Josh Butler
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Josh Butler
@JoshButler
Political reporter & COS @GuardianAus - send memes & tips: DMs open • [email protected] • secure: [email protected] •

Billionaire Marc Andreessen says he has "zero" introspection, and that the idea itself is a modern invention.



Under AUKUS, Australian sailors are embedded on US submarines to learn how to crew nuclear-powered subs. So when the USS Charlotte torpedoed an Iranian frigate, you'd expect our personnel to be at their stations. Instead, our government ordered them to their bunks. Our people were little more than submarine tourists. This government suffers from a kind of practical pacifism, where the only circumstances our armed forces might conceivably be permitted to fire a shot in anger is at an enemy actually bombing Darwin. At some point, the US president who's supposed to give Australia up to five Virginia class nuclear powered submarines is going to ask why he should divert firepower to a country that won't use it. Could a country that benches personnel already embarked on a US sub ever be trusted to be at America's side when it really counts? Read my latest at The Tony Abbott Newsletter: tonyabbott.au/p/submarine-to…

US President Donald Trump urges UK and other nations to send ships to help secure key Strait of Hormuz oil trade route bbc.in/4cMVSj2




UFC fighters will train FBI agents at a "historic seminar" so they can "be even better prepared to protect the American people," says FBI director Kash Patel . “Dana White has changed the game in the mixed martial arts industry and we’re extremely honored to be partnered with him, the professionals and the UFC. We are grateful for their shared love of our nation, so that we can better defend her,” Patel adds. UFC CEO Dana White says: “I have tremendous respect for the FBI and the work they do every day to protect this country. Our UFC fighters are some of the baddest men and women on the planet and they are heading to Quantico to train the best FBI agents in mixed martial arts. It’s an incredible opportunity for our athletes to experience, and we’re proud to support the FBI in strengthening their defense techniques.” Athletes attending include current interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethe, the first UFC BMF champion Jorge Masvidal, former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, former UFC strawweight title challenger Claudia Gadelha, former UFC lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler, top UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape and mixed martial arts legend Renzo Gracie. variety.com/2026/politics/…

The rate of AI innovation is like nothing Marc Andreessen thought he’d see in his lifetime. Australia is making major investments in compute, renewable energy and a smart regulatory framework to support the next wave. Great discussion with you, Marc.





📸 Marco Rubio wearing oversized shoes that Trump ordered for him by just guessing his size. Trump has been buying $145 Florsheim dress shoes for allies, using the gifts as a lighthearted way to encourage loyalty and unity within his circle. Source: The Times


DOOCY: You said it's an 'excursion,' and you said it's a 'war.' So which is it? TRUMP: Well, it's both. It's an excursion that will keep us out of war. For them it's war. For us it's turned out to be easier than we thought.















