Latest news with #military
Wall Street Journal
an hour ago
- General
- Wall Street Journal
The Risky ‘Side Launch' That Doomed Kim Jong Un's New Warship
SEOUL—A week ago, Kim Jong Un traveled to North Korea's 'City of Iron,' home to a major industrial shipyard where a hulking warship awaited him. A VIP podium had been erected alongside the port for the vessel's launch. Officials waited in anticipation. But the moment of celebration turned into calamity.
Japan Times
an hour ago
- Health
- Japan Times
Israel says it killed Hamas' presumed leader in Gaza
Israel said Wednesday its military killed Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas' presumed Gaza leader and the brother of Yahya, the slain mastermind of the October 2023 attacks that sparked the Gaza war. On the war's 600th day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Israel's Gaza offensive, saying it had killed tens of thousands of militants including Mohammed Sinwar — nicknamed "the shadow." Israeli media said Sinwar was targeted by strikes in southern Gaza earlier this month. His brother was killed in October 2024. Wednesday's announcement came as the U.N. condemned a U.S.— and Israeli-backed aid system in Gaza after dozens were hurt the day before in chaotic scenes at a food distribution site. Also Wednesday, AFP footage showed crowds of Palestinians breaking into a U.N. World Food Program warehouse at Deir el-Balah in central Gaza and taking food as gunshots rang out. The WFP posted on X that "hungry people" raided the warehouse "in search of food supplies that were pre-positioned for distribution." The aid issue has worsened amid a hunger crisis and criticism of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which bypasses the longstanding U.N.-led system. The U.N. said 47 people were injured Tuesday when thousands of Palestinians rushed a GHF site. A Palestinian medical source reported at least one death. Ajith Sunghay, head of the U.N. Human Rights Office in the Palestinian territories, said most injuries came from Israeli gunfire. The military rejected this. A spokesman said soldiers "fired warning shots into the air," not toward people. GHF also denied crowds were shot while waiting for aid and said operations continue, with a new site opened "without incident" and more planned. With two of its four sites fully operational, GHF said it distributed eight trucks of aid and more than 840,000 meals on Wednesday. Gazans accused the U.S.-backed system of causing confusion and unfair access. "All the aid boxes were torn apart and people just took whatever they wanted. This is all I could find: five bags of chickpeas and five kilos of rice," said Qasim Shalouf in Khan Yunis. U.N. Middle East envoy Sigrid Kaag said Gazans "deserve more than survival." "Since the resumption of hostilities in Gaza, the already horrific existence of civilians has only sunk further into the abyss," she told the Security Council. Netanyahu marked the 600-day milestone in parliament, saying the offensive had "changed the face of the Middle East." "We drove the terrorists out of our territory, entered the Gaza Strip with force, eliminated tens of thousands of terrorists, eliminated ... Mohammed Sinwar," he said. In Washington, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about a possible ceasefire, saying he expected to propose a plan soon. "I have some very good feelings about getting to a long-term resolution, temporary cease fire, and a long-term resolution, a peaceful resolution of that conflict," he said. Gazans remained pessimistic. "Six hundred days have passed and nothing has changed. Death continues, and Israeli bombing does not stop," said Bassam Daloul, 40. "Even hoping for a ceasefire feels like a dream and a nightmare." Displaced mother-of-three Aya Shamlakh, 35, said: "There is no food, no water, not even clothes. The clothes we wear are torn and my children cannot find food to eat, where do we go?" In Israel, relatives of hostages held since the Oct. 7 attack gathered in Tel Aviv. "I want you to know that when Israel blows up deals, it does so on the heads of the hostages," said Arbel Yehud, who was freed from Gaza captivity in January. "Their conditions immediately worsen, food diminishes, pressure increases, and bombings and military actions do not save them, they endanger their lives." The U.N. has criticized the GHF, which faces accusations of failing humanitarian principles. "I believe it is a waste of resources and a distraction from atrocities," said Philippe Lazzarini, head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. Gaza's civil defense said Israeli strikes killed 16 people Wednesday. Israel imposed a full blockade on Gaza for more than two months, before easing it slightly last week. It stepped up its military offensive earlier this month, while mediators push for a still elusive ceasefire. In Tel Aviv, hundreds of people called for a ceasefire, lining roads and the main highway at 6:29 am — the exact time the unprecedented October 7 attack began. Most Israeli media focused on the 600-day milestone and the hostage families' struggle. Some 1,218 people were killed in Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Wednesday at least 3,924 people had been killed in the territory since Israel ended the ceasefire on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 54,084, mostly civilians.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Israel says killed Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar, as Netanyahu marks 600th days of Gaza war amid chaos over aid
JERUSALEM, May 29 — Israel said yesterday its military killed Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas's presumed Gaza leader and the brother of Yahya, slain mastermind of the October 2023 attacks that sparked the Gaza war. On the war's 600th day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Israel's Gaza offensive, saying it had killed tens of thousands of militants including Mohammed Sinwar — nicknamed 'the shadow'. Israeli media said Sinwar was targeted by strikes in southern Gaza earlier this month. His brother was killed in October 2024. Wednesday's announcement came as the UN condemned a US- and Israeli-backed aid system in Gaza after dozens were hurt the day before in chaotic scenes at a food distribution site. Also Wednesday, AFP footage showed crowds of Palestinians breaking into a UN World Food Programme warehouse at Deir el-Balah in central Gaza and taking food as gunshots rang out. The WFP posted on X that 'hungry people' raided the warehouse 'in search of food supplies that were pre-positioned for distribution'. The aid issue has worsened amid a hunger crisis and criticism of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which bypasses the longstanding UN-led system. The UN said 47 people were injured Tuesday when thousands of Palestinians rushed a GHF site. A Palestinian medical source reported at least one death. Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN Human Rights Office in the Palestinian territories, said most injuries came from Israeli gunfire. The military rejected this. A spokesman said soldiers 'fired warning shots into the air', not towards people. GHF also denied crowds were shot while waiting for aid and said operations continue, with a new site opened 'without incident' and more planned. With two of its four sites fully operational, GHF said it distributed eight trucks of aid and more than 840,000 meals on Wednesday. Gazans accused the US-backed system of causing confusion and unfair access. 'All the aid boxes were torn apart and people just took whatever they wanted. This is all I could find: five bags of chickpeas and five kilos of rice,' said Qasim Shalouf in Khan Yunis. UN Middle East envoy Sigrid Kaag said Gazans 'deserve more than survival'. 'Since the resumption of hostilities in Gaza, the already horrific existence of civilians has only sunk further into the abyss,' she told the Security Council. 'War of Revival' Netanyahu marked the 600-day milestone in parliament, saying the offensive had 'changed the face of the Middle East'. 'We drove the terrorists out of our territory, entered the Gaza Strip with force, eliminated tens of thousands of terrorists, eliminated... Mohammed Sinwar,' he said. In Washington, US envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about a possible ceasefire, saying he expected to propose a plan soon. 'I have some very good feelings about getting to a long-term resolution, temporary cease fire, and a long-term resolution, a peaceful resolution of that conflict,' he said. Gazans remained pessimistic. 'Six hundred days have passed and nothing has changed. Death continues, and Israeli bombing does not stop,' said Bassam Daloul, 40. 'Even hoping for a ceasefire feels like a dream and a nightmare.' Displaced mother-of-three Aya Shamlakh, 35, said: 'There is no food, no water, not even clothes. The clothes we wear are torn and my children cannot find food to eat, where do we go?' In Israel, relatives of hostages held since the October 7 attack gathered in Tel Aviv. 'I want you to know that when Israel blows up deals, it does so on the heads of the hostages,' said Arbel Yehud, who was freed from Gaza captivity in January. 'Their conditions immediately worsen, food diminishes, pressure increases, and bombings and military actions do not save them, they endanger their lives.' 'Waste of resources' The UN has criticised the GHF, which faces accusations of failing humanitarian principles. 'I believe it is a waste of resources and a distraction from atrocities,' said Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Gaza's civil defence said Israeli strikes killed 16 people Wednesday. Israel imposed a full blockade on Gaza for more than two months, before easing it slightly last week. It stepped up its military offensive earlier this month, while mediators push for a still elusive ceasefire. In Tel Aviv, hundreds of people called for a ceasefire, lining roads and the main highway at 6:29 am — the exact time the unprecedented October 7 attack began. Most Israeli media focused on the 600-day milestone and the hostage families' struggle. Some 1,218 people were killed in Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Wednesday at least 3,924 people had been killed in the territory since Israel ended the ceasefire on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 54,084, mostly civilians. — AFP
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Trump pardons former Army officer convicted for refusing to participate in Biden-era COVID 'lies'
President Donald Trump has pardoned a former Army officer who was convicted of defying Biden-era COVID requirements for the armed services. Former Lt. Mark Bashaw, who was discharged from the US Army following his 2022 conviction, was one of several people who saw their criminal records wiped away by the president on Wednesday. The father-of-three was found guilty by a military judge for violating the Department of Defense's policies for soldiers who opted not to get the COVID vaccine as mandated by then-Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin. Under the requirements, those who did not get the jab were required to work from home and only return to the office after they submit a negative COVID-19 test. Even then, they were required to wear face masks indoors. But Bashaw openly defied the rules, reporting to work without a COVID test and without wearing a mask, USA Today reports. He then became the first member of the military to be tried by a court marital over the COVID regulations - which were rescinded in 2023 when the pandemic subsided. 'I got courts-martialed because I refused to participate with lies,' he wrote in a 2023 X post. The judge overseeing his case never sentenced him, but the conviction gave Bashaw a criminal record that is now wiped clean. He had served as the company commander of the Army Public Health Center's headquarters at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, and was previously a noncommissioned officer with the Air Force. It remains unclear whether Bashaw will be reinstated in the military under Trump's January 27 executive order stipulating that the thousands of service members who were ousted under Lloyd's order could be brought back with full service. The Pentagon has since tried to woo back service members, The Hill reports. 'They never should have had to leave military service and the department is committed to assisting them in their return,' said Tim Dill, the Department of Defense's acting deputy undersecretary of personnel and readiness. But as of early April, only about 100 of the more than 8,700 ousted service members have chosen to rejoin the ranks. Bashaw was not the only person to receive a presidential pardon on Wednesday, though, as Trump followed through on his promise to pardon reality television stars Todd and Julie Chrisley. He also pardoned former Republican New York Rep. Michael Grimm, who pleaded guilty to underreporting taxable revenue from his Manhattan restaurant; former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, who pleaded guilty in 2015 to election fraud; and notorious Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover. Additionally, up-and-coming rapper NBA YoungBoy saw his gun charges thrown out. The 24-year-old rap star, born Kentrell Gaulden, pleaded guilty in December to one count linked to his 2020 gun possession arrest and a separate count tied to more recent gun charges in his home state of Utah, according to Rolling Stone. Gaulden had admitted in his plea that he was a felon in possession of a 9mm gun and a .45-caliber pistol when he was arrested filming a music video outside his grandfather's house in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on September 28, 2020. He also allegedly said he 'knowingly possessed' a Sig Sauer 9mm semiautomatic pistol in his Utah home while he was serving house arrest related to the pending Louisiana case. Gaulden was ultimately sentenced to 23 months in prison on gun charges related to the 2020 case in Louisiana, along with five years probation and a $200,000 fine for the Utah gun charge, the New York Times reports. But he received credit for time served dating back to at least May 2024, when he was taken into custody following a raid on his Utah home in which authorities discovered the semiautomatic pistol. Gaulden was then released from federal prison in March and was sent to spend the rest of his sentence under home confinement. He finally became a free man last month, and has since announced his first-ever headlining tour with 32 dates across the United States. Gaulden is now free to do that, as Trump reportedly assured the rapper that he will no longer be subject to the strict terms of his probation - which included drug testing and potentially laborious approval for any travel, especially internationally. In a statement posted to his Instagram Story Wednesday, Gaulden wrote that he would like to thank the president 'for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building - as a man, as a father and as an artist. 'This moment means a lot,' he continued. 'It opens the door to a future I've worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this.' Drew Findling, an attorney who represented the rapper, also told the Times he is 'thrilled for Kentrell that his legal journey has come to a conclusion. 'From Louisiana to Utah, the battles have been endless and now he can concentrate on first and foremost his family and then, of course, his amazing career,' the lawyer said. 'The world is at his fingertips,' added Andrew Lieber, Gaulden's touring agent.
ABC News
3 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Anthony Albanese tells think tank to 'have a look at themselves' after defence report
The prime minister has lashed out at one of the country's leading security think tanks and demanded it "have a look at themselves" after it warned Australia could be left with a "brittle and hollowed defence force" if military funding was not increased. In its latest Cost of Defence report, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute found that despite the government's claims it made a "generational investment" in defence during the March budget, "that investment has been put off for another generation". "The failure of this year's budget to meet that responsibility will make all Australians less secure," ASPI report author and former Home Affairs deputy secretary Mark Ablong concludes. "Without urgent, coordinated and well resourced responses to those challenges, Australia risks a brittle and hollowed defence force, diminished industrial sovereignty, and compromised national security in a volatile Indo Pacific region." According to the ASPI document "more and more companies" are also abandoning the Australian defence market due to the "risk averse, overly bureaucratic and delayed or abandoned project cycles". Following the release of the ASPI report on Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hit out at the independent government-funded organisation, which Beijing has also attacked in recent years for its commentary on the Chinese Communist Party. "Well, that's what they do, isn't it, ASPI? I mean, seriously, they need to … have a look at themselves and the way they conduct themselves in debates," Mr Albanese told ABC Radio Brisbane. "We've had a defence strategic review. We've got considerable additional investment going into defence — $10 billion," Mr Albanese said while insisting his government was acting. "ASPI regularly produce these sort of reports, you know, run by people who have been in a position to make a difference in the past as part of former governments. Mr Albanese also suggested that Labor had plans to lift defence expenditure up to 2.4 per cent of GDP, but under the government's projections, defence spending is expected to reach 2.33 per cent of GDP by 2033-34, up from its current level of 2.02 per cent. Last year a government-commissioned review of public support for national security research, which was led by former bureaucrat Peter Varghese, recommended an overhaul of funding for ASPI and other similar institutions. Inside Labor circles, there has been growing disquiet at the direction of ASPI under the leadership of Justin Bassi, a former Liberal Party staffer who was appointed to the role by then-defence minister Peter Dutton in 2022. However, following the release of the Varghese review last year, former Labor MP and now senior fellow at ASPI, David Feeney, criticised the government's response to the document. "The recommendation to close the ASPI office in Washington DC is a misstep, particularly at a time when AUKUS is so important," the former parliamentary secretary for defence told the ABC in December. "While the DFAT [Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade] viewpoint that it should enjoy a monopoly on the Australia-US relationship is explicable, the fact remains that civil society is important to the alliance relationship too."
