Latest news with #Whiting
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
China's space militarisation moving 'breathtakingly fast': US Space Force
China's rapid militarisation of space is the most pressing concern to the United States, USSF Commander General Stephen Whiting said in an interview with military website Breaking Defence earlier this week. The US Space Force commander spoke on China's 'breathtakingly fast' advancement in satellite capabilities, counter-space weapons, and battlefield integration when asked about his most pressing concerns for the Indo-Pacific region. When asked about concerns raised by Brigadier General Anthony Mastalir, who last year highlighted China's use of space to 'complete the kill chain' as the most pressing threat in the region, Whiting confirmed that he shared those concerns. The term 'kill chain' refers to the sequence of steps involved in identifying, tracking and striking a target. In the space domain, this may refer to the integration of satellites, surveillance systems, communication links and weapon platforms, which would work together to detect a threat and deliver a coordinated response. "China has built a targeting system based in space to find, fix, track and target US and allied forces in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility," Whiting told Breaking Defence. US' areas of concerns Whiting highlighted three key areas of concern. First, he said China has developed a robust space-based targeting network capable of locating, tracking, and engaging American and allied assets, including aircraft carriers, with precision. These capabilities, Whiting warned, support 'over-the-horizon' strikes, effectively closing the distance between Chinese weapon systems and faraway targets. The second area of concern, Whiting said, is China's deployment of anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons. These include both "soft kill" methods, such as cyberattacks, jamming of satellite communications and GPS, and 'hard kill' options like high-energy lasers and direct-ascent missiles. Co-orbital ASATs, which are satellites that manoeuvre close to others in orbit to disable or destroy them, also form part of Beijing's growing arsenal. Thirdly, the general warned of China's effective integration of space technology into its armed forces, which has enhanced the precision and range of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), Navy and Air Force. 'They have leveraged all the advantages of space to make their military more lethal, more precise and more far-ranging,' he said. The comments follow the recent Operation Midnight Hammer, in which US military satellites played a crucial role in strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. According to a report by the South China Morning Post, the space-based systems provided pre-strike imagery, guided munitions, supported radio-silent missions, and tracked incoming retaliation from Tehran.
Metro
4 days ago
- Metro
Prisoner said 'that's for Sarah Payne' after stabbing her murderer in his cell
A prisoner told child killer Roy Whiting 'that was for Sarah Payne' after stabbing him with a shank in his jail cell, a court has heard. Andrew Light, 45, is on trial accused of trying to kill Whiting, 66, with a crude wooden blade at the top security HMP Wakefield. Whiting, who is serving a life sentence for the abduction and murder of Sarah in July 2000, was targeted last February. Prison officer Alex Dyson told jurors at Leeds Crown Court Light said to Whiting as he was led away: 'See you later Roy. That was for Sarah Payne.' Giving evidence, Mr Dyson said he was on a shift on D-Wing at around 4pm on February 11 when he heard 'muffled' cries of 'boss, boss' coming from cell D240. Describing how he arrived to see Light stabbing Whiting, he said: 'My initial thought was that he was causing major injury and that Whiting's life was in immediate danger. 'I could see lots of blood on the weapon and there was blood on the floor. Whiting was trying desperately to get away and he had a grip of the cupboard at his right-hand side of the cell. 'But Light had a tight grip of him, and he could not get himself free. 'Andrew Light had his left arm around Roy Whiting's waist holding him, to stop him getting away. In his right hand he had a weapon, about six inches long, I couldn't tell at the time what it was. 'There was a lot of blood on Roy Whiting, there was a lot of blood on the floor and on the weapon, and he was stabbing him in his stomach, from behind. 'He was stabbing him around the side, around the front in the stomach quite furiously. 'He was using a lot of force. I thought at the time that he was killing him. There was a lot of blood. It looked horrific.' PO Dyson said he activated his body-cam and summoned assistance while shouting for Light to 'drop the weapon', but the inmate ignored his orders. The jury watched the clip, which showed PO Dyson brandishing a PAVA spray. When fellow prison officers arrived the cell door was shut, leaving Light and Whiting in the cell together. Whiting could be seen crawling under his bed for protection as Light resumed his attack. Though the viewing hatch, PO Dyson saw him stab Whiting under the bed 'at least a dozen times', he said. Guards then decided to enter the cell and cuff Light after he finally threw the weapon to the floor. PO Dyson told the jury that it was protocol to lock a door when they had a 'hostage situation' and that had he entered alone whilst the attack was going on 'I'd probably get stabbed'. The officer described Light using 'as much force as I think he could use'. John Elvidge KC, representing Light, challenged PO Dyson's recollection, suggesting those words were not picked up on the body cam audio. PO Dyson replied: 'I have heard it at some point because it is in my statement.' Whiting suffered multiple cuts, including a bad cut to his ear, but his injuries were not life threatening, the court heard. 'He was very lucky. He came off a lot better than he could have been,' PO Dyson said. Prison nurse Laura Mortimer-Reid was the first medical officer on the scene. The jury watched video footage of a heavily bloodstained Whiting crawling back out from under the bed, bleeding from his left ear. More Trending Mrs Mortimer-Reid said the wound to the ear was 'quite deep' and needed to be glued but other than that she described his injuries, including cuts to his hands and neck, as 'superficial' and 'not life threatening'. The jury has been told that Light has admitted possessing a bladed article in the prison and also pleaded guilty to unlawfully wounding Whiting. Light denies attempted murder and wounding with intent. The trial continues. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: 'Burglar' gets stuck in chimney trying to rescue his trapped dog MORE: Girl, 12, raped by three men after being lured from Asda 'wakes up at night screaming' MORE: 'Kardashian of Cheshire' conned friends out of £200,000 in Hermes handbag scam
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Daily Record
Sarah Payne's killer in court after fellow prisoner 'tried to kill him'
Child killer Roy Whiting came face to face with the man accused of trying to murder him behind bars. Child killer Roy Whiting left jail yesterday to give chilling evidence in court against a fellow inmate accused of trying to kill him in a vicious prison stabbing. Whiting, 66, is serving a life sentence for the 2000 abduction and murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne. He appeared at Leeds Crown Court to testify against Andrew Light, 45, who is accused of launching a brutal attack with a makeshift weapon inside HMP Wakefield in February last year. The court heard how Light allegedly stabbed Whiting multiple times with a wooden shank. Light denies attempted murder, though he has already admitted to assault and possessing a weapon, reports the Mirror. Prosecutor Michael Smith said: 'We will not invite you to be sympathetic to any victim. There can be no doubt that Roy Whiting was a victim of an assault at the hands of Andrew Light who was also at the time in HMP Wakefield. 'Andrew Light has pleaded guilty to assaulting Roy Whiting and pleaded guilty to having a weapon in his possession when he did that. This case is about the intent with which he acted." He added: 'What the prosecution say is that attack was with intent to kill Roy Whiting, or an attempt to cause him really serious harm.' Jurors were told Whiting was left bleeding heavily after being struck behind the ears, forcing him to hide under his bed. 'The evidence of Whiting is that he was attacked with a wooden shank, an improvised weapon, in his cell... He was dragged back into cell, the attack continued and he was hit behind the ears, with heavy bleeding, so he hid behind the bed, and the attack came to an end when prison officers came to his aid," Mr Smith told the court. Whiting had made a short journey from Wakefield prison to Leeds under tight security. It was his first appearance in public in 24 years. The attack was captured on prison officer bodycam footage, with Light allegedly telling staff at the scene: "He is dead." Mr Smith said Light later told staff he "hoped" Whiting was dead. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Wearing a grey sweatshirt and glasses, Whiting described how he was blindsided in his cell after returning from evening association. Taking the stand, he said: 'I heard the door open to the cell, I did not know him and had never spoken to him. He asked if I was Whiting and I said yes and he had a shank, a wooden shank in his hand. 'He did not say anything and he started swinging at me with the shank in his hands... He was aiming for my head and face first off. It was quite forceful blows… I blocked some with my arms.' He went on: 'I fell backwards onto my bed against the wall… He was on top of me still trying to stab me… A couple of times I got hold of his hand and it eased up a bit.' Whiting said he tried desperately to shield himself from the flurry of blows: 'At least a dozen blows connected with arms, side of my face, they were everywhere… I was able to get up off the bed… I made a lunge for the door.' As he struggled to escape, Whiting said he was hit again: 'He hit me in the back, ribs, arms and he caught me on left ear and there was a lot of blood… I just dropped and rolled under bed quickly because I was exhausted.' He recalled prison officers shouting at the attacker: 'There were four or five of them all shouting - they told him to drop the knife a couple of times. He still had the shank in his hand, that is why I went under the bed.' Photos of Whiting's injuries were shown in court, including scratches to his face and stomach, and a significant injury to his ear. 'I knew I had been cut badly but didn't know exactly where,' he said. Under cross-examination by defence KC John Elvidge, Whiting confirmed he didn't need hospital treatment or stitches—just medical glue from prison healthcare staff. He demonstrated how the weapon had been used in a downward stabbing motion. Jurors were told there were no injuries sustained once Whiting was under the bed. He admitted having seen Light before, but said they had never spoken. 'I had a pen in my hand. It's possible I used it against him. I don't know if it was in my hand when the altercation started,' he added. Mr Elvidge suggested Whiting might have stabbed Light with the pen during the struggle. Whiting insisted he didn't know. The court heard the fight ended when officers intervened. Light was flanked by three prison guards in court, dressed in a blue tracksuit top. The judge reminded the jury not to discuss the case with anyone. The trial continues.
Chicago Tribune
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
SSCVA ups Pierogi Fest sponsorship amid dustup with Hammond
The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority is giving Whiting's Pierogi Fest an extra helping of sponsorship dollars this year, but the gesture likely won't smooth over bad feelings between the SSCVA and the City of Hammond. The SSCVA board at its Wednesday meeting voted 10-0 to give Pierogi Fest a $10,000 sponsorship after finding an extra $5,000 in its budget. The SSCVA in April voted to give the wildly popular festival $5,000 while giving Festival of the Lakes $15,000, the Post-Tribune previously reported. During discussion before the vote, Board Member Bernie Grisolia said that Mayor Tom McDermott Jr. had given back the $15,000 for Festival of the Lakes and wants to see it given to Pierogi Fest. McDermott did that because 'there were hurt feelings between Whiting and Hammond' over the money, Grisolia said. 'If we take the $15,000 back, we'll be giving Pierogi Fest $25,000,' SSCVA Board President Andy Qunell said. 'Are we not sponsors for Festival of the Lakes, then?' asked Board Member Chris Cash, who's the general manager for the Ramada Conference Center in North Hammond. 'I don't want people to think we're not supporting Festival of the Lakes.' Qunell then moved to approve the $10,000 for Pierogi Fest and said Hammond should still accept some of the money and that he would call McDermott even though the SSCVA's relationship with him is 'strained right now.' SSCVA Treasurer Matt Malony added that Qunell should make clear it the SSCVA never intended to slight Whiting. McDermott, however, told the Post-Tribune on Wednesday that Qunell's effort would be a 'loaded proposition.' 'This whole thing was botched, completely mishandled from the beginning,' McDermott said. 'I love Whiting, and we never wanted to take any sort of money away from them, so (SSCVA) can keep the money. 'We pay $2.5 million to the CVA each year — that's 50% of their budget — and they want to give us $15,000? That's a pretty crappy return.' This year's smaller SSCVA sponsorships for the two prompted President and CEO Phil Taillon in April to consider changing the process by which festivals asked for sponsorships, the Post-Tribune reported. Having previously paid $20,000 for a high-level Festival of the Lakes sponsorship, the organization's vote to give $10,000 to it this year and $5,000 to Pierogi Fest was directly tied to the SSCVA's lawsuit between it and former President and CEO Speros Batistatos. Grisolia at that meeting asked whether the board would consider giving Festival of the Lakes $15,000 since $10,000 is 'kind of an insult.' Chief Financial Officer Nicole Wolverton concurred with Taillon that the money isn't there right now. In other business, CFO Nicole Wolverton said the SSCVA collected $398,000 of Innkeeper's tax for March, about $33,000 less than last year. So far, the SSCVA has collected $1.6 million, or $100,000 less year-to-date. Some of the lower revenues, at least on Hammond's end, could be attributed to a function BP Whiting hosted where many of their contractors were staying in hotels, Cash said; as such, revenues are 'hard to make up' at the start of the year. But Taillon wasn't too concerned yet. 'Tourism is down all over, so to be where we're at right now isn't a bad place,' he said.
CBS News
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
"Five for Fighting" performing at 2025 Pierogi Fest in Whiting, Indiana
"Five for Fighting" will perform on the main stage at this year's Pierogi Fest in Whiting, Indiana, in July. Pierogi Fest, the wackiest festival in America, runs from July 25 to July 27 and honors Eastern European culture through food. Starting as a small festival in 1993, Pierogi Fest now sees millions of visitors each year. The "Five for Fighting" singer John Ondrasik will perform on the main stage on Saturday, July 26th, at 8:30 p.m. The singer is known for his chart-topping songs "Superman," 100 Years," "Chances," and "The Riddle." CBS News Chicago is a proud media partner of the event.
