Latest news with #GoldenDome
Mint
13 minutes ago
- Politics
- Mint
China evasive on performance of its weapons in India-Pakistan conflict, slams US over space militarisation
A Chinese spokesperson remained tight-lipped when asked about the use and performance of China-made weapons during the India-Pakistan conflict. Speaking at a regular Thursday press briefing, spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang evaded the question but urged both sides to remain calm. According to Chinese state media Global Times, the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense was asked to comment on the performance of Chinese equipment in the recent India-Pakistan conflict. The spokesperson was also asked for the ministry's comment on the remarks by Indian military officials that "Pakistan received support from China's air defense and satellite systems, but the performance of these systems was below average." Zhang responded on Thursday, saying, "We would like to stress that India and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved. We hope both sides will remain calm and restrained to avoid further complicating the situation." "China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability," he was quoted by Global Times as saying. Zhang also responded to a question on whether it is true that India had obtained the powerful PL-15E beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile during the India-Pakistan conflict and whether this could lead to reverse engineering of related military technology. Zhang said the missile in question is an exported piece of equipment that has been displayed at multiple domestic and international defence exhibitions. The statement came amid reports of India recovering an unexploded PL-15E missile, a Chinese-made beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. Pakistan and India announced on May 10 a cessation of hostilities. The announcement came following four days of Operation Sindoor, India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The Chinese ministry spokesperson also criticised the US for its "space militarisation" and its move to unveil plans for the Golden Dome missile defense system. Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said on Thursday that the US presses ahead with the Golden Dome system and deploys space-based weapons, continuously expands its military build-up and stokes an arms race in outer space. "Such acts violate relevant principles of the Outer Space Treaty, heighten the risk of turning the space into a war zone and triggering a space arms race, and shake the international security and arms control regime," he said. The spokesperson then warned, "Its actions will once again open the Pandora's proves again that no country has done more than the US in militarising space and making it a battlefield." "We urge the US side to stop expanding military build-up in space, and take concrete actions to uphold global strategic stability," he said.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Congressman says Space Command weeks away from moving to Alabama
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) says it could only be a matter of weeks before the decision to move the nation's Space Command headquarters to Huntsville's Redstone Arsenal becomes official. A report released by the Government Accountability Office stated the '…. Command's posture is not suitable long term…' in Colorado, among other findings. But Colorado lawmakers have vowed to fight moving the Space Command HQ to Alabama. Congressman Aderholt said that President Donald Trump has announced plans for Golden Dome — an effort to defend the U.S. against missiles. He said the President can't move forward with that project fully until a decision is made on Space Command. 'Without Space Command, President Trump really can't move forward in a meaningful way with Golden Dome,' said Aderholt. 'So, getting this to Huntsville, getting this set up, I think it is imperative for the President's mission with Golden Dome to move forward.' Completed Northern Beltline expected to increase business, save lives in Jefferson County Congressman Aderholt said he and his colleagues are in constant contact with the White House about Space Command. 'We feel like that the President made that commitment to move Space Command from Colorado, and it wasn't a political decision,' he said. 'It was a decision based on the facts.' State Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest) said the move adds to the state's footprint on defense. 'Huntsville is known for its legacy in space exploration, its rockets, and the aerospace industry,' Whitt said. 'But, with our current innovation with the defense industry here in Huntsville, it's just a natural fit.' Whitt explained Huntsville is well prepared for the move, and its impact will be far reaching on the state overall. 'We have over four hundred defense contractors in our city here ready to go to work for the U.S., and our safety,' he said. 'So, we're very excited about it. I think it will bring jobs, an economic boom here for the town.' Congressman Aderholt said, ultimately, it will be President Trump's decision on where the headquarters will end up. He said to stay tuned. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Rocket Lab signs $460 million deal to build missile defence system
An Army Tactical Missile System being tested in December 2021, at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Photo: AFP / John Hamilton / US Army California-based Rocket Lab says it has done a deal with a company capable of helping build the Golden Dome missile defence system. It has signed up to buy the parent holding company of Arizona firm Geost for $460 million. Geost develops electro-optical and infrared technology used in missile warning and tracking, surveillance and reconnaissance, Rocket Lab said. These were "core capabilities" for the likes of the Pentagon's proposed constellation of low-orbit satellites, as well as for the Dome, the company said on its website . The aim of the Dome is to create a shield that can shoot down all sorts of missiles including nuclear warheads. US President Donald Trump last week put the cost of the Golden Dome at $300 billion, but many analysts say it will cost much more. Critics have said it risks undermining global security by fuelling a new arms face involving space. Sir Peter Beck said the Geost deal positioned Rocket Lab as a "disruptive prime" - meaning major - contractor to US national security. "Rocket Lab was founded to disrupt the traditional space industry and we're doing just that," Beck said on the firm's website. "By bringing these mission critical payloads in-house, Rocket Lab enhances its ability to rapidly deliver integrated spacecraft systems purpose-built for US national security," the website said. The acquisition to be settled later this year would take the company's staff numbers to 2600 in factories and at test and launch sites in New Zealand, California, Virginia, Colorado, Maryland, New Mexico, Toronto and Arizona. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Canadian ambassador likens Trump Golden Dome comments to ‘protection racket'
Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations Bob Rae on Wednesday compared President Trump's recent comments about the 'Golden Dome' missile defense program to a 'protection racket.' Trump on Tuesday said he offered Canada free Golden Dome protection if the northern neighbor agrees to join the U.S. as its 51st state. If Canada does not agree to be annexed — and chooses instead to 'remain a separate, but unequal, Nation' — the protection would cost $61 billion, Trump said. 'In another context this would called a 'protection racket,'' Rae posted on X, responding to Trump's comments. 'Both Canada and the United States signed the UN Charter in 1945. Article 2 of the Charter states clearly 'The Organization is based on the sovereign equality of all nations,'' Rae wrote in a subsequent post. 'Threats to sovereign integrity also prohibited,' he added. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has repeatedly stressed his country would not join the U.S. under any circumstance. His recent election victory is often attributed to his firm defiance of Trump's musings about annexing Canada. 'The prime minister has been clear at every opportunity, including in his conversations with President Trump, that Canada is an independent, sovereign nation, and it will remain one,' Carney's office told a Canadian news outlet, in response to Trump's remarks. Carney's office confirmed last week that there were 'active discussions' between the two countries on existing and new security programs such as Golden Dome, the BBC reported. 'Canadians gave the prime minister a strong mandate to negotiate a comprehensive new security and economic relationship with the United States,' Audrey Champoux, a spokesperson for Carney, told the BBC. 'To that end, the prime minister and his ministers are having wide-ranging and constructive discussions with their American counterparts. These discussions naturally include strengthening [North American Aerospace Defense Command] and related initiatives such as the Golden Dome,' she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump dangles free missile defense, if Canada becomes the 51st state
Trump dangles free missile defense, if Canada becomes the 51st state originally appeared on TheStreet. The crypto market traded flat on Wednesday as Bitcoin hovered around $109,000 and Ether stayed just above $2,670. But outside the charts, geopolitical tension took center stage after former U.S. President Donald Trump delivered an eyebrow-raising offer to Canada: become the 51st state, and access missile defense for free. Trump said Canada would otherwise have to pay $61 billion to join his proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system, a massive $175 billion project he claims will be operational by the end of his term in 2029. 'I told Canada, which very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System, that it will cost $61 Billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation,' Trump posted on Truth Social. 'But (it) will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State. They are considering the offer!' Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that high-level talks had been held over the defense system but brushed off Trump's statehood suggestion during a recent visit to the White House, saying his country was 'never for sale.' Despite existing defense coordination through NORAD, the proposal has sparked fresh friction between the two North American allies — even as Trump tries to sweeten the deal. There was no immediate official response from Canada following Trump's latest statement. Geopolitical tensions — especially those involving major powers like the U.S. — often create uncertainty in traditional markets, which can spill over into crypto. When events like Trump's $61 billion ultimatum to Canada or broader military defense moves make headlines, investors tend to reassess global stability. This can push some toward crypto as a hedge, especially Bitcoin, which is often viewed as "digital gold" during times of fiat or geopolitical risk. However, this shift isn't always immediate or predictable — it depends on how serious and prolonged the tensions are. At the same time, rising geopolitical friction can also lead to tighter regulations, cross-border capital controls, or increased surveillance, all of which impact how crypto moves globally. For example, any hint that Canada or the U.S. might clamp down on capital outflows or enforce stricter cross-border payment rules could drive local users to shift funds into crypto. So while crypto didn't react sharply to the Canada–Trump tension this week, long-term shifts in diplomatic alliances and defense posturing can subtly reshape the global crypto landscape. Trump dangles free missile defense, if Canada becomes the 51st state first appeared on TheStreet on May 28, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on May 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
