Latest news with #IraqWarVeteran
CNA
10-07-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Tammy Duckworth: The US senator who grilled Hegseth and Sinha on their knowledge of ASEAN and Singapore
SINGAPORE: As the US decides on its ambassador to Singapore, one senator has drawn attention after her questioning of President Donald Trump's pick left him struggling to respond. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth probed Dr Anjani Sinha about Singapore during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday (Jul 9), concluding that she did not believe he was particularly qualified for the role. "You are not taking this seriously, you think this is a glamour posting, that you're going to live a nice life in Singapore," she said as her questioning time ran out. "You are not currently prepared for this posting, period, and you need to shape up and do some homework." Dr Sinha, who had difficulties answering Duckworth's questions on trade between the US and Singapore, is not the first Trump nominee to be grilled by her. The Iraq War veteran also put Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth on the spot during his confirmation hearing, raising concerns when he failed to answer her queries on America's relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Here's what you need to know about Duckworth and her history in politics and the military. INTERNATIONAL UPBRINGING Born in Bangkok to a US father and Thai mother, Duckworth lived in various countries in Asia as her father pursued jobs in the region. She spent most of her childhood in Indonesia but also stayed in Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam during her father's stint with United Nations development programmes. She attended the Singapore American School (SAS) in the 1980s. According to the school's website, she was part of its basketball and track teams. Duckworth finished her high school education in Hawaii after her family left Asia. She graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1989 before moving to Washington to pursue a Master's degree in International Relations at George Washington University. A WOMAN OF MANY FIRSTS Described by George Washington University as someone who has led "a life filled with firsts", Duckworth was the first Thai-American woman and first person born in Thailand elected to Congress. The 57-year-old, who lost both of her legs and some mobility in her right arm while serving during the Iraq War, was also the first disabled veteran elected to Congress. When she was elected to the US Senate in 2016, she was the first female double amputee in the upper house. Duckworth went on to become the first senator to give birth while in office when she had her second daughter in 2018, highlighting issues of parental leave and working mothers in politics. After giving birth, she secured a rules change that allowed senators to bring their infant children onto the Senate floor. TOUGH QUESTIONER Duckworth subjected Hegseth to rigorous questioning during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington. The former National Guard officer's performance drew criticism after he appeared to struggle with Duckworth's queries about ASEAN and the US' agreements with its members. When asked to state how many nations are in ASEAN, Hegseth replied: 'I couldn't tell you the exact amount of nations in that, but I know we have allies in South Korea, in Japan and in AUKUS with Australia – you're trying to work on submarines with them." AUKUS is a defence partnership between Australia, Britain and the US. Duckworth cut him off at this point: "None of those three countries that you mentioned are in ASEAN. I suggest you do a little homework before you prepare for these types of negotiations." MILITARY BACKGROUND Before she held a place on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Duckworth began building a career in the military during her time at George Washington University. She joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps, a leadership training and development programme that prepares college students for opportunities in the military. She was the only woman in her helicopter training class and finished as the best in her class with the highest test scores, according to the US National Women's History Museum. She continued to serve in the Reserve Forces and was deployed during the Iraq War, becoming one of the first few women to fly combat missions. In 2004, her helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, which exploded in her lap. She lost both legs and partial use of her right arm as a result. She was awarded a Purple Heart, a medal presented to US military members who were wounded or killed as a result of enemy action during service. After her recovery, Duckworth became Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. She served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years before retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2014. ADVOCATE FOR WORKING FAMILIES During her political career, Duckworth advocated for working families and job creation, introducing Bills such as a move to ensure new mothers have access to safe, clean and accessible lactation rooms when travelling through airports. According to her biography on the George Washington University alumni website, she also introduced and passed the Troop Talent Act to help returning veterans find jobs in the private sector, and worked to cut waste and fraud at the Pentagon and throughout the government. Her first Senate Bill to help support jobs in Illinois and cut bureaucratic red tape on infrastructure projects was passed in a record 64 days. As a result of her achievements, Duckworth was recognised by the Center for Effective Lawmaking as one of the top five most effective Democratic Senators overall and the second-most effective on defence issues in the 117th Congress.
The Independent
09-07-2025
- The Independent
Man accused of murdering Iraq War veteran ‘just wanted to give him a black eye'
A man accused of murdering an Iraq War veteran he punched three times has denied he intended to cause him serious harm, telling a jury he 'just wanted to give him a black eye'. Gregory Twigg, 32, disagreed that he was 'fired up on drink and coke and raging' when he confronted medically-retired British Army veteran Lee Woodward, 39, in Stoke-on-Trent on the night of June 24 2022, leaving him brain damaged. The defendant, who was jailed for eight years and three months in September 2022 after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent for the attack on Mr Woodward, is now on trial accused of murder after the victim died from complications arising from his injuries on April 26 2023. Giving evidence in his trial at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday, Twigg, previously of Blurton in Stoke-on-Trent, said he was a passenger in a Vauxhall Astra being driven by his friend Nathan Lockley and was heading for a night out in Newcastle-under-Lyme when they encountered Mr Woodward, who was walking by their car in Hill Street. He said Mr Woodward had shouted at them that they were a 'bunch of p*****' and commented on their driving, saying he would 'knock us all out', which led to Mr Lockley pulling the car over in nearby Trade Street before a confrontation followed. Twigg, who was caught on camera throwing what prosecution counsel David Mason KC called 'powerful and cowardly' punches at Mr Woodward, who was in 'no position to defend himself' after the first punch knocked him to the ground, said he did not intend to seriously hurt him. He admitted he was 'tipsy' at the time, having drunk vodka and Sambuca and taken cocaine. Asked by his barrister, Ahmed Hossain KC, how he felt that his punches caused Mr Woodward's death, Twigg said: 'Devastated… it wasn't what I intended to cause, it wasn't what I wanted to happen.' He admitted he had been 'quite angry' after Mr Woodward's comments, telling the jury: 'I just punched him, I wasn't thinking of causing him serious injuries, just a black eye or marks or injuries to the face. 'I wasn't thinking of kicking him in the head because I knew that would cause him serious harm on the floor. 'I wasn't trying to find a weapon, I wasn't going to pick anything up to hit him with because that would cause him serious harm.' In cross-examination, Twigg said he feared after the first punch that Mr Woodward was going to try and attack him. Mr Mason said: 'That's just a lie isn't it? You were fired up on drink and coke and raging – that's you in a nutshell that night, isn't it?' Twigg said: 'No. I can't say I was trying to punch Mr Woodward really hard.' He added: 'I thought he was a threat because of how big he was, he looked like he could do some damage to me.' Mr Mason asked Twigg why he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent in 2022 if all he intended was to give Mr Woodward a black eye. He said: 'I thought I was doing the right thing.' 'That's nonsense, isn't it? You pleaded guilty because that was your intention that night, wasn't it?' Mr Mason said. 'You are now trying to wriggle out of that plea because you know perfectly well that makes you guilty of murder, don't you?' Twigg said: 'I know that now, yeah. I never wanted to cause serious harm to him.' The trial continues.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- BBC News
Newcastle-under-Lyme murder-accused 'only meant to hurt Iraq vet'
A man accused of murdering an Iraq War veteran who died after he punched him three times said he did not intend to cause him serious Twigg, 32, told a jury he "just wanted to give him a black eye" and was not "fired up on drink and coke and raging" when he confronted Lee Woodward, attack, in Stoke-on-Trent on 24 June 2022, left retired British Army veteran Mr Woodward with brain damage, from which he did not recover and died in April 2023, Stafford Crown Court Twigg, previously of Blurton, was jailed in September 2022, when he admitted grievous bodily harm with intent, the defendant is now being tried accused of Mr Woodward's murder. Giving evidence, Twigg said he was a passenger in a Vauxhall Astra being driven by friend Nathan Lockley and was heading for a night out in Newcastle-under-Lyme when they encountered Mr Woodward, who had walked past their car in Hill Woodward had shouted a profanity at them and commented on Mr Lockley's driving, saying he would "knock us all out," Twigg told the led Mr Lockley to park in a nearby street before a confrontation took was caught on camera throwing what prosecution counsel David Mason described as "powerful and cowardly" punches at Mr Woodward, who was in "no position to defend himself" after the first punch knocked him to the ground. 'I was quite angry' Twigg admitted he was "tipsy" at the time, having drunk vodka and sambuca and taken said he felt "devastated" his punches caused Mr Woodward's death."It wasn't what I intended to cause, it wasn't what I wanted to happen," he admitted he had been "quite angry" after Mr Woodward's comments, telling the jury: "I just punched him, I wasn't thinking of causing him serious injuries, just a black eye or marks or injuries to the face."I wasn't thinking of kicking him in the head because I knew that would cause him serious harm on the floor."In cross-examination, Twigg said he feared after the first punch that Mr Woodward was going to try to was asked why he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent in 2022 if all he intended was to give Mr Woodward a black eye, to which he replied: "I thought I was doing the right thing."The trial continues. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man accused of murdering Iraq War veteran ‘just wanted to give him a black eye'
A man accused of murdering an Iraq War veteran he punched three times has denied he intended to cause him serious harm, telling a jury he 'just wanted to give him a black eye'. Gregory Twigg, 32, disagreed that he was 'fired up on drink and coke and raging' when he confronted medically-retired British Army veteran Lee Woodward, 39, in Stoke-on-Trent on the night of June 24 2022, leaving him brain damaged. The defendant, who was jailed for eight years and three months in September 2022 after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent for the attack on Mr Woodward, is now on trial accused of murder after the victim died from complications arising from his injuries on April 26 2023. Giving evidence in his trial at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday, Twigg, previously of Blurton in Stoke-on-Trent, said he was a passenger in a Vauxhall Astra being driven by his friend Nathan Lockley and was heading for a night out in Newcastle-under-Lyme when they encountered Mr Woodward, who was walking by their car in Hill Street. He said Mr Woodward had shouted at them that they were a 'bunch of p*****' and commented on their driving, saying he would 'knock us all out', which led to Mr Lockley pulling the car over in nearby Trade Street before a confrontation followed. Twigg, who was caught on camera throwing what prosecution counsel David Mason KC called 'powerful and cowardly' punches at Mr Woodward, who was in 'no position to defend himself' after the first punch knocked him to the ground, said he did not intend to seriously hurt him. He admitted he was 'tipsy' at the time, having drunk vodka and Sambuca and taken cocaine. Asked by his barrister, Ahmed Hossain KC, how he felt that his punches caused Mr Woodward's death, Twigg said: 'Devastated… it wasn't what I intended to cause, it wasn't what I wanted to happen.' He admitted he had been 'quite angry' after Mr Woodward's comments, telling the jury: 'I just punched him, I wasn't thinking of causing him serious injuries, just a black eye or marks or injuries to the face. 'I wasn't thinking of kicking him in the head because I knew that would cause him serious harm on the floor. 'I wasn't trying to find a weapon, I wasn't going to pick anything up to hit him with because that would cause him serious harm.' In cross-examination, Twigg said he feared after the first punch that Mr Woodward was going to try and attack him. Mr Mason said: 'That's just a lie isn't it? You were fired up on drink and coke and raging – that's you in a nutshell that night, isn't it?' Twigg said: 'No. I can't say I was trying to punch Mr Woodward really hard.' He added: 'I thought he was a threat because of how big he was, he looked like he could do some damage to me.' Mr Mason asked Twigg why he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent in 2022 if all he intended was to give Mr Woodward a black eye. He said: 'I thought I was doing the right thing.' 'That's nonsense, isn't it? You pleaded guilty because that was your intention that night, wasn't it?' Mr Mason said. 'You are now trying to wriggle out of that plea because you know perfectly well that makes you guilty of murder, don't you?' Twigg said: 'I know that now, yeah. I never wanted to cause serious harm to him.' The trial continues.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- BBC News
Man goes on trial for murder of army veteran
A British Army veteran died in hospital 10 months after being hit by "powerful and cowardly punches" a murder trial has Woodward, 39, was attacked by 32-year-old Gregory Twigg in Trade Street, Stoke-on-Trent on the night of 24 June 2022, Stafford Crown Court was assault caused a severe brain injury the Iraq War veteran never recovered defendant was jailed in September 2022 after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent and he is now on trial accused of murder after Mr Woodward died from complications arising from his injuries in April 2023. Outlining the prosecution case on Tuesday, at the start of the planned five-day trial, David Mason KC said Mr Woodward had been on a night out with his fiancee Kate Griffin in Stoke when the attack said Twigg, previously of Blurton in Stoke-on-Trent, had punched Mr Woodward, "really hard, not once, not twice, but three times".CCTV footage was shown to the jury, which showed Mr Woodward leaving The Liquor Vaults pub in Trade Street.A short time later he was seen to encounter the driver and passengers of a white Vauxhall Mr Woodward talked to the driver, he is seen to be punched three times in the head by Twigg, who had been one of those was approached from the side and the first punch left him looking "like a highly dazed boxer" as he tried to regain his balance, Mr Mason said Mr Woodward was in "no position to defend himself" from the second, which "sent his head and body into the parked car this time".Despite the attempts of some women to get Twigg to move away, he then landed a third. 'Intended to cause serious injury' Mr Mason said: "It was a devastating blow to his head with pinpoint precision, full power and that was it, lights out. He lay motionless on the road, out cold. It was immediately obvious he was very unwell."The occupants of the car then got back in and left the scene and Mr Woodward was taken to hospital, the trial developed a number of complications including an infection in his brain and underwent eight a result he could only occasionally open his eyes, could not speak and would likely be bed-bound and require full-time care in a nursing home had he survived, Mr Mason Mason said: "We don't say he intended to kill Lee Woodward, but he intended to cause him really serious injury.""The intention he admitted to having when he was charged with GBH means he is guilty," he denies murder, and the trial continues. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
