Breaking News
The National
an hour ago
- Health
- The National
Sudan says a cholera epidemic has killed 172
Sudan said on Tuesday that at least 172 people have died in a cholera epidemic sweeping the war-torn nation, with most new cases in the greater capital region. The Health Ministry said cholera cases have risen to 2,729 in seven days and affect people in six of Sudan's 18 states. Ninety per cent of new cases have been reported in the capital's greater region of three Nile-side cities: Khartoum, Omdurman and Bahri. Cholera, an acute diarrhoeal illness caused by ingesting contaminated water or food, can kill within hours if untreated. It is easily preventable and treatable when clean water, sanitation and timely medical care are available. The epidemic has hit Sudan at a time when the nation of 50 million is in the grip of a devastating two-year-old civil war between the armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Sudan's healthcare sector has been hit hard by the war in the capital's three cities, which were held by the RSF until March when the army took them back after fierce fighting over several months. Besides crippling Sudan's infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, the war has killed tens of thousands, displaced about 13 million and left about 26 million people facing acute hunger, with pockets of famine surfacing across much of the vast and impoverished nation. Last Tuesday, the ministry said 51 people had died of cholera out of more than 2,300 reported cases over the previous three weeks, 90 per cent of them in Khartoum state. Drone attack The latest death toll from cholera also coincided with reports that an RSF drone had hit a fuel depot in the southern city of Kosti in White Nile state. Tuesday's attack was the latest in a string of devastating hits by RSF drones on strategic facilities in Port Sudan, the army's wartime capital on the Red Sea. Those hit included major fuel depots, the international airport, military bases and power transformers. Eyewitnesses in Kosti reported hearing explosions and seeing columns of thick smoke rise over the city soon after the drone hit. Earlier this month, the RSF launched drone strikes across Khartoum, including three power stations, triggering a massive blackout that disrupted electricity and water services and arguably contributed to the cholera outbreak. Cholera is endemic in Sudan, but outbreaks have become worse and more frequent since the war broke out in April 2023, when months of tension and political wrangling between the army and the RSF turned violent. With electricity supply and subsequently the local water network out of service, residents have been forced to turn to unsafe water sources, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF). "Water treatment stations no longer have electricity and cannot provide clean water from the Nile," Slaymen Ammar, MSF's medical co-ordinator in Khartoum, said in a statement. In Omdurman, residents say they have had no power for nearly two weeks. "We now fetch water directly from the Nile, buying it from donkey carts that bring it in barrels," resident Bashir Mohammed said. According to a doctor at Omdurman's Al Nao Hospital, the capital's main functioning health facility, residents have resorted to "drinking untreated Nile water, after the shutdown of water pumping stations." Up to 90 per cent of Sudan's hospitals have at some point been forced to close because of the fighting, according to the doctors' union, with health facilities regularly stormed, bombed and looted.
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
IOC reaffirms policy, closing door on Russia for 2026 Winter Olympics
Less than nine months before the start of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, the International Olympic Committee has reaffirmed its policy barring Russian and Belarusian teams from participating. This means the Russian men's and women's hockey teams will not be allowed at next year's Games, ending any hope that Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, the NHL's career leading goal scorer, will play in the Olympics.
The Independent
an hour ago
- General
- The Independent
Who was Yaqeen Hammad? Gaza's 11-year-old influencer killed in Israeli strike
A young Gazan influencer has been killed as Israel's military offensive in the territory continued to intensify. Eleven-year-old Yaqeen Hammad reached tens of thousands with her social media videos, which focused on supporting the Gazan community by helping to distribute clothing and toys to orphans. She worked closely with the Ouena Collective, a Gaza -based non-profit providing aid and supporting projects in the Strip, alongside her older brother and humanitarian worker Mohamed Hammad, the Palestine Chronicle reports. The Chronicle said she was Gaza's youngest social media activist, posting videos about the work with her brother and Ouena building a kitchen to feed Palestinians during the month of Ramadan, as well as videos laughing and playing with other children. 'Is there anything more beautiful than the smile of children Gaza?' she wrote in the caption to a video just one week ago showing children enjoying games and dancing. She also posted videos about daily life, showing her followers how she cooks when there is little fuel to be had. Yaqeen was killed when Israel shelled al-Baraka in Deir el-Balah, northern Gaza, on Friday night, Al Jazeera reports. Tributes flowed on her social media following news of her death. 'Her body may be gone, but her impact remains a beacon of humanity,' Gazan photojournalist Mahmoud Bassam wrote. Dozens of Palestinians including women and children have been killed in Israeli bombardments since Friday, as Israel's renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip continues despite international condemnation. The UN's International Organisation for Migration said the renewed offensive had forcibly displaced nearly 180,000 people between May 15-25. A new aid system in Gaza opened its first distribution hubs Monday, according to a U.S.-backed group that said it began delivering food to Palestinians who face growing hunger after Israel's nearly three-month blockade to pressure Hamas. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is taking over the handling of aid despite objections from United Nations. The desperately needed supplies started flowing on a day that saw Israeli strikes kill at least 52 people in Gaza. The group said truckloads of food - it did not say how many - had been delivered to its hubs, and distribution to Palestinians had begun. It was not clear where the hubs were located or how those receiving supplies were chosen. Under pressure from allies, Israel began allowing a trickle of humanitarian aid into Gaza last week after blocking all food, medicine, fuel or other goods from entering since early March. Aid groups have warned of famine and say the aid that has come in is nowhere near enough to meet mounting needs. Hamas warned Palestinians on Monday not to cooperate with the new aid system, saying it is part of Israel's plans to transfer much of Gaza's population to other countries. Israel says it plans to facilitate what it describes as the voluntary migration of much of Gaza's population of 2 million, a plan rejected by Palestinians and much of the international community. Israel's military campaign has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and internally displaced some 90 per cent of its population. Many have fled multiple times.
BBC News
39 minutes ago
- Business
- BBC News
Gaza: Crowds storm US-backed group's new aid distribution centre
Crowds of Palestinians have overrun a distribution site in Gaza set up by a controversial US and Israeli-backed group, a day after it began working showed people walking over torn-down fences and earth berms at the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's (GHF) compound in the southern city of group said that at one point its team fell back because the numbers seeking aid was so great. The Israeli military said troops nearby fired warning GHF, which uses armed American security contractors, aims to bypass the UN as the main supplier of aid in Gaza, where experts have warned of a looming famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade that was recently eased. The UN said the videos from Rafah were "heartbreaking" and that it had a detailed plan ready to get enough aid to the 2.1 million UN and many aid groups have refused to co-operate with GHF's plans, which they say contradict humanitarian principles and appear to "weaponise aid".They have warned that the system will practically exclude those with mobility issues, force further displacement, expose thousands of people to harm, make aid conditional on political and military aims, and set an unacceptable precedent for aid delivery around the has said an alternative to the current aid system is needed to stop Hamas stealing aid, which the group denies doing. The GHF announced on Monday that it had "commenced operations in Gaza" and begun giving out supplies to Palestinians at its distribution Tuesday afternoon, the Israeli military confirmed two sites located in the Tal al-Sultan neighbourhood of Rafah and the Morag Corridor - an east-west military zone that separates the city from the rest of Gaza - had begun distributing food to around the same time, Israeli and Palestinian media shared pictures showing long queues of Palestinians at the Tal al-Sultan just over an hour later, they began posting videos showing thousands of men, women and children streaming into the compound. In one clip, some people are seen running and ducking as what appear to be gunshots ring described a scene of chaos as people seized food parcels and other aid from the site. They also said Israeli troops stationed nearby had opened fire."The situation was extremely difficult. They only allowed 50 people to cross at a time," one man told BBC Arabic's Middle East daily radio programme. "In the end, chaos broke out - people climbed over the gates, attacked others, and took all the [aid].""It was a humiliating experience," he added. "We've suffered greatly from hunger. We're just looking for a bit of sugar to make a cup of tea, and a piece of bread to eat."A woman said hunger and poverty had "overwhelmed everyone"."People are exhausted - willing to do anything, even risk their lives - just to find food and feed their children."A statement from the GHF acknowledged that "the needs on the ground are great" and said it had so far handed out about 8,000 food boxes - each meant to feed five-and-a-half people for three-and-a-half days - through a partnership with local non-governmental it said Palestinians had experienced several hours of delays in accessing one site "due to blockades imposed by Hamas"."At one moment in the late afternoon, the volume of people at the SBS [Secure Distribution Site] was such that the GHF team fell back to allow a small number of Gazans to take aid safely and dissipate. This was done in accordance with GHF protocol to avoid casualties. Normal operations have resumed," it Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its troops had fired "warning shots in the area outside the compound"."Control over the situation was established, food distribution operations are expected to continue as planned, and the safety of IDF troops was not compromised," it Hamas-run Government Media Office said Israel's efforts to distribute aid had "failed miserably".At a news conference in New York, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said: "We have been watching the video coming out of Gaza around one of the distribution points set up by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. And frankly, these videos, these images, are heartbreaking.""We and our partners have a detailed, principled, operationally sound plan supported by member states to get aid to a desperate population. We continue to stress that a meaningful scale-up of humanitarian operations is essential to stave off famine and meet the needs of all civilians wherever they are," he US state department's spokeswoman called the UN's criticism "the height of hypocrisy"."It is unfortunate, because the issue here is giving aid to Gaza, and then suddenly it moves into complaints about style or the nature of who's doing it," Tammy Bruce told reporters. The GHF initially plans to set up four distribution sites in southern and central Gaza where Palestinians will be able to collect food and other aid for their families. It says it aims to feed a million people - just under half the population - by the end of this sites are meant to be secured by American contractors, with Israeli troops patrolling the perimeters. To access them, Palestinians are expected to have to undergo identity checks and screening for involvement with and other aid agencies have insisted they will not co-operate with any scheme that fails to respect fundamental humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and Sunday night, Jake Wood resigned as the GHF's executive director, saying the group's system could not work in a way that would be able to fulfil those GHF's board rejected the criticism and accused "those who benefit from the status quo" of being more focused on "tearing this apart than on getting aid in".The group also alleged on Monday that Hamas had made death threats to NGOs supporting its distribution sites and attempted to block civilians from accessing the has publicly warned Palestinians not to co-operate with GHF's imposed a total blockade on humanitarian aid and commercial supplies to Gaza on 2 March and resumed its military offensive two weeks later, ending a two-month ceasefire with Hamas. It said the steps were meant to put pressure on the armed group to release the 58 hostages still held in Gaza, up to 23 of whom are believed to be 19 May, the Israeli military launched an expanded offensive that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said would see troops "take control of all areas" of Gaza. The plan reportedly includes completely clearing the north of civilians and forcibly displacing them to the also said Israel would temporarily ease the blockade and allow a "basic" amount of food into Gaza to prevent a famine, following pressure from allies in the then, Israeli authorities say they have allowed at least 665 lorry loads of humanitarian aid, including flour, baby food and medical supplies, into the head of the UN's World Food Programme warned on Sunday that the aid was only a "drop in the bucket" of what was needed in the territory to reverse the catastrophic levels of hunger, amid significant shortages of basic foods and skyrocketing a million people face starvation in the coming months, according to an assessment by the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response Hamas' cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken least 54,056 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 3,901 over the past 10 weeks, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
Arab News
an hour ago
- General
- Arab News
‘Israel committing war crimes' in Gaza, says ex-PM
LONDON: Israel is 'committing war crimes' in Gaza and 'thousands of innocent Palestinians are being killed,' former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert wrote in an opinion piece for Haaretz newspaper. Olmert, who served as Israel's 12th prime minister from 2006 to 2009, accused the current government of 'waging a war without purpose, without goals or clear planning and with no chances of success.' He added: 'Never since its establishment has the state of Israel waged such a war … The criminal gang headed by (Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu has set a precedent without equal in Israel's history in this area, too.' Olmert, a former member of Netanyahu's Likud party, said the 'pointless victims among the Palestinian population' were reaching 'monstrous proportions' in recent weeks. Israeli military operations in Gaza bear no relevance to 'legitimate war goals,' Olmert added, describing it as a 'private political war' that has transformed the Palestinian enclave into a 'humanitarian disaster area.' He said he had in the past tried to refute claims that Israel was committing war crimes in Gaza, but 'I've been no longer able to do so. What we are doing in Gaza now is a war of devastation: Indiscriminate, limitless, cruel and criminal killing of civilians.' He added: 'It's the result of government policy — knowingly, evilly, maliciously, irresponsibly dictated. Yes, Israel is committing war crimes.' In an interview with the BBC last week, Olmert described the Gaza conflict as 'a war without a purpose — a war without a chance of achieving anything that can save the lives of the hostages.' His remarks follow similar statements by Yair Golan, a prominent politician and former deputy chief of staff of the Israeli army. Golan told the Kan national broadcaster last week that 'a sane country does not fight against civilians, does not kill babies as a hobby, and does not give itself the aim of expelling populations.'
Arab News
an hour ago
- Business
- Arab News
Jordan, Finland agree on need for two-state solution for regional stability
AMMAN: Jordan's King Abdullah II on Tuesday held talks with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen at Al-Husseiniya Palace in Amman, where discussions focused on addressing regional developments, particularly the crisis in Gaza. The meeting, which was attended by Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah, also covered opportunities to bolster cooperation across various sectors between the two countries, the Jordan News Agency reported. The king stressed the importance of creating a political horizon to achieve peace on the basis of the two-state solution and commended Finland's support for efforts aimed at reinforcing regional stability. Separately, Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs Ayman Safadi held extensive talks with Valtonen, during which the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening ties and advancing collaboration within the broader framework of Jordan's strategic partnership with the EU. With reference to the war in Gaza, the ministers emphasized the importance of multilateral action and upholding international law, including international humanitarian law. The talks also covered the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire and the immediate, sufficient delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave. The ministers reviewed efforts to ensure that the upcoming international conference in New York, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, yields tangible results in support of a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. Safadi reiterated the importance of broader international recognition of a Palestinian state as a key step in affirming the international community's commitment to the two-state solution. On Syria, their discussions touched on the need for supporting reconstruction efforts grounded in preserving Syrian unity, security and stability, as well as eliminating terrorism and safeguarding the rights of all Syrians. Safadi highlighted the need for effective international engagement to that end.
Russia Today
an hour ago
- Business
- Russia Today
EU sanctions against Russia don't work
The EU's sanctions against Russia are not working, German tabloid Bild has reported, citing substantial energy export revenues that Moscow has continued to rake in despite Western attempts to curb them. The Russian economy has continued to grow despite sweeping economic restrictions on Moscow imposed following the escalation of the the Ukraine conflict in 2022, including bans on seaborne oil shipments, financial and aviation-related restrictions, as well as the freezing of about $300 billion in Russian reserves. In an analysis piece on Tuesday, Bild described the latest, 17th package of EU sanctions against Moscow as 'just a drop in the ocean,' when compared with the projected €233 billion ($253 billion) that Russia is expected to gross from energy and raw material exports this year. According to the publication, the EU is the fourth largest importer of Russian energy, behind only China, India, and Türkiye, with the bloc reportedly on track to shell out more than €20 billion for Russian oil, gas and uranium in 2025. The EU has moved to reduce its energy dependence on Russia, once its largest supplier, since February 2022. However expensive alternatives to Russian oil and gas have meant that private households and industry giants across the bloc have borne the brunt of higher energy prices – Germany's automotive and chemical industries among them. The bloc's latest round of sanctions introduced earlier this month target a so-called 'shadow fleet' of vessels operating outside of Western insurance frameworks which Brussels claims is being used by Russia to evade G7-led efforts to enforce a price cap on its crude oil exports. Several EU countries have opposed the bloc's sanctions on Russia, with Hungary and Slovakia the most vocal among them. Last week, Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce President Vincenzo Trani urged Rome to consider lifting sanctions against Moscow, saying that they are harming Italy's economy. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the growth of the Russian economy over the past two years despite 'rather difficult conditions.' He noted the country's economy has risen to fourth place globally by purchasing power parity (PPP) – an analysis metric that compares economic productivity and living standards between countries by adjusting for differences in the cost of goods and services – behind only China, the US, and India.
The Telegraph
35 minutes ago
- General
- The Telegraph
I deserve a life sentence: Syrian admits triple murder at German festival
A Syrian man has said he 'deserves and expects a life sentence' after pleading guilty to killing three people at a German festival last year. Issa al-Hasan, 27, a suspected member of the Islamic State group, made the confession at the start of his trial, held under tight security in Duesseldorf. The attack at the mid-summer street festival in Solingen in August 2024, which also injured 10 people, was one in a series of attacks attributed to asylum seekers and migrants that pushed immigration to the top of the political agenda in Germany. Hasan was an asylum seeker from Syria who had been slated for deportation, but authorities had failed to remove him from the country. He is charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and membership of a foreign terrorist organisation. Sitting behind a protective glass screen, he admitted in a statement read by his lawyer that he had ' committed a grave crime '. 'Three people died at my hands. I seriously injured others,' Hasan said. 'Some of them survived only by luck. They could have died, too. 'I deserve and expect a life sentence.' Prosecutors say he set out to harm 'non-believers' at the 'festival for diversity'. He allegedly saw his targets 'as representatives of Western society' and sought 'to take revenge against them for the military actions of Western states'. IS later posted on messaging app Telegram that a 'soldier' had carried out the attack in 'revenge for Muslims in Palestine and everywhere'. Video footage allegedly showed Hasan pledging allegiance to IS. Prosecutors said he forwarded the tapes on to his IS contact just before he committed the attack. Hasan did not specifically address his alleged motivations for carrying out the attack or his supposed IS membership. A psychiatric expert told the court that the accused had denied being a radical Islamist. Two months before the attack in May 2024, a man with a knife attacked people at an anti-Islam rally in Mannheim, fatally wounding a police officer who intervened. The Afghan suspect went on trial in February and is also alleged to be sympathetic to the IS group. In December the same year, a Saudi man was arrested after a car ploughed through a Christmas market crowd in the eastern city of Magdeburg, killing six people and wounding hundreds. In January, a man with a kitchen knife attacked a group of children in Aschaffenburg, killing a two-year-old boy and a man who tried to protect the toddlers. A 28-year-old Afghan man was arrested at the scene of the attack, which came during campaigning for Feb 23 elections. Just 10 days before the vote, another Afghan man was arrested on suspicion of driving a car through a street rally in Munich, killing a two-year-old girl and her mother and injuring dozens. The centre-right CDU/CSU, which demanded tough curbs on immigration in the wake of the attacks, came first in the election with 28.5 per cent of the vote. But the biggest gains were made by the far-Right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which saw its share of the vote more than double to over 20 per cent.
The Verge
an hour ago
- Business
- The Verge
There's no word yet on a wider global release, but Sharge has launched a
Sharge's new USB charger has a retro dot matrix status display. new USB charger in China that trades LCD and OLED screens for a grid of white LEDs on the side showing its charging status. It's available with 140W of power output and 3 USB-C ports, or 100W that adds an additional USB-A port. The display can rotate at the push of a button so it remains upright and easy to read.
The Verge
an hour ago
- Business
- The Verge
eBay is cutting more than 200 jobs at TCGplayer
eBay is slashing the jobs of 220 workers at TCGplayer's card authentication center in Syracuse, New York, as reported earlier by local news outlet LocalSyr. eBay will move the online trading card marketplace's operations to a warehouse in Kentucky — a decision TCGplayer's union claims is eBay's attempt to 'evade its bargaining obligations.' eBay acquired TCGplayer for $295 million in 2022 as part of efforts to expand its presence in the trading card industry. The workers at TCGplayer unionized under the Communications Workers of America (CWA) in 2023, which later filed unfair labor charges that accused eBay of refusing to acknowledge the union, failing to provide relevant information related to collective bargaining, and 'surveilling' pro-union employees, among other alleged union-busting tactics. TCGplayer and eBay also canceled their meeting to finalize the union's first contract just days before eBay revealed that it's closing the Syracuse location. The CWA has since filed another unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), accusing eBay of 'terminating the employment' of workers to avoid bargaining. On Monday, the CWA claimed that eBay hired security guards at TCGplayer's Syracuse authentication center that have 'created an oppressive atmosphere by physically and verbally harassing employees.' 'This was a difficult decision. We recognize the near-term impact it will have on our employees, their families and the Syracuse community, and we are dedicated to taking care of our people during this transition,' an eBay spokesperson told LocalSyr. eBay didn't immediately respond to The Verge 's request for comment. 'Deploying security guards to stalk us immediately after letting us know that we would all be losing our jobs is psychological warfare,' Zach Freeman, an eBay worker and TCGunion-CWA Local 1123 member said in a press release. 'By unleashing this brutal surveillance and intimidation campaign, TCGplayer and eBay are doing everything in their power to punish us for exercising our federally-protected rights to organize.'
Car and Driver
40 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
The Beautiful New Cars You Missed from the Villa d'Este Car Show
Glickenhaus, the boutique performance automaker based out of Sleepy Hollow, New York (yes, the home of the Headless Horseman), is taking its Le Mans race car to the road with the new 007s. While the 007 LMH race car only competed for three seasons and struggled to measure up against the likes of Toyota, Porsche, and Ferrari, the small team managed to notch a podium at Le Mans as well as pole positions at Monza and Spa. The road-going 007s looks nearly identical to the motorsports version and packs a dry-sumped 6.2-liter V-8 sending 1000 hp and 737 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automated manual gearbox. Glickenhaus hopes to get the 007s in the hands of customers later this year, all while it ramps up deliveries of its 004 supercar.
Car and Driver
40 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Ram Teases 'Big Things' Coming on June 8, Possibly New V-8 TRX
Ram looks to make a "big" announcement on June 8, according to a social-media post. The Instagram video includes a caption that reads, "Fire up the engines—Big things are on the horizon. 06.08.25." Earlier this year, it was reported that Ram is bringing back the V-8-powered TRX, so its return is possibly being teased. Ram is gearing up to reveal something big on June 8, at least that's our takeaway after seeing a post on the brand's Instagram account. It includes a short video of Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis talking to Dave Sparks (a.k.a. "Heavy D" from the TV show Diesel Brothers). The two are standing next to a table full of coffee and snacks when what appears to be a jet-fighter pilot walks up and grabs a cookie off the table before complimenting Tim's jacket and walking away. Along with trying to decipher what the different elements in the video are teasing, the post includes this caption: "Fire up the engines—Big things are on the horizon. 06.08.25." Since Ram builds full-size pickup trucks and commercial vans, everything it does is technically big. Perhaps we're trying too hard to be Detective Benoit Blanc, but the mention of things—as in plural—might mean that Ram plans to announce multiple things. Could there be a diesel-related announcement? It's possible, considering Heavy D's cameo. Could we finally find out the name of Ram's forthcoming mid-size pickup? Sure, anything is possible. But regardless of either of those things being revealed, we think there's a good chance we could learn about the return of Hemi engines to the Ram 1500 lineup, including the V-8-powered TRX. View Photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver What makes us feel so strongly about a TRX comeback? Well, other than it being a hunch, it was reported earlier this year that Ram plans to bring back the Hellcat-powered pickup. While that has yet to be confirmed, it could be part of the "big" announcement on Sunday, June 8. As for the truck itself, Kuniskis has previously said the next TRX would be more powerful than the last, which suggests it will have more than 702 horsepower. Perhaps the 797-hp Redeye version of the Hellcat V-8 could also come back from the dead. Eric Stafford Managing Editor, News Eric Stafford's automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual '97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a '90 Honda CRX Si. Read full bio
RNZ News
an hour ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Retailers relieved at police commissioner's clarification on when to investigate crimes
Retail crime group chair Sunny Kaushal. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The head of the government's retail crime advisory group is relieved police commissioner Richard Chambers has scrapped a controversial directive on shoplifting. A internal police memo obtained by RNZ told staff not to investigate crimes under a certain dollar value , prompting outrage from the retail sector before the directive was publicly scrapped on Tuesday. It included shoplifting under $500 , petrol drive-offs under $150 and online fraud under $1000. Retail crime group chair Sunny Kaushal said the clarity was very reassuring for victims around the country. "The clear comments from the police commissioner show police's commitment to responding to retail crime," he said. "And the clarity he provided on the thresholds for investigating shoplifting offences will greatly reassure victims of retail crime across the country." He said the confusion caused by the memo should not overshadow the great work of many police officers, particularly in Tauranga and Gisborne where Kaushal felt the response to retail crime was particularly strong. "There are pockets of outstanding practice across the country ... So the work that those police forces are doing should not be discounted by the confusion created by this directive," he said. But Kaushal was surprised to learn Chambers had not been made aware of the memo until its contents were published by RNZ. "That was a bit surprising, and I also understand the police commissioner is still new and he's still trying to settle [in]," he said. "This directive came like a bolt out of the blue, and the retailers I had been talking to were seriously concerned. I was getting so many calls." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
National Post
an hour ago
- Politics
- National Post
Cop who opted not to charge players testifies at Hockey Canada trial
Article content Steve Newton is a retired London police detective who decided against charging members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team in connection with an alleged incident in a downtown hotel with a woman. Five players were later charged with sexual assault and on Tuesday Newton began his testimony at their trial. Follow below for live updates from the London courthouse Article content
Globe and Mail
40 minutes ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
London police detective told accused in Hockey Canada trial he had no plans to charge him in 2018
The now-retired London police sergeant who lead the initial investigation into an alleged sexual assault by members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team began his interview with one of the accused players by saying that he did not believe he had grounds to lay charges for a sexual assault. Retired police sergeant Stephen Newton was called as a Crown witness after the morning break on Tuesday at the players' criminal trial in a London, Ont. Shortly after Mr. Newton entered the witness box, Crown attorney Meaghan Cunningham told the court she would be playing video of Mr. Newton's interview with accused player Michael McLeod. The interview was held in November, 2018. Mr. Newton began by saying: 'It was reported to me as a sexual assault, okay? And I just wanted to be clear to you, I've done some investigating to- to the best I could to this point and I don't feel I have identified the necessary grounds for charges of a sexual assault. I don't feel that I've gotten to a point that I, I know that a sexual assault, uh, technicality occurred, okay?' He goes on to say that he has no plans to arrest or charge Mr. McLeod at this point. Mr. McLeod is one of five members of the 2018 world junior team who are accused of sexually assaulting a woman at the Delta Armouries hotel in London, Ont. in the early morning hours of June 19, 2018. Court has heard that the complainant, who is known publicly as E.M., first spoke to Mr. Newton about the incident on June 22, and then again on June 26. Mr. Newton, who is appearing in court remotely, told Ms. Cunningham that he made efforts to speak to members of the 2018 world junior roster right away, but he never tried to contact the players directly. Instead he reached out to Hockey Canada and then dealt with their lawyers. In the 2018 interview, Mr. McLeod tells Mr. Newton about two short videos court has seen that were shot in the room on the night in question, in which E.M. says she is 'okay with this' and that everything is 'consensual.' 'I made sure I didn't get any of her, like – naked or anything. I just tried to get her face in it,' he said. 'I was kind of like worried something like this might happen so I took that first video. Just made sure that she was okay with it.' Mr. McLeod went on to say it was a 'weird situation.' He then appears to say he wasn't 'expecting' all 'the guys' to come in the room, which seems to contradict evidence presented it court that Mr. McLeod invited his team to the room to engage in sexual activity. Court only saw about 20 minutes of Mr. McLeod's interview video before the lunch break. Text message Crown says is crucial to Hockey Canada sex-assault case ruled inadmissible Tuesday also marked the end of former junior player Brett Howden's testimony. Mr. Howden, who currently plays in the NHL for the Vegas Golden Knights, spent six days testifying at the trial of his former world junior teammates. He is not accused of any wrongdoing but was in the hotel room on the night in question. The NHL player's testimony was complicated by apparent memory issues. On Monday, defence lawyer Megan Savard, who is representing Mr. Hart, asked Mr. Howden whether injuries he has suffered in his professional hockey career could have impacted his memory. Specifically, Ms. Savard brought up a traumatic head injury Mr. Howden suffered in March, 2022, during an NHL game, in which she said he was rendered unconscious for about nine minutes on the ice. 'Have you noticed that since you suffered your head injury that you've had more trouble remembering things than you did before?' she asked. Mr. Howden said it wasn't something he had thought much about before the trial: 'I've never really had to remember- try to remember so many little details like this before. And it's definitely gotten a lot harder over time.'
CTV News
31 minutes ago
- Business
- CTV News
Dr. Oz offers to relocate B.C. ostriches facing cull, but owners decline help
Supporters of Universal Ostrich Farms stand near ostriches at the farm's property in Edgewood, B.C., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Hundreds of supporters flocked to the farm over the Victoria Day long weekend to protest the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's order to cull 400 ostriches. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Hemens The operators of an ostrich farm in southeastern British Columbia say United States health official and former television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz has offered to save the birds from an impending cull by relocating them to his ranch in Florida. But Katie Pasitney, whose parents own the farm, said they aren't interested in moving the flock, although they're grateful for the support. Oz is the administrator for the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is the second health official in the administration of President Donald Trump to try to prevent the cull, after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr intervened last week. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency ordered the cull last year after an avian flu outbreak at the farm, and a judge tossed out a challenge this month that sought to stop the order. Pasitney said she spoke with Oz on Monday, confirming a report in the New York Post quoting him as saying he offered to relocate the nearly 400 ostriches to his ranch. 'It's not like we're looking at transporting our ostriches anywhere, but I think what the message is (about) the growing support across the States,' she said. 'Even people like Dr. Oz want to be involved and (want to) see these animals live -- even offering his 900 acre ranch in Florida.' She said New York billionaire businessman and radio host John Catsimatidis had connected her with both Oz and Kennedy. 'He's well connected and he's very passionate about this cause,' Pasitney said. Kennedy wrote a public letter to CFIA president Paul MacKinnon last week, saying the birds should be spared as there was 'significant value' in studying their immune response to avian flu. But the agency said Monday in response to a question about Kennedy's letter that the 'humane depopulation' of the flock would proceed. It said dates and plans will not be shared publicly, citing privacy protections for producers. Catsimatidis issued his own press release on Tuesday calling on MacKinnon to stop the planned cull. 'We're calling for a temporary halt and an independent review. Let the U.S. FDA and veterinary scientists evaluate these birds—don't destroy them before humane alternatives are considered," he said in the release. 'Dr. Oz is standing by to assist. We're not asking for miracles, just common sense and compassion.' Protesters have also gathered at the farm in an attempt to prevent the cull and Universal Ostrich Farm filed an appeal seeking a 'stay of the execution and enforcement' of the culling order in Vancouver Monday. The appeal claims the Federal Court 'made multiple reversible errors' when it upheld the agency's decision to cull the ostrich herd earlier this month. The notice of appeal says the Federal Court's decision 'took an unduly narrow' view of the agency's mandate under the Health of Animals Act, wrongly concluded that expert reports weren't needed, didn't fully consider the consequences of the cull decision, and didn't properly determine if the agency's denial of further testing of the animals was reasonable. It also claims the farm's lawyers in the Federal Court judicial review proceedings provided 'ineffective assistance' that 'amounted to incompetence, and resulted in a miscarriage of justice.' It says 'prior counsel had a financial stake in the destruction of the appellant's ostriches, resulting in a blatant conflict of interest.' Lee Turner, one of the farm's former lawyers, said Monday he 'certainly did not' have a conflict of interest, and his co-counsel Michael Carter did a 'a remarkable job with the short window of time that he had.' This report by Brieanna Charlebois and Darryl Greer, The Canadian Press, was first published May 27, 2025.
CTV News
an hour ago
- Business
- CTV News
How a judge handled an ‘unprecedented' 1,041 disputed ballots in a tight N.L. recount
A person leaves after voting at a polling station in the Vancouver Fraserview-South Burnaby riding on federal election day in Vancouver, on Monday, April 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns ST. JOHN'S — A new report explains how a judge dealt with an 'unprecedented' number of disputed ballots — 1,041 — during a federal election recount in a rural Newfoundland riding recently won by the Conservatives. Justice Garrett Handrigan's report, dated Monday, says 'maybe as many as half' of the disputed ballots in the Terra Nova-The Peninsulas riding were marked in the rectangular box containing the candidates' name. His report says lawyers for Liberal candidate Anthony Germain argued Handrigan would be disenfranchising those voters by dismissing their ballots. However, lawyers for Conservative Jonathan Rowe said Handrigan must stick to the Canada Elections Act, which says any ballot not marked in the circle next to the name shall be rejected. Handrigan rejected the so-called 'rectangle ballots,' and a table accompanying his report indicates he ultimately dismissed more than 675 ballots. Elections Canada announced Friday that Rowe was declared the winner after the recount found he had defeated Germain by 12 votes. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025. The Canadian Press
CTV News
an hour ago
- General
- CTV News
France's National Assembly adopts long-debated bill legalizing end-of-life options
A board shows the result after France's lower house of parliament has adopted a bill to allow adults with incurable illness to take lethal medication, Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at the National Assembly in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) PARIS — France's lower house of parliament adopted a bill Tuesday to allow adults with incurable illness to take lethal medication, as public demands grow across Europe for legal end-of-life options. The National Assembly vote is a key step on the long-debated issue, though others remain before the bill can become law. 'I'm thinking of all the patients and their loved ones that I've met over more than a decade. Many are no longer here, and they always told me: Keep fighting,' said Olivier Falorni, the bill's general rapporteur, amid applause from fellow lawmakers. The proposed measure on lethal medication defines assisted dying as allowing use under certain conditions so that people may take it themselves. Only those whose physical condition doesn't allow them to do it alone would be able to get help from a doctor or a nurse. The bill, which received 305 votes in favor and 199 against, will be sent to the Senate, where the conservative majority could seek to amend it. A definitive vote on the measure could take months to be scheduled amid France's long and complex process. The National Assembly has final say over the Senate. Activists have criticized the complexity and length of the parliamentary process that they say is penalizing patients waiting for end-of-life options. In parallel, another bill on palliative care meant to reinforce measures to relieve pain and preserve patients' dignity was also adopted Tuesday, unanimously. The bill has strict conditions To benefit, patients would need to be over 18 and be French citizens or live in France. A team of medical professionals would need to confirm that the patient has a grave and incurable illness 'at an advanced or terminal stage,' is suffering from intolerable and untreatable pain and is seeking lethal medication of their own free will. Patients with severe psychiatric conditions and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease won't be eligible. The person would initiate the request for lethal medication and confirm the request after a period of reflection. If approved, a doctor would deliver a prescription for the lethal medication, which could be taken at home or at a nursing home or a health care facility. A 2023 report indicated that most French citizens back legalizing end-of-life options, and opinion polls show growing support over the past 20 years. Initial discussions in parliament last year were abruptly interrupted by President Emmanuel Macron's decision to dissolve the National Assembly, plunging France into a months-long political crisis. 'What a long road it has been, contrary to what the public thought, contrary to what the French people believed,' said Jonathan Denis, president of the Association for the Right to Die With Dignity (ADMD). Months-long debate ahead Earlier this month, Macron suggested he could ask French voters to approve the measure via referendum if parliament discussions get off track. Macron on Tuesday called the vote an important step, adding on social media that 'with respect for different sensibilities, doubts, and hopes, the path of fraternity I had hoped for is gradually beginning to open. With dignity and humanity.' Many French people have traveled to neighboring countries where medically assisted suicide or euthanasia are legal. Medically assisted suicide involves patients taking, of their own free will, a lethal drink or medication prescribed by a doctor to those who meet certain criteria. Euthanasia involves doctors or other health practitioners giving patients who meet certain criteria a lethal injection at their own request. 'I cannot accept that French men and women have to go to Switzerland — if they can afford it — or to Belgium to be supported in their choice, or that French men and women are being accompanied clandestinely in other countries," Denis said. Religious leaders object French religious leaders this month issued a joint statement to denounce the bill, warning about the dangers of an 'anthropological rupture.' The Conference of Religious Leaders in France (CRCF), which represents the Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist communities, said the proposed measures risk exerting pressure on older people and those with illnesses or disabilities. Assisted suicide is allowed in Switzerland and several U.S. states. Euthanasia is currently legal in the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Canada, Australia, Colombia, Belgium and Luxembourg under certain conditions. In the U.K., lawmakers are debating a bill to help terminally ill adults end their lives in England and Wales after giving it initial approval in November. Sylvie Corbet, The Associated Press
Irish Times
an hour ago
- General
- Irish Times
Fiona Pender murder investigation: Gardaí conclude search of Offaly bogland
Gardaí have concluded a search of bogland in Offaly as part of the Fiona Pender murder investigation. Gardaí confirmed that the search and excavation for the missing woman's remains on lands at Graigue, Killeigh, finished on Tuesday evening. The operation took place over two days, near Ms Pender's native Tullamore, Co Offaly, which is a relatively short period for such operations in historical homicide cases. However, Garda sources said the search and dig was never expected to take any longer than 48 hours. READ MORE Early on Monday, Garda Headquarters confirmed the search had begun, adding the Pender case had been upgraded from a missing persons inquiry to a murder investigation . Ms Pender, a 25-year-old hairdresser, she was last seen at her flat on Church Street, Tullamore, early in the morning of Friday, August 23rd, 1996. The man who was in a relationship with Ms Pender when she vanished had criticised the initial Garda investigation, including the fact he was arrested for questioning, and that a farm slurry tank and well had not been searched. John Thompson, who has lived in Canada for many years, told gardaí Ms Pender had been in the flat when he left for work that morning. Despite a very significant search operation, including large sections of the Grand Canal being drained, no trace of Ms Pender has ever been found. She was seven months pregnant at the time and when she vanished a major Garda investigation got under way within days. Mr Thompson, who was the father of Ms Pender's unborn child, was angered by the fact gardaí appeared to base some of their investigation into her disappearance on a theory that he was somehow involved. 'It is just not good enough for them to suggest that we disposed of her and then leave it at that,' Mr Thompson, then aged 24 years, said in an interview with The Irish Times in August 1997 , a year after the disappearance, adding he took a 'dim view' of the fact he had been arrested. Mr Thompson spoke to The Irish Times four months after he had been arrested for questioning about the case, on suspicion of withholding information. He was one of five people – two men and three women – arrested at the same time in the Laois-Offaly region. They were all released without charge and none of them has been rearrested in the intervening 28 years. Despite the investigation into Ms Pender's disappearance having continued since 1996, and now being upgraded to a murder inquiry, no further arrests have ever been made. In his interview, Mr Thompson insisted gardaí had moved too slowly to begin their search when Ms Pender, who he was living with at the time, went missing. He said he did not want to be seen 'to be giving the guards the fingers... but the fact remains that she is still missing'. [ Fiona Pender murder: Can fresh searches unlock a case 29 years later? Opens in new window ] He pointed out that the slurry tank on his family farm had not been searched and that other locations had also not been checked. 'They [gardaí] will tell you that they searched high and low, but they did two searches on this farm and there is a well outside the door, and it was never searched. At the end of the day, Fiona is out there somewhere and it is their job to find her. I just want to highlight the fact that she is still missing.' He added that when he was arrested in April 1997, gardaí had no evidence to suggest he was involved in Ms Pender's disappearance, and he took a 'dim view' of the arrests made. Mr Thompson said at the time he was 'hopeful' that Ms Pender and their child, who would have been 10 months old in August 1997, were still alive. He found it hard to believe Ms Pender could disappear from a busy town like Tullamore and for the matter to remain unexplained. 'I feel that someone might have seen something, but is afraid,' he said. The Thompson family are farmers from a Church of Ireland background and Ms Pender's family are Catholics who lived on the Connolly Park local authority estate in Tullamore. Much was made of the different backgrounds they were from and that the Thompson family did not approve of the relationship. But Mr Thompson told The Irish Times that theory was 'not even worthy of comment... But I deny it.' He added: 'We are not bigots and nor are the Pender family.'
Irish Times
30 minutes ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Barne Estate case: Oral contract generates mountain of paperwork in court
An oral contract is not worth the paper it is written on, the film mogul Samuel Goldwyn once observed. The oral contract that ended in the alleged sale of the Barne Estate in Co Tipperary to the billionaire businessman John Magnier has generated a veritable mountain of paperwork. Magnier and family are suing Barne Estate owner Richard Thomson-Moore and others over the purported sale on the evening of August 22nd, 2023 of the 751-acre estate in Co Tipperary. There were boxes piled up on the seats of a crowded Court 11 and stacks of blue-grey boxes bearing the name of Magnier's solicitors Arthur Cox for which there was no room in the court. READ MORE After lunch Mr Justice Max Barrett acknowledged that he is going to need a bigger courtroom and ordered that the boxes be removed to let people sit down. Magnier's counsel Paul Gallagher led the court patiently through page after page of written evidence – more than 500 pages in total. Among the WhatsApp messages he read was one from Alex Thomson-Moore, the sister of Richard Thomson-Moore, who wrote: 'One of us needs to be writing a diary and turning this into a Sunday night TV thriller.' Tolstoy's War and Peace, more like. Counsel for the Barne Estate Martin Heyden interjected to say there had been an 'extraordinarily disproportionate' level of demand for documents in the case from Magnier's side and the process was costing a 'staggering amount of money'. [ 'Gargantuan' data search ongoing in case over alleged €15 million sale of Barne estate to businessman John Magnier Opens in new window ] The star witness, John Magnier, gave evidence just after 3pm. 'This is my first day here ever,' he added with a pause when asked how often he had ended up in court over a deal like this. He has amassed a huge fortune through his Coolmore bloodstock operation and much of Co Tipperary. He crossed swords with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and won. Yet, aside from the odd horse racing interview about his Coolmore prodigies, he rarely, if ever, speaks in public about his dealings. He has made his fortune while remaining a mystery. He spoke quietly and deliberately, aside from once when he got irritated and handed Heyden a copy of his statement only to demand it back again later. The Barne Estate was adjoining two farms that he owned and he was keen to purchase it. He went to visit it on July 7th, 2023 and noticed something odd. The Thomson-Moores were growing potatoes, which is 'hard on land'. When he inquired he was told that the Thomson-Moores were always 'strapped for cash' and had found a cash customer for the potatoes. 'That struck a chord with me,' he said. On the evening of August 22nd, Thomson-Moore, his wife, and auctioneer John Stokes arrived to the Coolmore House. Stokes demanded €18 million for the Barne Estate. 'That led me to believe that they were not serious about doing a deal. I was taken aback by it,' said Magnier. 'Between the jigs and reels and going back and forth,' he added, they finally settled on a figure of €15 million. Stokes and the Thomson-Moores adjourned to another room and then came back. 'John [Stokes] put out his hand, and said, 'John, we have a deal.'' It wasn't subject to anything, they all shook hands, everybody was happy and he thought he had a deal, Magnier remembered. He later gave the Thomson-Moores €50,000 in cash for three reasons: firstly, for allowing him to till the farm; secondly, because they were under financial pressure; and thirdly, because they were resisting a counter-offer from US-based businessman Maurice Regan. [ John Magnier confirms he gave 'strapped for cash' estate owners €50,000 in cash in two envelopes Opens in new window ] Magnier knew when the money was returned on September 11th, 2023 that the deal was in trouble. He wanted to resolve the issue by peaceful means and upped his offer to more than €16 million and €500,000 in a trust for the Thomson-Moores' disabled son. It was rejected. 'We were left with no choice but to launch proceedings,' he said. He spoke with Stokes on October 6th. 'I asked him what was going on. 'John, there is one word for it – greed.''
Irish Times
an hour ago
- General
- Irish Times
Shane O'Farrell: Dáil hears allegations driver in fatal hit and run was ‘garda informer'
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has apologised in the Dáil to the family of the law graduate killed in a hit-and-run incident while cycling near his Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan home, by a repeat offender out on bail. Mr O'Callaghan has appointed a senior counsel to review the bail laws in memory of 23-year-old Shane O'Farrell and the Government is to establish a legal scholarship at UCD. Road traffic legislation in place since 1962 will also be amended to allow a jury convict a person of a lesser offence of careless driving where a person is acquitted for the more serious offence of dangerous driving. The O'Farrell family had called for a full public inquiry into his death in August 2011 when he was struck by Zigimantas Gridziuska, who should have been in prison at the time. READ MORE Mr O'Callaghan signalled however that instead of an inquiry, he has asked senior counsel Lorcan Staines to assess bail laws and identify any necessary changes that need to be made. 'This is not a report that needs to establish facts since those facts are very readily apparent from the charges laid against Garidziuska in the year leading up to the death of Shane O'Farrell.' The minister said the report would not result in people having to invoke their right and 'lawyering up in a process that would inevitably take years. More importantly, it will not need to establish any facts since the relevant facts are already known.' During a Dáil debate Sinn Féin said Gridziuska was a 'garda informer' and had been protected 'above all else'. Mr O'Farrell's family, who had campaigned since his death for an inquiry, were in the distinguished visitors' gallery for the apology and debate. The minister said 'it is incumbent on me, as Minister for Justice to apologise to Shane O'Farrell and the O'Farrell family for the fact that the criminal justice system did not protect him as it should have. 'I do so apologise.' Mr O'Callaghan said 'the loss resulting from his death was incalculable and for the family, interminable'. The State's first failing related to documentation for an appeal by Gridziuska, which was not recorded, the Minister said. He added that the second failure happened when the offender, who committed further offences, was not brought before Judge John O'Hagan, who had granted bail on strict conditions, nor was the judge informed of those offences. If the convictions had been brought to the judge's attention, Gridziuska would probably have been jailed. Gridziuska, a Lithuanian national, left the scene of the fatal crash but the following day handed himself in to gardaí. He had more than 40 convictions at the time, including some in Northern Ireland. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said there were credible allegations that he operated as a garda informant. The party's justice spokesman Matt Carthy said 'many people, myself included, believe that Zigimantas Gridziuska was an informer, that he was permitted to wreak havoc because gardaí prioritised the protection of their source above all else'. Mr Carthy became emotional as he described Mr O'Farrell's mother Lucia as a force of nature whose efforts had resulted in this apology, adding that 'you've done Shane proud'. Labour leader Ivana Bacik said the apology was 'welcome and overdue', adding that 'it is an important day'. Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness, a long-time campaigner on the case, paid tribute to the minister who 'despite obstacles', had shown 'leadership qualities that others should take note of', to 'ensure that justice is done'. Social Democrats acting leader Cian O'Callaghan said the family's trauma, grief and heartache had been compounded by the State's response. He called for all reports on the Monaghan man's death to be published, as he noted that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission had had the case for seven years.
Fox News
an hour ago
- Business
- Fox News
Russia, China, North Korea condemn Trump's $175 billion Golden Dome missile shield
The U.S.'s chief adversaries, Russia, North Korea and China, all of which are nuclear-armed nations, have condemned President Donald Trump's space-based defensive plan he dubbed the "Golden Dome" as "dangerous" and a threat to global stability. The president discussed his $175 billion plan, which will use satellites and other technologies to detect and intercept a missile strike "even if they are launched from other sides of the world," Trump said last week. The defensive plan, though it is believed to be years away before being fully operational despite Trump's three-year goal mark, sparked stiff backlash from the U.S.'s top competitors, who took direct aim at what they called Trump's "arrogance." North Korea's foreign ministry, whose leader shared an uncommonly cordial relationship with Trump during his first term, called it the equivalent of an "outer space nuclear war scenario" that supports the administration's strategy for "uni-polar domination." According to local media outlets, the ministry on Tuesday said it was a "typical product of 'America first', the height of self-righteousness, arrogance, high-handed and arbitrary practice." The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News' Digital's questions regarding the reactions to the plan, intended to resemble Israel's "Iron Dome" defensive capability. But the North Korean foreign ministry claimed the defensive strategy was actually an "attempt to militarize outer space" and "preemptively attain military superiority in an all-round way." Similarly, on Tuesday, Russian foreign minister Maria Zakharova said the strategy would undermine the basis of strategic stability by creating a global missile defense system, reported Reuters. But her comments were not the first time Moscow aligned its condemnation of the "Golden Dome" as it issued a joint statement with China earlier this month after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for formal talks in Russia. The duo called the plan "deeply destabilizing" and claimed it erodes the "inseparable interrelationship between strategic offensive arms and strategic defensive arms." They also argued that it would turn "outer space into an environment for placing weapons and an arena for armed confrontation." Russia has remained relatively muted in its response following Trump's Oval Office discussion on the Golden Dome, which came just two days after Trump held a two-hour phone call with Putin. But China reiterated its objection to the plan, and following Trump's announcement on it, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said last week, "The project will heighten the risk of turning space into a war zone and creating a space arms race, and shake the international security and arms control system." Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has rejected the claims that the plan could be viewed as an "offensive" strategy and told Fox News Digital, "All we care about is protecting the homeland."
