World News
Latest world news and updates
Total: 489
Trump Praises British Troops After NATO 'Off the Front Lines' Remark Sparks Allied Fury
President Trump praised British troops on social media after his remarks in Davos suggesting some NATO partners had stayed “off the front lines” in Afghanistan drew strong criticism from allies. The selective praise, following a phone call with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, was widely interpreted as a partial withdrawal of his earlier comments rather than a full apology, leaving strain with other NATO capitals.
China’s Economy Hits a New Plateau at RMB140 Trillion as Washington Tightens the Screws
China’s GDP surpassed RMB140 trillion, reflecting broad‑based growth across agriculture, industry and especially services, with consumption playing a leading role. Washington has reacted with layered export controls and investment restrictions aimed at constraining technology transfer and capital flows, prompting Beijing to double down on domestic resilience and indigenous capabilities.
Tariff Brinkmanship: U.S. Threat of 100% Duties Pushes Canada to ‘Buy Domestic’
President Trump threatened 100% tariffs on Canadian goods if Ottawa strikes unspecified deals with other countries, prompting Canada’s prime minister—named in Chinese reports as "Kani"—to urge citizens to buy domestic and accelerate trade diversification. The exchange highlights mounting bilateral tensions, tangible economic vulnerabilities in energy and manufacturing supply chains, and Ottawa’s push to reduce reliance on the U.S. market.
China’s Southern Army Rewires Air–Ground Tactics: Pilots Embedded with Ground Units, Data Links Close the Loop
A southern PLA brigade is deepening air–ground integration by embedding pilots in ground units, rotating ground commanders into flight training, and linking command systems to distribute fused sensors to cockpits and soldier terminals. The measures aim to speed target sharing and synchronise effects but increase dependence on resilient datalinks and rehearsed contingency habits under electromagnetic stress.
Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework Backs Nouri al‑Maliki to Lead Next Government
Iraq’s Coordination Framework has nominated former prime minister Nouri al‑Maliki to lead the next government, setting up a fast‑moving constitutional process that will require rapid coalition building. Maliki’s experience and polarising record make him a potent but contentious choice, with implications for domestic reform efforts and Baghdad’s regional alignments.
A Veteran’s Quest to Rebuild China’s Lost Wooden Sailboats
A 30-year-old veteran and graduate student, Wu Haozhi, has reconstructed a traditional Chinese wooden sailboat type known as the "sigua paozi" after two years of archival research, sourcing rare timbers and enlisting elderly shipwrights. His efforts produced a museum-held vessel, a comprehensive local ship manual and 3D models, while spotlighting the broader risks facing orally transmitted maritime crafts.
Soldiers as Teachers: PLA Unit Tutors Children and Tightens Bonds in Tibet’s Border Villages
A PLA border unit in Tibet has been running a multi-year education and civic-engagement programme, providing one-on-one tutoring, national-defence instruction and household assistance in a remote Looba (Luoba) village. The initiative has improved student performance and local livelihoods while deepening civil–military links and patriotic socialisation in a sensitive border area.
Iraq Fortifies Syria Frontier as U.S. Sends First Batch of ISIS Detainees Back
Iraq has bolstered military deployments along the Syria border after the U.S. began transferring Islamic State detainees from northeast Syria to Iraqi custody. Baghdad received an initial group of 150 detainees as Washington prepares to move up to 7,000 in total, prompting concerns about prison capacity and the security implications for the region.
Greenland Game: Trump’s ‘Framework’ Exposes a U.S. Push for Arctic Access and Resources
President Trump’s claim of a NATO‑backed ‘framework’ on Greenland, promising U.S. “full access” without payment, has provoked firm rejections from Denmark and Greenland. The alleged deal appears aimed at expanding U.S. military access — including stationing a missile‑defence system — and securing preferential rights to Greenland’s strategic minerals, but it runs headlong into legal sovereignty and alliance politics.
Iran Warns Any Strike Will Be Treated as ‘Full-Scale War’ as U.S. Sends More Forces to the Middle East
A senior Iranian official declared that any form of attack will be treated as a full-scale war as Tehran puts its forces on high alert, responding to U.S. reports of increased deployments to the Middle East. The warning narrows the space for limited military responses and raises the risk of miscalculation in an already volatile region.
China’s New 054B Frigate Marks a Step Change in Stealth, Sensors and Ship Size
China’s new 054B frigates, commissioned in early 2025, represent a significant upgrade in hull size, stealth profiling and sensor integration for the PLAN. The class’s 5,000-ton displacement, integrated stealth mast with dual-sided phased-array radar and a new 100 mm gun point to enhanced endurance, survivability and fleet networking, though key weapon-fit details remain unspecified.
U.S. CENTCOM Commander Visits Israel as High‑Level American Delegation Heads to Jerusalem
CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper visited Israel on 24 January, with U.S. media and Israeli broadcasters reporting his arrival and the presence of a high‑level U.S. delegation. The combined military and diplomatic visit signals Washington’s continued operational coordination and political engagement with Israel amid persistent regional tensions.