Latest news with #Abrams
Glasgow Times
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Hollywood director dines at Glasgow city centre Italian
The Starwars director dined at Italian restaurant Sarti on Bath Street last night (June 19). A post shared on Facebook by the restaurant along with a photo of Abrams with staff read: "We had the pleasure of welcoming JJ Abrams to Sarti Bath St last night. "He's in Glasgow filming his new movie Ghostwriter and popped in for some proper Italian hospitality." READ NEXT: Glen Powell and stunt double snapped shooting futuristic scene in Glasgow Abrams is currently in Glasgow directing upcoming movie Ghostwriter, which stars Glen Powell, Jenna Ortega and Samuel L Jackson. The film is rumoured to be a retro 80s throwback about a writer whose fictional world turns out to be real. The Glasgow Times previously reported some city centre streets have been dramatically transformed for the filming, with Powell and Abrams having been pictured on set around Bothwell Street. READ NEXT: Film star pictured in Glasgow as filming takes place for Hollywood blockbuster (Image: Gordon Terris) Abrams daughter singer Gracie Abrams is coming to Glasgow next month as she is set to perform at TRNSMT. The singer-songwriter will take to the main stage on Sunday, July 13.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Trump Is Still Moaning About Weather Forecasters After Flop Parade
President Donald Trump has once again rebuked weather forecasters for predicting rain on his birthday military parade, raising the issue at the G7 Leaders' Summit in Canada. During a photo opportunity with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife, Trump brought up the parade forecast. 'We had the parade the other day. They said 100 percent chance of rain. It didn't rain,' Trump told Carney as the Canadian prime minister smiled politely. Saturday's parade—expected to cost up to $45 million, according to conservative estimates—was meant to celebrate the 250th birthday of the Army, but it also coincided with Trump's 79th birthday, sparking criticism that the president was hijacking the event. In the leadup to the parade, the National Weather Service had predicted rain—and possibly thunderstorms—in Washington, D.C., just as the tanks and troops rolled in. However, in the end, there was only a slight drizzle, summer mugginess, and, according to some attendees, low energy. The G7 summit was not the first time Trump railed against the parade's weather forecast, which limited turnout. On his way to Canada on Sunday, he described the night as 'a tremendous success with a fantastic audience,' adding, 'It was supposed to rain. They gave it a 100% chance of rain, and it didn't rain at all. It was beautiful.' While the administration has been at pains to portray the event as a 'tremendous success,' footage showed sparse crowds, with the overall size far fewer than the 'No Kings' protests that also took place across the country that day. At one point, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was caught on camera yawning and looking bored as he sat in the viewing stand near the president, with one arm casually draped over a chair. Social media also lit up with photos of First Lady Melania Trump resting her eyes at various intervals, while Trump's eldest and favorite daughter, Ivanka, and her husband, Jared Kushner, were no-shows. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung also talked up the event, only to be ridiculed on social media for seemingly inflating the crowd size. 'Amazing. Despite the threat of rain, over 250,000 patriots showed up to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the @USArmy,' Cheung posted to X on Saturday night. 'God Bless the USA!' By comparison, data journalist G. Elliot Morris estimated that 4 million to 6 million people joined the nationwide demonstrations against the Trump administration, making it one of the largest protests in U.S. history. Trump had long dreamed of holding a parade showcasing America's military might, and this one featured a steady stream of Abrams battle tanks, a fleet of armored Stryker and Bradley fighting vehicles, a flock of artillery launchers, as well as Black Hawk, Apache, and Chinook helicopters. Cleanup crews have spent the past few days returning the nation's capital to normalcy, but Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said it may take another few days for the city to assess road damage. 'We will evaluate with the utility companies any issues that we are aware of,' she said. 'If we have to make any repairs, we would submit that as part of the reimbursement process for national security events.' She added that she had watched the parade after a day at Chuck E. Cheese celebrating a child's birthday party and was thrilled to see the Army Golden Knights parachute team display the D.C. flag as they parachuted down. 'I was very happy,' said the Democratic mayor, who has gone out of her way to stay on Trump's good side this year. 'I thought it was a nice touch.'
Politico
3 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
The world waits for Trump and Tehran
With help from Maggie Miller, Joe Gould and Daniel Lippman Subscribe here | Email Eric As President DONALD TRUMP plans his next move, a mystery is vexing Iran watchers: Could Iran actually carry out its big threatened retaliation against Israel before the U.S. potentially wades into the fight? So far, it appears Trump hasn't quite decided what to do about Iran. German Chancellor FRIEDRICH MERZ told the Axel Springer Global Reporters network, which includes POLITICO, that following discussions with Trump and other U.S. officials at the G7 summit in Alberta, he believes the U.S. is indeed weighing whether to get involved. But that decision 'also depends very much on how far the Iranian regime is prepared to go back to the negotiating table.' Trump, for his part, put out cryptic posts on social media today calling for 'unconditional surrender' from Iran and demanding that the Iranian government not target American installations in the region. Trump also claimed 'we' — implying the United States — have control of Iranian airspace at this moment. While the Trump administration mulls its options, Iran has repeatedly vowed to respond to devastating Israeli military strikes. Analysts and former officials do believe Tehran could still retaliate, but even hawks aren't convinced Iran is eager to expand the war — arguing Iran just doesn't have the capabilities or strategic impetus to make good on its threats. ELLIOTT ABRAMS, who served as Trump's special envoy to Iran in the first Trump administration, told NatSec Daily that Iran still could theoretically strike Gulf Arab states — including Saudi Arabia. The Iranian Air Force could also potentially carry out some kind of strike against Israel, he added. But Abrams argued that Iran's air capabilities aren't that expansive and striking the Saudis or another U.S. Gulf ally — let alone striking U.S. ships or bases — risks drawing the U.S. into the conflict. 'I don't believe in this great Iranian surprise,' Abrams said. Analysts also believe that Israel has mostly defanged Iran's ability to launch heavy missile barrages. Per the American Enterprise Institute's BRIAN CARTER, Israel has succeeded in taking out many of the launchers Iran needs to fire ballistic missiles toward its foe. Carter, who leads Middle East work at the think tank's Critical Threats Program, told NatSec Daily that even though Iran has cruise missiles and drones in its arsenal, those tools aren't super effective. 'Those cruise missiles move so slowly that they can be easily detected and intercepted. It's about a nine-hour flight of drones from Iran to Israel,' Carter explained. 'So it creates challenges. And the Israelis have shot down every Iranian drone that has targeted Israel in this round of escalation as well.' The Foundation for Defense of Democracies' BEHNAM BEN TALEBLU argued that Iran has long relied on its proxies in Iraq and militant groups such as the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon as a deterrence strategy. Now that those groups have been diminished, he argues Iran's ability to wage war is more limited and the future of the nuclear program becomes all the more critical for Tehran's military efficacy. Diplomacy, he contends, is all Iran has left. 'The Islamic Republic's military capabilities made it an excellent crisis-bargainer, but a poor warfighter,' Taleblu said. 'Now that the regime has lost the pillars of its deterrence, and deterrence is at the heart of its security strategy, everything is in the nuclear basket.' The Inbox UKRAINE ON THE BRAIN: Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY met with most of his counterparts at the G7 summit today — except for Trump, who left the gathering early to deal with the ongoing crisis between Israel and Iran. The meetings took place as Ukrainians are dealing with the fallout from another wave of Russian airstrikes that killed at least 15 people. According to The Washington Post, a U.S. citizen was among the dead. Reuters, meanwhile, reports that the Trump administration has shelved an interagency group tasked with identifying ways to push Russia to speed up peace talks with Ukraine. The effort 'lost steam' as it became clear Trump didn't want to be more confrontational toward Moscow. THE MERZ METHOD: Merz also dismissed Trump's oft-stated complaint that Russia should not have been pushed out of what's now the Group of 7 countries. In his conversation with the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, which includes POLITICO, Merz said Russian leader VLADIMIR PUTIN has 'no business' at the table with other world powers. 'Excluding Putin from the G8 format following the annexation of Crimea, as it was called back then, remains correct,' Merz said. 'In this format, we are not sitting at the table with warlords and not with war criminals.' Merz also said Europe would welcome new U.S. sanctions on Russia, but acknowledged that Trump appears resistant to that idea for now. HUMANITARIAN NIGHTMARE: Israeli forces fired into crowds of Palestinians gathered to receive aid, killing dozens, according to multiple reports from the region. It was the latest such tragedy in the Gaza Strip since Israel recently lifted a blockade on aid and tried to set up a new humanitarian distribution system. The Israel Defense Forces said it is 'aware of reports regarding a number of injured individuals from IDF fire following the crowd's approach. The details of the incident are under review.' ELECTION PAIN IN SPAIN? Embattled Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is under pressure from fellow Socialist politicians to hold snap national elections due to corruption scandals — even if their party loses, reports our own Aitor Hernandez Morales. Many in the party fear Sánchez is a growing liability. The political turmoil could throttle the ambitions of Madrid, one of the NATO alliance's biggest defense spending laggards, to meet common defense spending targets. IT'S TUESDAY: Thanks for tuning in to NatSec Daily! This space is reserved for the top U.S. and foreign officials, the lawmakers, the lobbyists, the experts and the people like you who care about how the natsec sausage gets made. Aim your tips and comments at ebazail@ and follow Eric on X @ebazaileimil. While you're at it, follow the rest of POLITICO's global security team on X and Bluesky at: @dave_brown24, @HeidiVogt, @jessicameyers, @RosiePerper, @ @PhelimKine, @ak_mack, @felschwartz, @connorobrienNH, @paulmcleary, @reporterjoe, @JackDetsch, @samuelskove, @magmill95, @johnnysaks130 and @delizanickel Keystrokes CY-BIRD ATTACK: A hacking group potentially linked to Israel is claiming responsibility for a cyberattack on an Iranian bank. The group, which calls itself Predatory Sparrow, wrote on social media that its target, Bank Sepah, is 'an institution that circumvented international sanctions and used the people of Iran's money to finance the regime's terrorist proxies, its ballistic missile program and its military nuclear program. This is what happens to institutions dedicated to maintaining the dictator's terrorist fantasies.' It was not immediately possible to independently verify the group's claim. There were reports that the bank on Tuesday suffered disruptions to its customer services, including problems with account access. Some of its branches closed after the attack, according to the reports. Predatory Sparrow is believed to have carried out past cyber attacks on Iran as well. The Complex DRONING ON AND ON: Russia's production of drones is reaching staggering levels, to the point where it appears aimed at overwhelming Ukrainian air defenses. The Wall Street Journal, citing the Center for Information Resilience, reports that 'Russia, after cranking up production, has launched nearly 20,500 attack and decoy drones in 2025 so far.' The Kremlin has 'sent as many long-range attack drones against its neighbor in the first two weeks of June as it did during whole months last year.' The more drones are sent, the more likely some are to hit their targets. That's especially true in cities and towns close to the front lines, where air defense systems have less time to react to the incoming fire. On the Hill MASSIE'S WAR POWERS MISSIVE: Firebrand Rep. THOMAS MASSIE (R-Ky.) and Rep. RO KHANNA (D-Calif.) will introduce their own War Powers resolution today to prevent any Trump administration military operations in Iran — and the duo is gaining some unexpected allies. Rep. DON BEYER (D-Va.) said he'd sign on to the resolution, along with Rep. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ (D-N.Y.). And plenty of far-right members of the House, including Rep. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R-Ga.) have voiced their opposition to a conflict with Iran, indicating that a broad coalition of House members could band together to pass the bill. The House is in recess until Monday, meaning that it likely wouldn't get a vote before the U.S. makes any possible moves against Iran. Massie's resolution accompanies a similar resolution from Sen. TIM KAINE (D-Va.). Kaine's resolution is privileged, but it's unclear when it'll come up for a vote, as the Senate is also working to pass a controversial tax bill this week. Broadsides COMMENT OSES-TU? Trump slammed French President EMMANUEL MACRON as a 'publicity seeking' type who 'always gets it wrong' after Macron said the U.S. president had left the G7 meeting early to work on a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. 'He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that,' Trump wrote on social media. Macron had earlier told reporters of the possibility of a ceasefire. 'There is indeed an offer to meet and exchange,' he said, adding that the 'U.S. assured they will find a ceasefire and since they can pressure Israel, things may change.' The French Embassy in Washington declined to comment on the situation. Transitions — Concerned Veterans of America announced today that HERB FORD will become the organization's new deputy director. Ford, an Army veteran who served as a Judge Advocate General officer, has spent the last 10 years as the organization's general counsel and will also fill that role. — NADA HAMADEH, a member of the Middle East Institute's Board of Governors, was named Lebanon's ambassador to the United States. — MICHAEL COGAR is now deputy assistant secretary of defense for civilian personnel policy. He most recently was a strategic communications lead at Booz Allen Hamilton and worked for the Trump administration's Office of Personnel and Management. — JEFF GOETTMAN is now counselor to the U.S. Trade Representative. He is the former chief of staff to Virginia Gov. GLENN YOUNGKIN. — MACKENZIE MARTINEZ is now public affairs adviser at the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration. She previously was communications director for Rep. CLAY HIGGINS (R-La.). What to Read — Sohrab Ahmari, Unherd: The regime change maniacs are back — Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs: India's Great-Power Delusions — Joseph Rachman, Foreign Policy: Asia's Autocrats Welcome USAID's End Tomorrow Today — Hudson Institute, 10 a.m.: Colombia's Critical Moment: A Conversation with Enrique Peñalosa — Brookings Institution, 10 a.m.: European security at the crossroads — Center for Strategic and International Studies, 10 a.m.: Looking Forward: The Future of United States-Japan-Korea Trilateral Relations — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 10 a.m.: Israel and Iran at War: How Does This End? — American Enterprise Institute, 1 p.m.: America, Denmark, and Greenland: A Situation Overview Thanks to our editors, Rosie Perper and Rachel Myers, whose ballistic missile stockpiles are limited but still a threat. CORRECTION: Monday's newsletter misstated the number of times Trump and Zelenskyy met. Trump and Zelenskyy have met twice since Trump became president, and their second meeting was in Vatican City at the funeral of Pope Francis.
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Donald Trump has arrived in Kananaskis: Why all eyes are on him at the 2025 G7 summit
U.S. President Donald Trump has arrived in Alberta for the G7 Summit, drawing attention in Calgary as his aircraft flew low and loud over the city. Article content Trump was accompanied by a fleet of identical helicopters, as is standard practice when a U.S. president travels either domestically or internationally. Article content Article content One helicopter carries the president, while the others serve as decoys for would-be assassins on the ground, according to the George W. Bush Presidential Library. Article content 'Upon take-off, these helicopters begin to shift in formation regularly to obscure the location of the President,' the website says. Article content Article content His arrival has been met with mixed reactions, as some locals expressed excitement over his presence in the wake of separation and 51st state talks, while others showed concern over his ability to enter the country despite his criminal convictions. Article content Article content Welcome to Alberta President Trump! @POTUS 🇺🇸 — Calgary Guy (@cgy_guy) June 16, 2025 Article content Trump was greeted by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith upon arrival, the two having previously met on her Mar-A-Lago visit. A May poll showed 51 per cent of Albertans want Smith's government to prepare a plan to pursue complete independence from both Canada and the U.S. Article content Article content The leadup to Trump's visit to Alberta for the G7 summit has been tumultuous. Article content The president arrived in Canada one day after his birthday, which he spent at a military parade celebrating the U.S. army's 250th anniversary. Article content The military parade kicked off in Washington with a 21-gun salute, tanks and troops, as well as helicopters and parachutists, as protesters in hundreds of U.S. cities demonstrated against his use of executive power. Article content Article content Trump, who was serenaded by the crowd for his 79th birthday, was the driving force behind the parade down Washington's Constitution Avenue — which runs behind the White House — that includes a muscular exhibition of 6,600 soldiers, Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles and helicopters. The Army marked its 250th anniversary with a companion all-day event on the National Mall. Article content 'Every other country celebrates their victories,' Trump said in a speech after the approximately two-hour parade. 'It's about time America did, too. That's what we're doing tonight.' Article content The parade is expected to cost $45 million, an estimate that includes potential damage to major District of Columbia streets from heavy tank treads. Article content The U.S. last celebrated its military strength in similar fashion in 1991 after the first Gulf War. The only other such events celebrated the end of the Civil War and World Wars I and II. While Democratic President John F. Kennedy included military displays in his 1961 inaugural parade, such exhibitions are more common in authoritarian countries such as Russia, China and North Korea. Longtime U.S. ally France also marks its annual Bastille Day with a military parade.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Myers sparks offense as Marlins complete a three-game sweep on the road against the Nationals
Dane Myers had three hits, including a home run, as the visiting Miami Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 3-1 on Sunday to complete the three-game sweep. Nick Fortes added three hits for Miami, which completed its first three-game sweep of the season and won three in row overall for the first time since April 20-22. Marlins starter Eury Perez, in his second start since his return from Tommy John surgery, gave up one run on four hits with three walks and no strikeouts. Lake Bachar (3-0) pitched two scoreless innings, and Freddy Tarnok worked the ninth for his first save. Washington went 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position as its offensive struggles continued. The Nationals have lost eight straight and 11 of 13 and are a season-worst 11 games under .500. Washington starter MacKenzie Gore (3-6) allowed two runs on eight hits over six innings. The National League strikeout leader fanned five. The loss came one day after manager Dave Martinez absolved his coaches from any blame for the team's recent struggles, thereby appearing to put the onus on his players. Sunday morning Martinez said that was not the case. He also moved leadoff hitter CJ Abrams to the No. 3 spot in the batting order behind Alex Call and James Wood. Abrams went 1 for 3, Call 1 for 4 with a walk and Wood 0 for 2 with two walks. The Marlins took a 1-0 lead against Gore in the first. Agustin Ramirez singled with one out, went to third when Otto Lopez singled and scored on Eric Wagaman's sacrifice fly. Martinez's lineup switch paid immediate dividends in the first when Call led off with a walk, went to third on a double by Abrams, and scored on a ground out. Myers made it 2-1 when he homered leading off the second. Call singled and Wood walked to open the third but Perez retired the next three batters. With one out in the fifth, Abrams singled and went to third on Luis Garcia, Jr.'s single but Josh Bell grounded into a double play. In the Miami seventh, Fortes and Xavier Edwards opened with bunt singles and Fortas later scored on a sacrifice fly by Wagaman to make it 3-1.
