Latest news with #Patriot
Euronews
7 hours ago
- Business
- Euronews
EU remains ‘highly vulnerable' and dependent on US defence production
Despite recent efforts to boost European defence production, the bloc remains 'highly vulnerable' and heavily reliant on the United States—particularly for major, high-end defence equipment—according to a new analysis by the Brussels-based economic think tank Bruegel. Trade statistics show that the value of weapons imported to Europe increased from approximately $3.4 billion for the period 2019–2021 to $8.5 billion for 2022–2024 across the 27 member states, with the US leading this increase despite concerns over its capabilities. 'Europe has the industrial production capacities to increase production of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles,' said Guntramm Wolff, Bruegel's senior fellow, during the launch of the report Fit for war by 2030? on Friday morning.* 'What is more concerning is the more modern weapons systems, where we have limited capabilities,' he added. Bruegel and Kiel Institute for the World Economy researchers have detected that the reliance on the US for certain defence and security domains is very high, including hypersonic missiles, next generation jets, AI integrated systems and intelligence services. 'There has been some increase in various systems—artillery in particular has grown substantially—but these increases are still relatively small compared to the overall demand,' Wolff said. For example, the report notes that Europe held 1,627 main battle tanks in 2023, while projections suggest 2,359 to 2,920 will be needed in the coming years, depending on the scenario. As for air defence systems such as the Patriot and SAMP/T, stock levels in 2024 stood at 35 units—far below the 89 required. 'Major investments in research and development will be essential,' the authors advise EU policymakers and national governments, especially given Europe's lagging defence R&D compared to global competitors. In 2023, Europe invested €13 billion in military R&D. By contrast, China invested €21 billion, while the US allocated a staggering $145 billion. In March, the European Commission unveiled its rearmament initiative—now called Defence Readiness 2030—with a target of mobilising up to €800 billion to address the bloc's most critical defence shortfalls. Meanwhile, NATO is expected to call on its 32 members to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2032—or potentially by 2035—a target Spain has already criticised as 'unreasonable'. But simply increasing budgets won't solve the problem, the report warns. 'More military spending will not automatically and immediately translate into military capabilities, especially if the defence industrial base is already under strain,' the researchers argue. The real challenge, they stress, lies in converting funding into tangible capabilities through a coherent, forward-looking strategic and operational plan. With the European defence market still highly fragmented, greater integration would improve cost-effectiveness. But alongside procurement reform, military planning must also be strengthened. 'This is really about rebuilding the ability to understand war through the lens of peer conflict—and that is just as much of a challenge as disbursing the money,' said Dr. Alexandr Burilkov, assistant director for research at the GLOBSEC GeoTech Center. According to the researchers' estimates, even the proposed €800 billion may fall short—insufficient to cover the development of missile capabilities, procurement of tanks, artillery, and infantry fighting vehicles, modernisation of forces, and investment in air defence systems. Russian drones struck the Black Sea port city of Odesa and the northeastern city of Kharkiv overnight, killing at least one person, Ukrainian officials have said. The attacks against Odesa sparked fires in several apartment blocks, Ukraine's Emergency Service said. Flames engulfed a four-storey residential building in the city, which partly collapsed and injured three emergency workers. A separate blaze spread across the upper section of a 23-storey high-rise, leading to the evacuation of 600 residents. In total, one person was killed and 14 others were wounded in the overnight strikes against the port city, according to Odesa's regional prosecutor's office. At least eight drones hit civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv, injuring two children and two others, Ukraine's Emergency Service said. A further four people were wounded in a second Russian strike on Friday. Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched 80 Shahed and decoy drones overnight, with Ukrainian air defences intercepting or jamming 70 of them. A Russian missile strike on a nine-storey Kyiv apartment building earlier this week was a sign that more pressure must be applied on Moscow to agree to a ceasefire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday. The drone and missile attack on Kyiv early Tuesday, the deadliest assault on the capital this year, killed 28 people across the city and wounded 142 others, Kyiv Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko said. 'This attack is a reminder to the world that Russia rejects a ceasefire and chooses killing,' Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram, and thanked Ukraine's partners who he said are ready to pressure Russia to 'feel the real cost of the war". As Russia proceeds with a summer offensive across the roughly 1,000-kilometre front line, US-led peace efforts have failed to gain traction. Russian President Vladimir Putin has effectively rejected an offer from US President Donald Trump for an immediate 30-day ceasefire, making it conditional on a halt to Ukraine's mobilisation effort and a freeze on Western arms supplies. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Friday that the date for the next round of peace talks is expected to be set next week. Ukrainian officials have not recently spoken about resuming talks with Russia, last held when delegations met in Istanbul on 2 June, though Ukraine continues to offer a ceasefire and support US-led diplomatic efforts to stop the fighting. The two rounds of brief talks yielded only agreements on the exchange of prisoners and wounded soldiers.
NDTV
9 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Chad Meredith, Trump's Latest Judicial Pick, Was Almost Nominated By Biden
Washington: President Donald Trump says he plans to tap Chad Meredith, a former state solicitor general in Kentucky, for a federal judgeship in the state - and this time, he is facing no objections from Sen. Rand Paul, who opposed his nomination three years ago. Meredith was the starring player in a bit of judicial nominations drama in the previous administration, when then-President Joe Biden had agreed to nominate Meredith, who was enthusiastically supported by Sen. Mitch McConnell, the former Senate majority leader. It was a curious move at the time, because Meredith had a track record of defending Kentucky's anti-abortion laws and the nomination would come in the immediate aftermath of the 2022 Supreme Court decision that eliminated a constitutional right to the procedure. But Paul indicated to the Biden White House at the time that he would block Meredith's confirmation proceedings from moving forward, so the former president never formally nominated him. Biden's decision to back off Meredith was also a relief to Democrats and abortion rights groups who had been enraged at the prospect of Biden tapping an anti-abortion lawyer for a lifetime judiciary seat. This time, Paul recommended Meredith for the judgeship to the White House, and plans to support his confirmation, Paul's office said Thursday. In his social media post Wednesday announcing the nomination, Trump called Meredith "highly experienced and well qualified." "Chad is a courageous Patriot who knows what is required to uphold the Rule of Law, and protect our Constitution," Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday night. McConnell said in a statement Wednesday that Trump made an "outstanding choice" in choosing Meredith, who also served as chief deputy general counsel for former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin. "His demonstrated devotion to the rule of law and the Constitution will serve the people of Kentucky well on the federal bench," McConnell said. "I look forward to the Senate confirming his nomination." Three years ago, Paul accused McConnell of cutting a "secret deal" with the White House as a reason why Meredith's nomination never moved forward under Biden. Paul never made any substantive objections about Meredith himself at the time. "Unfortunately, instead of communicating and lining up support for him, Senator McConnell chose to cut a secret deal with the White House that fell apart," Paul said at the time. Paul had effective veto power over a judicial pick in his home state because the Senate continues to honor the so-called blue slip rule, a decades-old custom that says a judicial nominee won't move forward if there is opposition from his or her home-state senator. The Biden White House also deferred to that custom, which is why Biden never ended up nominating Meredith. Though the rule has been eroded in part, namely for appellate court judges whose seat spans several states, the custom has remained intact for district court nominees who are more closely tied to their home states. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, has so far made no indication that he would deviate from that longstanding custom. Lena Zwarensteyn, senior director of a fair courts program and an adviser at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, criticized Trump's selection of Meredith given his "disturbing anti-abortion record." "The nomination of Chad Meredith to a lifetime judgeship should trouble everyone," Zwarensteyn said.
India.com
12 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Three Muslim countries will become the cause of Iran's destruction, 40000 US soldiers on alert in…, Trump in fear of…, the countries are...
Iran's missiles reaching over 2,300 km to hit Israel in just minutes because… technology behind it is… Tehran: The conflict between Iran and Israel entered its seventh day on Friday, the world's eyes are fixed on the United States as it has indicated to join the war. Meanwhile, Iran has threatened that it will not back down from targeting American bases in West Asia. Tehran has already shown its strength by launching its lethal missiles on major cities of Israel. Now, the question arises that if US jumps into the war and support Tel Aviv, how would Tehran retaliate? As per a report by The Guardian, after Donald Trump approved the plans to attack Iran, the US defence department is considering the ways to attack the Middle East country. Amidst the tension, America has deployed its 40,000 soldiers in the Gulf region, including UAE, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, on high alert. Iran Has Options It is worth noting that, Tehran has several options to retaliate against US and missile attack is the most prominent among them. Tehran has several lethal ballistic missies and it has already shown its might by firing hundreds of ballistic missiles on Israel. According to US intelligence officials, these missile attacks can be carried out by Iran on American military bases in Arab countries. America has at least 20 military bases in West Asia and surrounding regions, most of which fall within the range of 2,000 kms of Iran's Sejjil-2 ballistic missile. In such a scenario, expert believe that the US bases in Iraq and Syria will be the first target and after than Tehran may attack bases located in Arab countries. Attack At Sea Notably, the US has stationed two large aircraft carriers in West Asia and the third war ship is on its way. Iran can also target these ships. The Strait of Hormuz, which is located between the Arabian Peninsula and the western shore of the Persian Gulf, is the place where Iran can show its strength there. The recent attacks on Israel have shown that how difficult it is to stop Iran's ballistic missiles. In such a situation, the US has started deploying its Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defence in West Asia to stop these lethal ballistic missiles. The Pantagon has deployed its patriot batteries in OIraq
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Is Mohanlal, Mammootty, Mahesh Narayanan's project titled ‘Patriot'? - Here's what we know
The much-anticipated film directed by , featuring an ensemble cast led by and , has once again made headlines — this time due to speculation around its title. On Wednesday, an X (formerly Twitter) post by Sri Lanka Tourism referred to the film as 'Patriot', sparking rumours that the upcoming high-profile Malayalam film might officially carry that name. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, there has been no confirmation from the film's team, and the makers have yet to announce the official title. Mohanlal receives a grand welcome in Sri Lanka Malayalam superstar Mohanlal arrived in Sri Lanka for the film's eighth shooting schedule and was greeted with a warm, traditional welcome by Sri Lanka's tourism authorities. The video of his arrival, shared online by his close friend Ishanta Ratnayake, quickly went viral and fueled curiosity about the ongoing shoot. As reported by Manorama Online, the Sri Lankan schedule will reportedly include key sequences involving Mohanlal, Kunchacko Boban, Fahadh Faasil, and Darshana Rajendran. This yet-to-be-titled (or possibly Patriot) film is being helmed by acclaimed filmmaker Mahesh Narayanan and features an impressive star-studded lineup. Mammootty plays the central character, while Mohanlal joins him in a pivotal role. The film also stars Kunchacko Boban, Fahadh Faasil, Nayanthara, Revathy, Darshana Rajendran, and Zarin Shihab. High production values and international appeal The film's cinematography is handled by Bollywood's Manush Nandan. With scenes being shot in Sri Lanka and a cast that includes some of South India's biggest names, the project has the makings of a pan-Indian film with strong international appeal. On the other hand, Mohanlal recently made his grand comeback with the thriller drama film 'Thudarum'. Mammootty's previous outing was the game thriller film 'Bazooka', which was directed by the debutant Deeno Dennis. Mammootty was also seen in the film 'Dominic and the Ladies' Purse'.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rory McIlroy sent loud and clear Ryder Cup taster on day one at the Travelers
The superstar partnered with USA skipper Keegan Bradley and heard the support Rory McIlroy was blissfully unaffected by passionate home Ryder Cup backing as he sizzled back to form on day one at the Travelers Championship. The Northern Irish superstar had zest back as he blitzed to an opening bogey-free 64 at TPC River Highlands to sit within two shots of leader Austin Eckroat. McIlroy did so against the backdrop of regular 'USA, USA' chanting as he was partnered for the round by American captain Keegan Bradley at one of his local courses. The World No.2 didn't miss the noise, but smiled: 'There's definitely a lot more Captain America and USA chants out there, which is cool. It's cool for Keegan to be here, be the US Ryder Cup captain and, obviously, get all that support.' Bradley was thrilled by the backing and chants and said: 'I get them every week and I appreciate it so much. It's a thrill, something I didn't expect, but it's awesome.' Having suffered for long spells at the US Open last week, McIlroy took the momentum from his final-round 67 at Oakmont into Connecticut and beamed: 'It was good. This a nice tonic compared to last week. It's a slightly more benign golf course and the penalty for missing isn't quite as severe. "You can give yourself plenty of chances for birdies which Keegan and I did, so overall, it was a good start to the tournament and I think, when you're in a two-ball like that, we know we can sort of feed off one another a little bit, that's that's nice as well. I've always liked this course and I think the changes they've made have definitely been an improvement." McIlroy is now building for The Open at Royal Portrush and continued: "I just want to see some good golf, see some better shots and I think, if you concentrate on that and you're concentrating on your quality of golf and concentrating on just trying to play to the best of your ability, the result will take care of itself. There's no point thinking about the result right now. "I'm just trying to play as good as I can and make good swings and, if I if I do that enough, more than likely I'll find myself in a position to have a chance to win.' Much excitement in the States around the two-ball came from the fact that big-name TV broadcaster on NFL Adam Schefter followed the pair around. McIlroy said: 'I'm not a huge [American] football fan and didn't grow up with it, so it's probably lost on me a little bit, but obviously a lot of people thought it was really cool.' But Bradley was far more excited and said: 'It was great. Just hearing his voice is so iconic with football. I turn on the TV hoping to hear Patriot news and he's the guy. So that was really fun. "I was thrilled to meet him and have him out there. I was in getting stretched in the fitness trailer over here and Schefter's talking about me. He's a nice guy and I hope he does more.'
