Latest news with #then-US
The Star
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Pentagon chief assures lawmakers on review of US-Britain-Australia pact
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress on Thursday he would involve lawmakers in a 30-day assessment of the Aukus alliance, a day after the future of the three-country security pact was thrown into question by reports that the Pentagon was putting it under review. 'Congress will be involved,' Hegseth said in response to a question from US congressman Joe Courtney, a Connecticut Democrat, who also raised concern about the time frame allocated for analysing the pact between Australia, Britain and the US. 'A 30-day review on a project that really took years to develop?' Courtney asked during a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee, while noting that China's dislike of Aukus was the alliance's 'ultimate sort of endorsement'. Asked about Aukus in Beijing on Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China opposed 'manufacturing bloc confrontation and anything that amplifies the risk of nuclear proliferation and exacerbates [an] arms race'. Aukus was launched in 2021 under then-US president Joe Biden and is widely viewed as an alliance to counter China's regional influence and ambitions. For Australia, the bloc affords an opportunity to acquire and build nuclear-powered submarines and join the ranks of just six other countries with such capability. The partnership is also key to Britain's planned expansion of its attack submarine fleet. Washington, meanwhile, views it as a way to boost its submarine shipyards and speed up lagging production rates of Virginia-class submarines. Ahead of Thursday's hearing, officials from Britain and Australia issued statements playing down concerns that the US would not follow through with the pact. In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Richard Marles, Australia's defence minister, said news of the review was not surprising and that he expected Aukus to continue. 'This is a multi-decade plan,' he explained. 'There will be governments that come and go, and I think whenever we see a new government, a review of this kind is going to be something which will be undertaken.' In a similar vein, a British defence ministry spokesperson said it was 'understandable that a new administration would want to review its approach to such a major partnership, just as the UK did last year'. The spokesperson added that Britain would 'continue to work closely with the US and Australia ... to maximise the benefits and opportunities' of the pact. A Pentagon official on Wednesday said the Donald Trump administration was reviewing Aukus to make sure it was 'aligned' with the president's America-first agenda. Hegseth at Thursday's hearing said he and Elbridge Colby, US undersecretary of defence for policy, were involved in the review. Colby had previously expressed concern that the US would lose submarines to Australia at a time when it was critical to deter China militarily. The questioning of Hegseth came days before a Group of Seven summit in Canada, where Trump, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were expected to convene amid growing concern that Washington was upending longstanding alliances. Hegseth, meanwhile, declined at Thursday's hearing to answer directly when asked by lawmakers whether the Trump administration had plans to take Panama and Greenland by military force. 'The American people would want the Pentagon to have plans for any particular contingency,' Hegseth said. Panama was 'very key terrain that we focus on', he added, while noting the US looked forward to 'working with Greenland to ensure that it is secured from any potential threats'. Earlier this year, Trump stated he wanted the US to take over the mineral-rich and strategically located autonomous territory of Denmark for reasons of international security. The American president also said he wanted to 'take back' the Panama Canal, which the US agreed in 1977 to return to Panama and did officially in 1999. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Christian Pulisic's father tells Landon Donovan to ‘grow a pair' after criticism of son
Christian Pulisic's father, Mark, has continued the proud tradition of scrappy US soccer parents by firing back at Landon Donovan over perceived criticism of his son. Christian Pulisic has chosen not to play for the US men's national team at this summer's Gold Cup after a long season with his club team, Milan. During Fox Sports' coverage of the Uefa Nations League final between Portugal and Spain on Sunday, Donovan appeared to reference Pulisic's withdrawal from the USMNT squad, although he did not mention the player by name. [Cristiano Ronaldo]'s 40 years old,' said Donovan, who won 157 caps for the USMNT. 'He's played a long ass season. He's tired. He's out there grinding. Hurt himself in the process, and I can't help but think about our guys on vacation, not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It's pissing me off.' Advertisement Related: Even with Coppa Italia loss, Christian Pulisic has had the best-ever season by an American man in Europe On Sunday evening, Mark Pulisic posted to Instagram a ChatGPT answer detailing Donovan's decision to take a sabbatical from soccer in 2013. Mark Pulisic added the comment: 'This guy is talking about commitment. Look in the mirror + grow a pair and call names out, or are you afraid? Next time you want an interview, you will get rejected again.' His son added a like to the post. In May, Donovan addressed his own sabbatical in the context of Pulisic's decision to sit out the Gold Cup. 'I understand very clearly what it's like to need a break,' said Donovan, whose call then-US head coach Jürgen Klinsmann said contributed to the decision to cut Donovan from the 2014 World Cup team. 'If there's something serious going on in your life, in your family, mentally, whatever, I get it. I'm going to assume for the sake of this conversation that's not going on. If they would actually come out and give reasons, it would help us, but none of them want to say anything publicly. I think it would help them publicly to say 'this is why.'' Advertisement Pulisic enjoyed his best season in Europe in 2024-25, putting in standout performances for Milan, even as the club slumped to eighth place in Serie A. Pulisic's decision to sit out the Gold Cup is unsurprising – he last played in the tournament, which is held every two years, in 2019. The Gold Cup is contested by Concacaf nations and occasional guest teams – Saudi Arabia will play in this year's edition. Mark Pulisic's angry response to criticism of his son has echoes of a dispute involving Christian's USMNT teammate Gio Reyna. In 2023, the Reyna family notified the US Soccer Federation of a decades-old incident involving then USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter and his wife in response to Berhalter's criticism of Reyna at a speaking event.
The Irish Sun
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I've known Bono for decades – real reason he doesn't deserve half the ‘ridiculous' grief he gets and new album secrets
TOP DJ Dave Fanning has defended his long-time pal Bono and insisted: 'He does not deserve half of the grief he gets.' The Advertisement 4 RTE DJ Dave Fanning has defended his pal Bono Credit: Bryan Meade 4 Fanning said Bono 'doesn't deserve half of the grief he gets' Credit: SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images) 4 Fans are eagerly awaiting a new U2 album Credit: Getty images - Getty And Dave told The Irish Sun: ' Advertisement 'He gets a lot of grief, which I think it's ridiculous. 'That's my opinion. I know a lot of people love Bono, a lot of people don't. As a humanitarian, I know how many things he has done in his downtime.' Bono, 65, was criticised after accepting the Medal of Freedom from then-US President Speaking to 'And anyone who thinks that I'm not shocked and appalled by what's going on in Gaza and to the children of Gaza . . .' Advertisement Meanwhile, Dave believes the themes of the next U2 album will be similar to the frontman's Apple special The RTE host, who always gets the first play of every new U2 record, believes there will be huge interest in the group's 15th studio album, their first since Dave said: 'Are people going to be interested in this new U2 record? Absolutely, because this is the longest gap between U2 albums we have ever had. Fans all go wild as Lady Gaga collabs with Bono at surprise gig 'I still think that U2 have it in them to do something amazing. Do people want a new U2 album? Bloody right they do.' The DJ, who still plays U2 on his RTE Gold show from 6-8pm each weekday, also thinks the band will be selling out Advertisement Dave added: ' 4 Dave first met U2 when they knocked on the door of Dublin's Big D Radio in the late Seventies
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Another US-based semicon co to set up project in Bengal
Kolkata: After GlobalFoundries (GF), another US-based semiconductor company — Santech Global Inc — has expressed its interest in setting up a project in Bengal, the state govt said after US Consul General Kathy Giles-Diaz met Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at Nabanna on Wednesday. Based in New Jersey, Santech Global specialises in semiconductors and nanoelectronics. "We are in consultation with the company to extend required support," an official said. He added that Santech Global setting up a project in Bengal would contribute in the creation of a robust semiconductor ecosystem in the state and open up more economic opportunities. The state govt further said GF has sought additional space to expand operations. The GF project was announced in Sept last year during a meeting between then-US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CM had earlier stated that necessary land had already been provided to GF — around 13,000 sq ft in the Software Technology Park of India (STPI) at Sector V. GF has asked for another 19,000 sq ft and the CM has assured to look into the request. On Wednesday, the CM and the US Consul discussed the GF Kolkata Power Center, set to come up in collaboration with the US. The CM said the project would be a significant achievement for the state and expressed hope that once in place, it would generate substantial employment. According to an official, the new semiconductor fabrication unit will focus on advanced sensing, communication and power electronics for national security as well as next-generation telecommunications and green energy applications. The official further said GF is a major semiconductor manufacturing company that produces microchips used in electronic devices such as smartphones, computers and cars. He added that GF would also set up a fabless centre for design and testing. Officials said semiconductor units in Bengal would aid research and development in chip manufacturing, and cause major leaps in the fields of Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and data centres.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Xu Qiliang, former top Chinese general close to Xi, dies in Beijing
Xu Qiliang, former top Chinese general close to Xi, dies in Beijing BEIJING: Xu Qiliang, a former air force general who was reportedly close to Chinese leader Xi Jinping , has died at age 75, according to the Defence Ministry. Xu had been a vice commissioner of the body that overseas the People's Liberation Army , the military branch of China's ruling Communist Party, during Xi's first few years in government. China's ultimate leader was at the time incorporating the army and navy into leadership bodies long dominated by the land forces. Xu was an "excellent Communist Party of China member, a time-tested and loyal communist soldier, a proletarian military strategist, and an outstanding leader of the People's Liberation Army," said a statement issued by the ministry. Xu joined the PLA in 1966 just as China was plunged into the violent decade-long Cultural Revolution under Communist China's founder Mao Zedong. After climbing the ranks, Xu wielded considerable influence as a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission without, it appears, falling afoul of China's party anti-corruption forces, who brought down several other high ranking retired and serving military leaders, including two former defence ministers. China has offered no information on the situation involving the pair, stirring rumours of a major shakeup in the ranks concerning corruption or spying for the US. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo China has not fought a major campaign since the 1950-53 Korean War, so Xu built his career largely on his adherence to the party line and fealty to the leader of the time, who like Xi now, serves as chairman of the Central Military Commission. In a February 2018 report, the official Xinhua News Agency quoted Xu as calling on the Chinese army to "thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the 19th party National Congress and President Xi Jinping's strategy for strengthening the military". Xu also helped oversee the PLA's transformation into a modern fighting force, eliminating its Cold War-era jets for stealth fighters and nuclear bombers. Xu also met with foreign delegations, including then-US Defence Secretary James Mattis in 2018, with whom he discussed "the importance of substantive military-to-military contacts to reduce risk and strategic uncertainty". Relations between the militaries have since nose-dived, along with relations in general.
