Latest news with #MilitaryCommand
New Paper
04-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
July 5 South Africa (Greyville) form analysis
Race 1 (1,200m) (1) HAPPY ANALIA is in good form and has the best of the draws. She stays the trip well and the form of her last win has been franked. (11) ETHEREAL VIEW has a wide draw to contend with but has come on well in her last two. (3) AVERNIAN GODDESS ran well below form when favourite last time. She was a winner over course and distance at her penultimate start. (5) DAFNES DAUGHTER improved last run over shorter. The blinkers come off and this trip should suit. Race 2 (1,200m) (2) MAGICAL VIEW has been consistent over a furlong further. She has drawn well and the blinkers should sharpen her up. (12) PINK PIGEON is drawn wide but comes with solid Cape form. If Richard Fourie can beat the draw, she will be concerned. (6) BEVIES DELIGHT is not always reliable but is more than capable on her day. (7) THAT'S MY BABY suddenly found form last outing after returning from a break. She is way better than her previous form suggests. Race 3 (2,200m) (4) THE EQUATOR has some fair UK form over ground, and if fit and well, could prove a touch too classy for this field. (6) LITIGATION was a reserve runner for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. He just needed his last run and is a big contender. (8) JOHNNY THE THIEF has been working his way up the handicap, winning four of his last five starts. Comes in with only 52kg to carry. (9) FIELD MARSHAL is seldom out of the money and was running on late in the Tote Derby last time. He has a handy weight and a strong winning chance. Race 4 (3,000m) (3) KING PELLES was a comfortable winner of the recent Tote Derby, finishing off strongly. He stays the trip and is in good form. (5) SHOOT THE RAPIDS was runner-up in last season's Gold Cup and has built up nicely into this race. Go close. (9) NEBRAAS is getting on but is holding form and should be involved in the finish. (13) HOLDING THUMBS was outgunned late by King Pelles in the Tote Derby but can come on from that run. Not without a chance. Race 5 (1,400m) (10) GREEN DIAMOND steps up in trip but has been a comfortable winner of her last two. Go close. The unbeaten (9) ANOTHERDANCEFORME comes with outstanding Fairview form. The extra furlong should not be an issue. (11) KEUKENHOF was a close-up fourth in a strong renewal of the Group 1 Allan Robertson. Trip suits. (8) QUICKSTEPGAL has won her last three, most recently over course and distance. She does meet slightly stronger but should put in another forward effort. Race 6 (1,400m) (2) ELEGANTRIX won the Godolphin Barb beating subsequent Group 1 Gold Medallion winner Good For You. Then second in the Group 1 Allan Robertson. She has plum draw and extra 200m suits. (5) MILITARY COMMAND was a length back to Good For You in the Gold Medallion but running on strongly. The extra will suit. (13) CHARMING CHEETAH was a length ahead of Military Command in the Medallion but has drawn wide which is a big concern. (4) ARISTOCRATIC impressed in his debut win and is one to watch in the market. Race 7 (2,200m) (11) EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN boasts an exceptional record, and despite 57kg, he has a plum draw and without traffic, he is hard to beat. (5) THE REAL PRINCE has yet to go the trip but is a class act and comes from a stable that has won this race three times in the past. (17) ROYAL VICTORY seldom runs a bad race. Third last year, he has warmed up nicely and should be involved in the finish. Last year's winner (1) ORIENTAL CHARM has a tricky No. 1 draw but he likes to race handy and arrives off a perfect preparation. Race 8 (1,600m) (9) DOUBLE GRAND SLAM found bad traffic in her last start but still managed to finish close-up. She will much prefer this trip. (6) RASCOVA takes on Double Grand Slam in renewed rivalry. She too met traffic in the SA Fillies Sprint and will also prefer this trip. (10) FATAL FLAW made a smart return from a break to win the Group 1 Empress Club Stakes. Keep in calculations. (7) MON PETIT CHERIE beat Spumante Dolce in the WSB Fillies Guineas by a neck and there should not be much between them again. Race 9 (1,200m) (10) KING OF THE GAULS has his third run after a break. He showed good speed in the Golden Horse Sprint before stopping late for third. He should be at his peak now and has the right rider aboard. (4) O'TENIKWA was run out of it late in the Golden Horse. He has been in good form and has solid claims from a handy draw. (5) OUTLAW KING started a weak favourite in the Golden Horse but was one-paced late. He has his third run after a break and should be at his peak. (12) WILLIAM ROBERTSON has drawn wide but looking for his 16th win. The mile was well out of his compass last time. Race 10 (1,600m) (1) UNDERWORLD won over course and distance three starts back and has been in good form since. He has the best of the draw. (9) MONEY HEIST has not been out for nearly a year but was close-up over course and distance a year ago. He is obviously fit and well and is one to watch in the betting. (6) I SALUTE YOU had the worst of the draws last start. He is lightly raced and can do better over this shorter trip. (14) NARINA TROGON seldom runs a bad race but tends to get there a little too late. He could prefer a bit further but is always game. Race 11 (1,600m) (7) KITCHAKAL only got a one-point raise in the handicap for his last win giving the second horse 10.5kg. He had solid form in good company prior to that and can follow up. (6) RICH FOLKS HOAX was narrowly beaten over course and distance with first-time blinkers. He had a handy draw and should be thereabouts again. (12) MAKAZOLE was used as a pacemaker in the Daily News 2000. Big drop in class and has the right jockey aboard. He could be a handsome place payout. (13) ONE SMART COOKIE has won her last three but is up in class and takes in a useful field. She does have a handy galloping weight and has a strong money chance. Race 12 (1,400m) (5) MASTEROFTHEDESERT made a promising local debut when jumping from a wide draw. He has a better gate here and should contest the finish. (1) OPEN HIGHWAY appeared to enjoy the step-up in trip last run and does have the best of the draws. He boasts consistent Highveld form. (8) DAPPER has his second run for his new stable. He was close-up first-up and this trip will suit. (11) ROLLO THE VIKING has a tough draw but was much improved last run and can feature again.
Washington Post
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Ukraine halts Russia's advance in northern Sumy region, commander says
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian forces have halted Russia's recent advance into the northern Sumy region and have stabilized the front line near the border with Russia, Ukraine's top military commander said Thursday. Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander in chief of Ukraine's armed forces, said that Ukrainian successes in Sumy have prevented Russia from deploying about 50,000 Russian troops, including elite airborne and marine brigades, to other areas of the front line.
CBC
19-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Israel believes it has proof Iran is close to a nuclear weapon. Others doubt it
This time, Israel's fears over Iran's intention to build a nuclear bomb really may be valid. Or not. And for better or worse, it will be U.S. President Donald Trump making the decision about what facts to accept or to reject. For most of his nearly 20 years leading Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been stoking international concerns that his country faces the threat of "nuclear annihilation" if Iran is able to build an atomic weapon. As early as 1996, he proclaimed: "Time is running out." Sixteen years later, in 2012, Netanyahu stood before the UN with an almost cartoon-like drawing of a round bomb with a lit fuse, urging the international community to stop Iran's ayatollahs before it was too late. Finally, seven nights ago, Netanyahu gave the order to attack Iran directly, stating that the mission is to take out Iran's institutions, facilities and scientists related to its nuclear program. "If not stopped, Iran could take steps to produce a weapon in a very short time," Netanyahu said in a video statement justifying his decision. Israel's sweeping campaign of airstrikes in and around Tehran has wiped out the top tier of Iran's military command, damaged its nuclear capabilities and killed hundreds. Iranian retaliatory strikes, meanwhile, have killed at least two dozen civilians in Israel. But finishing the job of destroying Iran's nuclear program may be beyond Israel's capabilities. With some key components and facilities fortified up to 80 metres underground, it may require weaponry and heavy bombs possessed only by the U.S. Trump — under intense pressure domestically from many Republicans who want him to intervene, and perhaps an equal number who want him to stay out of the fight — said Thursday he'll make a decision within the next two weeks on what course to take, to give diplomacy with Iran more time. At least one former top Israeli intelligence official believes the evidence of both Iran's capability and intent to produce such a weapon of mass destruction is incontrovertible. "I think the last report of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) says that Iran has more than 400 kilograms of 60 per cent enriched uranium, which, if you enrich it to 90+, is enough for 10 nuclear devices," said Sima Shine, a former officer at Israel's spy agency Mossad who is now with the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv. The only outstanding issue was Iran's willingness to build a bomb, she said, given that such a move would surely invite a devastating Israeli response. "Our impression was that in the last year, the interest of Iran to go the extra mile and actually reach a nuclear, military nuclear capability has changed, if we compare to its previous use," Shine told CBC News. She said since the Oct. 7, 2023 assault on Israel, Israeli attacks have critically weakened Iran's key proxy militias in Gaza and Lebanon — Hamas and Hezbollah. That's left Iran deeply weakened, she said, forcing the ayatollahs to change Iran's calculations about the necessity of building a nuclear weapon to project-strength. Military enrichment? Other Iran watchers in the West share Shine's assessment. "There is no purpose at all for having that level of nuclear enrichment and that stock of enriched uranium other than military," said John Sawers, former chief of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service MI6, speaking to the BBC. Israeli authorities have suggested their own intelligence efforts have also turned up proof of Iran's intentions, beyond what the IAEA has reported. Quoting unnamed sources, the Wall Street Journal said Israeli agents learned of Iran's interest in developing and perfecting chain-reaction explosions, which are required for nuclear weapons. Megan Sutcliffe, an analyst with the private intelligence firm Sibylline, said that beyond the actual manufacture of a nuclear device, it's also possible the Iranians were working on improving missiles and rockets that could carry a bomb. "The IAEA does not monitor this," she said. "And so the intelligence that Israel is likely referring to is something to do with Iran possibly making strides toward testing the viability of some form of delivery system." Doubts persist Still, in the absence of that information being shared publicly, doubts persist about both Iran's intentions and its capabilities. Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's director of national intelligence, told Congress earlier this year that U.S. intelligence agencies did not believe Iran had made a decision to weaponize its nuclear program. The Washington-based Arms Control Association, a think-tank that promotes arms control and diplomacy, issued a statement earlier this week, denouncing any U.S. involvement in Israel's war against Iran. "There was no imminent threat that Iran was weaponizing its nuclear program before Israel's attack began," it wrote. The group argued U.S. intervention could have the opposite effect — strengthening Tehran's resolve and leading it to weaponize its nuclear program, if it is not completely destroyed or is eventually rebuilt. And while the chief of the IAEA ruled last week that Iran was in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for a lack of disclosure, Raphael Grossi also said the global nuclear watchdog had seen no evidence that Iran's enriched uranium was being steered toward military or non-civilian purposes. "We cannot say that we at the IAEA have enough credible elements which would be pointing directly at this," he said. In an interview with CBC News, Iran's ambassador in Geneva reiterated his country's right to have a nuclear program and to develop enriched uranium from it. "There is no evidence of Iran moving toward military nuclear activities," said Ali Bahreini. "Our nuclear activities are peaceful." Enriched uranium can also be used to produce medical isotopes or as fuel for nuclear power plants. WATCH | About That on how the U.S. might be pulled into the Israel-Iran war: How deep will the U.S. be pulled into the Israel-Iran war? | About That 2 hours ago Duration 25:38 U.S. President Donald Trump has consistently denied his country's involvement in the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran. But Andrew Chang explains the role the U.S. has already played. Then, Will South Korea's new leader save the country? Israel's nuclear program Israel is widely believed to have had its own nuclear weapon capabilities for several decades, although the country's official policy is deliberate ambiguity with regards to the existence of such a program. "Essentially, it is widely acknowledged that Israel does have a nuclear arsenal and that they also have … a nuclear submarine, which gives them a second-strike capability; the ability to respond to a nuclear weapon being fired toward them," said Sutcliffe. Israel has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has not accepted IAEA safeguards on some of its principal nuclear activities, the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation notes. The Washington-based group also notes that "the lack of clarity surrounding an Israeli nuclear weapons program is a key obstacle to establishing a weapons of mass destruction free zone in the Middle East." Nonetheless, most countries — including Israel's current and historic adversaries — have generally accepted the country's nuclear policies. Sutcliffe said she believes the different treatment between Iran and Israel on their nuclear programs stems from long-standing, repeated statements from Iran's leaders about their intent to destroy Israel, if given the opportunity. "Iran has characterized itself as being a threat to Israel — both through its direct actions, but also through its support of proxies to threaten Israel," she said. Iran's leadership has expressed strong support for Palestinians being free of Israeli occupation, and it was a strong financial and military supporter of Hamas in Gaza. The Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, however, has repeatedly said Iran's support of Hamas has not helped the Palestinian cause, nor been beneficial to the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. For both Trump and Netanyahu, the decision over which intelligence and analysis to go with will have immense consequences — for Israel and far beyond. Gershon Baskin, a longtime advocate for peaceful coexistence between Arabs and Israelis and fierce Netanyahu opponent, said he believes that most Israelis hope Trump jumps into the war on their side. "They're living this kind of hubris that Israel can do whatever it wants, wherever it wants, at any time," said Baskin referring to public sentiment over the damage Israel's military has inflicted on Iran's nuclear facilities and the assassinations of its nuclear scientists. But he cautioned domestic politics could shift quickly against Netayahu and his efforts to reign in his Iranian enemies, should his calculations over damaging Iran's nuclear program backfire.
Roya News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
'Hospital damage was superficial; we struck military targets only": Iran's Foreign Minister
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that Iranian armed forces successfully struck an 'Israeli' Military Command, Control, and Intelligence headquarters along with another vital target earlier today. Earlier today, our powerful Armed Forces accurately eliminated an Israeli Military Command, Control & Intelligence HQ and another vital target. The blast wave caused superficial damage to a small section of the nearby, and largely evacuated, Soroka Military Hospital. The… — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 19, 2025 He stated that the resulting blast caused only superficial damage to a small, largely evacuated part of the nearby Soroka Military Hospital, which primarily treats Israeli soldiers involved in the conflict in Gaza, where 'Israel' has reportedly destroyed or damaged 94 percent of Palestinian hospitals. Araghchi condemned Israel as the initiator of the ongoing violence, accusing it of targeting hospitals and civilians, and noted that hundreds of innocent Iranians have been killed since 'Israel' launched what he called an 'illegal war' against Iran last week. He called on 'Israelis' to comply with Iranian evacuation orders before strikes and to avoid military and intelligence sites, warning that Iran's armed forces will continue to target those responsible until they end their aggression.
Reuters
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Air defences activated in Tehran to intercept Israeli projectiles, IRNA says
DUBAI, June 14 (Reuters) - Air defences in Iran's capital Tehran were activated early on Saturday to intercept fresh Israeli strikes, state media IRNA reported a day after Israel initiated a number of attacks on Iran's nuclear programme and military command.
