Japan’s Defense Ministry has requested a record 8.9 trillion yen ($55.6 billion) for the next fiscal year as it prepares for changing military threats.  The plan focuses heavily on drones, artificial intelligence and long-range weapons, including attack drones and hypersonic missiles.  Japan also wants to develop an AI system that can help military commanders make faster decisions and establish a Defense Ministry cloud for secure … Continue reading Japan to beef up its defense with drones, AI and missiles

Explosions were heard across Kyiv early Tuesday as Russia launched another major air attack on the Ukrainian capital and surrounding areas. The strikes killed at least 12 people in Kyiv and the surrounding region and injured more than a dozen others, including children. Russian drones and ballistic missiles struck residential areas, railway infrastructure and other locations, causing fires and significant damage. Ukrainian officials said the … Continue reading Russian air attacks kill 12 in Kyiv region on sixth day of strikes

Israeli forces carried out a heavy wave of strikes across Gaza, saying the attacks were intended to remove threats to Israeli security forces. The strikes came as an Israel-backed Palestinian militia reportedly conducted a raid in Gaza City targeting senior Hamas officials. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said a senior Hamas member was captured during the operation, with a security source identifying him as the … Continue reading IDF strikes Gaza as Hamas official captured in reported raid

Several improvised explosive devices were found at a power substation near Germany’s Jänschwalde coal-fired power plant in Brandenburg after what authorities believe was a deliberate attack. The attackers reportedly fired rockets at the facility, damaging several power lines and prompting emergency crews to respond. The grid operator 50Hertz said there was a brief interruption of service, but all power lines have since been restored. Police … Continue reading Improvised explosive devices found near German power plant, police say

Catastrophic flash floods triggered by a glacial collapse in the Himalayas have killed more than 1,000 people in Nepal and China, with thousands still missing. Nepal has reported nearly 1,000 deaths and thousands of people unaccounted for, while China has confirmed additional deaths and missing people in Tibet. Rescue efforts have been complicated by destroyed roads, bridges and other infrastructure, while hundreds of hydropower workers … Continue reading Mass burials in Nepal as death toll from flash floods exceeds 1,000

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet in Kyrgyzstan during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, highlighting their growing strategic partnership. The summit in Bishkek brings together leaders from Russia, China, India, Iran and other member states to discuss regional security, economic cooperation and major international issues. Putin and Xi are expected to discuss their countries’ expanding political and economic … Continue reading Russia, China leaders to meet at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit

Niger’s army says it has regained control of a major military airbase in the capital, Niamey, after mutinous soldiers attacked it on Saturday. The confrontation involved hundreds of discontented troops and lasted for several hours, with gunfire and explosions reported around the airport, presidential palace and other key locations. The mutiny highlights growing tensions within Niger’s military, which has suffered heavy losses while fighting jihadist … Continue reading Niger says it regains control of airbase after soldiers mutiny

A shooting at a rave in Aarau, Switzerland, early Sunday left one 22-year-old woman dead and five others injured. The victims, four men and one woman between the ages of 24 and 27, were taken to hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to severe. The shooting occurred around 2:30 a.m. at a horse-racing track where the “Aarau Rave VOL. 7” techno event was being held. … Continue reading 1 dead and 5 wounded in a shooting at a rave in Switzerland