World News
Latest world news and updates
Total: 818
Hamas Warns Israeli Cabinet Move Signals Push to Annex West Bank and ‘Erase’ Palestinian Presence
Hamas has accused Israel’s far‑right government of pursuing a deliberate policy to annex West Bank territory and eliminate Palestinian presence, following an Israeli cabinet decision. The movement called for Palestinian unity and a national plan to resist, a development that raises the stakes for regional stability, diplomatic responses and the future of a two‑state solution.
Iran Puts Air Force on Highest Alert, Sending a Regional Deterrence Message
Iran’s armed forces chief of staff announced that the air force is at the highest state of readiness, presenting the posture as defensive deterrence while warning adversaries of severe consequences for aggression. The move signals Tehran’s intent to shape regional calculations amid ongoing tensions with the US, Israel and Gulf states, and raises the risk of miscalculation if actions follow the rhetoric.
Trump’s “In My Term” Pledge to Beijing Rewrites the Taiwan Calculus
Chinese outlets reported that a late‑night call on 4 February 2026 ended with Donald Trump pledging to keep U.S.–China ties stable “in my term,” a formulation Beijing has portrayed as a promise to prevent U.S. intervention that could escalate the Taiwan situation. The call, alongside resumed cross‑Strait exchanges and stalled Taiwanese defence spending, has prompted debate about the longer‑term security dynamics across the Taiwan Strait.
Hospitals Under Fire: WHO Reports 31 Killed in Week of Attacks in South Kordofan
WHO says three attacks on medical facilities in South Kordofan between 3–5 February killed 31 people and injured 19, including women and children. The assaults highlight the acute risk to civilians and health services as fighting between Sudanese forces and the Rapid Support Forces escalates, further deepening a humanitarian crisis that has already killed nearly 30,000 people.
Musk and Washington Push a New Lunar Sprint — But the Moon’s Practicalities and Politics Remain Fraught
Elon Musk’s public call to "return to the Moon" and SpaceX hiring for AI satellite and space data-centre work have dovetailed with U.S. government plans to accelerate lunar missions, industrial infrastructure and even nuclear deployments. The combination of private ambition and an assertive U.S. policy raises technical, economic and geopolitical questions about feasibility, cost and the militarisation of cislunar space.
America Eyes Stirling: A Forward Submarine Hub to Contain China
The United States and Australia are upgrading HMAS Stirling into a forward maintenance and berthing hub for allied nuclear submarines, with up to four U.S. boats expected to rotate through and the first arriving as soon as 2027. Funded in part by Canberra and tied to AUKUS submarine plans, the move improves allied sustainment near potential flashpoints but raises local concerns and the risk of further Sino-allied confrontation.
CCTV Footage Shows PLA’s Eastern Coast Missiles Kept Upright Around the Clock — A Signal of Readiness and Deterrence
CCTV aired footage of PLA missile units along China’s eastern coast keeping launchers upright around the clock and crews in sustained high-readiness. Presented as a deterrent against Taiwan independence and recent Taipei drills, the posture shortens launch timelines but raises logistical, safety and escalation risks.
WHO: Three South Kordofan Hospitals Attacked in One Week, 31 Killed
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported that three hospitals in South Kordofan were attacked between 3–5 February, resulting in 31 deaths and 19 injuries, including women and children. The strikes underscore the widening assault on Sudan’s health infrastructure amid a conflict that began in April 2023 and has already killed nearly 30,000 people.
F-22s Withdrawn from Super Bowl Flyover as U.S. Reprioritises High-End Fighters Amid Iran Tensions
Two F-22 Raptors were withdrawn from a Super Bowl flyover because the U.S. Air Force reassigned them to operational missions amid heightened tensions with Iran. The move highlights rising operational tempo, strains on high-end military assets and the trade-off between combat commitments and public military displays.
Venezuela’s Oil Is Squeezing Washington: How a Strategic Prize Became a Market Burden
U.S. attempts to weaponize Venezuelan oil have produced unintended market distortions, turning a potential strategic asset into an operational burden. China's deepening ties in Latin America and the timing of oil flows have reduced Washington's leverage and increased volatility in global energy markets.
Maduro Becomes a Bargaining Chip: China’s Rebuke and Venezuela’s Military Backing Tilt the Standoff
A U.S. raid that captured Nicolás Maduro has unexpectedly strengthened the hand of Venezuela’s acting president by consolidating military support and drawing an unequivocal diplomatic rebuke from China. The episode has turned Maduro into a bargaining chip in a wider contest over Venezuelan oil, sovereignty and great-power influence in Latin America.
Elbit to Fit Israel’s New CH‑53K Fleet with Israeli Systems as Air Force Modernises Heavy‑Lift Capacity
Israel has contracted Elbit Systems to supply equipment upgrade packages for the CH‑53K heavy‑lift helicopters it ordered, part of a broader rotorcraft modernisation that also includes a proposed AH‑64E Apache purchase. The move combines US airframes with Israeli systems to tailor capability to local needs while deepening defence‑industrial ties and logistical dependencies with the United States.