Trump takes the stage at huge military parade in Washington
US President Donald Trump kicked off his long dreamt-of military parade in Washington on his 79th birthday Saturday, as tens of thousands of protesters rallied across the country to call him a dictator.
Trump walked on to a huge stage in front of the White House with First Lady Melania Trump, before a 21-gun salute rang out and the US national anthem played.
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Al Arabiya
24 minutes ago
- Al Arabiya
Pope Leo XIV Flags AI Impact on Kids' Intellectual and Spiritual Development
Pope Leo XIV warned Friday that artificial intelligence could negatively impact the intellectual, neurological, and spiritual development of young people as he pressed one of the priorities of his young pontificate. History's first American pope sent a message to a conference of AI and ethics, part of which was taking place in the Vatican, in a sign of the Holy See's concern for the new technologies and what they mean for humanity. In the message, Leo said any further development of AI must be evaluated according to the 'superior ethical criterion' of the need to safeguard the dignity of each human being while respecting the diversity of the world's population. He warned specifically that new generations are most at risk, given they have never had such quick access to information. 'All of us, I am sure, are concerned for children and young people and the possible consequences of the use of AI on their intellectual and neurological development,' he said in the message. 'Society's well-being depends upon their being given the ability to develop their God-given gifts and capabilities and not allow them to confuse mere access to data with intelligence.' 'In the end, authentic wisdom has more to do with recognizing the true meaning of life than with the availability of data,' he said. Leo, who was elected in May after the death of Pope Francis, has identified AI as one of the most critical matters facing humanity, saying it poses challenges to defending human dignity, justice, and labor. He has explained his concern for AI by invoking his namesake, Pope Leo XIII. That Leo was pope during the dawn of the Industrial Revolution and made the plight of workers and the need to guarantee their rights and dignity a key priority. Toward the end of his pontificate, Francis became increasingly vocal about the threats to humanity posed by AI and called for an international treaty to regulate it. Francis said politicians must take the lead in making sure AI remains human-centric so that decisions about when to use weapons or even less-lethal tools always remain made by humans and not machines.


Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Targeting Iran's Supreme Leader is madness
Last week, the idea resurfaced that Israel may target Iran's Supreme Leader – as if he were just another easy military target in the fierce war between Israel and Iran, which may soon involve the United States. US President Donald Trump made a point of distancing himself from the Israeli plan, announcing that the Iranian Supreme Leader is at the top of Israel's target list and now within their reach. Trump made it clear he opposes Israel's move and does not support it. For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app. This issue is far more serious than just another military objective; it could become a matter of ideology and trigger deeply dangerous cycles of revenge. There have been times in history when warring parties refrained from targeting leaders and symbolic figures for reasons beyond direct military calculation. For example, Emperor Hirohito of Japan was a ruler and a sacred symbol. Documents confirm that he authorized his military leaders to go to war, invade Manchuria, and carry out the attack on Pearl Harbor, which led to America's entry into World War II. Yet, during the war, and on the recommendation of General Douglas MacArthur, the US government decided not to target him. He was also excluded from the list of Japanese leaders prosecuted after the American victory and the occupation of Tokyo. That decision paved the way for reconciliation between the US and Japan, and helped the Japanese people accept the Americans. Hirohito remained emperor and respected until his death, living for another 45 years. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is a spiritual leader, and any harm inflicted on him would cause wounds that may never heal – regardless of how decisive the Israeli or American victories are on the battlefield. The Supreme Leader is a lifelong authority, not a president. He would play a vital role in bringing about peace, just as Ayatollah Khomeini did in 1988, when he unilaterally announced an end to the war with Iraq – a war we thought would only end with the complete destruction of one or both countries. We remember that no one in the Iranian regime at that time dared to call for a ceasefire with neighboring Iraq – except the late Supreme Leader. Some people get carried away by the intoxication of war, blinded by overwhelming military power and temporary victories, only to create hatred that could last for decades or even centuries – when they could have achieved victory without doing so. There is no doubt that the Israelis possess superior intelligence capabilities and overwhelming destructive power, which allow them to penetrate deep into Iran and reach its leadership's hideouts, as they have done in Lebanon and Gaza. But Iran's Supreme Leader cannot be equated with Hezbollah's Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, who was assassinated last year. The difference in symbolic weight is enormous, and the consequences of a miscalculation are grave. And even if the comparison isn't entirely accurate, the execution of Saddam Hussein on Eid al-Adha in 2006 – though he was a Baathist and not a religious or tribal leader – came at a heavy price. US generals later attempted to reconcile with Sunni forces, but failed. Washington still suffers the consequences of that event, especially with half the Iraqi population. That grave mistake could have been avoided, and the resulting rift healed, after their military victory. Israelis are capable of stunning military victories, as they achieved in 1967 and again last year – but that doesn't mean they win the larger war. We are truly on the brink of entering a new and critical chapter of history that will reshape what we've known and lived through over the past half century. What's needed now is the use of the threat of force without reaching for its maximum limits—to bring about change through consensus, as much as possible. That would benefit everyone, including Israel, the United States, Iran, and all the nations in the region. Both winners and losers share an interest in reducing tensions and achieving a collective peace.


Leaders
2 hours ago
- Leaders
US Military Aircrafts Vanish from Qatar Base Amid Iran Tensions
Recent satellite images have revealed that a significant reduction in the number of US military aircraft at a major base in Qatar, indicating a strategic move to protect these assets from potential Iranian strikes. As tensions rise, Washington considers its response to the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Israel. Planet Labs PBC satellite images analyzed by AFP show that Nearly 40 planes, including C-130 transporters and reconnaissance jets, vanished between 5-19 June, leaving only three aircraft remaining visible. This drastic reduction raises questions about the US military's operational strategy in the region. Moreover, the US embassy in Qatar announced on Thursday restricting access to the base 'out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities.' The embassy urged personnel to 'exercise increased vigilance' amid escalating tensions. Additionally, the White House confirmed that US President Donald Trump will decide within the next two weeks whether to support Israel's strikes on Iran. If the US intervenes, the Islamic Republic may retaliate by targeting US bases throughout the region. Vulnerability of US Forces Mark Schwartz, a former lieutenant general in the US Army and defense researcher at the Rand Corporation, emphasized the vulnerability of personnel and aircraft at Al Udeid. He noted that the base's 'close proximity' to Iran poses significant risks. Schwartz explained that even minor damage could render aircraft 'non-mission capable.' The aircraft that have left the tarmac since early June may have been relocated to hangars or other bases in the region. A US defense official declined to discuss specific asset positioning but stated, 'We remain committed to maintaining operational security while executing our mission with the highest level of readiness, lethality, and professionalism.' Increased Military Mobilization US forces in the Middle East have mobilized since Israel's initial strikes on Iran nearly a week ago. An additional aircraft carrier is en route, and significant aircraft movements have occurred. An analysis of open-source data tracking aircraft positioning revealed that at least 27 military refueling planes traveled from the United States to Europe between 15-18 June. As of late Wednesday, 25 of these planes remained in Europe, with only two returning to American soil, underscoring the heightened state of alert in the region. The sudden aircraft withdrawal reflects Washington's balancing act: shielding assets while navigating Israel's conflict with Iran. As Trump weighs intervention, every strategic shift, from Qatar to Europe, highlights the stakes of avoiding direct confrontation in a volatile region. Short link : Post Views: 17