President Donald Trump on Monday was expected to sign an executive order to build an Iron Dome-style missile defence system in the US, fulfilling a campaign promise. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the “Iron Dome for America” would be one of several executive orders signed on Monday.
“There are more executive orders coming that we fully support,” Mr Hegseth told reporters as he arrived at the Pentagon for his first day on the job following his confirmation last week. “This is happening quickly.”
Mr Trump, who took office a week ago, introduced the idea of building an Iron Dome system, similar to the one Israel uses, during his presidential campaign last year.
“Prevent World War Three, restore peace in Europe and in the Middle East, and build a great Iron Dome missile defence shield over our entire country – all made in America,” the Republican Party 2024 campaign platform website says. “Republicans will ensure our military is the most modern, lethal and powerful force in the world.”
Israel set up its Iron Dome system in 2011. It now has about a dozen batteries and has been able to intercept most short-range missiles that have been launched into its territory. The US has given billions of dollars in funding for the Iron Dome, with Congress approving $1 billion in 2022.
The system has been instrumental since October 7, 2023, allowing Israel to fend off thousands of rockets, drones and other projectiles coming from Iran, Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and militias in Iraq.
Military experts say it is unclear if a similar system can be built, let alone be able to operate with the same effectiveness in the US, given the country's vast size. They also question its necessity, given that the US is bordered by two allies, Canada and Mexico.
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions | $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The currency conundrum
Russ Mould, investment director at online trading platform AJ Bell, says almost every major currency has challenges right now. “The US has a huge budget deficit, the euro faces political friction and poor growth, sterling is bogged down by Brexit, China’s renminbi is hit by debt fears while slowing Chinese growth is hurting commodity exporters like Australia and Canada.”
Most countries now actively want a weak currency to make their exports more competitive. “China seems happy to let the renminbi drift lower, the Swiss are still running quantitative easing at full tilt and central bankers everywhere are actively talking down their currencies or offering only limited support," says Mr Mould.
This is a race to the bottom, and everybody wants to be a winner.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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