughter inside and forced it off the road. 'After an altercation, Spencer called 911 to report he had shot Fosler. Fosler died at the scene,' court records state. National pharmacy company sues Arkansas over law eliminating PBM pharmacy ownership The record continues that the state requested a gag order on the case on Dec. 4, 2024, due to what it called extensive media coverage, including a news release from Spencer's attorneys that described him as a 'heroic father.' The state argued that the coverage and public statements would lead the community to side with Spencer, thereby harming the integrity of the jury pool. On Dec. 9, 2024, Spencer's attorney filed an opposition to the gag order. On Dec. 10, the court put the gag order in place 'without holding a hearing,' according to the filing. Spencer then requested the Supreme Court issue a command, called a 'writ of certiorari,' to the lower court to lift the gag order. His request cited the First Amendment and the Lonoke circuit court exceeded its jurisdiction. The Supreme Court honored that request on Thursday, and the writ was issued. In its ruling, the court stated: '[W]e hold that the circuit court's action in entering the challenged gag order was on its face a plain, manifest, clear, and gross abuse of discretion and in excess of its authority. Further, there is no other adequate remedy except for a writ of certiorari.' Arkansas Supreme Court decides TikTok vs. Arkansas case will go forward, denies dismissal request The ruling also cautioned the court against sealing the case's proceedings from the public, citing it as a constitutional violation. Spencer's attorneys, Erin Cassinelli and Michael Kaiser, said in a statement that the Supreme Court's decision has far-reaching implications. 'The Court has given clear guidelines for gag orders that will help the public, litigants, and courts across the state appropriately assess case-related speech as balanced with the strong First Amendment protections that are a bedrock of our society,' they stated. 'No longer will state courts be permitted to allow a prosecutor to release alarming and potentially misleading information while a circuit court blanketly restricts a citizen's public explanation of his innocence.' CVS Pharmacy files suit against Arkansas over new law preventing PBM ownership of pharmacies They continued that they appreciated the Supreme Court's 'turning the lights back on in Lonoke County.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
