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Scottish Sun
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Battle tanks, 7,000 troops & WW2 planes … spotters guide to Trump's £30m birthday bash with 18-mile ring of steel
For years the president is said to have had his eyes on a full-blown military show, but has failed to put up a working plan - until now DON STOP ME NOW Battle tanks, 7,000 troops & WW2 planes … spotters guide to Trump's £30m birthday bash with 18-mile ring of steel THOUSANDS of US troops flanked by battle tanks and advanced stealth jets will march on the streets as President Donald Trump kicks off a grand military parade - on his birthday. Patriotic tunes will fill the air in Washington DC as the commander in chief turns 79 - with the grand military spectacle set to commemorate the US Army's 250th anniversary. 12 Soldiers dressed in Revolutionary war-era uniforms charge during the US Army's Twilight Tattoo event Credit: AFP 12 Soldiers from the Marine Corps, lined up at the Veterans Day Parade in NYC 12 A Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to be used in the US Army's 250th Birthday Celebration is seen near the US Capitol Credit: Reuters 12 US soldiers stand beside IAV Stryker armoured vehicles that are staged ahead of a 14 June military parade in Washington, DC Credit: EPA 12 The main stage for the US Army's 250th birthday celebration parade Credit: AFP 12 Trump turns 79 today Credit: AP The grandiose military parade will showcase soldiers, sailors, airmen and US Marines marching in their uniforms in front of thousands of spectators. As many as 7,000 troops and seven band contingents have reportedly been called to participate in the show. They will be accompanied by at least 150 military vehicles and some 50 aircraft. Some 2,000 civilians could also take march alongside the US military. READ MORE ON TRUMP ELON ROW Trump says he 'wasn't happy' with Elon Musk & reveals moment X boss turned on him And the whole celebration will be enclosed with an 18 mile ring of steel to protect the parade. Drones and a small army of cops will be on hand to keep order - with there expected to be protests across the country as part of "No Kings" day, a series of anti-Trump rallies by people objecting to the parade. It comes after a week of unrest in many cities - with anti-immigration raid riots in LA and protests against ICE across the US. June 14 this year marks the 250th anniversary of the US Army, also known as Army Day. The day also coincides with Trump's 79th birthday. To celebrate both things in style, Trump planned to throw a military parade to showcase America's might. French President Emmanuel Macron joins 3,700 members of the military in Paris to mark Bastille Day, with guest Donald Trump For years, the president is said to have had his eyes on a full-blown military show, but has failed to put up a working plan - until now. Plans are to roll down battle tanks, massive military equipment, and aircraft and missiles, just as Trump first envisioned the parade during his first term. The president, who is expected to give a speech during the parade, has pitched the occasion as a way to celebrate US power and service members' sacrifice. The parade will also showcase antics from different eras of the Army's history, right from the Revolutionary War in 1775 to the modern developments of the US Army. Contingent members are expected to wear corresponding uniforms and carry equipment respectively. Among the military equipment set to be flaunted are 26 M1A1 Abrams tanks, 27 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, two World War II Sherman tanks, a World War I-era Renault tank, eight CH-47 helicopters, 16 UH-60 Black Hawks and four WWII-era P-51 aircraft. While US officials have yet to release the cost of the planned parade, the figure is expected to reach up to a whopping $45million. This includes the cost of transporting all the military equipment across Washington and putting up safety measures for the public expected to gather at the parade. Army spokesman Col. Dave Butler said that the Army is excited about the plans for its anniversary. He added: 'We want to make it into an event that the entire nation can celebrate with us. 'We want Americans to know their Army and their soldiers. 12 12 12 A US soldier works atop an Abrams tank that is staged in West Potomac Park ahead of a 14 June military parade Credit: EPA 12 Tanks rest on the back of a rail car before being used for the parade Credit: AFP 12 US Army soldiers on top of an M1 Abrams tank during a media preview of the Army's Parade Credit: AFP 12 A US Park Police officer poses for a photograph next to a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to be used in the US Army's 250th Birthday Celebration Credit: Reuters "A parade might become part of that, and we think that will be an excellent addition to what we already have planned.' Trump appeared to tease the grand plan last month in a post on Truth Social, where he wrote: "We are going to start celebrating our victories again!' He also vowed to rename May 8, now known as Victory in Europe Day, as 'Victory Day for World War II,' and to change November 11, Veterans Day, to 'Victory Day for World War I". Meanwhile, immigration rioters protesting against the Trump administration in LA could show up in Washington, experts fear. AMERICA'S 250th MAGA CELEBRATION By Sayan Bose, Foreign news reporter Trump is also planning a so-called Great American State Fair to celebrate the country's 250th birthday in 2026. Trump floated plans to showcase America's greatness in its true sense - packed in a year-long grand festival to mark the country's anniversary, dubbed the semiquincentennial, in a grand style that can be seen in the video above. Trump, who led his 2024 election campaign on the promise to make America great again, will take this opportunity to portray the country's might in the most patriotic way. It was just a year ago when he called all Americans to prepare for the Great American State Fair - a gigantic carnival of joy that would mark America's 250th birthday in true Trump fashion. Various contingents could take part in a grand parade in front of millions of people visiting the fair - and Trump could build a "National Garden of American Heroes' with statues of important figures in American history. This may include giant structures of George Washington, Neil Armstrong, and Muhammad Ali. Use our interactive map here to find out about what attractions could be at the mega MAGA event. But Trump warned protestors would be "met with very big force" if they attempted to sow chaos during the parade. He told reporters from the White House: "For those people that want to protest, they're going to be met with very big force." Law enforcement agencies are preparing for hundreds of thousands of people to attend Saturday's parade, US Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool revealed. McCool said thousands of agents, officers and specialists will be deployed from law enforcement agencies across the country. Iran's foreign ministry has described further discussions as "meaningless", after Israeli attacks on the country. In comments carried by state television, spokesman Esmail Baghaei said: "The US did a job that made the talks become meaningless." However, he stopped short of ruling out the talks. The Mizan news agency, run by Iran's judiciary, quoted him as saying it is still "not clear what we decide about Sunday talks".
IOL News
13-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Armscor discloses alarming R7. 7 billion budget shortfall impacting South African Air Force maintenance
President Cyril Ramaphosa walking from the presidential jet, which, Armscor says, apparently requires R414 million in funding to be fully maintained. Image: GCIS Armscor, the arms procurement agency for the South African Defence Department, has revealed to Parliament that a staggering budget shortfall of more than R7 billion threatens the maintenance of the South African Air Force (SAAF) aircraft fleet. This happens as the acquisition and maintenance contracts have not been adequately funded for a long time. In a presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence on the status of maintenance contracts of the SAAF aircraft fleet, Armscor said all SAAF platforms for contracting were in place. It also said that the majority of the contracts have spent 100% of their planned cash flow. 'There is a shortfall of approximately R7,7 billion to fund the current fleet. If you average it in terms of an annual basis, it is R2.56 billion, and this implies that the SAAF maintenance is currently at two to three times less than we are currently funded.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ MPs also heard that the implications of the budget shortfall were a reduced fleet availability, and only bare minimum maintenance was done, with essential upgrades postponed, leading to high maintenance costs. 'Armscor is confined to place on-demand contracts. Only the very bare minimum is contracted, and this does not guarantee aircraft availability.' In a clear show of the seriousness of the budget shortfall, the Boeing Business Jet, which President Cyril Ramaphosa travels in, requires R414 million in funding to be fully maintained. The three Falcon aircraft, which Deputy President Paul Mashatile travels in, require R142m to be fully maintained. The 11 Rooivalk combat support helicopters require a massive R2 billion, while the 36 Oryx transport helicopters need R2bn. Armscor said the Rooivalk maintenance contract was R2.5bn, but it was funded to the tune of R469m. Earlier, the Acting Executive Manager for the Dockyard Justice, Ramakokovhu, told the MPs that the Naval Dockyard has 286 technical personnel and suffers from deteriorating infrastructure. 'The 286 technical skills are not sufficient to support the maintenance and upkeep of the South African Navy,' said Ramakokovhu, adding that they required a staff complement of 4,000. The refit of submarine SAS Isandlwana was contracted to a service provider and was conducted in Durban. The ANC MP Pitso Noe said the issue of funding was central to the challenges at Armscor. Noe asked that Defence Minister Angie Motshekga give an account on all the lack of funding and its impact. 'I consider it so serious to the functioning of Armscor and the defence of the country,' he said. DA MP Nicholas Gotsell said it was shocking that Armscor spent R10m as disclosed by Motshekga in a response to a parliamentary question on the board when there was a R7.7 budget shortfall for the air force. 'It is very worrying. We won't accept the lavish boardroom spending while the aircraft are on the verge of being mothballed and the Rooivalk helicopter is barely operational,' Gotsell. 'I am really worried and concerned about the abuse of taxpayers' funds. Armscor can't justify the R10m on board perks when SANDF is forced to cut pilot training hours due lack of fuel and spares,' he said. DA MP Chris Hattingh said the presentations confirmed what they had suspected all along. 'We need to agree that without the reassessment of the defence review, it is impossible to determine what should be the priorities of spending in the limited budget of the Department of Defence,' Hattingh said. IFP MP Russel Cebekhulu said it was God's mercy that South Africa was not attacked from the outside. 'One is at pains with what has been presented before us, with lots of excuses for the failure of our defence equipment in the Navy and Air Force, not being in a workable state of the fleet,' Cebekhulu said. ANC MP Malusi Gigaba said what they heard was expression of a horror story. Gigaba echoed Hattingh's sentiments on the need for a defence review and the need to address the ongoing challenges. 'If we don't deal with these things, we are to remain in the situation we are in. We can't be the one who laments the ongoing decay that we are seeing without taking firm decisions,' he said. Motshekga said the defence force was in constant discussion on how to deal with the challenges. 'We acknowledge the challenges, and there are efforts on the part of Armscor to get things right,' she said. Motshekga also said they were planning to hold a meeting to plan on cost-saving measures.
Mint
12-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Asian Paints share price rises 2.5% after significant block deal worth ₹7,703 crore
Asian Paints share price rose by 2.5% during Thursday's trading session following a significant transaction involving the stock. Approximately 3.5 crore shares of Asian Paints were traded in the pre-open block window, as reported by CNBC TV18. The shares were exchanged at an average price of ₹ 2,201 each, leading to a total transaction value of ₹ 7,703 crore. In the block deal, about 3.64% of the company's total equity was involved. The identities of the buyers and sellers in this transaction remain undisclosed. As per the news report, at the close of the March quarter, India's Mutual Funds held a 5.67% interest in Asian Paints, with ICICI Prudential MF and SBI MF being key shareholders. The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) owns an 8.29% share in Asian Paints according to the latest shareholding data. Additionally, 11.73 lakh retail investors, with an authorized share capital of up to ₹ 2 lakh, collectively own an 11.84% stake in the firm. Other public shareholders include Siddhant Commercials Pvt. Ltd., which held a 4.9% stake in the company as of March 31, 2025. Earlier this week, Asian Paints received its lowest price target from Morgan Stanley, marking it as the third brokerage to set a price target below the ₹ 2,000 threshold. Asian Paints share price today opened at an intraday low of ₹ 2,220.05 apiece on the BSE, the stock touched an intraday high of ₹ 2,263.95 per share. According to Rajesh Bhosale, Equity Technical and Derivative Analyst at Angel One, Asian Paints share price is showing strength in morning session gaining over 2% and forming a morning star bullish reversal candle on the daily chart. 'In addition, we are seeing a positive divergence on the daily chart and bullish crossover in rsi smoothened, indicating that in near term prices can extend this bounce, ₹ 2,350 - 2,420 would be immediate resistance whereas around ₹ 2,200 is a strong support,' said Bhosale.
South Wales Guardian
09-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Thomas Tuchel ‘impatient' for improvement with England
Tuchel will take charge of his fourth England game at the City Ground in Nottingham, where he will look to keep up his 100 per cent winning record since taking over as head coach in January. England came under criticism on Saturday after they only managed to edge a narrow 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Andorra, courtesy of Harry Kane's 50th-minute goal. Certain sections of fans made their feelings known at the break and full-time with boos and Tuchel was thinking about giving the players more freedom in their midweek friendly. Asked when England would be playing the style of football he liked, Tuchel replied: 'I'm very impatient, which is not always a good thing. 'I'm always impatient because when you step out into the stadium and even if the fixture itself for the players is after a big season, after big finals, European finals, fighting for Champions League places in a big league, it might not be the most exciting fixture. 'But for me personally, once I step into a stadium, see the grass, smell the grass, see 7,000 English supporters there ready to go, I'm instantly expecting something from myself and from the players and it will be the same tomorrow. Rest. Recover. Go again. 🔁 — England (@England) June 8, 2025 'Of course, I'm impatient and want to do better. We are thinking about giving the players a little bit more freedom in the structure – let's see. 'Tomorrow we face a more physical and demanding team. On paper it might not look as offensive as we were against Andorra but will give the players more freedom to express themselves and hopefully we see that on Tuesday.' The Senegal game will give Tuchel another opportunity to look at his squad, some of whom have not played under his stewardship so far. Tuchel admitted Saturday's performance did not match the standards he has been trying to set and announced there would be changes. He added: 'We as a team didn't match our standards. 'I didn't like the last 10 minutes. We didn't play seriously enough to win it in the end and what we needed to do in a World Cup qualifier. 'Everything I say here I say to the players – why should I sugar coat? There is no harm done, we can have criticism and I believe a group of players in football can speak honestly to each other. I always include myself in that – now it's on us to do better. 'There will be some changes, I won't let you know how many but there will be. We want to reward players who kept their level up. We will see some fresh legs, new faces.' One player who has not featured yet under Tuchel is Bukayo Saka. The Arsenal winger missed the German's first camp in March through injury and was not included in the squad on Saturday because he had only completed one full training session during the week. Proud to represent the #ThreeLions ❤️ — England (@England) June 9, 2025 Saka said: 'It's been a bit of a frustrating year through injuries and (I'm) looking forward to tomorrow. 'After the last game of the season, I had a little strain. I was only able to do one or two sessions in the week so the manager said he'll leave me out and have me involved tomorrow. 'If I speak about Thomas, he has been quite demanding, intense on the pitch, but off the pitch relaxed and lets us enjoy ourselves and created a nice environment for all the players to enjoy.'
North Wales Chronicle
09-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Thomas Tuchel ‘impatient' for improvement with England
Tuchel will take charge of his fourth England game at the City Ground in Nottingham, where he will look to keep up his 100 per cent winning record since taking over as head coach in January. England came under criticism on Saturday after they only managed to edge a narrow 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Andorra, courtesy of Harry Kane's 50th-minute goal. Certain sections of fans made their feelings known at the break and full-time with boos and Tuchel was thinking about giving the players more freedom in their midweek friendly. Asked when England would be playing the style of football he liked, Tuchel replied: 'I'm very impatient, which is not always a good thing. 'I'm always impatient because when you step out into the stadium and even if the fixture itself for the players is after a big season, after big finals, European finals, fighting for Champions League places in a big league, it might not be the most exciting fixture. 'But for me personally, once I step into a stadium, see the grass, smell the grass, see 7,000 English supporters there ready to go, I'm instantly expecting something from myself and from the players and it will be the same tomorrow. Rest. Recover. Go again. 🔁 — England (@England) June 8, 2025 'Of course, I'm impatient and want to do better. We are thinking about giving the players a little bit more freedom in the structure – let's see. 'Tomorrow we face a more physical and demanding team. On paper it might not look as offensive as we were against Andorra but will give the players more freedom to express themselves and hopefully we see that on Tuesday.' The Senegal game will give Tuchel another opportunity to look at his squad, some of whom have not played under his stewardship so far. Tuchel admitted Saturday's performance did not match the standards he has been trying to set and announced there would be changes. He added: 'We as a team didn't match our standards. 'I didn't like the last 10 minutes. We didn't play seriously enough to win it in the end and what we needed to do in a World Cup qualifier. 'Everything I say here I say to the players – why should I sugar coat? There is no harm done, we can have criticism and I believe a group of players in football can speak honestly to each other. I always include myself in that – now it's on us to do better. 'There will be some changes, I won't let you know how many but there will be. We want to reward players who kept their level up. We will see some fresh legs, new faces.' One player who has not featured yet under Tuchel is Bukayo Saka. The Arsenal winger missed the German's first camp in March through injury and was not included in the squad on Saturday because he had only completed one full training session during the week. Proud to represent the #ThreeLions ❤️ — England (@England) June 9, 2025 Saka said: 'It's been a bit of a frustrating year through injuries and (I'm) looking forward to tomorrow. 'After the last game of the season, I had a little strain. I was only able to do one or two sessions in the week so the manager said he'll leave me out and have me involved tomorrow. 'If I speak about Thomas, he has been quite demanding, intense on the pitch, but off the pitch relaxed and lets us enjoy ourselves and created a nice environment for all the players to enjoy.'
