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Biden Sends B61-12 Tactical Nuclear Weapons to Europe
On Saturday, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated that the rapid deployment of updated US B61 tactical nuclear weapons at NATO facilities in Europe would lower the “nuclear threshold” and that Russia would factor the move into its military strategy.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had sparked the most serious clash between Moscow and Washington since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis when the two Cold War superpowers came dangerously near nuclear war.
Russia has approximately 2,000 operational, tactical nuclear weapons, whereas the US has approximately 200 such weapons, half located at facilities in Italy, Germany, Turkey, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
According to Reuters, the US told a confidential NATO meeting to speed the deployment of the B61-12, an upgraded variant of the B61, with the new bombs arriving at European locations in December, several months earlier than intended.
“We cannot ignore the intentions to modernize nuclear weapons, especially the free-fall bombs that are being deployed in Europe,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told reporters.
According to studies by the Federation of American Scientists, the 12-foot B61-12 gravity bomb has a lesser yield nuclear payload than many previous variants but is more accurate and can penetrate below ground.
“The US is updating them, boosting their precision and reducing the force of the nuclear charge, turning these weapons into ‘battlefield weapons,’ lowering the nuclear threshold,” Grushko explained.
The US begins production of its latest tactical nuclear weapons.
The Biden Administration unveiled a new defence strategy Thursday that puts the United States on a Cold War-era footing with China and Russia, outlining a plan to confront two nuclear peer adversaries for the first time in history with a multi-year build-up of modernized weaponry, strengthened foreign alliances, and a total overhaul of the American nuclear arsenal.
The 80-page book serves as the Administration’s plan for global security in the coming decades, stating unequivocally that the United States faces two formidable but very distinct competitors.
It sees China as a long-term “pacing challenge” because of its expanding military projection in the Pacific region, while Russia is an immediate “acute threat” because of its ongoing war with Ukraine and repeated threats to launch a nuclear strike.
“We deliberately chose the word ‘acute,'” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters at the Pentagon. “Unlike China, Russia cannot long-term challenge the United States, but Russian aggression poses an urgent and severe threat to our interests and principles.”
In recent weeks, Russian missile assaults on civilian targets in Ukraine and unsubstantiated allegations of a pending “dirty bomb” detonation have fueled worries that the world is on the verge of nuclear Armageddon.
According to Austin, the Administration is deeply concerned about the conflict’s escalation, but it remains committed to providing Ukraine with weapons and the means to defend itself.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has often discussed the use of nuclear weapons in the eight-month-old conflict, and this week oversaw nuclear drills involving Russian submarines, bombers, and ballistic missile launches within Russia.
Austin dismissed suspicions that the war drills were a cover for a genuine nuclear assault, saying US intelligence had found no evidence of such preparations.
He said senior Russian officials had privately stated that there are no plans to use a nuclear bomb in Ukraine, but the US remained wary.
“It would be the first time in almost 70 years that a nuclear bomb has been used, so that certainly has the potential to change things in the world community,” Austin added. “We will continue to explain that any type of use of a weapon of that type, or even the discussion of such usage, is hazardous and irresponsible.”
Meanwhile, China is portrayed as the “most relevant strategic competitor for the future decades” in the strategic plan. According to the US, Beijing is actively working to undercut US alliances with Asian partners by strengthening its military and nuclear forces and threatening to invade the US-allied island of Taiwan.
“China is the only challenger out there with both the will and, increasingly, the power to remake the international system,” Austin said.
The Administration has concluded that Beijing intends to triple the number of nuclear weapons to 1,000 by 2030 while also building hundreds of additional silos capable of firing long-range ballistic missiles that hit the United States and its far-flung nuclear troops.
While the United States has a more than 10-to-1 edge over China regarding nuclear warheads and delivery systems, the Pentagon sees a need to prepare for the decades ahead.
The Chinese nuclear buildup is an unprecedented challenge for the military, which has only had to focus on deterring one near-peer adversary—formerly the Soviet Union, now Russia—from launching a nuclear assault since World War II’s end.
“I do not want to imply that this is a solved or closed situation and that we now have the answers,” a senior defence official who was not authorized to talk publicly on the subject told reporters.
“This is uncharted ground for us… How can you combat one opponent with enough reserves to keep the other at bay? And the second element of that cannot be a solution in which we need 2,000 nuclear warheads if China has 1,000 and Russia has 1,000 because that would be an arms race that no one wants to be in.”
More here: Inside America’s $100 Billion Mission to Modernize Its Aging Nuclear Missiles
Austin’s proposal departs significantly from President Joe Biden’s campaign commitment to diminish the role of nuclear weapons in US strategy.
There are hints toward disarmament, such as directions to stop developing nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missiles, retire the heaviest gravity bomb in the US arsenal, the B83, and end the avowed strategy of keeping nuclear weapons as a “hedge against an unpredictable future.”
However, the big improvement that non-proliferation experts had hoped for has not occurred.
“It substantially maintains the nuclear deterrence strategy and posture, including capabilities added during the Trump Administration.” “It is unclear how it decreases the role of nuclear weapons as the President instructed,” says Leonor Tomero, Biden’s Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for nuclear and missile defence until October 2021.
“There is an urgent urgency to lower the risk of nuclear war, particularly when nuclear tensions are at their highest in years.”
According to Tomero, the hazards of miscalculation and unexpected quick escalation could lead to the use of nuclear weapons. “To avoid these dangers, these new threats necessitate clear solutions and effective efforts to adapt and reinforce deterrence,” she says.
Under a bilateral deal known as New START, the United States and Russia are currently limited in the number of strategic warheads and delivery systems until February 2026.
On the other hand, China is not a signatory to the pact and has shown no evidence of trying to rein in its nuclear weapons programs, raising concerns about whether further nuclear armament reductions by other countries will be achievable.
“There are repeated references to adjusting US posture in the future, which sets up a future Administration to increase the size of the arsenal or resume nuclear testing,” says Jeffrey Lewis, an analyst at the Middlebury Institute of Strategic Studies’ James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.
The administration is particularly concerned about the growth of non-nuclear weapons systems, such as hypersonic missiles, and space-based and cyber capabilities.
The strategy calls for “creating enduring advantages,” which includes investments in the Defense Department’s people, changes in weapon-buying processes, and climate change preparation.
Other threats mentioned in the dossier include Iran and North Korea and “violent extremist organizations,” which is military lingo for terrorist groups.
The Biden team’s focus on Moscow and Beijing is consistent with the US national security complex’s aim to shift away from the Middle East’s quagmire of conflict and counter-terrorism operations and engage in Great Power competition.
Congress requires each administration to produce a new national defence policy every four years, and two versions are created: one secret and one public.
The strategy, unveiled on October 27, was the first time it incorporated the so-called Nuclear Posture Review and Missile Defense Review, which affected funding allocations for the following years.
“By weaving these documents together,” Austin explained, “we assist guarantee that the entire department is going ahead together and that our resources are aligned with our goals.”
U.K News
UN Calls For Investigation Into Mass Graves Uncovered At Two Gaza Hospitals Raided By Israel
The United Nations (U.N.) Gaza The United Nations has urged for a thorough and reliable investigation into the mass graves discovered at two prominent hospitals in war-ravaged Gaza, which were seized by Israeli troops.
According to U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric, credible investigators must be granted access to the locations. Additionally, Dujarric emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of journalists in Gaza so that they may accurately report on the facts.
AP – VOR News Image
UN Calls For Investigation Into Mass Graves Uncovered At Two Gaza Hospitals Raided By Israel
Volker Türk, the U.N. human rights chief, expressed his deep shock at the destruction of the Shifa medical complex in Gaza City and Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. He also mentioned the disturbing finding of mass graves in and around these facilities after the departure of the Israeli forces.
The individual demanded impartial and open inquiries into the fatalities, emphasizing that “considering the current atmosphere of exemption from punishment, this should involve investigators from the international community.”
“Hospitals are afforded significant protection under international humanitarian law,” Türk stated. “The deliberate act of killing civilians, detainees, and individuals who are unable to participate in combat is considered a war crime.”
Vedant Patel, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, expressed deep concern over the accusations of mass graves at the hospitals and confirmed that U.S. officials have formally requested information from the Israeli government.
The Israeli military has excavated the bodies that Palestinians had previously buried as part of their efforts to locate the remains of hostages taken by Hamas during their attack on October 7th, which initiated the war. The soldiers conducted a thorough examination of the bodies in a dignified manner and promptly returned those that did not belong to Israeli hostages to their original location.
The Israeli military asserts that it eliminated or apprehended numerous militants who had sought refuge within the two hospital complexes, although these assertions could not be independently confirmed.
CNN – VOR News Image
UN Calls For Investigation Into Mass Graves Uncovered At Two Gaza Hospitals Raided By Israel
On Monday, the Palestinian civil defense in the Gaza Strip said that they had discovered 283 corpses in a makeshift cemetery located within the primary hospital in Khan Younis. This cemetery was established during the recent period of Israeli forces surrounding the hospital. According to the group, during that period, individuals could not inter the deceased in a designated burial ground and instead excavated graves within the hospital premises.
According to the civil defense, certain corpses were identified as individuals who were slain during the hospital siege. Additional casualties occurred as a result of the Israeli military’s incursion into the hospital.
The hospital strikes have decimated Gaza’s health sector, which is already struggling to handle the increasing casualties resulting from more than six months of warfare, according to Palestinian health officials.
The matter of who is eligible or responsible for an investigation remains uncertain.
Dujarric stated that for the United Nations to carry out an investigation, authorization from one of its main bodies is required.
“I believe it is not appropriate for anyone to make premature judgments about the outcomes or the individuals responsible,” he stated. “I believe that the investigation should have both access and credibility.”
Karim Khan, the head prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, emphasized the importance of investigating any offenses committed by Hamas terrorists and Israeli forces during his visit to Israel and the West Bank in December.
According to Dujarric, the unearthing of the graves serves as an additional justification for implementing a cease-fire, resolving the conflict, ensuring increased humanitarian access and the delivery of essential products, providing enhanced protection for hospitals, and securing the release of Israeli prisoners.
NDTV – VOR News Image
UN Calls For Investigation Into Mass Graves Uncovered At Two Gaza Hospitals Raided By Israel
The Hamas assault that initiated the conflict resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 individuals, predominantly non-combatants, and the abduction of roughly 250 captives. Israel reports that the terrorists currently have approximately 100 hostages and the remains of over 30 additional individuals in their possession.
Local health authorities report that over 34,000 Palestinians have died as a result of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza to eradicate Hamas. Approximately two-thirds of the casualties are comprised of children and women. The devastation of Gaza’s two major cities has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, causing almost 80% of the population in the area to seek refuge in other sections of the besieged coastal enclave.
SOURCE – (AP)
Keep a watch on the skies tonight and tomorrow; you don’t want to miss the full pink moon, not the blue moon! According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, you’ll get the best view about 7:49 p.m. ET.
This is when “peak illumination” occurs. As the full moon rises above the horizon, it will appear brightest and most vibrant to our eyes.
Where should you go to have the finest experience under the pink full moon? The Old Farmer’s Almanac suggests going somewhere with a good view of the open sky. If possible, attempt to select a location where the horizon is not covered by towering buildings or trees.
Although the pink moon will be a stunning sight to behold, it is not as colorful as it appears. It should appear rich amber at first, but it will fade to white as it rises into the night sky.
You may be wondering why it’s called a pink moon when it doesn’t look pink. According to USA now, many of the names we use for full moons now originate in much older Native American traditions. These names were mainly associated with natural events that month.
Pink Moon: Full Moon in April 2024
In April, Phlox subulata, often known as creeping phlox or moss phlox, began to flower. These rosy-hued petals were also known as “moss pink,” which is how the pink full moon got its name.
In February, we watched the snow moon rise in the sky. Last month brought the worm moon, which slightly less appetizing moniker refers to the presence of worms in nature during early spring.
According to Space.com, next month will see the floral moon. This May full moon is named after the abundance of blooms that will appear throughout this spring season.
A “pink moon” is an April full moon named for the early springtime blooms that paint landscapes in brilliant pinks and reds. It’s a celestial sight that signals nature’s rebirth after winter.
The pink hue is caused by sunlight refraction through the atmosphere, albeit it rarely seems that rosy tone.
Still, the name recalls the splendor of spring’s emergence, reminding us of the earth’s natural cycles. For many, the pink moon represents rejuvenation and new beginnings.
FIFA Nears $1 Billion Deal with Apple TV Plus
MIAMI (AP) – The social media corporation established by ex-President Donald Trump has submitted an application for a business visa program that he aimed to limit during his tenure and that numerous of his supporters desire him to reduce if he were to serve a second term.
Trump Media & Technology Group, the company responsible for Truth Social, submitted an application in June 2022 for an H-1B visa for an employee earning an annual salary of $65,000, which is the minimum wage level permitted by the program. According to federal immigration data, the corporation received approval for a visa a few months after. The corporation asserts that it did not employ the worker.
AP – VOR News Image
Trump Called This Visa ‘Very Bad’ For Americans. Truth Social Applied For One
The act of applying for the visa highlights the contradiction between Trump the candidate, who has advocated for a protectionist approach that encourages corporations to prioritize American workers, and Trump the businessman, who has expressed his intention to utilize all available means for his companies. The investment firm established by Jared Kushner, who is both President Trump’s son-in-law and a White House adviser, submitted an application and received approval to employ a foreign individual as an associate through the visa program.
According to a statement from Trump Media & Technology Group, the application was submitted when the company was under previous management. However, it is worth noting that the current CEO, Devin Nunes, who was already leading the company, was involved in the application process when it was initially filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
The company has never employed, and has no intentions of employing, a worker through the H-1B visa program. The company stated that upon discovering the application, which was submitted under a previous management period, the present management promptly halted the process in November 2022.
The cost for corporations to file an H-1B visa petition is approximately $5,000 per employee. Companies have the ability to retract applications even after they have been granted approval. The data maintained by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services does not include information about visa revocations. However, a representative from the Labor Department, which also monitors H-1B applications, stated that they have no documented evidence of Truth Social submitting a request for withdrawal.
An ubiquitous instrument utilized by technology enterprises.
Technology companies frequently employ individuals through the H-1B program. Prior to assuming the presidency, Trump openly acknowledged his utilization of visas, mostly for the purpose of importing foreign models and a limited number of workers for his hotels and resorts. This information is based on an examination of the petitions filed since 2009.
However, apart from renewing current applications, his companies seemed to have ceased requesting H-1B visas until the creation of Truth Social.
According to the Labor Department, Trump Media & Technology Group submitted an application for an employee to receive a salary of $65,000. The employer is listed as Will Wilkerson, who is a co-founder of the company and a former senior vice president of operations. The employment is located in Atlanta, as indicated by the provided address.
In August 2022, Wilkerson submitted a whistleblower complaint to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, accusing the corporation of committing securities breaches. He lost his job, and The Washington Post reported that he is now actively working with federal investigators. His legal representatives stated that he would refrain from providing any comments.
‘I should be prohibited from using it.’
Trump often discusses the influx of migrants who unlawfully cross the U.S.-Mexico border, but his policy agenda throughout his presidency also involved restrictions on legal immigration, such as family-based visas and the visa lottery program.
AP – VOR News Image
Trump Called This Visa ‘Very Bad’ For Americans. Truth Social Applied For One
During a primary debate in 2016, Trump expressed his disapproval of the H-1B visa program, describing it as both “very detrimental” and “inequitable” for American workers.
“To begin with, I possess extensive knowledge and understanding of the H-1B visa.” And it’s a tool that I frequently utilize, even though I should not have permission to do so. “We should not possess it,” he stated. “Furthermore, it is crucial to acknowledge that I am a businessman and I must prioritize my actions based on necessity.”
Three months into his presidency, Trump issued an executive order titled “Buy American and Hire American.” This order instructed Cabinet members to propose changes that would prioritize the allocation of H-1B visas to applicants who were either well paid or highly talented, with the aim of safeguarding American workers. He has previously asserted that the program was utilized by technology businesses to acquire overseas employees at a reduced salary.
Under his administration, a research conducted by the nonpartisan National Foundation for American Policy revealed that the government was intensifying its examination of cases by issuing additional information requests to companies seeking to employ foreign workers and rejecting a higher number of petitions.
The “Project 2025” handbook, created by supporters anticipating Trump’s potential assumption of power, suggests that the H-1B program should be restructured to function as an exclusive mechanism for attracting the most talented individuals at competitive wages, while also ensuring that American workers are not put at a disadvantage by the program.
Nicolas Morales, an economist specializing on labor and migration at the research department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, stated that over 60% of the total visas granted are attributed to companies in the professional, scientific, and technical services sectors. Morales stated that he has discovered that the visa program has proven advantageous for small enterprises in maintaining their operations.
Participating in and being selected in the H-1B lottery is advantageous for them. “It enhances their likelihood of survival,” he stated. “Over the next five years, small companies that heavily rely on skilled labor are expected to remain active.”
AP – VOR News Image
Trump Called This Visa ‘Very Bad’ For Americans. Truth Social Applied For One
The applications necessitate employers to affirm that they will furnish foreign workers with equivalent benefits as those provided to U.S. workers, and remunerate them at a higher rate than individuals with comparable expertise and qualifications, or above the standard wage for that particular occupation. Companies are required to notify their workers of the filing by displaying a notice in two locations at the workplace.
A significant portion of the criticism surrounding the H-1B program is to corporations providing foreign workers with salaries that fall under the lower wage brackets. The application submitted by Kushner’s investment firm to employ a foreign worker seems to address the allegation adequately.
The Labor Department approved a document in which Kushner’s investment firm stated that it would provide a salary of $200,000 to this employee. This amount falls inside the highest compensation range for H-1B visas, which are usually granted to individuals who are highly skilled in their industry and hold senior positions. According to recent data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the company has been granted a visa approval.
Kushner has abstained from joining the Trump campaign and has been actively pursuing his own business ventures by submitting applications for tourism projects in the Balkans.
SOURCE – (AP)
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