DefenceTalkDefenceTalkThe US government issued an emergency directive to federal agencies in the wake of a major cyberattack, as multiple media outlets reported at least two departments — including the Treasury — had been targeted by hackers with ties to Russia. In a statement Sunday, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said it had ordered […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-government-says-agencies-hit-by-massive-cyberattack-76604/

DefenceTalkThe Pentagon on Thursday warned of possible weapons delays and other military ramifications if the government shuts down over a budget deal impasse or passes a stop-gap spending bill to avert it. The US government is facing the looming prospect of shutting down as Republicans and Democrats wrangle over federal spending. Top leaders from both […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-braces-for-possible-government-shutdown-70980/

DefenceTalkFurloughs of civilian employees as a result of the government shutdown cost the Defense Department at least $600 million in productivity, the Pentagon’s top financial officer said today. During a Pentagon news conference, DOD Comptroller Robert F. Hale said that in addition to the lost productivity, the shutdown generated a number of other costs that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/comptroller-shutdown-cost-dod-600-million-in-productivity-49422/

DefenceTalkOn the 10th day of the partial government shutdown, Defense Department civilians excluded by law from Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s Oct. 7 recall to work of thousands of fellow employees still await an end to the political standoff that sent them home and stopped their paychecks Oct. 1. Hagel said Oct. 5 the department tried […]https://www.defencetalk.com/unemployment-benefits-may-help-some-furloughed-dod-civilians-49369/

DefenceTalkCongress moved Thursday to reinstate US military death benefits, after the government shutdown halted the payments to grieving families of US soldiers killed on duty. The Senate passed the mini funding bill by unanimous consent one day after the House of Representatives approved the measure. It now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/congress-restores-us-military-death-benefits-49360/

DefenceTalkThe United States is suspending the delivery of major weapons to Egypt over delays in progress toward an inclusive government. The decision follows the ouster of the country’s first democratically-elected leader. The Obama administration says it is holding back the delivery of hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of jets, tanks, missiles, and attack helicopters, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-suspends-large-part-of-military-assistance-to-egypt-49346/

DefenceTalkThe government shutdown did not stop the official opening Oct. 1 of the Defense Health Agency, a major streamlining effort of military medicine that has been in the works for three decades and signed into law earlier this year. “This day has been a long time in coming, and represents a major milestone in the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-defense-health-agency-to-streamline-functions-49317/

DefenceTalkThe Defense Department and other government agencies responsible for national security will carry out their missions despite the government shutdown, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Oct. 1 here. The secretary, traveling in the Asia-Pacific region this week for high-level meetings here and in Japan, sat down with reporters traveling with him to explain what is […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-says-national-security-assured-during-shutdown-49270/

DefenceTalkWith the U.S. government failing to pass a fiscal 2014 budget, all tuition assistance for classes starting on or after Oct. 1 will be suspended until further notice. As a result, effective immediately, the ability to apply for TA through the Air Force Virtual Education Center is on hold. “Airmen with approved TA for FY14 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/no-fy14-budget-tuition-assistance-suspended-49268/

DefenceTalkThe partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government means there is no money for foreign military assistance, delaying support for long-time allies like Israel. Deputy State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said that because there is no federal budget for the new fiscal year, there is no funding for foreign military financing, international military education or […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-government-shutdown-will-delay-military-funding-for-israel-49262/