Factbox-What weapons China put on display at its military parade

Factbox-What weapons China put on display at its military parade

(Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping oversaw a massed military parade in central Beijing on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two. Here are some of the weapons China's People's Liberation Army put on rare public display in a show of its growing prowess and ability to project power far from the country's shores. MISSILES: China unveiled nuclear-capable missiles that can be launched from sea, land and air together, the first time it has shown off its "triad" of nuclear-ready capabilities. Those included the air-based, long-range missile Jinglei-1, the submarine-launched intercontinental missile Julang-3 and land-based intercontinental missiles Dongfeng-61 (DF-61) and Dongfeng-31 - weapons that are China's strategic "ace" power to safeguard the country's sovereignty and dignity, Xinhua reported. The Dongfeng-5C (DF-5C) shown on Wednesday is the latest version of a missile programme China began in the 1970s. The missile is liquid-fuelled and capable of releasing multiple, independent warheads on a single target. The parade featured hypersonic anti-ship missiles that China has previously tested against mockups of U.S. aircraft carriers. Those included the Yingji-19, Yingji-17 and Yingji-20. Other missiles featured included cruise missiles - the Changjian-20A, Yingji-18C, Changjian-1000 – and other hypersonic missiles the Yingji-21, Dongfeng-17 and Dongfeng-26D with what China's state media said were equipped with "all-weather combat capabilities". LASER WEAPONS China has been developing laser weapons as a defence against drone attacks. The full range of its anti-drone systems on display at the parade included a missile gun, high-energy laser weapons and high-power microwave weapons. State media said that represented a "triad" in the People's Liberation Army's anti-drone systems. DRONES: China showed off drones that can operate underwater and in the air, including drones that could be used for reconnaissance and to strike targets. It also featured unmanned helicopters designed to be launched from ships. The sea-based systems included submarines, surface vessels and a mine-laying system. (Writing by Kevin Krolicki and Ben Blanchard; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)

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September 02, 2025

Factbox-What weapons China put on display at its military parade

Factbox-What weapons China put on display at its military parade (Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping oversaw a massed military parade in...

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Analysis-China's new weaponry sends message of deterrence to broad audience

Analysis-China's new weaponry sends message of deterrence to broad audience

By Greg Torode SINGAPORE (Reuters) -From an upgraded, nuclear-armed missile with near-global reach, to air defence lasers, hypersonic weapons, and sea drones that could crowd its near seas, China sent a broad message of deterrence with its largest ever military parade on Wednesday. Military analysts and diplomats say China's leader Xi Jinping was serving multiple constituencies as he oversaw the parade - the U.S. and its allies, China's neighbours, plus regional powers India and Russia, and countries potentially eyeing purchases of Chinese technology. "For all the operational questions that surround some of these new elements, China was sending a message of technological advance and military strength on all fronts - there is a indeed a lot for rival defence planners to get their heads around," said Singapore-based security analyst Alexander Neill. James Char, a China defence scholar at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the comprehensive range of new weapons on show highlighted how the Chinese military was determined to be able to control its near seas in any potential conflict with U.S. "The combination of the (sea) ... drones that they have and also the missiles, it will create an area with that external navies couldn't even enter to intervene in the event of a contingency," Char said. Specifically, the new torpedo-shaped drones and array of hypersonic weapons that can be fired from land, sea and air would be a serious threat for the U.S. and its partners - particularly when combined with its growing number of DF-26 medium-range ballistic missiles that could target ships and bases such as Guam. Beyond the neat demonstration of precision and discipline on display at the parade, question marks remained about the full capabilities of the new weapons, Char said. Analysts have long noted that China would have to effectively secure control of the South and East China seas in any conflict over Taiwan to ensure success - no easy task given the traditional naval dominance of the U.S. across East Asia. (Reporting by Greg Torode in Singapore and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)

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September 02, 2025

Analysis-China's new weaponry sends message of deterrence to broad audience

Analysis-China's new weaponry sends message of deterrence to broad audience By Greg Torode SINGAPORE (Reuters) -From an upgraded, nucle...

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Putin thanks Kim for North Korea's valiant help fighting against Ukraine

Putin thanks Kim for North Korea's valiant help fighting against Ukraine

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Kim Jong Un on Wednesday for North Korean soldiers' courageous fighting against Ukrainian forces. "At your initiative, as is well known, your special forces participated in the liberation of the Kursk region," Putin told Kim at a meeting in China. "Your soldiers fought courageously and heroically." North Korean troops helped Russia earlier this year eject Ukrainian forces from Russia's western region of Kursk. "I would like to note that we will never forget the sacrifices that your armed forces and the families of your servicemen have suffered," Putin said. "On behalf of the Russian people, I would like to thank you for your participation in the joint fight," Putin said. "I ask you to convey my warmest words of gratitude to all the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea." (Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)

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September 02, 2025

Putin thanks Kim for North Korea's valiant help fighting against Ukraine

Putin thanks Kim for North Korea's valiant help fighting against Ukraine MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Kim ...

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Construction intensifies at site linked to Israel's suspected nuclear program, satellite photos show

Construction intensifies at site linked to Israel's suspected nuclear program, satellite photos show

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Construction work has intensified on a major new structure at a facility key to Israel'slong-suspected atomic weapons program, according to satellite images analyzed by experts. They say it could be a new reactor or a facility to assemble nuclear arms — but secrecy shrouding the program makes it difficult to know for sure. The work at theShimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Centernear the city of Dimona will renew questions about Israel's widely believed status as the Mideast's only nuclear-armed state. It could also draw international criticism, especially since it comes after Israel and the United Statesbombed nuclear sites across Iranin June over their fears that the Islamic Republic could use its enrichment facilities to pursue an atomic weapon. Among the sites attacked was Iran's heavy water reactor at Arak. Seven experts who examined the images all said they believed the construction was related to Israel's long-suspected nuclear weapons program, given its proximity to the reactor at Dimona, where no civilian power plant exists. However, they split on what the new construction could be. Three said the location and size of the area under construction and the fact that it appeared to have multiple floors meant the most likely explanation for the work was the construction of a new heavy water reactor. Such reactors can produce plutonium and another material key to nuclear weapons. The other four acknowledged it could be a heavy water reactor but also suggested the work could be related to a new facility for assembling nuclear weapons. They declined to be definitive given the construction was still in an early stage. "It's probably a reactor — that judgement is circumstantial but that's the nature of these things," said Jeffrey Lewis, an expert at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, who based his assessment on the images and Dimona's history. "It's very hard to imagine it is anything else." Israel does not confirm or deny having atomic weapons, and its government did not respond to requests for comment. The White House, which is Israel's staunchest ally, also did not respond to requests for comment. Construction underway for years The Associated Press first reported onexcavations at the facility, some 90 kilometers (55 miles) south of Jerusalem, in 2021. Then, satellite images only showed workers digging a hole some 150 meters (165 yards) long and 60 meters (65 yards) wide near the site's original heavy water reactor. Images taken July 5 by Planet Labs PBC show intensified construction at the site of the dig. Thick concrete retaining walls seem to be laid at the site, which appears to have multiple floors underground. Cranes loom overhead. There's no containment dome or other features typically associated with a heavy water reactor now visible at the site. However, one could be added later or a reactor could be designed without one. Dimona's current heavy water reactor, which came online in the 1960s, has been operating far longer than most reactors of the same era. That suggests it will need to be replaced or retrofitted soon. "It's tall, which you would expect, because the reactor core is going to be pretty tall," Lewis said. "Based on the location, size and general lack of construction there, it's more likely a reactor than anything." Edwin Lyman, a nuclear expert at the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Union of Concerned Scientists, also said the new construction could be a box-shaped reactor that doesn't have a visible containment dome, though he acknowledged the lack of transparency made it difficult to be certain. Israel "doesn't allow any international inspections or verification of what it's doing, which forces the public to speculate," said Lyman. While details about Dimona remain closely held secrets in Israel, a whistleblower in the 1980sreleased details and photos of the facilitythat led experts to conclude that Israel had produced dozens of nuclear warheads. "If it's a heavy water reactor, they're seeking to maintain the capability to produce spent fuel that they then can process to separate plutonium for more nuclear weapons," said Daryl G. Kimball, the executive director of the Washington-based Arms Control Association. "Or they are building a facility to maintain their arsenal or build additional warheads." Israel's program is thought to rely on byproducts of a heavy water reactor Israel, like India and Pakistan, is believed to rely on a heavy water reactor to make its nuclear weapons. The reactors can be used for scientific purposes, but plutonium — which causes the nuclear chain reaction needed in an atomic bomb — is a byproduct of the process. Tritium is another byproduct and can be used to boost the explosive yield of warheads. Given the secrecy of Israel's program, it remains difficult to estimate just how many nuclear weapons it possesses. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists in 2022 put the number at around 90 warheads. Obtaining more tritium to replace decaying material may be the reason for the construction at Dimona, as Lyman noted it decays 5% each year. "If they're building a new production reactor," he said, "it doesn't necessarily mean they're looking to expand the plutonium they have, but to manufacture tritium." Israel has a policy of nuclear ambiguity Israel is believed to have begun building the nuclear site in the desert in the late 1950s after facing several wars with its Arab neighbors surrounding its founding in 1948 in the wake of the Holocaust. Its policy of nuclear ambiguity is thought to have helped deter its enemies. It is among nine countries confirmed or believed to have atomic weapons and among just four that have never joined the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, a landmark international accord meant to stop the spread of nuclear arms. That means the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, has no right to conduct inspections of Dimona. Asked about the construction, the Vienna-based IAEA reiterated that Israel "is not obligated to provide information about other nuclear facilities in the country" outside of its Soreq research reactor. ___ The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage fromthe Carnegie Corporation of New YorkandOutrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. ___ Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape:https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/

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September 02, 2025

Construction intensifies at site linked to Israel's suspected nuclear program, satellite photos show

Construction intensifies at site linked to Israel's suspected nuclear program, satellite photos show DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — ...

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Trump admin live updates: Pritzker pushes back on Trump's 'unhinged' Chicago comments

Trump admin live updates: Pritzker pushes back on Trump's 'unhinged' Chicago comments

President Donald Trump on Tuesday made an announcement regarding U.S. Space Command from the Oval Office, saying the headquarters will move to Alabama. A federal appeals court ruled last week that most of the president's sweeping global tariffs are unlawful, potentially dealing a significant blow to the president's effort to reshape the country's trade policy unilaterally. Sep 3, 12:21 AMAppeals court says Trump cannot invoke Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans A federal appeals court on Tuesday ruled that the Trump administration cannot use acenturies-old wartime authorityto speed up the removals of noncitizens alleged to be members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.In a 2-1 decision, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that President Donald Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act did not meet the legal requirement of a war or an invasion. The Louisiana-based appeals court -- one of the most conservative in the country -- rejected the Trump administration's argument that members of Tren De Aragua comprised a hybrid criminal state intent on invading the U.S."A Country's encouraging its residents and citizens to enter this country illegally is not the modern-day equivalent of sending an armed, organized force to occupy, to disrupt, or to otherwise harm the United States. There is no finding that this mass immigration was an armed, organized force or forces," Judge Leslie H. Southwick wrote.In a dissenting opinion, Judge Andrew Oldham rebuked his colleagues for second-guessing Trump's determination about the alleged invasion."That contravenes over 200 years of legal precedent. And it transmogrifies the least-dangerous branch into robed crusaders who get to playact as multitudinous Commanders in Chief," he wrote.-ABC News' Laura Romero and Peter Charalambous Sep 2, 10:35 PMDOD asks military judges to backfill immigration judges The Defense Department says it's looking to tap military judge advocates and civilian attorneys to begin working on the growing backlog of immigration cases that's topped3.6 million casesin recent years.The move is part of President Donald Trump's crackdown on migration to the U.S., and in particular, asylum seekers. Under U.S. law, a person who enters the country illegally is still allowed to seek asylum through an immigration court. The Justice Department, which oversees the court system, says it has tried to hire more judges in recent years but remains overwhelmed by the number of new cases being filed, with some 1.8 million new cases added last year, according to the Congressional Research Service.In a statement, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the Defense Department is in the process of identifying people who can work as temporary judges at the request of the Justice Department."These DOD attorneys will augment existing resources to help further combat a backlog of cases by presiding over immigration hearings," Parnell wrote in a statement.According to an email sent by the Navy Judge Advocate General obtained by ABC News, the military is interested in 100 volunteers -- active duty, reserve and civilian -- who could begin work this November for a roughly six-month stint.But that number is expected to grow. The Associated Pressfirst reported on Tuesdaythat Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved sending up to 600 military lawyers to work as temporary immigration judges."Preferred volunteers will have experience in administrative law, immigration law, as a military judge or in related fields," the Navy JAG wrote in its email calling for the initial group of volunteers."Furthermore, selected officers must demonstrate a record of sound judgment, legal expertise and analytical ability, coupled with exceptional discernment and impartiality, a professional demeanor, suitable temperament for the role of immigration judge and strong written and oral communication skills are also essential," the email added. "Judge advocates must be active members in good standing of a state bar or The DC bar."-ABC News' Will Steakin and Anne Flaherty Sep 2, 7:29 PMCassidy stands behind Kennedy after CDC shakeup Sen. Bill Cassidy told reporters he's not walking back his support for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. despite Kennedy's changes to vaccine policy and the termination of CDC Director Susan Monarez."People are going to try to make this something more than it is. I'm not presupposing anyone is right or wrong. I am saying we've got to get to the truth because there are serious allegations and so that will take radical transparency -- to quote the president, to quote the secretary," Cassidy said."So I am not presupposing someone is right or wrong. I just know we've got to figure it out," he said.Cassidy, a physician who cast a key vote for Kennedy's confirmation and chairs the committee that focuses on health, has been embroiled in the CDC showdown -- both during the termination, when Monarez called Cassidy to alert him that Kennedy was pushing her out, and afterward, as Cassidy called for oversight investigations into the major staff shakeups at CDC.But on Tuesday, he maintained that Kennedy and Trump are still in fact-finding mode, and he wouldn't make a final judgement until all of the data was out there.-ABC News' Cheyenne Haslett and Allison Pecorin Sep 2, 4:17 PMPritzker lays out what he expects to unfold in Chicago in coming days Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said he expects to see what played out inLos AngelesandWashingtonto happen in Chicago in the coming days."First, Donald Trump is positioning armed federal agents and staging military vehicles on federal property, such as the Great Lakes Naval base. It is likely those agents will be with ICE, Customs and Border Patrol, the Department of Homeland Security and other similarly situated federal agencies. Many of these individuals are being relocated from Los Angeles for deployment in Chicago," the governor said. Pritzker said he expects agents are planning to "raid Latino communities and say they're targeting violent criminals" and that Trump "will be looking for any excuse to put active duty military on our streets, supposedly to protect ICE.""We have reason to believe that the Trump administration has already begun staging the Texas National Guard for deployment in Illinois," Pritzker said. Sep 2, 4:08 PMPritzker pushes back on Trump's comments on Chicago: 'Unhinged' Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, quickly pushed back on President Trump's comments about sending National Guard troops to Chicago."First, I want to address the president's unhinged remarks a few minutes ago begging me to call him. No, I will not call the president, asking him to send troops to Chicago. I've made that clear already," Pritzker said at a press conference. The governor then addressed residents directly, saying he would share as much as his team knew about the administration's potential action."Rumors have been swirling about what the White House has planned, and sifting fact from fiction is increasingly difficult because Donald Trump's administration is not working in coordination with the city of Chicago, Cook County or the state of Illinois," Pritzker said. "I want to take a moment at the top of my remarks to note how truly extraordinary it is for the federal government to refuse to coordinate with local law enforcement and government." Sep 2, 3:27 PMTrump says he will appeal tariff ruling to Supreme Court Trump slammed a federal appeals court'sdecisionruling his tariffs were unlawful.The president claimed the court was liberal and would cost the country billions of dollars.Trump said he plans to bring the case to the Supreme Court to appeal and ask for an expedited ruling. Sep 2, 3:23 PM'We're going in,' Trump says about Chicago President Trump on Tuesday was asked if he's decided whether he is going tosend National Guardsmen to Chicago."Well, we're going in," Trump said as he took questions from reporters in the Oval Office. But he didn't say when such an operation would take place."I didn't say when we're going in," Trump continued. "When you lose -- look, I have an obligation. This isn't a political thing. I have an obligation." Trump pointed togun violence over the weekend in Chicagoand said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker should be requesting federal assistance."If the governor of Illinois would call up, call me up. I would love to do it. Now, we're going to do it anyway. We have the right to do it because I have an obligation to protect this country," Trump said. Sep 2, 3:13 PMTrump responds to internet rumors about his health Fox News' Peter Doocy brought up a social media trend from over the weekend following Trump's lack of public appearances."How did you find out over the weekend that you were dead? You see that the people didn't see you for a couple days. 1.3 million user engagements as of Saturday morning about your demise," Doocy asked. Trump said he did not hear about those rumors, but maintained that he is "very active.""I didn't I knew they were saying, like, 'Is he OK? How is he feeling? What's wrong?' I said I just left and it's also sort of a longer weekend. You know, it's Labor Day weekend. So I would say a lot of people know I was very active this Labor Day," he said. Sep 2, 3:11 PMTrump says US 'shot out' boat carrying drugs from Venezuela President Trump, speaking in the Oval Office, said the U.S. military "shot out" a boat carrying drugs from Venezuela."You'll be seeing that and you'll be reading about that," Trump said. "It just happened moments ago. And our great General, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has been so incredible ... But he gave us a little bit of a briefing, and you'll see. And there's more where that came from.""We have a lot of drugs pouring into our country, coming in for a long time, and we just -- these came out of Venezuela and coming out very heavily from Venezuela. A lot of things are coming out of Venezuela," the president added. "So, we took it out, and you'll get to see that after this -- after this meeting is over." Sep 2, 2:54 PMTrump announces Space Command officially moving to Alabama Speaking in the Oval Office on Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced U.S. Space Command is moving from Colorado to Huntsville, Alabama."Forever to be known from this point forward as Rocket City," Trump said.The president was flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Alabama Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt and other officials as he gave remarks. The decision, confirmed to ABC News earlier Tuesday by person familiar with the matter, reverses a move by President Joe Biden in 2023 tobuild a new headquarters in Colorado Springs. Trump took aim at Biden in his remarks, and expressed his hope that Space Command will remain in Alabama for "hundreds of years." Click here to read the rest of the blog.

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September 02, 2025

Trump admin live updates: Pritzker pushes back on Trump's 'unhinged' Chicago comments

Trump admin live updates: Pritzker pushes back on Trump's 'unhinged' Chicago comments President Donald Trump on Tuesday made an ...

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