Connect with us

Published

on

Israel should craft a “credible” humanitarian plan before advancing further in southern Gaza, the US vice president has told one of its senior ministers.

Kamala Harris also urged Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz – whose visit to Washington was not sanctioned by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – to increase aid into the devastated enclave.

Last month, Israel stepped up its bombardment of Rafah in Gaza’s south, where about 1.5 million people are believed to be crammed, most of them having fled the offensive further north.

As concerns grow over a humanitarian catastrophe, Ms Harris followed up her message from Sunday, when she called for Hamas to accept terms for an immediate ceasefire and described conditions in Gaza as “inhumane”.

“[They] discussed the situation in Rafah and the need for a credible and implementable humanitarian plan prior to contemplating any major military operation there given the risks to civilians,” the White House said about the meeting on Monday.

In a post on X, Ms Harris said she “reiterated” support for Israel’s “right to defend itself” and discussed the need to increase the flow of aid into Gaza.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

US VP: ‘Immediate ceasefire’ in Gaza

Israel, meanwhile, doubled down on its criticism of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) – the biggest provider of aid to the region – claiming 450 of its employees were members of militant groups.

Major international funders have withheld hundreds of millions of dollars from the agency since Israel accused 12 of its employees of participating in the 7 October Hamas attacks.

The UN envoy focusing on sexual violence in conflict, Pramila Patten, said on Monday there are “reasonable grounds” to believe Hamas committed rape and “sexualised torture”.

That attack sparked the Israeli invasion that Gaza’s health ministry says has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians.

Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli strike in Rafah
Pic:Reuters
Image:
Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli strike in Rafah. Pic: Reuters

The allegations on Monday were a significant escalation in the accusations against the agency, which employs 13,000 people in Gaza.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israel’s chief military spokesperson, did not provide names or other evidence to back up the vastly increased number of UNRWA employees it said were militants.

UNRWA accused Israel of detaining its staffers and forcing them, using torture and ill treatment, into giving false confessions about the links between the agency, Hamas and the 7 October attack.

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

Read more:
A fresh truce between Israel and Hamas could be highly significant
Brother of Israeli twins held hostage says ‘I think they sense each other’

“These forced confessions as a result of torture are being used by the Israeli authorities to further spread misinformation about the agency as part of attempts to dismantle UNRWA,” the agency said.

“This is putting our staff in Gaza at risk and has serious implications on our operations in Gaza and around the region.”

Continue Reading

US

George Wendt, who played Norm in Cheers, dies at age of 76

Published

on

By

George Wendt, who played Norm in Cheers, dies at age of 76

Actor George Wendt, who played Norm Peterson in the iconic sitcom Cheers, has died at the age of 76.

His family said he died early on Tuesday morning, peacefully in his sleep, according to publicity firm The Agency Group.

“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever,” the family said in a statement.

His character as an affable, beer-loving barfly in Cheers was watched by millions in the 1980s – earning him six consecutive Emmy nominations for best supporting actor.

The sitcom was based in a Boston bar “where everybody knows your name” – proved true given everyone would shout “Norm!” when he walked in.

Wendt appeared in all 273 episodes of Cheers – with his regular first line of “afternoon everybody” a firm fan favourite.

He was also a prominent presence on Broadway – appearing on stage in Art, Hairspray and Elf. Before rising to fame, he spent six years in Chicago’s renowned Second City improvisation troupe.

More from Ents & Arts

In an interview with GQ magazine, he revealed he didn’t have high hopes when he auditioned for the role that would catapult him to fame.

“My agent said: ‘It’s a small role, honey. It’s one line. Actually, it’s one word.’ The word was ‘beer.’

“I was having a hard time believing I was right for the role of ‘the guy who looked like he wanted a beer.’

“So I went in, and they said, ‘It’s too small a role. Why don’t you read this other one?’ And it was a guy who never left the bar.”

One of nine children, Wendt was born in Chicago and graduated with a degree in economics.

He married actress Bernadette Birkett in 1978, who voiced the character of Norm’s wife in Cheers but never appeared on screen. They have three children.

Wendt’s nephew is Jason Sudeikis, who played the lead role in Ted Lasso.

Continue Reading

US

Elon Musk says he will remain Tesla CEO and plans to cut back on political spending

Published

on

By

Elon Musk says he will remain Tesla CEO and plans to cut back on political spending

Elon Musk has said he is committed to remaining as Tesla’s chief executive for at least five years, as the electric carmaker faces pressure from consumers and the stock market over his work with Donald Trump’s government.

The world’s richest man said he will cut back on political spending after heavily backing the US president last year.

During a video appearance at the Qatar Economic Forum hosted by Bloomberg, a moderator asked: “Do you see yourself and are you committed to still being the chief executive of Tesla in five years’ time?”

Musk responded: “Yes.”

The moderator added: “No doubt about that at all?”

Musk chuckled and replied: “I can’t be still here if I’m dead.”

Tesla has borne the brunt of the outrage against Musk over his work with Mr Trump as part of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which implemented cuts across the US federal government.

Asked if the reaction made him think twice about his involvement in politics, Musk said: “I did what needed to be done.

“I’m not someone who has ever committed violence and yet massive violence was committed against my companies, massive violence was threatened against me.”

He added: “Don’t worry: We’re coming for you.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Musk pulls back from D.O.G.E. role

Musk spent at least 250 million dollars (£187m) supporting Mr Trump in the presidential campaign, and even held some of his own campaign rallies.

“I’m going to do a lot less in the future,” Mr Musk said. Asked why, he responded: “I think I’ve done enough.”

And he added: “Well, if I see a reason to do political spending in the future, I will do it. I do not currently see a reason.”

Read more:
US has a red line in Ukraine-Russia talks, says Trump
King writes to Biden after he reveals cancer diagnosis

Aspirations to build ‘billions of humanoid robots’

It comes after a Tesla pay package Musk was due, once valued at $56bn (£41.8bn) was stopped by a judge in Delaware.

Musk referred to chancellor Kathaleen St Jude McCormick as an “activist who is cosplaying a judge in a Halloween costume”.

Follow The World
Follow The World

Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday

Tap to follow

But he acknowledged his Tesla pay was part of his consideration about staying with Tesla, though he also wanted “sufficient voting control” so he “cannot be ousted by activist investors”.

“It’s not a money thing, it’s a reasonable control thing over the future of the company, especially if we’re building millions, potentially billions of humanoid robots,” he added.

Continue Reading

US

Donald Trump announces Golden Dome defence project – confirming US plans to put weapons in space

Published

on

By

Donald Trump announces Golden Dome defence project - confirming US plans to put weapons in space

Donald Trump has announced the concept for his Golden Dome missile defence system – which includes plans for the US put weapons in space for the first time.

The “cutting-edge missile defence system” will include “space-based sensors and interceptors”, Mr Trump said, adding the Golden Dome “should be fully operational by the end of my term”.

The system – styled on Israel’s Iron Dome – will be able to detect and stop missiles at all points of attack, from before launch to when they are descending towards a target, the Trump administration has said.

Making the announcement in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Mr Trump told reporters the Golden Dome will be “capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from the other side of the world”.

The US president also said Canada “has called us and they want to be part of it”. “As usual, we help Canada as best we can,” he said.

President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Image:
Trump was flanked by two Golden Dome posters. Pic: AP

He has also pledged that the entire system to be built within the United States. Manufacturers in Georgia, Alaska, Florida and Indiana will all be heavily involved in the project, Mr Trump said.

General Michael Guetlein, who currently serves as the vice chief of space operations, will oversee the Golden Dome’s progress.

More on Donald Trump

The space weapons “represent new and emerging requirements for missions that have never before been accomplished by military space organizations,” General Chance Saltzman, the head of the US Space Force, said at a hearing Tuesday.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during an event with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Image:
Defence secretary Pete Hegseth joined the president for the announcement. Pic: AP

How much will the Golden Dome cost?

Mr Trump said he has allocated $25bn “to help get construction under way,” which he described as an initial down payment.

The total cost will be “about $175bn”, the US president added – but the Congressional Budget Office has put the price much higher.

The space-based components alone could cost as much as $542bn (£405bn) over the next 20 years, it estimated earlier this month.

More US news:
King Charles writes to Biden
Musk plans political spending cutback

Mr Trump’s announcement came shortly after the newly confirmed US Air Force secretary said there’s currently no money allocated for the Golden Dome.

The programme is “still in the conceptual stage,” Troy Meink told senators today.

👉 Follow Trump100 on your podcast app 👈

The Pentagon has for years warned that the newest missiles developed by Russia and China are so advanced counter measures are needed.

Both Russia and China have already put offensive weapons, such as satellites capable of disabling those of other countries, in space.

Continue Reading

Trending