Latest news with #militarysupport
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Trump changed the name of a US military base. It costs nearby businesses a small fortune
Business owner Ralph Rodriguez gambled with the name of his shop - Fort Liberty Pawn & Gun. At a cost of around $30,000, this included updating signage, uniforms, stationery, business cards, advertising, as well as state licensing changes and federal changes. When he was filing his incorporation papers last fall, Rodriguez was aware one of President Donald Trump 's campaign promises was to restore the names of Confederate officers — like Gen. Braxton Bragg — to military installations rebranded under the Biden administration. But it seemed logical to Rodriguez that he should go with the installation's name as it was at the time. Rodriquez explained: 'We were trying to attach ourselves to the military base and show support for them, because we know that's going to be our customers. "I could care less about Braxton Bragg.' Less than a month into Trump's second term, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the installation rechristened Fort Bragg, this time in honor of World War II paratrooper Roland Bragg of Maine. Two things immediately went through Rodriguez's mind. 'The first thing I said was, 'It's going to be expensive.' And the second thing was, `Who's going to get mad about THIS?'' People were telling Rodriguez he should call his shop Fort Bragg Pawn & Gun even before Trump won the election. After all, it's located on Fort Bragg Road. Then shortly before the grand opening in December, someone vandalized his sign. 'We came to work and we saw a yellow line across the 'Liberty,'' he said. Rodriguez is used to catching flak for his Michigan roots or the peace sign tattoo on his right arm. And then there's his wife's crystal shop next door. 'My customers call her side the 'liberal containment center,'' he said with a chuckle. And what do her customers call his? ''Trumpers,'' he said. 'Or, you know, 'mega gun nuts.'' As a sop to her husband's clientele, Hannah Rodriguez carries a few stones carved in the shape of pistols and hand grenades. 'Crystals and pistols,' she said with a giggle. But when it comes to Bragg vs. Liberty, it's no laughing matter. 'Look, there's no middle ground in Fayetteville. They're extremely either right or left,' Ralph Rodriguez said. 'If you tilt one way or another man, you're going to lose customers ... But we would definitely have lost more if we would have kept it Fort Liberty Pawn and Gun.' Several other businesses in and around Fayetteville also went with Liberty, including the local federal credit union. It has already changed back, though it will take a while to redo all the signs. At least one company is sticking with the name Liberty. 'We came up with this whole name based on the alliteration, because I'm a big writer geek,' said Sabrina Soares, broker in charge at the real estate firm Fort Liberty Living. 'So, we're probably just going to keep it as is.' In 2023, the state spent $163,000 to change all the Fort Bragg highway signs to Fort Liberty. Switching them back is expected to run more than $200,000. Rodriguez figures he got off easy. On a recent sultry afternoon, retired Army officer and mayoral candidate Freddie de la Cruz stopped by to chat and check up on a purchase: a semiautomatic 12-gauge shotgun, painted with the Stars and Stripes, which he's planning to raffle off. He said Rodriguez shouldn't be so hard on himself. 'It was a smart move there,' he said. 'At the time.' Retired Army Master Sgt. Sidney High said he has no problem coming into a shop called Fort Liberty. 'It doesn't bother me at all,' he said, resting his cola on a glass gun case. 'I call it Fort Bragg all the time anyway. So, it doesn't make any difference to me.' Rodriguez figures it will take about six months to get everything switched over. He's looking forward to putting this chapter behind him. 'I just want to be in business,' he said. 'I want to be happy. I want everybody else to be happy. And it's hard. It's hard, and you can't keep both sides happy.'
The Independent
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Devastating forest fires force 17,000 residents to flee from homes
A state of emergency has been declared in Manitoba, Canada, due to fast-moving wildfires, leading to the evacuation of 17,000 people and a request for military support. The complete evacuation of Flin Flon, a city of nearly 5,000 residents near the Saskatchewan border, was ordered after winds shifted, pushing flames dangerously close to the community. Manitoba has reported more than 100 wildfires this year, surpassing the seasonal average, with 22 currently active and fueled by hot, dry conditions. Evacuations have extended into Saskatchewan, with the town of Creighton also ordering residents to leave, and emergency shelters have been set up in nearby cities to accommodate evacuees. Nearly 200,000 hectares of land have burned this year, triple the five-year annual average, with officials linking the increasing intensity and frequency of wildfires to climate change.
Sky News
4 days ago
- Business
- Sky News
Zelenskyy had hoped for Taurus missiles from Germany - but he's left Berlin far from empty-handed
When Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy came to Berlin today, the big question was whether he would be leaving with a promise from Germany to supply Taurus long-range missiles. On this, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz remained tight-lipped, in public at least. But the Ukrainian leader left far from empty-handed. Germany has pledged another military support package, which it says is worth around €5bn (£4.2bn). It includes a promise to help Ukraine produce its own long-range weapons, a significant amount of which the German government says could be produced before the end of the year. The fact that some of these weapons are already used by the Ukrainian military means no extra training is needed. This also means, in theory, they could be used much more quickly than the Taurus system, which would involve extra instruction. Mr Merz wouldn't give a run-down of the weapons included to avoid giving Moscow a heads up, but he did reiterate that range restrictions on weapons would be lifted to allow Kyiv to hit military targets in Russia. This is a big step for Germany, which has been cautious about doing anything to provoke nuclear-armed Moscow. The Kremlin was quick to respond, calling Germany's announcement a further provocation. While the support package isn't entirely new and has already been signed off by the German parliament, the details of what it includes are. 2:20 In addition to helping with weapons production, there will be cash for continued Starlink connection and the delivery of air defence systems and ammunition. This is the fourth time Mr Zelenskyy has visited Berlin, but his first meeting with the new chancellor in the city. The direct tone of Mr Merz felt like a huge departure from his more cautious predecessor, Olaf Scholz. Mr Merz was quick in his criticism of Russia and what he said was a lack of commitment to peace talks. Ukraine has always been grateful for the huge amount of aid Germany has provided, but in the past appeared frustrated by the time it took for some decisions to be made. Mr Merz is known for shooting from the hip, a style which so far appears to be well-received in Kyiv.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Germany to provide €5-billion military aid package to Ukraine
BERLIN, May 28 (Reuters) - Germany will provide further military support for Ukraine amounting to around 5 billion euros ($5.65 billion), its defence ministry said on Wednesday, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met senior officials in Berlin. In its statement, the ministry pointed to Russian airstrikes, "with many civilians killed and injured, as well as the massive destruction of civilian infrastructure in particular". The aid will be financed by funds already approved by Germany's lower house of parliament, it added. ($1 = 0.8847 euros)
The Independent
4 days ago
- General
- The Independent
AP PHOTOS: Zelenskyy in Berlin seeking more support for Ukraine defense as Russian attacks intensify
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Berlin on Wednesday for his third visit to Germany since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. Zelenskyy met with new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as Ukraine seeks further military support amid a recent escalation in Russia's bombing campaign despite U.S.-led efforts to end the war. Germany has been the second-biggest supplier of military aid to Ukraine after the United States. Zelenskyy is also scheduled to meet with German President . This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
