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U.S. says it will deploy more long-range missiles in Germany, Russia vows “a military response”
London — The U.S. and Germany have announced together that the U.S. military will deploy more — and more advanced — long-range missiles in Germany in 2026, plans the countries say demonstrate the American “commitment to NATO and its contribution” to European defense. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov vowed that his country would respond, calling the planned deployment “damaging” to Russia’s security.
The new capabilities in Germany will include SM-6 missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles and unspecified “developmental hypersonic weapons,” the U.S. and German governments said in their joint statement. They said the deployment in 2026 would be “episodic” but part of planning for “enduring stationing” in the future.
“Without nerves, without emotions, we will develop first of all, a military response to the new threat,” Russia’s Ryabkov told journalists, according to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency.
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While he did not specify what that military response would be, in comments to Russian television, Ryabkov said the joint American and German measures would not force Russia to “disarm” or trigger an “expensive arms race”.
The U.S.-German announcement came on the second day of NATO’s 75th-anniversary summit in Washington, where 32 members of the alliance formally declared Ukraine – still trying to fend off the full-scale invasion launched by Russia in 2022 — on an “irreversible path” to membership in the alliance.
Outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stressed that Ukraine would only join “when allies agree and conditions are met,” alluding to systemic reforms that member states expect Ukraine to implement.
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Russia vehemently opposes the eastward expansion of NATO and has alluded to Ukraine’s aspirations of joining the alliance as the reason for its ongoing assault on the country.
The NATO statement said the alliance “does not seek confrontation, and poses no threat to Russia. We remain willing to maintain channels of communication with Moscow to mitigate risk and prevent escalation.”
But declaring Ukraine’s future as a NATO member “irreversible” on Wednesday was enough to prompt a warning from Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council and former President Dmitry Medvedev, who posted on social media that his country “must do everything to ensure that Ukraine’s ‘irreversible path’ to NATO ends either with Ukraine’s disappearance or with NATO’s disappearance. Or better yet, both.”
CBS News
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf; forecast to strengthen into hurricane headed toward Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane headed toward Florida with possible impacts to its western coast, the National Hurricane Center said on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be at 40 mph with higher gusts and Milton is currently moving north-northeast, NHC said in an advisory.
Milton is forecast to undergo a period of rapid intensification before it makes landfall as a Category 2 hurricane across Florida’s west coast, CBS News Miami reported.
The forecast comes a little more than a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and across the Southeast, killing more than 200 people and causing immense destruction. President Biden on Thursday took an aerial tour of Florida’s Big Bend where Helene struck as a Category 4 storm. Hundreds of people are still missing and Mr. Biden said the work to rebuild will cost “billions of dollars” as communities suffer still without power, running water and passable roads.
NOAA
Milton is forecast to move across the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night then across the south-central Gulf on Monday and Tuesday before reaching Florida’s west coast by the middle of the week, NHC said. Heavy rain is possible in the region starting Sunday into Monday, CBS Miami reported, and more rain and heavy winds will most likely arrive on Wednesday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will most likely be required for portions of Florida starting Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Along with the heavy rainfall, the hurricane center said to expect risks of flooding.
Residents in the area should ensure they have a hurricane plan in place, the National Hurricane Center said, follow the advice of local officials and check back for forecast updates.
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A new Barbie has joined Mattel’s lineup of inclusive dolls. The first “Diwali doll” was announced by the toymaker on Friday, a few weeks shy of the Hindu holiday of Diwali, also known as the festival of lights.
The festival, which lasts for five days, is marked on Western calendars to begin on Nov. 1, but some celebrations start on Oct. 31.
The doll, created in collaboration with fashion designer Anita Dongre, features traditional elements including the lehenga skirt, floral print and golden shoes, according to Mattel’s website. The doll is available at major retailers for $40.
“The look is infused with beauty and symbolism to rejoice in victory of light over darkness with contemporary silhouettes,” the description reads for the Diwali doll.
Lalit Agarwal, country manager for Mattel India, said in a news release that through the Diwali doll, the brand is hoping to showcase “India’s vibrant cultural heritage on a global stage while continuing to celebrate the power and beauty of diversity.”
Earlier this year, Mattel announced the first-ever blind Barbie doll and a Black Barbie with Down syndrome.
In addition, to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 and Barbie’s 65th birthday on March 9, the doll brand announced it was adding new dolls to its Role Models collection, based on real-life singers and actresses from around the world. They’re not for sale – a one-of-a-kind doll was made for each of the honored women.
The dolls are meant to introduce “girls to remarkable women’s stories to show them you can be anything,” according to Mattel.
