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(VIDEO) NORAD Intercepts Russian Bombers and Fighters Near Alaska in Routine ADIZ Encounter
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) scrambled U.S. fighter jets Thursday to intercept and escort five Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), a standard buffer area outside U.S. and Canadian sovereign airspace.
NORAD detected and tracked two Tu-95 Bear long-range strategic bombers, two Su-35 Flanker fighter jets and one A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning and control aircraft in the Alaskan ADIZ on Feb. 19, according to a statement released late Thursday local time, which corresponds to Friday morning in some time zones. The Russian formation remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian territory.
In response, NORAD launched two F-16 Fighting Falcons, two F-35 Lightning IIs, one E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft, and four KC-135 Stratotanker refueling planes to positively identify the intruders and escort them until they departed the zone. The mission unfolded without incident, and officials emphasized that such activity is routine.
“This Russian activity in the Alaskan ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat,” NORAD stated. The command, a binational U.S.-Canadian organization headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado, maintains constant vigilance over North American skies and is prepared to employ various response options to defend the continent.
The Alaskan ADIZ extends hundreds of miles beyond territorial boundaries, requiring aircraft to identify themselves for security monitoring. Russian long-range aviation patrols in the Bering Sea region — separating Siberia from Alaska — have been common for decades, often coinciding with exercises or routine flights. Similar intercepts occurred multiple times in 2025, including in September when four Russian aircraft were tracked and escorted, and in April when six planes including Tu-95s, Tu-142s, Su-35s and an A-50 were intercepted.
Thursday’s encounter involved a mix of bombers capable of carrying nuclear payloads, agile fighters for escort and an A-50 for surveillance, reflecting a coordinated formation typical of Russian strategic aviation operations. The Tu-95, a propeller-driven turboprop bomber nicknamed “Bear” by NATO, dates to the Cold War era but remains a mainstay of Russia’s long-range strike capability. The supersonic Su-35 provides air superiority protection, while the A-50 serves as an airborne radar platform akin to the U.S. E-3.
U.S. aircraft involved represent a blend of legacy and fifth-generation platforms. The F-16, a multirole fighter, and the stealthy F-35, both operated by the Alaska Air National Guard’s 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, handled the close escort duties. The E-3 provided command and control from aloft, and KC-135s ensured extended endurance for the interceptors.
No aggressive maneuvers or communications issues were reported, and the Russian planes departed the ADIZ as expected. NORAD did not disclose exact locations beyond the general Alaskan ADIZ, which covers vast expanses over the Bering Sea and Arctic approaches.
The incident drew quick media attention amid heightened global tensions, though military officials downplayed any provocative intent. Russian Defense Ministry spokespeople had not commented publicly as of Friday morning. Similar episodes rarely escalate, serving more as demonstrations of presence and capability testing than direct challenges.
This latest intercept aligns with patterns observed since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when NORAD noted increased Russian activity in the Arctic and near North American shores. In 2025 alone, multiple releases detailed intercepts of Tu-95/Su-35 pairs and larger formations, often in international airspace west of Alaska.
Experts view these flights as part of Russia’s effort to maintain operational readiness, project power in the Arctic — a region of growing strategic importance due to melting ice opening new shipping routes and resource opportunities — and signal resolve amid strained relations with the West.
NORAD’s response underscores the binational command’s effectiveness in aerospace warning and control. Established in 1957 during the Cold War, it integrates radar networks, fighter squadrons and command structures to detect and respond to aerial threats, from ballistic missiles to unauthorized aircraft.
Alaska’s strategic position makes it a frontline for such monitoring, with bases like Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Eielson hosting advanced fighters and surveillance assets. The state’s proximity to Russia — less than 55 miles separate Big Diomede Island (Russia) from Little Diomede (U.S.) in the Bering Strait — amplifies the need for vigilant patrols.
Public reaction on social platforms included a mix of concern and reassurance, with some users noting the routine nature while others highlighted geopolitical implications. NORAD’s X account posted updates emphasizing readiness without alarm.
As Arctic militarization continues — with Russia expanding bases and the U.S. bolstering presence through exercises like Arctic Edge — such encounters are likely to persist. Thursday’s event, while unremarkable in military terms, serves as a reminder of the delicate balance in polar airspace.
NORAD reiterated its commitment to sovereignty protection while characterizing the Russian activity as non-threatening and expected. No further details on flight paths or durations were released, consistent with operational security practices.
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United Airlines is shaking up its MileagePlus rewards program in a move that benefits credit card holders and leaves other travelers earning fewer miles.
The Chicago-based carrier announced Thursday that starting April 2, travelers with United’s co-branded credit or debit cards will earn significantly more miles when they book flights. Meanwhile, customers without a United card will have a lower accrual rate.
Under the new structure, cardholders can earn up to twice as many miles per dollar spent on United flights compared to non-cardholders.
For United’s most frequent flyers – like top-tier 1K members who also use a United Club card – rewards can go as high as 17 miles per dollar on eligible flights.
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A United Airlines commercial airliner takes off from Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, on Nov. 6, 2025. (Mike Blake/Reuters)
Meanwhile, general members without a United credit card will earn just 3 miles per dollar on most tickets.
United also said that customers without a card will no longer earn any miles when purchasing basic economy tickets.
“MileagePlus is designed to reward loyalty to United, and our best customers deserve the best benefits in the industry,” United Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella said in a statement.
Beyond earning more miles, cardholders will also receive other perks.
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A traveler speaks to an agent at the United Airlines desk at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, on Nov. 25, 2025. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)
Cardholders will receive at least a 10% discount when booking flights using miles, and Premier members with a United card will get at least 15% off award flights.
They will also gain expanded access to “Saver Award” seats, including spots in United’s Polaris business class.
The announcement quickly sparked debate online.
“Wow, that sounds like a big shift,” one user wrote on X. “Gotta wonder how many people will switch just for the miles boost.”
“Getting 10% back on flights is going to be so sick,” another added.
“For 90% of people that travel, airline miles and points are a scam,” a third user wrote.
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A United Airlines Boeing 777 lands at Newark Liberty International Airport on Jan. 29, 2026, in Newark, New Jersey. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
The changes apply across United’s co-branded lineup, including the Explorer, Quest and Club cards.
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Loyalty programs have become major profit engines for airlines, generating billions of dollars annually through partnerships with banks that issue co-branded credit cards, according to Reuters.
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For the cohort that piled into options—which give the right to buy or sell a stock at a set price, in a certain time frame—prediction platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket offer a vast range of wagers, in a “yes or no” format.
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Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos responds to criticisms over the streaming service’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos accused legendary director James Cameron of believing misinformation after Cameron criticized Netflix’s potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).
“I’m particularly surprised and disappointed that James chose to be part of the Paramount disinformation campaign that’s been going on for months about this deal,” Sarandos said on “The Claman Countdown” Friday.
Netflix announced its proposed acquisition of WBD, including HBO and HBO Max, in December. Days later, Paramount Skydance submitted a counter-all-cash offer.
Recently, Netflix has received an outpouring of criticism from some members of the Hollywood elite and California leaders over its proposed purchase of the studios.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and legendary director James Cameron. (LEFT (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images), RIGHT (Araya Doheny/Getty Images for SAG-AFTRA Foundation) / Getty Images)
Cameron raised concerns about the deal in a letter to Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights.
In the letter, the “Titanic” and “Avatar” director said Netflix’s business model is “directly at odds” with the theatrical film production business.
“Theaters will close. Fewer films will be made. Service providers such as VFX companies will go out of business. The job losses will spiral,” the letter reads in part.
Sarandos said he was “surprised” by Cameron’s criticism of Netflix’s proposed WBD acquisition.
“I met with James personally in late December and laid out for him our 45-day commitment to the theatrical exhibition of films and to the Warner Brothers slate,” the Netflix co-CEO said. “I have talked about that commitment in the press countless times. I swore under oath in front of the Senate subcommittee on antitrust that that’s what we were doing.”
Paramount is bidding against Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery and its streaming service HBO Max. (AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images / Getty Images)
Cameron has vocalized his concern that Netflix was pledging a theatrical release window of 17 days, but the company has repeatedly affirmed it will be 45 days.
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“45 days of theatrical exclusivity – that has been clear from the beginning,” Sarandos said. “I have never even uttered the word 17-day window.”
The Hollywood director also said Netflix would reduce the number of films WBD releases to theaters each year, currently about 15, a claim Sarandos rebuked.
“We will keep the Warner Brothers film and television studio running largely as it is today,” he told FOX Business. “Movies going to the theaters for 45 days, a healthy, robust slate of films every year. That is gonna continue.”
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos insisted the streaming service would have better leadership over Warner Bros. Discovery, citing Paramount’s recent business struggles. ( Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
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Sarandos also took aim at Paramount over its rival deal to purchase WBD, claiming it will cut $6 billion from WBD.
“The Paramount deal that’s floating around there and all the misinformation swirling around it is guaranteeing to cut jobs,” he said. “They’re guaranteeing to continue to make gigantic cuts to the entertainment industry. And then the alternative, we’re growing, growing, and they are promising to cut, cut, cut.”
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Nissan is recalling more than 640,000 vehicles as part of two separate recalls related to engine and gear issues, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration said.
The Japanese automaker is recalling 323,917 model year 2023-2025 Nissan Rogue SUVs due to possible bearing failure that could allow hot oil to be discharged and increase the risk of an engine fire and loss of drive power, the recall report said.
The affected vehicles are equipped with a three-cylinder, 1.5-liter (KR15DDT) variable compression (VC Turbo) engine, the NHTSA said.
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A model year 2025 Nissan Rogue drives along a dirt road. (Nissan Motor Co.)
Nissan dealers have been instructed by the agency to reprogram the engine control software, perform a diagnostic inspection and do a test drive, all at no cost to consumers.
The automaker is separately recalling 318,781 model year 2024-2025 Rogues over broken throttle body gears. The fractured gears could lead to a loss of drive power and prevent drivers from engaging gears on restart, increasing the risk of a crash, the report said.
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Interior of a 2025 Nissan Rogue SUV. (Nissan Motor Co.)
Nissan will begin notifying customers via mail in March 2026, the automaker told FOX Business.
In January, Nissan recalled more than 26,000 model year 2025 Sentra and Altima sedans, model year 2025-2026 Frontier pickup trucks and 2026 Kicks SUVs due to improperly welded door strikers that could increase the risk of injury or crash.
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A model year 2025 Nissan Rogue at a campground. (Nissan Motor Co.)
“As a result, the door striker wire loop may have insufficient strength and, in certain cases, could crack and separate from the plate.”
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The door striker is a key safety feature on a vehicle that keeps doors from opening in a crash.
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