&w=3840&q=100)
Israel running low on air defence, missiles as tensions escalate with Iran
This comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, with both sides engaging in intense missile strikes and air raids for six consecutive days. The report, citing a US official, stated that concerns are now being raised over Israel's ability to defend itself from Iran's long-range ballistic missiles if the conflict does not end soon.
The US has been aware of the capacity problems for months and has been strengthening Israel's defence systems on the ground, at sea, and in the air, the report states.
The Pentagon has sent more missile defence assets to Israel since its latest escalation with Israel. However, concerns have now surfaced about the US' depleting stock of interceptors.
Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said, "Neither the US nor the Israelis can continue to sit and intercept missiles all day."
"The Israelis and their friends need to move with all deliberate haste to do whatever needs to be done, because we cannot afford to sit and play catch,' he added.
Israel-Iran conflict
On June 13, Israel launched 'Operation Rising Lion' against Iran, targeting nuclear sites in its capital city Tehran. After Israel's military strikes killed several Iranian leaders, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) chief Hossein Salami, Iran retaliated and launched military strikes targeting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
On Tuesday (local time), US President Donald Trump asked Iran for "unconditional surrender" and claimed that the US knows where Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is hiding, adding that even though he is an "easy target, he won't be killed just now".
Khamenei responded by issuing a warning to Israel. "The battle begins," Khamenei said, adding Ali returns to Khaybar — a reference to the 7th-century conquest of the Jewish town of Khaybar by the first imam of Shia Islam.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Hezbollah vows to keep arms, says Lebanon's disarmament plan serves Israel
The leader of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group on Friday (August 15, 2025) vowed not to disarm, saying last week's decision by the national government to remove the Iran-backed group's weapons by the end of the year serves Israel's interests. Naim Kassem said the government's decision to remove 'the defensive weapons of the resistance, its people and Lebanon during an aggression' facilitates the killing of 'resistance fighters and their families and evict them from their land and homes.' He said the government should have instead 'spread its authority and evicted Israel from Lebanon.' Speaking in a televised speech to mark a Shiite religious event, he added 'the government is serving the Israeli project.' Kassem added if the ongoing crisis leads to an internal conflict, the government is to blame. He noted that Hezbollah and its Shiite ally, the Amal movement, did not ask their supporters to protest in the streets to give way for more discussions. The Amal movement was one of the main armed groups in Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war and is now a powerful political party led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. But, he said if a decision is taken to protest in the streets, protesters 'will be all over Lebanon and head to the U.S. embassy.' He did not elaborate. Hezbollah's weapons have been a major dividing point in Lebanon with some groups that are opposed to Hezbollah saying only the state should be allowed to have arms. The Lebanese government voted last week for a U.S.-backed plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year and implement a ceasefire with Israel. The small Mediterranean country has been under international pressure to get Hezbollah to lay down its arms since the 14-month war with Israel that ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November. However, the Hezbollah leader said his group will only discuss a national defence strategy over its weapons once Israel withdraws from Lebanon and stops its almost daily airstrikes that have killed scores of Hezbollah members since the war's end. 'The resistance will not hand over its weapons as the aggression continues and occupation remains,' Kassem said, adding that the group will fight a long battle if needed. The Israel-Hezbollah war weakened the Iran-backed group and left much of its military and political leadership dead. The war killed more than 4,000 people in Lebanon, displaced over 1 million and caused destruction that the World Bank said will cost $11 billion in reconstruction. After the war ended, Israeli forces stayed in five overlooking locations inside Lebanon. Israel has accused Hezbollah of trying to rebuild its military capabilities. Israel's military has said the five locations in Lebanon provide vantage points or are located across from communities in northern Israel, where about 60,000 Israelis were displaced during the war.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
5 hours ago
- First Post
Trump's White House eyes stake in Intel in exchange for easing political pressure: Report
The Trump administration is reportedly weighing a stake in Intel to boost US chipmaking and ease tensions with its CEO The Trump administration was reportedly exploring the possibility of taking a financial stake in Intel Corp., a move that could both advance President Donald Trump's domestic manufacturing goals and reduce political tensions surrounding the company's chief executive, Lip-Bu Tan. According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, people familiar with the matter indicated that these discussions were still at an early stage and might ultimately collapse. The president raised the idea during a Monday meeting at the White House with Tan. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were also present. The meeting reportedly followed several days of heightened scrutiny over Intel's links to China, amid a broader US push to secure control over critical semiconductor manufacturing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bloomberg was the first to report on the talks. Following the news, Intel's shares closed the day up more than 7 percent, with further gains in after-hours trading, The Wall Street Journal reported. From criticism to courting The overture toward Intel marked a sharp shift in tone from the previous week, when Trump publicly called for Tan's immediate resignation. Writing on his Truth Social platform, the president had accused the CEO of being 'highly conflicted,' citing his investments in Chinese technology firms. Those comments followed a letter from Republican Senator Tom Cotton questioning whether Tan had divested from companies linked to the Chinese Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army. Despite the earlier criticism, Trump struck a conciliatory note after their White House meeting, reportedly praising Tan's career and success story. The president also suggested that the Intel chief would meet with Cabinet members and return with proposals within a week. This apparent reversal hinted at the administration's willingness to work with Tan, even while concerns over his past business ties lingered, The Wall Street Journal said. Strategic significance of Intel The Trump administration have reportedly identified Intel as the domestic company best positioned to challenge Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) in the global chip fabrication market. For months, the White House has sought to expand America's share of semiconductor manufacturing as part of a broader 'America First' industrial strategy. Industry observers told the American business daily that tech firms have been quick to emphasise US investments in order to gain favour with the administration and secure beneficial policy treatment. Jim Secreto, a former Commerce Department official during the Biden administration, was quoted as saying that the Trump team understood the considerable leverage it held over the technology sector. If completed, a government stake in Intel would join a list of unprecedented interventions by Trump in the private sector. In recent months, the administration reportedly struck a deal with Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices requiring each to pay the government 15 percent of their China sales in exchange for export licenses. Similarly, in Nippon Steel's takeover of US Steel, the president secured a 'golden share,' granting him influence over the company's operations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Intel's current challenges Even with possible government backing, there are doubts about Intel's capacity to substantially increase US capital spending, given its current financial and operational difficulties. The company's losses reportedly widened to $2.9 billion in the second quarter. Tan, who assumed leadership of Intel in March after serving on its board since 2022, inherited these challenges alongside a wave of restructuring measures. The company has announced layoffs, scaled back its foundry business, cancelled planned manufacturing sites in Germany and Poland and delayed a high-profile facility in Ohio. Speaking to analysts in July, Tan acknowledged that turning the company around would take time and patience, noting that 'a lot' needed to be fixed in order to move forward, CNBC reported. Geopolitical backdrop The talks between Trump and Intel also unfolded against a shifting geopolitical backdrop. Over the weekend preceding the meeting, Trump announced a 90-day extension on the suspension of tariffs on Chinese imports while trade negotiations continued. He emphasised that all other elements of the agreement with Beijing would remain unchanged. This broader US–China technology rivalry has put semiconductor policy at the centre of economic and national security discussions. Market and industry reactions The market appeared to welcome news of the potential White House–Intel arrangement. Beyond the 7 per cent surge in Intel's stock price on the day of the report, shares rose an additional 2 per cent in extended trading. Investors reportedly viewed the possibility of government support as a temporary confidence boost, though questions remained about Intel's long-term strategy. Looking ahead While no formal deal has yet been announced, the talks highlight both the fragility of Intel's current position and the administration's willingness to wield economic tools to achieve strategic goals. For Tan, a successful arrangement could mean relief from immediate political attacks, a stronger financial footing for Intel's turnaround efforts and a public signal of confidence from a president who just days earlier had demanded his resignation. For Trump, securing a stake in Intel would reinforce his message of revitalising US manufacturing, bolster the domestic semiconductor industry and demonstrate his administration's readiness to reshape corporate governance through direct government involvement. However, it could also spark debates over the proper limits of presidential power in private industry and the risks of politicising critical technology sectors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Intel, for its part, issued a statement reaffirming its support for the administration's efforts to strengthen US technology and manufacturing leadership, while declining to comment on what it described as rumours. Whether the discussions produce a concrete agreement or fade amid political and market complexities, the episode highlights the high stakes at the intersection of technology policy, corporate strategy and presidential politics.
News18
5 hours ago
- News18
Indian missions celebrate 79th Independence Day
Last Updated: Tel Aviv/Singapore, Aug 15 (PTI): Indian missions on Friday celebrated the country's 79th Independence Day with the same enthusiasm and spirit as their compatriots back home. India's Ambassador to Israel, JP Singh, hoisted the tricolour to celebrate the occasion in the presence of about 350 people from the Indian community. In his address to the community, Singh emphasised efforts to deepen 'our strategic relationship as one team India". 'Both countries have stood by each other during hours of crises and as democracies with common values respect each other – at the leadership level as well as at the people's level", he told the gathering. 'Israel is home to about forty thousand Indians. I can see the warmth Israelis have for Indians. In particular, they are very appreciative of our workforce and our caregivers", Singh pointed out He also thanked the Indian Jewish community for being 'a powerful bridge" between the two nations. The flag hoisting was followed by a cultural event using local Indian talent. The Indian High Commissioner in Singapore, Shilpak Ambule, read the President's message to the Indian diaspora in Singapore during the Independence Day celebration. He also shared India's views on terrorism through an elaborate exhibition on some of the terror attacks the country had tackled. Students from Indian schools in the city state sang patriotic songs and performed traditional dances at the Independence Day event attended by some 800 Indians living in the city state. Speaking to PTI this morning, Ambule said, 'We wanted to make sure that message (India's stand on terrorists) goes through to the Indian diaspora through the exhibition." 'Op Sindoor is a new normal. We will not differentiate between the terrorists and the sponsors of terrorists," he stressed. The High Commission also felicitated Indian migrant workers who helped save children in a fire incident in April this year. Indian workers who rescued a lady driver from a sinkhole in July have also been recognised and appreciated by the High Commissioner. The Indian High Commission in Colombo also organised a ceremony on the occasion while reaffirming its commitment to 'Viksit Bharat". 'Marking this #IndependenceDay2025, High Commissioner Santosh Jha hoisted the #Tiranga at India House, Colombo, as the Indian diaspora in Sri Lanka celebrated with pride & unity, reaffirming their commitment to a #ViksitBharat," Indian mission posted on X. In Tokyo, the Indian mission shared the address to the Nation by the Hon'ble President of India Droupadi Murmu. Ambassador Sibi George interacted with Indian school students on the occasion. India's High Commissioner to the Maldives, G Balasubramanian, hoisted the tricolour and celebrated the occasion in the presence of the enthusiastic Indian community in the Maldives. Indian Ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat hoisted the tricolour in Beijing and read excerpts from President Murmu's address to the nation, followed by cultural events. In Shanghai, Indian Consul General Pratik Mathur hoisted the tricolour at the chancery premises. The event was attended by over 200 Indian nationals residing within the consulate's jurisdiction spanning across Shanghai Municipality and the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, along with distinguished guests, community leaders, friends of India from the local Chinese community, and members of the diplomatic corps, a press release from the consulate said. PTI GS/HM/KJV/RD RD RD (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 15, 2025, 14:00 IST News agency-feeds Indian missions celebrate 79th Independence Day Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
