Latest news with #IronDome
Business Insider
2 minutes ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
House lawmakers are now getting $5,000 a month for personal security guards
If you're a lawmaker looking to purchase a new home security system, now's the time to do it. The House Administration Committee announced on Tuesday that members of the House of Representatives can now spend $20,000 on home security improvements with public funds, up from $10,000 before. They're also getting $5,000 a month to spend on personal security, including hired security guards, back in their home states. That's an increase from just $150 before, and it's set to last through September 30, the end of the fiscal year. The change is coming days before the House heads home for the August recess, when many lawmakers will be back in their districts and interacting with constituents, including at town halls. Politicians have been able to spend campaign funds on personal security, and many of them already do. Wealthier lawmakers may choose to hire security with their own money as well. The changes come a month after two Minnesota state lawmakers were shot in their homes in what the Department of Justice has called "targeted political assassinations." The speaker of the Minnesota House, Melissa Hortman, died of her injuries along with her husband Mark. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot, but survived. Other lawmakers have faced threats to their lives in recent months. The most recent was Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, whose Bronx office was vandalized after she voted against an amendment to a defense spending bill that would have struck funding for Israel's "Iron Dome" defensive missile system. A spokesman for the congresswoman, Oliver Hidalgo-Wohlleben, said on X on Monday that her office had "received multiple threats on the Congresswoman's life and we are treating this seriously with our security partners to make sure she, our staff, and volunteers are safe."
International Business Times
3 hours ago
- Business
- International Business Times
Trump Administration Seeks New Allies for Golden Dome Defense Program Amid Musk Fallout
The Trump administration is actively expanding its list of potential partners for the Golden Dome missile defense system, signaling a shift away from heavy reliance on Elon Musk's SpaceX. Sources say defense officials are now courting Amazon's Project Kuiper and major military contractors to diversify involvement in the $175 billion initiative. This move follows a breakdown in relations between US President Trump and Musk, culminating in a public dispute on June 5. Even before the fallout, the Pentagon and White House had quietly begun seeking alternatives to avoid overdependence on SpaceX, which currently leads with its Starlink and Starshield satellite networks supporting military communications. SpaceX, while still favored for launch contracts due to its record of over 9,000 satellite deployments, may see its share in the project reduced. Musk previously stated the company had not bid for Golden Dome and prefers to focus on space exploration. The company declined to comment further. Amazon's Project Kuiper, though still in early deployment with only 78 of a planned 3,000 satellites launched, has drawn new interest from the Pentagon. Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos confirmed earlier that Kuiper's constellation would have defense applications. A company spokesperson declined to comment on current talks. Meanwhile, traditional defense firms including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris are actively in discussions to support the Golden Dome. Lockheed said it is ready to assist, while L3Harris noted increased demand for its missile tracking systems. Northrop is developing a space-based interceptor, enhancing the shield's strike-back potential from orbit. The administration's outreach now includes emerging space tech firms like Rocket Lab and Stoke Space. Officials confirm that as the program matures, individual launch contracts will be opened for competitive bidding. A senior U.S. official said Kuiper is considered a top candidate for satellite deployment. Congress has already increased satellite funding, granting the U.S. Space Force $13 billion to accelerate production. The first $25 billion allocation under Trump's defense spending bill is expected soon. Security concerns remain, however, as commercial satellites must be fortified against cyber threats and electronic warfare. Golden Dome, modeled after Israel's Iron Dome but on a global scale, is central to Trump's rapid defense push. Under a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Space Force General Michael Guetlein must deliver a complete implementation plan within 120 days of his July 17 Senate confirmation. The program's future could reshape space militarization and global defense dynamics, while also redefining the tech-defense industry landscape amid political shifts and rivalries. (With inputs from agencies)
Reuters
16 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
Romania to buy Israeli anti-aircraft systems for $2.3 bln
July 21 (Reuters) - Romania has signed a framework agreement to buy Israeli-made Shorad-Vshorad anti-aircraft systems for more than 2 billion euros ($2.3 billion), the Romanian defence ministry said on Monday. Under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, Romania and other European countries have been looking to increase their defence spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in 2022. The European Union and NATO member state, which shares a 650 km (400 mile) border with Ukraine, has had Russian drone fragments fall onto its territory repeatedly over the past two years as Moscow attacks Ukrainian port infrastructure. The framework agreement with the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems - maker with U.S. backing of Israel's Iron Dome defence system - provides for the signing of three further contracts, through which six integrated anti-aircraft systems will be acquired. The contracts will also cover training, ammunition and logistical support. The framework agreement will run for seven years, with the first two Vshorad systems to be delivered within three years of the signing of the first of the three further contracts, the ministry said. ($1 = 0.8564 euros)
India.com
21 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Meet Israel's new laser weapon, a game changer weapon which will replace Iron Dome, bad news for Iran, Hamas due to...
Meet Israel's new laser weapon, a game changer weapon which will replace Iron Dome, bad news for Iran, Hamas due to... Tel Aviv: Last month, Israel gave details about its new powerful weapon, which has the capability to change aerial warfare. The weapon is capable of detecting and destroying drones, fighter jets, and missiles that come in its range. Tel Aviv has said that it has developed not one but three laser weapons to strengthen its air defence. The names of these laser weapons are Iron Beam, Iron Beam M, and Light Beam. Notably, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have already successfully tested it against Hezbollah's drone attack. The country also informed that the laser platform will be fully deployed by the end of 2025. This weapon is being said to completely change Israel's security. Let's know more. Much Cheaper Than Iron Dome Israel's most popular and promising air defence system is Iron Dome. We have all seen videos of Iron Dome destroying enemy's rockets, drones and missiles. The air defence system works against short-range rockets, missiles or drones but its quite expensive. The current cost of Iron Dome interceptor is between USD40,000 and USD100,000 to Israel. On the contrary, Iron Beam, Iron Beam M (mobile) and Light Beam's operating cost is almost zero as these systems don't use any explosive; they use electricity to create laser beam. Dangerous To The Enemy Laser weapons offer a significant advantage over systems like Iron Dome by intercepting missiles and rockets at much earlier stages of their flight due to the speed of light. Their ability to fire multiple beams simultaneously expands defensive coverage. This improved interception capability has the potential to dramatically enhance domestic security. Issues With Laser Weapons Lasers air defence systems are still useless against enemy ballistic missiles due to their limited range. The laser weapon can focus on slow targets not on highspeed ballistic missile. On the other hand, Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 missile defence systems intercept ballistic missiles at high altitudes. The effectiveness of lasers is majorly reduced by atmospheric distance, weather conditions, and cloud cover.
Middle East Eye
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defends decision to support military aid for Israel
US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has come under fire for defending her decision to support a bill which will see more military aid go to Israel's Iron Dome air defence system. The New York lawmaker voted against an amendment by Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene last week that sought to block $500m in Congress' annual defence spending bill for Israel's Iron Dome programme. Fellow Democrats Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar had supported Taylor Greene's amendment, which eventually lost in a 422-6 vote. In a post on X on Saturday, Ocasio-Cortez claimed that Green's amendment did "nothing to cut off offensive aid to Israel nor end the flow of US munitions being used in Gaza". "What it does do is cut off defensive Iron Dome capacities while allowing the actual bombs killing Palestinians to continue," she said. "I have long stated that I do not believe that adding to the death count of innocent victims to this war is constructive to its end. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "That is a simple and clear difference of opinion that has long been established. I remain focused on cutting the flow of US munitions that are being used to perpetuate the genocide in Gaza." On Saturday, the Democratic Socialists of America, of which Ocasio-Cortez is a member, said it was crucial that lawmakers backed all-encompassing arm embargoes against Israel, including those concerning defensive weapons. 'While the Congresswoman voted against the defense appropriations bill itself, voting against funding for the imperialist military-industrial complex and the Israeli genocide, we were further deeply disappointed by her clarifying statement on her position on the Iron Dome. AOC faces backlash for crying, but not voting, over bill to fund Israel's Iron Dome Read More » 'Along with other US-funded interceptor systems, the Iron Dome has emboldened Israel to invade or bomb no less than five different countries in the past two years.' DSA said that providing any military aid to Israel while they carried out a genocide with US support is completely unacceptable as it legitimised "its eliminationist campaign against the Palestinian people". "The fact that Representative Ocasio-Cortez acknowledges that Israel is carrying out this genocide makes her support for military aid all the more disappointing and incongruous," DSA continued. On Monday, Ocasio-Cortez faced criticism from members of the public, including at least one person who defaced her campaign office with red paint. A sign was also left outside the building, accusing the congresswoman of funding a genocide in Gaza. The New York native in 2021 faced a deluge of criticism over the Iron Dome defence system, when she cried on the House floor after changing her vote from "no" to "present" on providing $1bn in funding for the defence system. In an open letter after that incident, she said she had changed her vote because she was subject to "hateful targeting".
