US confirms for first time it has deployed space weapons

The US has officially confirmed for the first time that it has deployed an offensive space weapon in Earth's orbit to protect against hostile threats from rival powers like Russia and China. US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced the capability at a military conference but declined to provide details about how the weapon operates or when it was deployed. China responded by warning against an arms race in space and urging the US to cease its military expansion beyond Earth.