World News
Latest world news and updates
Total: 489
As USS Abraham Lincoln Heads to the Gulf, Iran Mixes Military Readiness with Diplomatic Outreach to Avoid an All‑out War
The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is moving to the Middle East, prompting Iran to declare maximum military readiness and threaten strikes on U.S. bases. Tehran is simultaneously engaging in active diplomacy to limit the political space for American action and to rally regional support, while analysts warn the situation carries high risks of miscalculation and wider regional escalation.
US Carrier Strike Group Near Iran Heightens Risk of Regional Escalation as Tehran and Allies Issue Stark Warnings
A US carrier strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln has moved into the Indian Ocean, prompting stern warnings from Iran and its regional allies. Washington signals readiness to deter while keeping a door open to talks, but proxy forces and incendiary propaganda raise the risk of a wider regional confrontation.
U.S. Ambassador Threatens Ottawa: Spurn F‑35s and U.S. Fighters Will Patrol Canadian Skies More Often
U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra warned that Canada’s decision not to buy 88 F‑35 fighters would force changes to North American defence arrangements and lead to more frequent U.S. fighter operations in Canadian airspace. The remarks intensify a fraught Canadian procurement debate over interoperability, cost and sovereignty, and highlight the diplomatic leverage Washington can exert over allied defence choices.
Deadly Ferry Sinking Exposes Chronic Safety Failures in the Philippines
A passenger ferry sank off Basilan on 26 January, leaving at least 18 dead, 24 missing and more than 300 rescued. The accident highlights persistent maritime safety failures in the Philippines — from poor maintenance and rough seas to inadequate enforcement and limited rescue capacity — and will likely spur calls for regulatory and operational reforms.
China’s Rocket Force Sharpens Night-time Mobility and Resilience in Realistic Launch Drills
A PLA Rocket Force unit held a realistic night exercise to test the autonomous combat capabilities of dispersed launch teams under drone surveillance and simulated harassment. The drill emphasised rapid concealment, quick emplacement, integrated logistics and simulated launches to improve resilience and complicate adversary targeting.
Beijing Rebukes Japan’s Sanae Takaichi, Says Tokyo Has ‘No Right’ to Intervene in Taiwan
China’s foreign ministry publicly rejected Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi’s suggestion that Tokyo and Washington could act together in the event of a Taiwan Strait crisis, saying Japan has "no right" to interfere. Beijing invoked post‑war treaties and historical grievances to frame Tokyo’s remarks as irresponsible and a threat to regional stability.
Another Philippine Ferry Sinks, Laying Bare Long‑standing Maritime Safety Failures
A passenger cargo ferry sank off southern Philippines on 26 January, with at least 317 rescued, 18 confirmed dead and dozens missing. The disaster highlights chronic maritime safety shortcomings—poor maintenance, severe weather, and weak enforcement—that regularly imperil travel between the country’s islands.
Pandas Return to China as Beijing Invites Japanese Visitors — A Quiet Soft‑Power Move
Two pandas from Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, returned to China on January 27 under existing agreements. Beijing used the occasion to invite Japanese visitors to see pandas in China, underscoring the animals’ role as instruments of cultural diplomacy amid broader bilateral tensions.
Sailors' Notebooks and a Navy's Confidence: Inside the Baotou Ship's 'Voyage Diaries'
Personal voyage diaries kept by sailors aboard the PLAN destroyer Baotou provide a window into the Chinese navy’s operational learning, technical integration and morale-building during long deployments. The entries illuminate both the quotidian work of mastering new systems and the strategic aim of projecting steady, professional maritime presence.
U.S. Carrier Deploys to Middle East as Iran Vows Firm Response — Risk of a Limited Strike Spirals into Wider Regional Stakes
The Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has entered the U.S. Central Command area, signalling heightened U.S. military readiness near Iran while Tehran declares maximum alert and vows retaliation. Washington retains multiple strike options but faces significant strategic risks — including regional escalation, threats to Gulf bases and energy-market shocks — making calibrated action and diplomacy the likeliest near-term path.
Azerbaijan Detains Three Suspects Allegedly Directed by IS-K to Target an Embassy in Baku
Azerbaijan has arrested three men accused of plotting an attack on a foreign embassy in Baku at the direction of IS‑K. The detainees, born in 2000 and 2005, face charges of preparing terrorist activities as investigations continue and the targeted embassy remains unnamed.
Israel Probe Finds 'Systemic Flaws' in Arms Procurement, Raising Security and Political Alarms
A government committee found systemic defects in Israel's military procurement processes after reviewing German submarine and corvette deals, renewing past bribery allegations linked to Thyssenkrupp and an associate of Prime Minister Netanyahu. The report also criticised Israel's chaotic handling of Germany's sale of submarines to Egypt and recommended formal procedures requiring expert input on arms decisions.