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The Star
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Ukraine offers its front line as test bed for foreign weapons
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian members of the military fire an anti-aircraft weapon, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in the frontline city of Bakhmut, Ukraine, January 10, 2023. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne/File Photo WIESBADEN, Germany (Reuters) -Ukraine will let foreign arms companies test out their latest weapons on the front line of its war against Russia's invasion, Kyiv's state-backed arms investment and procurement group Brave1 said on Thursday. Under the "Test in Ukraine" scheme, companies would send their products to Ukraine, give some online training on how to use them, then wait for Ukrainian forces to try them out and send back reports, the group said in a statement. "It gives us understanding of what technologies are available. It gives companies understanding of what is really working on the front line," Artem Moroz, Brave1's head of investor relations, told Reuters at a defence conference in Wiesbaden, Germany. Moroz said there has been strong interest in the scheme, but did not name any companies that have signed on to use it and declined to go into more detail on how it would operate or what, if any, costs would be involved. More than three years after their invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces are pressing a grinding offensive across the sprawling, more than 1,000-km (620-mile) front line and intensifying air strikes on Ukrainian cities. Ukraine is betting on a budding defence industry, fuelled in part by foreign investment, to fend off Russia's bigger and better-armed war machine. Brave1 - set up by the government in 2023 with an online hub where Ukrainian defence companies can seek investment, and also where Ukrainian military units can order up arms - had drawn up a list of the military technologies it wanted to test, Moroz added. "We have a list of priorities. One of the top of those would be air defence, like new air defence capabilities, drone interceptors, AI-guided systems, all the solutions against gliding bombs," he said. Unmanned systems in the water and electronic profile systems on the ground are also on Ukraine's list of priorities, as are advanced fire control systems or AI guidance to make howitzers more accurate. (Reporting by Andrew Heavens)
Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Ukraine offers its front line as test bed for foreign weapons
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian members of the military fire an anti-aircraft weapon, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in the frontline city of Bakhmut, Ukraine, January 10, 2023. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne/File Photo WIESBADEN, Germany - Ukraine will let foreign arms companies test out their latest weapons on the front line of its war against Russia's invasion, Kyiv's state-backed arms investment and procurement group Brave1 said on Thursday. Under the "Test in Ukraine" scheme, companies would send their products to Ukraine, give some online training on how to use them, then wait for Ukrainian forces to try them out and send back reports, the group said in a statement. "It gives us understanding of what technologies are available. It gives companies understanding of what is really working on the front line," Artem Moroz, Brave1's head of investor relations, told Reuters at a defence conference in Wiesbaden, Germany. Moroz said there has been strong interest in the scheme, but did not name any companies that have signed on to use it and declined to go into more detail on how it would operate or what, if any, costs would be involved. More than three years after their invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces are pressing a grinding offensive across the sprawling, more than 1,000-km (620-mile) front line and intensifying air strikes on Ukrainian cities. Ukraine is betting on a budding defence industry, fuelled in part by foreign investment, to fend off Russia's bigger and better-armed war machine. Brave1 - set up by the government in 2023 with an online hub where Ukrainian defence companies can seek investment, and also where Ukrainian military units can order up arms - had drawn up a list of the military technologies it wanted to test, Moroz added. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report Business 5 things to know about Kuok Hui Kwong, tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter and Shangri-La Asia head honcho Asia Air India probe into Boeing 787 fuel control switches finds no issues Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore Singapore Sex first, then you can sell my flat: Women property agents fend off indecent proposals and harassment Singapore Two women jailed for submitting fake university certificates to MOM for employment passes Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail "We have a list of priorities. One of the top of those would be air defence, like new air defence capabilities, drone interceptors, AI-guided systems, all the solutions against gliding bombs," he said. Unmanned systems in the water and electronic profile systems on the ground are also on Ukraine's list of priorities, as are advanced fire control systems or AI guidance to make howitzers more accurate. REUTERS
The Irish Sun
13-07-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Weather pros warn of ‘unsettled' conditions with flooding and power outages – as high temp & thunderstorm alerts issued
MET Eireann has confirmed the heatwave is set to continue today with highs of 30C - before thunderstorms hit in the afternoon. As temperatures sizzled to a record-breaking 31.8C yesterday, counties Westmeath and Advertisement 6 The mercury will reach 30C today Credit: REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne 6 Thousands of people rushed to the Irish coasts this weekend Credit: Garrett White - The Sun Dublin 6 The public is advised to take caution as temperatures rise Credit: Weather chiefs warned that "unsettled conditions" are in store next week. Ireland's Weather pro Cathal Nolan said: 'Ahead of an advancing cold front and upper trough, a favourable environment for the development of locally severe thunderstorms exists this afternoon, especially across parts of the West Midlands, and much of Connacht. 'A strong shear gradient within 800J/kg of CAPE will allow for the development of a cluster of thunderstorms between 12.30 and 6pm, with a risk of some locally severe weather in the aforementioned areas.' Advertisement READ MORE IN NEWS He added: 'The areas most at risk of seeing these storms include much of Mayo, Roscommon, North Met Eireann have issued a yellow high temperature alert from 12pm to 6pm for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, However, a status yellow thunderstorm warning is also in place from 2pm to 10pm for Clare, Kerry, Limerick and Connacht. Forecaster Linda Hughes said: 'It'll be dry and sunny at first today but cloud will build in the southwest this morning. Advertisement Most read in Irish News 'In the afternoon and evening showers will develop across Munster, Connacht and some western parts of Leinster.' She continued: 'It'll be very warm or hot in some places again today. Shocking moment 'mini tornado' spins through field picking up loose grass as young lad watches on in amazement 'And a yellow high temperature warning begins at midday and continues until 6 p.m. for counties away from the south and east coast. 'Thunderstorms are also expected particularly in Connacht and a yellow thunderstorm warning begins at 3pm. for Connacht and continues until 10pm today. Advertisement 'Some heavy and thundery downpours are expected particularly in Connacht. 'It'll be very warm or hot with highest temperatures of 23C to 29C, possibly 30C, in the west. 'East and southeast winds will be mainly light to moderate but will turn fresh and gusty near showers.' Tonight will see heavy rainfall and moderate winds. Advertisement Linda said: 'Tonight spells of showery rain will move northwards across the country turning heavy and possibly thundery at times. 'Lowest temperatures of 12C to 17C with slight to moderate variable winds.' BIG SWITCH There will be a major switch in our weather tomorrow as temperatures range between 14C to 21C. The meteorologist said: 'Bands of rain will continue moving northwards tomorrow morning and will be followed from the southwest by sunny spells and scattered showers. Advertisement 'Clouds will increase again later and the showers will turn more prolonged especially in the southwest and west. 'Some heavy and thundery downpours are possible. Highest temperatures of 14C to 21C. 'Coolest in the west and southwest with light to moderate southerly winds increasing fresh and gusty at times.' RAIN PAIN Tuesday will see a mix of sun, rain and cloud with temperatures falling further between 15C to 19C. Advertisement Linda said: 'Tuesday morning will be mostly cloudy with showers or longer spells of rain. 'Sunny spells and scattered showers for the afternoon but they'll clear for most places for the evening. 'Highest temperatures of 15C to 19C with moderate to fresh west to northwest winds.' Wednesday morning will bring 'some mist and fog'. Advertisement The forecaster said: 'Clouds will increase from the southwest through the day bringing some patches of rain and drizzle to the south and west. 'Highest temperatures Wednesday 17C to 22C with light to moderate south to southeast winds.' The remainder of the week will 'continue unsettled' with longer spells of rain. But it will 'become warmer' again with the mercury generally getting into the 20s. Advertisement 6 Yellow weather high temperature alerts are still in place Credit: Garrett White - The Sun Dublin 6 Thunderstorms tonight will bring heavy rain and lightening Credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire 6 The rain is set to return next week Credit:
The Irish Sun
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Firefighters deal with ‘challenging night' as fire fighter attacked ahead of Orange Order parades
FIREFIGHTERS in Northern Ireland said they dealt with a challenging night as bonfires were lit ahead of the July 12 celebrations. Tens of thousands will take to the streets across the region for the traditional Orange Order parades on Saturday. Advertisement 3 Fire crews in Northern Ireland had a challenging night last night Credit: REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne 3 A bonfire was set alight in Moygashel, County Tyrone Credit: Brrian Lincoln/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock The festivities will be spread across 19 main locations to mark the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne where the Protestant King William of Orange triumphed over the Catholic King James II. It comes after the burning of bonfires at an estimated 300 locations in loyalist neighbourhoods across the region on Thursday and Friday nights. While most of the bonfires passed off peacefully, there was condemnation after effigies of migrants in a boat were burned on a bonfire in Moygashel, Co Tyrone. Pictures of the Irish rap band Advertisement READ MORE IN NEWS But the most contentious bonfire was located on a site containing asbestos and close to an electricity sub station off the Donegall Road in south Belfast. The Northern Ireland One firefighter was attacked while attending a bonfire in Lisburn, Co NIFRS area commander Andy Burns said: "Between 6pm 11 July and 2am 12 July 2025, we received 277 emergency 999 calls. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun Exclusive "This resulted in our firefighters attending 194 operational incidents, 72 of which were bonfire related. Peak activity was between 10pm and 1am. "During this period, the number of emergency calls received increased by 154 per cent when compared to 2024. "It was a challenging and extremely busy night for NIFRS with an increase in demand for our regional control centre and emergency response." The spokesperson added: "Disappointingly, a firefighter was attacked while attending a bonfire in Lisburn. They were not injured and remained on duty. Advertisement "This was an isolated incident and not reflective of the support shown to firefighters in carrying out their duties across the evening." Of all the loyal order parades to take place on Saturday, around 30 have been officially categorised as sensitive by the Parades Commission. Locations of sensitive parades this year include Belfast, Coleraine, Keady, Dunloy, Rasharkin, Strabane, Newtownabbey, Maghera, Newtownbutler, Portadown, Glengormley and Bellaghy. POLICING More than 4,000 police officers and police staff will be working on July 12. Advertisement On the 11th night, around 1,200 officers were deployed to monitor public safety at bonfires. The cost of policing parades and bonfires in Northern Ireland through spring and summer was £6.1 million last year, a figure that was up £1.5 million on the previous year. The bill, which covers the period April 1 to August 31, also includes the cost of policing republican commemorations around Easter and events to mark the mid-August anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles. The PSNI expects the costs in 2025 to be higher still. Advertisement This is due to falling police numbers and the resultant increased reliance on paying overtime to ensure enough officers are on duty for the events. 'KEEP PEOPLE SAFE' Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has urged mutual respect in the marking of events. He said: "Our officers will be on the ground throughout the weekend, working in partnership with community leaders, event organisers, and local representatives to support lawful, peaceful, and family-friendly events. "However where necessary, we will take firm and proportionate action to keep people safe. Advertisement "Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of everyone." On Sunday morning, an Orange Order parade has been permitted to pass Ardoyne shops in north Belfast restricted to one band and 50 members of the order. It is a return parade at a former flashpoint which traditionally took place on the evening of July 12 often resulting in violent scenes. Meanwhile, the traditional July 13 events organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh will take place on Monday. Advertisement The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing rival monarchs William and James. 3 Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service tackled a gorse blaze in the Belfast Hills Credit: Rebecca Black/PA Wire
Sunday World
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Cops probe ‘hate incident' as bonfire topped with migrant effigy and Irish tricolour is lit
An Irish tricolour flag was also placed on the bonfire, which is among about 300 which will be burned across Thursday and Friday night in the region, ahead of the Orange Order's annual July 12 parades. A drone view shows a loyalist bonfire pyre is seen with a model effigy of a boat containing mannequins portrayed as migrants in lifejackets with a sign reading "stop the boats", ahead of the pyre being lit as part of the annual loyalist bonfire events marking the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, July 10, 2025. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne Bonfire in Moygashel, near Dungannon in Co Tyrone, topped with an effigy of refugees in a boat — an act condemned by NI parties A loyalist bonfire in Co Tyrone topped with effigies of migrants in a boat is set alight (Niall Carson/PA) A loyalist bonfire in Northern Ireland controversially topped with an effigy of migrants in a boat has been lit. The Police Service of Northern Ireland earlier said they were investigating a hate incident in reference to the pyre in Moygashel on the outskirts of Dungannon, Co Tyrone. An Irish tricolour flag was also placed on the bonfire, which is among about 300 which will be burned across Thursday and Friday night in the region, ahead of the Orange Order's annual July 12 parades. The display on top of the bonfire in Moygashel was criticised by political representatives across the spectrum in Northern Ireland. A loyalist bonfire in Co Tyrone topped with effigies of migrants in a boat is set alight (Niall Carson/PA) Controversial 'migrant boat' bonfire is lit in Moygashel Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland John McDowell described it as 'racist, threatening and offensive'. Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland director, described the bonfire as a 'vile, dehumanising act that fuels hatred and racism'. A drone view shows a loyalist bonfire pyre is seen with a model effigy of a boat containing mannequins portrayed as migrants in lifejackets with a sign reading "stop the boats", ahead of the pyre being lit as part of the annual loyalist bonfire events marking the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, July 10, 2025. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne The boat containing more than a dozen life-sized mannequins wearing life jackets was unveiled on top of the bonfire. Below the boat are several placards, one saying 'stop the boats' and another 'veterans before refugees'. The Moygashel bonfire has become well known in recent years for contentious displays. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Last year, a mock police car was burnt on the top of the bonfire and in 2023 a boat designed to represent the post-Brexit Irish Sea economic border was torched. Prominent loyalist activist Jamie Bryson said it was a form of 'artistic protest'. 'Every year Moygashel bonfire combines artistic protest with their cultural celebration,' he posted on X. 'Their yearly art has itself become a tradition. 'This year the focus is on the scandal of mass illegal immigration.' A drone view shows a loyalist bonfire pyre is seen with a model effigy of a boat containing mannequins portrayed as migrants in lifejackets with a sign reading "stop the boats", ahead of the pyre being lit as part of the annual loyalist bonfire events marking the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, July 10, 2025. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne Earlier on Thursday police said they had received a number of reports regarding the bonfire in Moygashel and the material on it. 'Police are investigating this hate incident. Police are here to help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe,' they said. 'We do this by working with local communities, partners, elected representatives and other stakeholders to deliver local solutions to local problems, building confidence in policing and supporting a safe environment for people to live, work, visit and invest in Northern Ireland, but we can only do so within the legislative framework that exists.'
