Japan takes big step to bolster defenses from China threats

Published

2 years ago

March 1, 2023

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close video Japan ‘more likely’ to be a victim by Chinese aggression: Gordon Chang

Author of “The Coming Collapse of China” Gordon Chang discusses the meeting with President Biden and the Japanese Prime Minister amid tensions with China, and China’s management of COVID amid rising cases.

The government of Japan is moving closer to a high-profile purchase of 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the U.S. as a means of enhancing its military’s ability to deter threats from China and North Korea.

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told lawmakers from the country’s House of Representatives on Monday that his government intends to finalize the purchase agreement in fiscal year 2023, which begins in April. The lower chamber approved a record $50 billion (6.8 trillion yen) in defense spending, which will include $1.55 billion (211.3 billion yen) for deploying Tomahawks.

The purchase of Tomahawk cruise missiles is intended to bolster the "counterstrike" capabilities of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in the event the country is attacked by China, North Korea, or Russia.

NORTH KOREA FIRES BALLISTIC MISSILE AFTER US CONDUCTS MILITARY DRILLS WITH SOUTH KOREA, JAPAN: ‘FIRING RANGE’

PACIFIC OCEAN (August 17, 2018) The guided missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) conducts a tomahawk missile flight test while underway in the western Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Devin M. Langer / DVIDS)

Tensions with China have increased in recent years, particularly with regard to a territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, and the Chinese Communist Party’s threats against Taiwan.

North Korea has also regularly conducted missile tests by launching them into the sea around Japan. There is also a long-running territorial dispute between Japan and Russia related to a chain of islands north of Japan.

JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA SUPPORT US TAKEDOWN OF CHINESE SURVEILLANCE CRAFT

The guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) launches Tomahawk cruise missiles to conduct strikes against ISIL targets in 2014. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II / Released / DVIDS)

The U.S. and Japan have been close allies since the end of World War II, and the two nations are obligated to defend one another under the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty of 1960.

Japan’s SDF intends to purchase the upgraded, long-range variant of the Tomahawk and deploy them in 2026 and 2027 on its Navy’s destroyers that are equipped with advanced Aegis radar systems to be used in ship-to-surface attacks if necessary.

NATO CALLS FOR JAPAN, OTHER DEMOCRACIES TO DEFEND AGAINST CHINA’S THREAT ON INTERNATIONAL ORDER

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 18, 2018) A tomahawk cruise missile launches from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) for a live-fire exercise during Valiant Shield 2018. Valiant Shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training ex (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Collins III / DVIDS)

During his appearance before the lower parliamentary house’s budget committee, Kishida was pressed by an opposition lawmaker on the majority Liberal Democratic Party’s prioritization of the Tomahawk purchase as opposed to other social priorities like childcare. Kishida replied, "I don’t think it’s about choosing between one or the other. Both are important for the lives and livelihood of the people."

Japan’s Tomahawk missile acquisition will likely move ahead later this year, although it will have to move through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales process.

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Once the terms of the purchase are finalized, the Pentagon and State Dept. will have to formally approve the sale, which will give Congress an opportunity to block the sale – although that’s unlikely in this case given the deep ties between the U.S. and Japan.

It will then move into the procurement phase, in which Japan’s government will work with Raytheon Technologies Corporation to purchase and deploy the Tomahawk missiles.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.Ticker Security Last Change Change % RTX RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORP. 98.08 -1.08 -1.09%

Entertainment

First Glastonbury tickets sell out in 30 minutes as new booking system launched

Published

3 hours ago

November 15, 2024

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First Glastonbury tickets sell out in 30 minutes as new booking system launched

Coach tickets to Glastonbury 2025 were sold out in half an hour, organisers have said, as they roll out a new booking system for festivalgoers.

They were the first group of tickets to be sold for the world-famous festival in Somerset, which is set to take place between 25 and 29 June.

This year, fans navigated a new system to buy the tickets as they were “randomly assigned a place in a queue” instead of having to refresh the holding page once they went live.

The organisers said in a post on X: “The Glastonbury 2025 tickets + coach travel which were on sale this evening have now all been sold.

“Our thanks to everyone who bought one.”

They added that National Express services would be available to bring festivalgoers from across the country to Glastonbury.

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Standard tickets will go on sale on Sunday at 9am. Last year they were sold out within an hour.

See Tickets said in a post on X that “confirmation emails are going out now to everyone who got @Glastonbury coach tickets this evening”.

Tickets for the annual event at Worthy Farm in Somerset cost £373.50 plus a £5 booking fee, and are sold exclusively through the See Tickets website, with no third-party sellers involved.

The new ticket system has changed the way people join the booking system.

Organisers previously warned hopefuls to log in “at least a few minutes” before the sale opened today and to avoid refreshing the page.

Festivalgoers were also told not to attempt to game the system by using multiple devices.

The sale follows chaos earlier this year when tickets for the Oasis reunion went on sale, seeing a multitude of disappointed fans as well as those who felt cheated after being charged hundreds of pounds more for their tickets than was originally advertised.

Anyone wishing to buy tickets for Glastonbury must have registered by 11 November, a rule in place to avoid touting.

US

RFK Jr chosen as Donald Trump’s health secretary

Published

3 hours ago

November 15, 2024

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RFK Jr chosen as Donald Trump's health secretary

Donald Trump has chosen vaccine sceptic Robert F Kennedy Jr as his new health secretary.

The news was announced by Donald Trump Jr on X, before the president-elect confirmed the appointment just moments later.

Former Democrat RFK Jr, the nephew of former president John F Kennedy, had been running as an independent presidential candidate but dropped out of the race and endorsed Mr Trump in August.

In return for Mr Kennedy’s support during the election, President-elect Trump pledged to give him a “big role” – and RFK Jr’s preference for the health position was widely reported.

The health and human services (HHS) department includes the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Medicare, Medicaid and the National Institutes of Health.

RFK Jr will “restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again,” the president-elect wrote on X.

Mr Trump added: “For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health.

“The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration.”

Mr Kennedy is a known vaccine sceptic who has repeated misinformation on multiple occasions, including the discredited theory that childhood immunisations cause autism.

The RFK Jr-led health department will “play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country,” the president-elect added.

Earlier, his son Donald Trump Jr was the first to confirm the appointment, writing on X: “Robert F Kennedy Jr will be The Secretary of Health and Human Services! Promises Made Promises Kept.”

RFK Jr’s position will need to be confirmed with a Senate vote – but even with the chamber under Republican control, his appointment may face opposition because of his views on health issues.

Before Mr Trump announced his choice, Mr Kennedy had already claimed the new president would push to remove fluoride from drinking water on his first day in office. The addition of the compound has been cited as helping to improve dental health.

The department RKF Jr is hoping to oversee has more than 80,000 employees across the United States.

Environment

A 100-MW solar farm just broke ground in Wisconsin

Published

3 hours ago

November 14, 2024

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A 100-MW solar farm just broke ground in Wisconsin

Wisconson solar — Image: National Grid Renewables

National Grid Renewables has broken ground on its 100 MW Apple River Solar Project in Polk County, Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin solar farm, which will use US-made First Solar Series 6 Plus bifacial modules, will be constructed by The Boldt Company, creating 150 construction and service jobs. Apple River Solar will generate over $36 million in direct economic benefits over its first 20 years.

Once it comes online in late 2025, Apple River Solar will supply clean energy to Xcel Energy, which serves customers throughout the Upper Midwest. According to National Grid Renewables, the solar farm will generate enough energy to power around 26,000 homes annually. It will also offset about 129,900 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year – equivalent to taking 30,900 cars off the road.

“We are excited to see this project begin as it underscores our dedication to delivering clean, reliable and affordable energy to our customers,” said Karl Hoesly, President, Xcel Energy-Wisconsin and Michigan. “This project is an important step in those goals while bringing significant economic benefits to Polk County and the local townships.”

Electrek reported in February that Xcel Energy, Minnesota’s largest utility, expects to cut more than 80% – and possibly up to 88% – of its emissions by 2030, putting it on track to hit Minnesota’s goal of net zero by 2040. It also says it’s on track to achieve its clean energy goals for all the Upper Midwest states it serves – Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Michigan.

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