
Saudi Arabia Activates First THAAD Missile Killer, Iran "Fully Prepared" to Counter Israel-US
Saudi Arabia has announced the activation of the first US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) air defence system and the operational readiness of its first associated unit. Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry said that the system was inaugurated after it was tested within the Kingdom's territories. 'The Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces inaugurated the first unit of the THAAD air defense missile system after completing testing, inspection, and operation of its systems, and conducting collective field training for its personnel within the Kingdom', the defence ministry in Riyadh said in a statement. The Saudi defence ministry stated that the move aims to strengthen the country's air defence capabilities and protect its strategic areas. The battery was reportedly purchased in a $15 billion deal with US President Donald Trump during his first term. The deal included an additional six THAAD batteries, 44 launchers, and 360 interceptors, as per reports. n18oc_world n18oc_crux0:00 INTRODUCTION2:48 WHY SAUDI NEEDS THAAD?5:30 US DEPLETES 20% OF ITS THAAD INTERCEPTORS: REPORT7:34 IRAN READY TO COUNTER ISRAEL WITH 'ALL ITS MIGHT'
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Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
'America Party formed to give you back freedom': Elon Musk officially launches new political party amid ongoing feud with Donald Trump
In a major development, tech billionaire and Tesla owner Elon Musk on Friday announced the formation of a new political party under the name 'America Party.' Interestingly, the announcement came just days after US President Donald Trump and Musk's public feud on social media platform X (formerly called Twitter). The 54-year-old Tesla CEO, some days ago, noticed an idea floating on the internet regarding a party formation, to which the billionaire reacted positively and said the decision was made in response to the overwhelming support from the users on the platform. The tech mogul took to his X and shared a post mentioning, "By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party, and you shall have it!. Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom." By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom. Surprising announcements may stress the tensions between Elon Musk and Donald Trump The announcement comes suddenly amid the ongoing feud between Musk and Trump, who he once considered a key ally. On the other hand, Elon Musk had also invested about a million in Trump's re-election campaign and even became a major part of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during Donald Trump's presidency. However, the relations between the duo soured last week after Donald Trump signed a sweeping tax cut and spending bill called 'The One Big Beautiful Bill.' According to reports, this was one of the moves that Musk strongly opposed. In response, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO suggested political payback, pledging to use his wealth to campaign against lawmakers who supported the legislation. Elon Musk and Donald Trump's feud Following this, the tensions between the duo intensified when Trump threatened to cut off federal subsidies to Elon Musk's companies, which is a significant financial pressure point. However, Musk had earlier said that he would start a new political party and spend money to unseat the lawmakers who supported the bill. Meanwhile, before launching his party, Musk shared a poll on the occasion of US Independence Day, when he asked whether respondents "want independence from the two-party (some would say uniparty) system" that dominated US politics for about two centuries. The SpaceX owner had a major rift with the president after spearheading the Republican push to reduce spending and eliminate federal jobs while leading the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The feud flared up again in dramatic fashion late last Monday when Trump urged Republicans in Congress to force through his sweeping domestic agenda, packaged as the One Big Beautiful Bill.


New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
India's BRICS trade volume up
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
BRICS nations voice 'serious concern' over Trump Tariffs as China skips the Summit in Brazil
Emerging nations, which represent about half the world's population and 40 percent of global economic output, have united over 'serious concerns' about US import tariffs read more A photo ceremony before a plenary session of the Brics summit in Kazan, Russia. File Image /Reuters BRICS leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday are expected to decry US President Donald Trump's 'indiscriminate' trade tariffs, saying they are illegal and risk hurting the global economy. Emerging nations, which represent about half the world's population and 40 percent of global economic output, have united over 'serious concerns' about US import tariffs, according to a draft summit statement obtained by AFP on Saturday. Since coming to office in January, Trump has threatened allies and rivals alike with a slew of punitive duties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His latest salvo comes in the form of letters informing trading partners of new tariff rates that will soon enter into force. The draft summit declaration does not mention the United States or its president by name, and could yet be amended by leaders gathering for talks Sunday and Monday. But it is a clear political shot directed at Washington from 11 emerging nations, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. 'We voice serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO (World Trade Organization) rules,' the draft text says. It warns that such measures 'threaten to further reduce global trade' and are 'affecting the prospects for global economic development.' Xi no show Conceived two decades ago as a forum for fast-growing economies, the BRICS have come to be seen as a Chinese-driven counterbalance to Western power. But the summit's political punch will be depleted by the absence of China's Xi Jinping, who is skipping the annual meeting for the first time in his 12 years as president. That absence has prompted fevered speculation in some quarters. 'The simplest explanation may hold the most explanatory power. Xi recently hosted Lula in Beijing,' said Ryan Hass, a former China director at the US National Security Council who is now with the Brookings Institution think tank. The Chinese leader will not be the only notable absentee. War crime-indicted Russian President Vladimir Putin is also opting to stay away, but will participate via video link, according to the Kremlin. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hass said Putin's non-attendance and the fact that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be a guest of honor in Brazil could also be factors in Xi's absence. 'Xi does not want to appear upstaged by Modi,' who will receive a state lunch, he said. 'I expect Xi's decision to delegate attendance to Premier Li (Qiang) rests amidst these factors.' Still, the Xi no-show is a blow to host President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who wants Brazil to play a bigger role on the world stage. In the year to November 2025, Brazil will have hosted a G20 summit, a BRICS summit, and COP30 international climate talks, all before heading into fiercely contested presidential elections next year, in which he is expected to run. Lula warmly welcomed leaders and dignitaries on Saturday, including China's Premier Li Qiang, as the leftist president hosted a pre-summit business forum in Rio. 'Faced with the resurgence of protectionism, it is up to emerging countries to defend the multilateral trade regime and reform the international financial architecture,' Lula told the event. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, whose nation is still reeling from a 12-day conflict with Israel, is also skipping the meeting and will be represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. A source familiar with the negotiations said Iran had sought a tougher condemnation of Israel and the United States over their recent bombing of Iranian military, nuclear and other sites. But one diplomatic source said the text would give the 'same message' that BRICS delivered last month. Then Iran's allies expressed 'grave concern' about strikes against Iran, but did not explicitly mention Israel or the United States. Artificial intelligence and health will also be on the agenda at the summit. Original members of the bloc Brazil, Russia, India, and China have been joined by South Africa and, more recently, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia.