The White House on Thursday confirmed that Russia is developing a space-based anti-satellite capability that has yet to be deployed – a “troubling” development that has prompted President Joe Biden to seek direct engagement with Moscow.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that though the project poses “no immediate threat to anyone's safety”, it is a cause for concern.
“We are not talking about a weapon that can be used to attack human beings or cause physical destruction here on Earth,” Mr Kirby added.
“That said, we've been closely monitoring this Russian activity and we will continue to take it very seriously.”
The development comes after Mike Turner, chairman of the intelligence committee in the US House of Representatives, issued an ominous statement on Wednesday warning of a “serious national security threat” and called on the Biden administration to declassify related information.
A New York Times report later described the project as involving a space-based nuclear weapon that could attack satellites, but Russia has dismissed the claim as a “malicious fabrication”.
Any attempt to put a nuclear weapon in space would be in breach of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, signed by more than 130 countries, including Russia, Mr Kirby said.
He said that Mr Biden has been kept fully informed on the issue and that the intelligence community has serious concerns about a broad declassification of the intelligence.
Mr Biden has said that starting with private engagement on the issue would be a more effective approach, Mr Kirby added.
“He has directed a series of initial actions including additional briefings to congressional leaders, direct diplomatic engagement with Russia, with our allies and our partners as well and with other countries around the world who have interests at stake.”
Mr Kirby said White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan was scheduled to brief congressional leaders and committee heads on the latest intelligence later on Thursday.
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj Gen Pat Ryder declined to provide further details on the still-classified Russian capability.
“It's not an immediate threat. It's not an active capability. It's not been deployed,” he told reporters.
Space is becoming increasingly contested, in terms of seeing strategic competitors like China and Russia putting capabilities into orbit that could threaten national security and commercial capabilities, he noted.
The US military in 2019 created Space Force, an independent new branch focused primarily on protecting US space assets and tracking missiles.
The Pentagon has for years sought to "disaggregate" its satellite capabilities, relying on a network of small craft that would function even if one or two were destroyed.
"In a simpler time, you would put a large, exquisite satellite in the space that had lots of capabilities," Maj Gen Ryder said.
"That's a single point of failure versus going to much more numerous smaller satellites that are less expensive, that can be replaced more quickly, thus making it harder to take down a system, you know, in one fell swoop."
Thomas Watkins contributed to this report from the Pentagon
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
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BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The years Ramadan fell in May
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
SCHEDULE
December 8: UAE v USA (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 9: USA v Scotland (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 11: UAE v Scotland (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 12: UAE v USA (ICC Academy Oval 1)
December 14: USA v Scotland (ICC Academy Oval 1)
December 15: UAE v Scotland (ICC Academy Oval 1)
All matches start at 10am
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
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Power: 819hp
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McLaren GT specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
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Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
SPECS
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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