Latest news with #AshtonCarter
Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
The harsh reality behind Hegseth's fine words in Singapore
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth arriving for a trilateral meeting at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31. PHOTO: REUTERS Ten years ago this month, I was invited by the US government to travel in a US Marine Corp MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft transporting then US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter for a flight over the Malacca Strait – a gesture meant to emphasise America's muscular commitment to South-east Asia, and determination to keep the sea lanes of communication open. Mr Carter, a veteran Pentagon official who rose to the top job after serving 11 secretaries of defence, had told the American media just weeks earlier that in terms of the Barack Obama administration's 'rebalance' to Asia, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement 'is as important to me as another aircraft carrier. It would deepen our alliances and partnerships abroad and underscore our lasting commitment to the Asia-Pacific'. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Concerns about BioLab chemical fire resurfacing
Exposure to BioLab, Inc.'s chemical fire was the topic of conversation for nearly three hours Wednesday night. People who live close to the plant that caught on fire in Sept. met for a town hall meeting to discuss health concerns and legal options. 'I still don't know the long term effects,' said Ashton Carter. 'It started affecting my breathing, my nose, my eyes,' said Travis Benson. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Nearly a month after the fire, shelter-in-place orders were lifted and federal and state leaders said there was no immediate threat to the community, but attorneys called a town hall meeting to gauge the community's response to it. 'How their life has been impacted by what happened at BioLab is important,' said Mindy Bish. Bish told the crowd she would file each civil suit separately instead of choosing the class action route. 'No two cases are the same. We have one person who, for example, is having trouble breathing, another person whose heart ailment has gotten worse. We have women who haven't been able to get pregnant,' said Bish. An environmentalist told people in the crowd he gathered ground, water and surface samples around BioLab after the fire. A doctor compared lab results to chlorine bombs used in chemical warfare. TRENDING STORIES: GBI says teen brothers died of self-inflicted injuries on north GA mountain Facebook Marketplace car theft ring ends in dozens of charges for 2 women, Gwinnett police say Severe weather leaves behind multiple reports of damage Some wonder if challenging BioLab is worth it. 'I really do feel powerless against it,' said Cater. Attorneys told the crowd they have to file suits challenging Rockdale County's response to the emergency within one year of an incident. 'I'd like to get more insight, more information, more knowledge as to exactly what we were exposed to, what we're breathing in and what were the long term effects,' said Carter. BioLab, Inc. announced earlier this month it will no longer manufacture in Conyers. It said the distribution center will remain operational. Channel 2's Courtney Francisco reached out to the company Wednesday night to find out if that means it will be storing chemicals there. We are waiting for a response. A Department of Labor investigation released in April said the fire happened because BioLab stored its product improperly. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
