Latest news with #defence
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Xabi Alonso lock-in Brazilian international as desired defensive partner for Huijsen next season
Real Madrid suffered a collective collapse in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinal as they were humbled to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of European champions Paris Saint-Germain. The Madrid defence was completely in tatters. But one player who did stand out in an otherwise clueless defensive performance was Eder Militao. Advertisement The Brazilian centre-back returned to the pitch for the first time in 242 days, coming on in the 64th minute. Despite the long injury layoff, Militao delivered a solid cameo: he was not dribbled past once, completed 4 defensive actions, won 67% of his duels (4 out of 6), including 3 out of 3 ground duels, and did not commit a single foul. Alonso considers Militao a first-choice starter In the wake of Militao's strong performance in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinal, Diario AS reports that Xabi Alonso has already found his defensive partner for Dean Huijsen next season. Does Militao have what it takes to become the face of the Real Madrid defence? (Photo by) Advertisement With Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba's fitness struggles, coupled with Raul Asencio's inconsistent performances Militao's resurgence has given Alonso a much-needed boost. The Brazilian's pace, composure, and aerial strength align perfectly with Huijsen's ball-playing profile, thus bringing balance to the Real Madrid defence. Xabi Alonso, though, must be cautious with Militao's poor injury record, as the Brazilian has struggled with multiple long-term injuries in the past. Keeping that in mind, it is essential that the new Real Madrid coach also trains an alternative as he looks to build the core of the new-look Real Madrid defence. Players like Asencio, Alaba and Rudiger will indeed play a key role in this endeavour.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
France's Macron announces plan to accelerate military spending
PARIS (Reuters) -President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday announced a plan to push forward France's defence spending, pledging to double the military budget by 2027 - three years earlier than originally planned - in response to a complex geopolitical moment. France had aimed to double its defence budget from 2017 levels by 2030. However, Macron pledged to reach the target by 2027. A military budget that stood at 32 billion euros ($37.40 billion) in 2017 will rise to 64 billion euros by 2027, with an additional 3.5 billion euros allocated for next year and another 3 billion euros in 2027. He said the accelerated spending, which comes as France is struggling to make 40 billion euros in savings in its 2026 budget, would be paid for by increased economic activity. "Our military independence is inseparable from our financial independence," he said. "This will be financed through more activity and more production." He said Prime Minister Francois Bayrou would provide more details in an address on his plans for the 2026 budget on Tuesday. Bayrou is facing an uphill battle to steer billions of euros worth of savings through a bitterly divided parliament, as France strives to lower its budget deficit to keep EU bean-counters and foreign investors at bay. ($1 = 0.8555 euros) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
France 24
11 hours ago
- Business
- France 24
Macron to announce 'major' French defence targets, citing Russian threat
President Emmanuel Macron is on Sunday to set new French defence targets in the face of a menacing Russia and concern about the strength of Washington's committment to the defence of Europe, his office said. "Defence efforts" must be made in the face of mounting threats and a disintegrating world order, Élysée officials said ahead of the president's 7:00 pm (1700 GMT) speech to the armed forces, traditionally held on the eve of France 's national Bastille Day holiday. Despite France's difficult budgetary situation, the president's announcements will be "major", they said. French military and security officials have been warning of global threats weighing on France, with Defence Chief of Staff Chief Thierry Burkhard saying on Friday that Russia posed a "durable" threat to Europe and that the "rank of European countries in tomorrow's world" was being decided in Ukraine, invaded by Russia in 2022. Russia currently views France as its "main adversary in Europe", Burkhard said. He also warned of the consequences of a diminished US commitment to Europe, along with cyber threats, disinformation campaigns and the risk of terror attacks. "We have to take account of the fact that there has been a change in strategic parameters," he said. On Sunday, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu weighed in, telling the La Tribune weekly newspaper that "it's our job to provide answers". France needed to make "a new effort" if it wanted to "depend on nobody" in the future, the minister said. France's defence budget has already increased sharply since Macron took power, rising from 32.2 billion euros ($37.6 billion at current rates) in 2017 to 50.5 billion currently, and is projected to reach 67 billion euros in 2030. 'Sacrosanct' defence budget Any major defence spending boost could, however, threaten French efforts to cut deficits and reduce its debt mountain, amid pressure from the EU Commission on Paris to impose more fiscal discipline. The servicing of France's debt alone will cost the Treasury 62 billion euros this year. But Prime Minister François Bayrou, who on Tuesday is to outline his budget plan for 2026, has declared the defence budget to be "sacrosanct" and exempt from budgetary cuts. Several NATO countries are boosting their military spending, after the alliance's members agreed last month to spend five percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on security. Britain aims to increase its defence budget to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, and to 3.0 percent after 2029. Germany plans to reach a defence budget of 162 billion euros by 2029, equivalent to 3.5 percent of its GDP, while Poland already dedicates 4.7 percent of GDP to defence. 05:50 "Very clearly, we need to revise our programming and strategy today, in light of the changing nature of risks," Macron said on Thursday. Lecornu this month detailed the most urgent needs for the French armed forces, including ground-to-air defences, ammunition, electronic warfare and space capabilities. In Sunday's interview, he said France was mostly worried about falling behind in "disruptive technologies" including artificial intelligence and quantum technology. Beyond budget increases, the French government is also seeking to boost "national cohesion" in the face of global crises. Macron is expected to outline a potential mobilisation drive for young people who should be given "an opportunity to serve", Elysee officials said.
National Post
12 hours ago
- Politics
- National Post
Half of Canadians would volunteer to fight if war breaks out, and fewer young people, poll finds
As Canada ramps up defence spending in an effort to meet its NATO commitments, a pollster suggests the military may struggle to find the people it needs. According to a new Angus Reid Institute poll, just under half of Canadians say they'd be willing to serve if war broke out, and younger adults were the least likely to say they would volunteer. Article content The survey asked Canadians if they would be willing to fight in a war. Only 49 per cent of respondents said they would volunteer for military service in a combat role. Nineteen per cent said, 'Yes, if my country called on me,' while 30 per cent said, 'Yes, but only if I agreed with the reasons for fighting.' More than a third (39 per cent) said they would not be willing to volunteer to fight, while another 12 per cent were not sure. In 1985, when asked if they would be willing to fight for Canada, 61 per cent said 'yes,' while 15 per cent said 'it depends.' Article content Article content Article content 'One of the things that's becoming very clear, and very evident is that the conversation around military readiness, security, defence, is certainly having a moment. We're seeing a 30-year high in terms of willingness to spend more on defence,' said Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, in an interview with National Post. 'We wanted to understand the size and the scope of the willingness (to volunteer for the armed forces) among Canadians.' Article content Article content For years, the Canadian Armed Forces has been dealing with a recruitment crisis and public pride in the military has taken a hit following concerns about underfunding and the lingering impact of the 2021 sexual misconduct scandal. In 2019 nearly 80 per cent of Canadians said they felt proud of the armed forces, today that has dropped to 52 per cent. Article content Willingness to serve was highest among men over the age of 54, with 69 per cent saying they would be willing to volunteer (35 per cent unreservedly and 34 per cent if they agree with the war) and only 21 per cent saying they would not. However, since the army's retirement age is 60, this willingness is of limited practical use. Meanwhile, younger Canadians, who are more sought after by the armed forces, were less willing to volunteer. Article content Article content 'It's one thing to just talk about, we're going to spend money, it's another thing to commit the dollars and spend the money, but the money is going to be spent on people. So how do you square that circle, knowing, for example, that among the least amount of willingness … is among that 18 to 34 cohort,' said Kurl. Article content Article content The poll found that 45 per cent of men aged 18 to 34 were willing to volunteer to fight (21 per cent unreservedly and 34 per cent if they agree with the war) while 36 per cent of men said they were not willing to volunteer. Women in that age group were far less willing to serve, despite efforts to recruit more women to the armed forces. Only 31 per cent said they would volunteer (10 per cent unreservedly and 21 per cent if they agree with the war) while 58 per cent said they would not. Article content Overall, Canadians older than 54 are more willing to serve (55 per cent) than men and women aged 18 to 34 (43 per cent). Article content The poll also showed that political affiliation played a role in willingness. Nearly six in 10 past Conservative voters said they would volunteer, compared to just over four in 10 Liberal voters. A majority of NDP (54 per cent) and Bloc Québécois (52 per cent) supporters declined to volunteer at all.
Malay Mail
13 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Macron to raise French defence targets, citing Russia threat
PARIS, July 13 — President Emmanuel Macron is today to set new French defence targets in the face of a menacing Russia and a potential United States disengagement from Europe, his office said. 'Defence efforts' must be made in the face of mounting threats and a disintegrating world order, Elysee officials said ahead of the president's 7pm (1am Malaysian time) speech to the armed forces, traditionally held on the eve of France's national Bastille Day holiday. Despite France's difficult budgetary situation, the president's announcements will be 'major', they said. French military and security officials have been warning of global threats weighing on France, with Defence Chief of Staff Chief Thierry Burkhard saying on Friday that Russia posed a 'durable' threat to Europe and that the 'rank of European countries in tomorrow's world' was being decided in Ukraine, invaded by Russia in 2022. Russia currently views France as its 'main adversary in Europe', Burkhard said. He also warned of the consequences of a diminished US commitment to Europe, along with cyber threats, disinformation campaigns and the risk of terror attacks. 'We have to take account of the fact that there has been a change in strategic parameters,' he said. On Sunday, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu weighed in, telling the La Tribune weekly newspaper that 'it's our job to provide answers'. France needed to make 'a new effort' if it wanted to 'depend on nobody' in the future, the minister said. France's defence budget has already increased sharply since Macron took power, rising from €32.2 billion (RM160.2 billion at current rates) in 2017 to 50.5 billion currently, and is projected to reach €67 billion in 2030. 'Sacrosanct' defence budget Any major defence spending boost could, however, threaten French efforts to cut deficits and reduce its debt mountain, amid pressure from the EU Commission on Paris to impose more fiscal discipline. The servicing of France's debt alone will cost the Treasury €62 billion this year. But Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who on Tuesday is to outline his budget plan for 2026, has declared the defence budget to be 'sacrosanct' and exempt from budgetary cuts. Several NATO countries are boosting their military spending, after the alliance's members agreed last month to spend five per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on security. Britain aims to increase its defence budget to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027, and to 3.0 per cent after 2029. Germany plans to reach a defence budget of 162 billion euros by 2029, equivalent to 3.5 per cent of its GDP, while Poland already dedicates 4.7 per cent of GDP to defence. 'Very clearly, we need to revise our programming and strategy today, in light of the changing nature of risks,' Macron said on Thursday. Lecornu this month detailed the most urgent needs for the French armed forces, including ground-to-air defences, ammunition, electronic warfare and space capabilities. In yesterday's interview, he said France was mostly worried about falling behind in 'disruptive technologies' including artificial intelligence and quantum technology. Beyond budget increases, the French government is also seeking to boost 'national cohesion' in the face of global crises. Macron is expected to outline a potential mobilisation drive for young people who should be given 'an opportunity to serve', Elysee officials said. — AFP
