Israeli attacks leave at least 20 dead in Gaza
By Rodrigo Santos Andrade
US President Donald Trump on Monday (Dec 22) announced a new class of heavily armed warships that will be named after himself – an honour usually reserved for leaders who have left office. The new "Trump class" of battleships marks the start of an expanded naval build-up, signalling increased scrutiny of defence contractors over production delays and cost overruns.
Trump said the new battleships would be larger, faster and "100 times more powerful" than any previously built, forming the centrepiece of what he called an expanded "Golden Fleet" aimed at cementing US naval dominance.
The programme will begin with two vessels and is expected to grow to between 20 and 25 ships. The first of the class will be christened the USS Defiant. https://cna.asia/4ql1btg
