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The Sun
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Nuke strike could plunge US into blackout like Spain at ANY minute – weapon Trump needs now to protect 340million people
AMERICA must install a missile defence shield before the country's electrical grid is wiped out in a nuke strike, an expert has warned. Donald Trump has signed an executive order to construct a futuristic "Golden Dome" to banish threats from countries including Iran. 7 But with both Tehran and North Korea rapidly accelerating nuclear development, military historian William R. Forstchen has warned the US needs a defence system sooner rather than later. Trump has long been fascinated by Israel 's technological marvel that is the Iron Dome and wants to build something much more complex and expensive. While the Iron Dome effectively intercepts short-range missiles and rockets, the Golden Dome would need to shoot down much larger and powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles. Forstchen told The Sun: "Golden dome is designed as a ballistic defense system for intercontinental. "It is a strategic defence that would prevent any enemy attack from coming across the Pacific Ocean to hit our facilities with an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) hit, which would wipe out our electrical infrastructure. "The big fear I've always held is that North Korea has the capacity to launch an ICBM with a nuclear warhead on top. "When it's detonated above the continental United States, it sets up something called the Compton effect, which blows out the electrical grid of the United States. "This is a system designed to defend against that." But right now, Forstchen warned America will be "screwed" if North Korea or Iran unleashes just three small nuclear on the US - making it more vital than ever that Trump sees through his plan. It could see the US plunged into darkness like Spain and Portugal last Monday. Trump says Iran deal is 'well on its way' - as regime builds ring of steel around deeply buried nuclear fortresses Forstchen said: "I grew up in the 60s and 70s. It was called mutually assured Destruction. "The big fear back then was the Soviets would launch hundreds of missiles at us. "We would launch at them. Everybody blows up. Nobody wins the game. Well, it's a different paradigm now. "Third world players, in particular North Korea and Iran, if it ever achieves nuclear capability, they just have to launch three small warheads about four times the size of a Hiroshima bomb. "Get it up there 200 miles out. When the weapon blows, it sets up an electrostatic discharge called the Compton effect. "That shorts our grid off. The grid is not going. It doesn't self-repair. It does not come back online. And basically, to put it in common terminology, we're screwed." European power outage by Patrick Harrington, Foreign News Reporter MILLIONS were left without power when blackouts struck Spain, Portugal and parts of southern France on Monday. Spain says it is focusing on "overcoming the worst" and identifying the cause of what was the continent's largest power outage. At the worst point on early Monday afternoon, airports and hospitals shut down and trains screeched to a halt. Footage showed people queuing outside grocery stores and ATMs to stockpile essentials amid fears the mayhem could last for days. Roads in Spain, Portugal and parts of France were left snarled up with traffic as lights and signals went blank - with emergency officers drafted in to tackle the bedlam. Some hospitals cancelled all surgeries for Monday amid fears for patient safety in the region's most severe blackout for years. Spain's train service came to a complete stop, leaving huge crowds stranded at stations, and Madrid's underground network was evacuated. Air traffic was slashed to "half capacity" as flights were cancelled from a number of airports - with Lisbon turning away all arrivals for hours. And a major tennis tournament, the Madrid Open, had to be suspended, with Brit Jacob Fearnley's match interrupted by a huge "bang". Investigators are still determining the cause of the mass blackout. Spain's top court has launched a bombshell probe into whether sabotage was behind the sudden power loss after it is revealed that "unusual activity" hit the UK grid hours before Europe. Forstchen - a leading authority on EMP technology who has given guidance on its potential impact to federal and state governments - warned the Dome would be America's only hope against an EMP attack. An EMP is a burst of electromagnetic energy produced by a nuclear explosion in the atmosphere, that could cause widespread damage to power lines, telecommunications, and electronic equipment. "EMP distorts the grid off and you lose your electricity," he said. "The devastation ultimately would be a hundred times worse because the grid is gone. You can't pump water, get food, all the other things we depend upon." It comes as Trump's Golden Dome hopes gather pace - with his billionaire pal Elon Musk understood to have won the contract to build the incredible missile defence shield. Musk's rocket and satellite company SpaceX is partnering with software maker Palantir and drone builder Anduril to build key parts. 7 Plans include building and launching more than 1,000 satellites circling the globe to sense incoming missiles and track their movement, sources told Reuters. A separate fleet of 200 attack satellites armed with missiles or lasers would then bring enemy missiles down. SpaceX is understood to be pitching for the part of the Golden Dome initiative called the "custody layer". It would work as a constellation of satellites that would detect missiles, track their trajectory, and determine if they are heading toward the US. However, the rocket company is not expected to be involved in the weaponisation of satellites. Overall cost for the Dome could hit hundreds of billions of dollars, experts say. Trump previously warned a missile attack is "the most catastrophic threat facing the United States" - and is in a race to strike a deal with Iran over its controversial nuclear programme. 7 7 Iran's accelerates nuclear development Exclusive by Katie Davis, Chief Foreign Reporter (Digital) IRAN is believed to have accelerated its nuclear weapons development and is building terrifying nuclear warheads for solid-fuel missiles with a range exceeding 1,800 miles (3,000km). A powerful blast from Iran could impact on several continents due to the chilling capability of the warheads. Italy, Ukraine, Sudan, India and even large swaths of Russia would all potentially be in the firing line. They are being developed at two sites in Shahrud and Semnan, which were previously pinned as rocket or space satellite launch sites. A third site, Sorkheh Hesar, is also said to be carrying out projects, including research on nuclear power and underground explosions. Nukes are being quickly created under the watchful eye of the regime's nuclear weaponization entity, the Organization for Advanced Defense Research (SPND). Bosses are developing nuclear warheads for the solid-fuel Ghaem-100 missiles, which are equipped with mobile launch platforms at the Shahrud site. Iran's rocket designers have used North Korea's missiles as a guide to develop the Ghaem-100 missile. When the missile was in a very early testing stage in 2011, dozens of missile experts were killed at the Modarres site in Tehran. Personnel vehicles are banned from entering the Shahrud site and are forced to park at a checkpoint before people are transported in. Meanwhile, they are using the liquid fuel missile Simorgh to develop nuclear warheads in Semnan. Iran has staged three successful Ghaem-100 missile launches over the past two years, enhancing the regime's capability to deploy nuclear weapons. The US president vowed "there will be bombing" if Tehran's regime fails to negotiate an agreement. National security adviser Mike Waltz has said that Trump wants the "full dismantlement" of Iran's nuclear programme. He added: "That's enrichment, that is weaponisation, and that is its strategic missile programme." But Iran hopes a deal to limit, but not dismantle, its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. Fears of a devastating strike comes as both Iran and North Korea ramp up their nuke schemes. The Sun previously revealed how Iran's tyrannical regime has been secretly building nuclear warheads for missiles that can fire more than 3,000km. Satellite pictures uncovered three sites that Iran's leaders claimed were being used as part of a space initiative. Tehran is building terrifying nuclear warheads for solid-fuel missiles with a range exceeding 1,800 miles (3,000km). North Korea meanwhile is understood to have around 50 nuclear weapons and sufficient production of fissile material for six to seven nuclear weapons per year. Tyrant Kim Jong-un has continued arms build-up in response to what Pyongyang claims is threats from the US and its allies in the region. Trump is said to be planning to kick off fresh talks with Kim over his alarming nuclear advances. Earlier this month, Kim unveiled North Korea's largest naval destroyer that could house a vertical launchpad capable of firing nuclear missiles. The extent of North Korea's nuclear and missile programme has long been shrouded in mystery - with stations scattered across the hermit kingdom. But The Sun last month revealed how scheming Kim had constructed a new missile base disguised as a private golf course. 7 The Sun's visit to an Iron Dome battery By Katie Davis, Chief Foreign Reporter (Digital) THE Sun this month got a rare look at an Iron Dome battery system in southern Israel. Tucked along a track away from prying eyes close to a city of around 33,000, a group of highly trained IDF soldiers work tirelessly to repel missiles fired by Hamas from Gaza. Fenced off from the public, the batteries sit on a concrete base ready to be put into action at the drop of a hat. Firing units are primed and ready to go, with the launchers always pointing towards the sky as incoming threats can come at any moment. An IDF commander walked us through exactly how the remarkable system works and proudly told how they had successfully wiped out around 96 per cent of missiles fired their way. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, this exceptional kit is essential to Israel's defence. During my time in Israel last week, I saw first hand the devastation Hamas caused on October 7. Kibbutz Nir Oz was decimated by callous terrorists and around a quarter of its residents were either brutally killed or taken hostage. Hamas also unleashed a barrage of more than 5,000 missiles against Israeli targets that day in a bid to overwhelm its robust defence system. Since then, the terror group has continued to repeatedly blitz Israel - but thanks to systems like the Iron Dome it has managed to limit casualty numbers
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Iconic drinks brand from 90s launches brand new flavour and shoppers are itching to try it
Georgie English, Foreign News Reporter Published: Invalid Date, AN ICONIC drinks brand beloved in the 90s has launched a tasty new flavour which has been labelled as the "best one yet". Shoppers have been rushing to stores to try and find the sour apple flavoured fruity beverage scanning for less than £1. 3 3 Sunny Delight, known as Sunny D, now stock the fresh sour apple drink in two British supermarkets. Shoppers at Heron Foods and Farm Foods can snap up the fascinating green drink for just 90p. And on July 3, it will also be available in Asda stores across the UK. The official sunny D Instagram account announced the new addition to their drinks range at the end of April. They said: "Sour apple has entered chat! "A whole new tang just dropped, all the nostalgia of original sunny D but with a crisp twist! ㅤ "Not to be dramatic, but… this might be our best one yet." The low calorie and high in vitamin drink has Dozens of people rushed to the comments of numerous posts to say how excited they were over the drink. One wrote: "Love the sound of this!" As another told their friend: "I wanna try lol." A third even chimed in: "Wow I need that." Shoppers run to Primark as perfect spring jacket reduced to just £5 in sale Other shoppers who have already purchased the drink even commented on the great price. One said it was scanning at tills in Heron Foods for only 90p. It comes just weeks after sunny D also released a new pink lemonade flavour. It is being sold exclusively at Iceland with shoppers able to get five bottles for £5. Other flavours available include the classic Florida style citrus fusion, blue raspberry and very cherry. In other exciting news for fizzy drink fanatics, a "legendary" Coca-Cola bottle has returned to shelves in UK shops - 12 years after being discontinued. The comeback is inspired Gen Z's quest for "authentic connection," the beloved brand has said. Shoppers have also been going wild over a new Walkers snack spotted on supermarket shelves which is based on beloved crisps. Wotsits have been turned into a full-blown meal in a surprising revamp in the form of Mac 'n' Cheese bowls. The flavours include Sweet & Spicy, Flamin Hot and Really Cheesy. Why are products axed or recipes changed? ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether. They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers. There are several reasons why this could be done. For example, government regulation, like the "sugar tax," forces firms to change their recipes. Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs. They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable. For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018. It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version. Fanta removed sweetener from its sugar-free alternative earlier this year. Suntory tweaked the flavour of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks. While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose.
The Sun
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Canada's anti-Trump Brexit-bashing new PM Mark Carney WINS snap election amid ‘51st state' and tariffs threat
Annabel Bate, Foreign News Reporter Published: Invalid Date, CANADA'S anti-Trump, Brexit-bashing new Prime Minister Mark Carney has won the slap election in a stunning reversal of fortune. Canadians have decided who will respond to US President Donald Trump 's tariffs threats, including his desire to make Canada the 51st US state. 11 11 11 Forecasters quickly called that Carney's Liberals would form the next government after polls closed in vote-heavy Ontario and Quebec. It is not yet clear whether that will be a majority or minority - they need 172 seats to rule outright. Victorious Carney took over from former leader Justin Trudeau when the Liberals had been tanking in polls. Carney's election as leader and Trump's threats reversed that polling decline and the Liberals' support skyrocketed. The former central banker called a snap election and managed to keep that support during the campaign as he has consistently vowed to resist Trump's threats to make Canada the 51st state of America. And, having been a governor of the Bank of England, in many voters eyes, Carney understands what it takes to remain diplomatic which could come in handy in future crunch talks with the US President. His seven-year term at the Bank became known however for his failed attempts to stop Britain from voting leave in the European Union in the 2016 referendum. Carney's main opponent in the race has been Conservative leader Pierre Poilevre. At the start of the year, Poilevre was seen as the candidate that will end 10 years of Liberal rule with his relatable and snappy Trump-approach to public speaking. Voters were also desperate to boot out Trudeau following a tenure marred by scandal and public outcry. Trump's tariff 'chaos' explained as global trade war escalates But when Trump slapped brutal aluminium and steel tariffs on the nation, the voting focus shifted for many Canadians. Conservative strategist Dan Roberts told The Telegraph: " Donald Trump was like a nuclear bomb going off on the Canadian political landscape. "It just levelled everything." Earlier, as Canadians went to polling stations, the Don wished Canadians "good luck" - while painting a picture for voters of what their country could look like as the "cherished 51st state of the United States of America". Trump posted to Truth Social: "Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, increase your military power, for free, to the highest level in the World, have your Car, Steel, Aluminum, Lumber, Energy, and all other businesses, QUADRUPLE in size, WITH ZERO TARIFFS OR TAXES, if Canada becomes the cherished 51st. State of the United States of America. "No more artificially drawn line from many years ago. Look how beautiful this land mass would be. Free access with NO BORDER. ALL POSITIVES WITH NO NEGATIVES. IT WAS MEANT TO BE! "America can no longer subsidize Canada with the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year that we have been spending in the past. It makes no sense unless Canada is a State!" Last month, when Canada's Parliament was dissolved after the bombshell election call, Liberals had 152 seats and the Conservatives 120. The remaining seats were held by the Bloc Quebecois with 33, the New Democrat Party with 24, and two with the Green Party. At a rally at Toronto airport on Saturday, Carney kept his message clear and concise for his followers - warning of the threat from Trump. He said: "President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us. "And well, that will never happen." Rival Poilevre tended to communicate a message of change - attracting many younger Canadian voters who are facing issues at the hands of the country's economy, like getting on the housing ladder. His rallies, that often attract thousands, had many voting experts questioning whether initial polls could have been underestimating his popularity across the country. Poilevre told supporters in British Columbia over the weekend: "We can't afford four more years of the Liberals." 11 11 11 The final days of campaigning for leaders was overshadowed by harrowing tragedy when 11 people were killed after a man drove a car into a crowd at a Filipino street festival in Vancouver on the weekend. Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, is charged with eight counts of second degree murder, although cops say "further charges are anticipated". The force insisted that the incident was not being treated as a terrorist attack. The Lapu Lapu Festival commemorates a Filipino anti-colonial leader from the 16th century. Canada 's New Democracy Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh - who was at the event before the horror incident unfolded - said he was "horrified to learn" of "innocent people" being killed and hurt. He added: "As we wait to learn more, our thoughts are with the victims and their families – and Vancouver's Filipino community, who were coming together today to celebrate resilience." The NDP had made a campaign stop at the Lapu Lapu Day block party. Carney said on Saturday night: "I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening." Conservative Poilievre described being shocked by the "horrific news". He said: "My thoughts are with the Filipino community and all the victims targeted by this senseless attack." 11 11 11
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Putin ‘offers to HALT frontline invasion of Ukraine' as Trump's seven-point peace plan ‘to let Russia keep seized land'
Annabel Bate, Foreign News Reporter Published: Invalid Date, VLADIMIR Putin has reportedly offered to halt the bloody frontline invasion of Ukraine in the latest unpredictable move by the dictator. Donald Trump's seven-point peace plan has also been uncovered, where the Republican has outlined that Russia could keep various land seized from Ukraine. 6 6 6 Mad Vlad apparently told Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff that Moscow could halt his invasion - and even renounce its claims to areas of four partly-occupied Ukrainian regions that remain under Kyiv 's control, three sources told the Financial Times. The bombshell, unconfirmed revelation reportedly took place during a meeting in St Petersburg earlier in April. Trump and his advisors have since suggested a possible settlement that includes Washington recognising Russian ownership of Ukraine 's Crimean peninsula. Washington would also have to at least acknowledge the Kremlin 's de facto control over the parts of the four regions it currently holds. The reported proposal is the first sign Putin has given that shows he could actually be willing to step back from his radical demands to finally end the war. European officials briefed on US efforts to end fighting in Ukraine warned that Putin would likely use the unpredictable compromise as a way of manipulating Trump into accepting Russia 's other demands. One official said to the newspaper: "There is a lot of pressure on Kyiv right now to give up on things so Trump can claim victory." But other reports claim that Trump will let Putin keep close to all the territory his cannon fodder troops have seized from Zelensky, as outlined in an unconfirmed seven-point plan to end the war, according to the Telegraph. The unbelievable proposal will reportedly be discussed in London on Wednesday to see how Kyiv will react - but the proposed plan leaves Ukraine with no clear US security guarantee. It includes the US offering formal recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea while implying de facto recognition of other occupied territories. Vladimir Putin vows 'Easter truce' in Ukraine war from TODAY after Trump warned US will ditch peace talks if no progress This would result in a freeze of the current devastating frontline - but consequently allows mad Vlad to keep almost all the territory Russia has gained. However, the plan does cover some points that work in Ukraine's favour, like Russia giving up two small areas currently occupied by its soldiers, the newspaper adds. Ukraine would also regain unrestrained access to the beginning of the Dnieper river while Russia would withdraw from a second area of Kherson province. US envoy General Keith Kellogg seeks to gain Ukraine's approval, and therefore agreement, to the plan on Wednesday. Witkoff is then to travel to Moscow and present the bombshell plan mad Vlad. SEVEN-POINT PLAN A source with knowledge of the mysterious plan said that its points one and two involve an immediate ceasefire and intense, direct talks between Ukraine and Russia, the newspaper reports. Point three then requires Ukraine to halt its drive to receive Nato membership, but the country would still be able to join the EU. And European countries could deploy peacekeeping troops to deter the Russian dictator from invading again - but the seven-point plan doesn't commit the US to guarantee the security of any deployment like this, Telegraph understands. 6 6 6 Point four then looks at territory, with the US offering legal recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea. This would violate a central principle of international law, as well as the post-1945 world order, where no country can annext the territory of another. The unconfirmed proposal would freeze the frontline and, in turn, allow Putin to keep close to all of Russia's gains. While it wouldn't formally recognise those areas as being part of Russia, the newspaper understands that the plan hints as de facto US recognition. In the plan, Ukraine's largest nuclear power station at Zaporizhzhia that's currently held by Russian forces would be handed over to the US. In point six, Ukraine would sign the minerals deal to allow US companies to access the country's rich natural resources. And point seven poses the chance of a new relationship between the US and Russia. In the plan, all US sanctions would be lifted, and the two sides would discuss co-operating on energy. Can there be peace? BY Lydia Doye EARLIER this year it seemed hopeful that world leaders would broker a peace deal in Ukraine. But these hopes are wavering as Putin has repeatedly refused to cooperate, instead choosing to ramp up attacks on Ukraine. Putin's latest recruitment drive could have huge ramifications for peace with Donald Trump already voicing serious concerns over Putin's readiness to agree to a ceasefire in recent days. Putin has already angered the US President over refusing to commit to any truce agreement. Trump previously admitted he was 'p***ed off' with the Russian tyrant after he called for Zelensky's removal from office in an effort to stall peace. In Europe Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have put forward an idea to help maintain a future truce deal by sending their troops to patrol. But this proposal has been widely condemned by Putin and his Kremlin pals sparking further Russia-European tensions.
