Latest news with #American-built
Sky News AU
a day ago
- General
- Sky News AU
Thousands evacuated in Germany following discovery of three WWII unexploded bombs
Thousands of people have been evacuated in a German city after three unexploded World War II bombs were discovered. They were found during construction work in the city of Cologne. Experts will be disarming the American-built bombs.
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Ireland's first American locomotive turns heads in transit as it arrives in new Co Down home
The two vehicles – the first of four in total – arrived at the Downpatrick and Co Down Railway (DCDR) museum on Sunday having turned the heads of many people as they were driven along the roads from Co Clare in the Republic. The trains which arrived were the former Irish Rail and CIE locomotives – numbers 124 and 190. The other two vehicles, the number 152 and A3R, will be arriving next weekend. The number 124 train represents a particularly special piece for the museum. First arriving on rails in 1961, it is Ireland's first American built locomotive. The CIE 121 class locomotives (No. 124) have been described as a 'game-changer' for Irish railways when they arrived in that decade. Built by General Motors in the USA, they were the first American locomotives to operate on the island of Ireland The 124 and 190 were brought over the border at the weekend, having been stored under tarpaulins at West Clare Railway since 2009. Originally, they were part of a broad and narrow-gauge railway museum project. However, due to issues with planning and logistics, this did not come to fruition and instead after over a year of planning and building to accommodate them, the historical pieces safety arrived at their new Co Down home. They were each serviced and inspected before being moved to their storage and restoration location. Welcoming the newest feature to their museum is the chair of the DCDR, Robert Gardiner. 'Having access to additional locomotives allows us to rotate our existing diesel locos for essential maintenance and cosmetic restoration without impacting our services as we continue our recovery,' he explained. 'Of the four locomotives being relocated from Moyasta, two will be restored and returned to operational service, while the other two will provide valuable spare parts to support the existing fleet. 'This is a proud day for our railway and the heritage community. 'The arrival of these locomotives, especially No. 124 - which was the very first American-built locomotive to arrive in Ireland in 1961 - significantly strengthens our collection and operational resilience.' Peter Jones of the Irish Traction Group commented on the condition of the historic vehicles. 'Although covered and secured, the locomotives have suffered from exposure to the sea air at Moyasta,' he said. News Catch Up - Monday 2nd June 'Fortunately, recent inspections revealed their internal mechanical and electrical components remain complete, and the engines still bar over. "At this point we would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to Jackie Whelan, owner of the West Clare Railway, for allowing the group to store our locomotives at the site for the last fifteen years. 'And our thanks and gratitude to the Downpatrick and Co Down Railway for their kind offer of providing them with a new home.' The trains caused a stir on the roads form Lisburn to Saintfield during transit, as a DCDR apologised on social media for any delays caused to motorists while the vehicles were being transported. 'Were you stuck in a massive traffic jam on the road from Lisburn to Saintfield yesterday? Sorry, that was us. We had a rather large delivery arrive at the railway,' a spokesperson wrote on social media.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
British fighter jets to carry nuclear weapons in face of ‘new era of threat' of Russia
It comes as the Prime Minister is set to expand the UK's nuclear deterrence across Europe NUKE THREAT British fighter jets to carry nuclear weapons in face of 'new era of threat' of Russia BRITAIN looks set to introduce jets armed with nuclear weapons for the first time as part of the latest defensive expansion against Russia. The government is in talks with US officials over the move, which would be the UK's biggest deterrent development since the Cold War. 6 Britain's tactical nukes and V-bombers were decommissioned after the Cold War Credit: EPA 6 Britain's Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin has called for the move Credit: AP 6 Investment in the aircraft would mean the UK would be able to launch nuclear weapons from both air and sea Credit: Alamy Sir Keir Starmer will launch a strategic defence review on Monday as the government looks to help Europe counter Putin's threat. The review points to the UK expanding its contribution to NATO's nuclear deterrence across the continent. It also recommends that the country's defence industry should be on standby for rearmament. Defence Secretary John Healey and Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, head of the armed forces, are leading talks with the Pentagon. They are looking to purchase fighter jets capable of carrying gravity bombs with lower power than conventional nuclear weapons. Britain's tactical nukes and V-bombers were decommissioned in favour of the Vanguard submarine programme after the Cold War. Investment in the aircraft would mean the UK would be able to launch nuclear weapons from both air and sea. At present, the military is only able to launch from one platform. Whereas US forces possess nuclear launch capabilities from land, air and sea. Britain will be wiped off the map with nukes unless it stops helping Ukraine, warns Putin's guru 'Professor Doomsday' American-built F-35 A Lightning stealth jets look to be the target for the government, with the jets having been recently procured by German military forces. They have a range of almost 900 miles and are capable of carrying a B61 thermonuclear gravity bomb. Radakin is understood to view the move as the UK's number one defence priority. Speaking to The Times, the Defence Secretary admitted that nuclear risks across the globe are rising. He said: "The world is definitely becoming more dangerous. Nuclear risks are rising. "For the first time since the Cold War, we face seriously increasing risks of state-on-state conflict. "The lesson from Ukraine is that a country's armed forces are only as strong as the industry behind them.' It comes as the government insisted it would reach its target to hike defence spending to three per cent GDP by 2034. Writing in The Sun on Sunday, Sir Keir said the time had come to 'transform how we defend these islands'. 6 Sir Keir Starmer will launch a strategic defence review on Monday Credit: AFP 6 Defence Secretary John Healey admitted global nuclear risks are rising Credit: AFP 6 Britain hopes to expand its contribution to NATO's nuclear deterrence against Russia Credit: PA He added: 'We will meet this moment head on — by mounting the kind of response not seen before in most of our lifetimes. "We will restore Britain's war-fighting readiness as the central purpose of our Armed Forces. "We are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces. 'So we must be ready to fight and win. After all, the best way to prevent conflict is by preparing for it.' Revealing details of the long-awaited Strategic Defence Review, he revealed the UK will move to wartime levels of arms production by building six new munitions factories. The £1.5billion investment will create or support nearly 2,000 jobs across the country.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
British fighter jets to carry nuclear weapons in face of ‘new era of threat' of Russia
BRITAIN looks set to introduce jets armed with nuclear weapons for the first time as part of the latest defensive expansion against Russia. The government is in talks with US officials over the move, which would be the UK's biggest deterrent development since the Advertisement 6 Britain's tactical nukes and V-bombers were decommissioned after the Cold War Credit: EPA 6 Britain's Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin has called for the move Credit: AP 6 Investment in the aircraft would mean the UK would be able to launch nuclear weapons from both air and sea Credit: Alamy Sir Keir Starmer will launch a strategic defence review on Monday as the government looks to help Europe counter Putin's threat. The review points to the UK expanding its contribution to NATO's nuclear deterrence across the continent. It also recommends that the country's defence industry should be on standby for rearmament. Defence Secretary Advertisement They are looking to purchase fighter jets capable of carrying gravity bombs with lower power than conventional nuclear weapons. Britain's tactical nukes and V-bombers were decommissioned in favour of the Vanguard submarine programme after the Cold War. Investment in the aircraft would mean the UK would be able to launch nuclear weapons from both air and sea. At present, the military is only able to launch from one platform. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Whereas US forces possess nuclear launch capabilities from land, air and sea. Britain will be wiped off the map with nukes unless it stops helping Ukraine, warns Putin's guru 'Professor Doomsday' American-built F-35 A Lightning stealth jets look to be the target for the government, with the jets having been recently procured by German military forces. They have a range of almost 900 miles and are capable of carrying a B61 thermonuclear gravity bomb. Radakin is understood to view the move as the UK's number one defence priority. Advertisement Speaking to The Times, the Defence Secretary admitted that nuclear risks across the globe are rising. He said: "The world is definitely becoming more dangerous. Nuclear risks are rising. "For the first time since the Cold War, we face seriously increasing risks of state-on-state conflict. "The lesson from Ukraine is that a country's armed forces are only as strong as the industry behind them.' Advertisement It comes as the government insisted it would reach its target to hike defence spending to three per cent GDP by 2034. Writing in The Sun on Sunday, Sir Keir said the time had come to 'transform how we defend these islands'. 6 Sir Keir Starmer will launch a strategic defence review on Monday Credit: AFP 6 Defence Secretary John Healey admitted global nuclear risks are rising Credit: AFP Advertisement 6 Britain hopes to expand its contribution to NATO's nuclear deterrence against Russia Credit: PA He added: 'We will meet this moment head on — by mounting the kind of response not seen before in most of our lifetimes. "We will restore Britain's war-fighting readiness as the central purpose of our Armed Forces. "We are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces. Advertisement 'So we must be ready to fight and win. After all, the best way to prevent conflict is by preparing for it.' Read more on the Irish Sun Revealing details of the long-awaited Strategic Defence Review, he revealed the UK will move to wartime levels of arms production by building six new munitions factories. The £1.5billion investment will create or support nearly 2,000 jobs across the country.
Ya Libnan
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
The fuss over Qatar's gift makes no sense
The ruler of Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is shown at Qatar Economic Forum during his opening speech By : Ya Libnan Editorial Board The uproar over Qatar's recent gift to the United States is unwarranted and unnecessarily politicized. The controversy raises a deeper question: why is this generous gesture from a close ally being twisted into a political issue? For over two centuries, America has accepted thoughtful and iconic gifts from its international partners—gifts that have helped shape the nation's image and soul. The Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, gifted by Queen Victoria in 1880, remains a symbol of enduring ties with the United Kingdom. Can we imagine New York without the Statue of Liberty from France? Or springtime in Washington, D.C. without the cherry blossoms gifted by Japan? So why is the gift from Qatar —a custom-made, American-built aircraft offered to President Donald J. Trump , now serving his second term—being treated differently? According to reports, some voices in Washington, allegedly influenced by pro-Israel lobbying groups such as AIPAC, have attempted to stir opposition in Congress. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to be concerned that this gift may increase Qatar's influence in Washington. But this narrative conveniently ignores Qatar's long-standing, deep-rooted alliance with the United States. Qatar hosts Al Udeid Air Base , the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East , and has been a critical player in U.S. diplomacy for decades. It is a country that has repeatedly proven its value as a partner—whether in counterterrorism efforts, humanitarian diplomacy, or regional stability. Let's also be clear: this gift is not about foreign influence. It is about shared values and mutual respect . The aircraft in question is designed and built in America , and is the same model used by U.S. presidents. Far from seeking to gain leverage, Qatar is celebrating American innovation—and honoring its strategic relationship with the United States. Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani , addressed the controversy directly during the Fifth Qatar Economic Forum: 'I am not comparing this gift to the Statue of Liberty… It is not something we are doing to buy influence. It is our duty to help when help is needed.' At the same time, Qatar has committed to investing $1.2 trillion in the U.S. economy —a move that will create American jobs and strengthen our industries. It has also placed the largest single order ever for Boeing aircraft , directly benefiting American workers and manufacturers. This is not a moment for political games. It is a time to show appreciation for an ally that is standing with America in real, tangible ways. Turning away a gift like this would be both diplomatically tone-deaf and economically self-defeating. Let's stop pretending this is about ethics or influence. This is about whether the United States can still tell the difference between a friend and a foe . Qatar has proven itself to be a friend—repeatedly, consistently, and at great cost. President Trump knows that. So should the rest of Washington . Did America forget how to be grateful and say Thank you ?
