Pentagon on Tuesday (30 May) said it successfully staged its first-ever missile defence test, intercepting and destroying an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The $244m test comes amid the increasing threats from North Korea. A ground-based interceptor, launched from a California airbase, shot down a mock ICBM warhead over the Pacific Ocean, said the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The mock threat was launched from the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site in the Marshall Islands. The Ground-based Midcourse Defense program (GMD) has so far cost about $40bn in the past 15 years and often been criticised for its expensive nature. Interestingly, of the nine intercept attempts, only four have been successful in the past since the GMD was declared combat-ready in 2004.
A scuffle broke out on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives on May 29. The confrontation was sparked by protests against legislation that could impose restrictions on undocumented immigrants in the state.
Its well-documented at this point that President Donald Trump plays an odd game of dominance when he shakes hands—he contorts, jostles and pulls the person hes greeting to make sure hes in charge of the shake. But newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron seems to have studied the American president and was prepared for Trumps odd handshake tactics Thursday when the two met in Brussels.
U.S. Senator John McCain said on 29 May that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a bigger threat to global security than ISIS. McCain warned that the Senate would push for sanctions against Moscow for its alleged interference in the U.S. election.
Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday (May 29) she was ready to walk away from Brexit negotiations without a deal with the European Union if the agreement wasnt good enough. By contrast, the leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn said he would ensure there was a Brexit deal with the European Union were he to win power.
New French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Palace of Versailles outside Paris on Monday (May 29), turning a new page in bilateral relations between the two countries.
In a speech during the campaign trail for the upcoming German elections, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that she believes Europe should look after itself and not rely on others, for example the US or UK. I can only say that we Europeans must really take our fate into our own hands, Merkel said one day after the end of the G7 summit in Sicily.
This latest incident brings the combined official death to at least 85.
Around 1,100 hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners ended their 40-day fast. They reached a compromise with Israel on additional family visits. Israel agreed to allow the inmates a second family visit each per month. 18 prisoners are being treated in hospital because of the hunger strike.Palestinians rallied behind the hunger strikers as national heroes. More than 6,000 Palestinians are currently in prison for offences linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has taken full responsibility for soldiers actions on Mindanao island. He declared martial law on the island currently engulfed in fighting between soldiers and Islamist militants. Duterte warned soldiers not to rape women and told them to shoot anyone resisting arrest. Human rights groups warn martial law could lead to abuse by security forces. Isis-affiliated extremists took control of parts of the city of Marawi earlier in the week. At least 80 people have been killed in the fighting so far and many civilians have been displaced.
Former US President Barack Obama said on Thursday (May 25) he was concerned about how technology advances had made it easier for people to retreat into our own bubbles. In his first speech in Europe since leaving the White House, he also warned against taking peace and prosperity for granted.
Armed and unarmed officers have been deployed on British railways on 26 May, after the suicide bombing attack in Manchester that killed 22 people. Police will patrol major stations and trains across the country today to reassure the public, as the threat level in the U.K. remains at Critica.
US President Donald Trump met with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, for the first time in Brussels on May 25, ahead of a NATO meeting later in the day. The handshake shared between the two leaders came under scrutiny as reports described the gesture as a tellingly firm handshake or a good-natured death grip, while noting that Macrons grip appeared to have turned Trumps knuckles white.
The Queen has arrived at Manchester Royal Infirmary in north west England this morning, where she is due to meet some of the medical teams who have been treating victims of Monday night and amp;#39;s terror attack at Manchester Arena.
Protesters, ranging from rights activists to students, professionals and even teens, marched a 4km route on May 24, after U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Brussels. An activist camp has been in place in Brussels since 21 May, as protesters slam Trump over his so-called Muslim ban and the planned Mexican wall. Trump is in the country to meet with NATO members and EU leaders, before heading to a G7 summit in Sicily.