World News
Latest world news and updates
Total: 818
US Sends Carrier Strike Group and Air-Force Drill into Middle East as Pressure on Iran Rises
CENTCOM has announced a multi-day Ninth Air Force readiness exercise in the Middle East, emphasizing rapid, dispersed deployments, while the nuclear-powered Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has entered the region. The moves heighten military pressure on Iran and signal US intent to deter threats while calibrating operational posture to reduce vulnerabilities from large force concentrations.
Allegations That the U.S. Considered Seizing Greenland Rekindle Arctic Fears and Strain Alliances
Unnamed sources cited by Reuters claimed the U.S. had not abandoned plans to militarily occupy Greenland, provoking alarm in Washington and among allies. While U.S. officials denied the plan was serious, the episode highlights Greenland’s strategic value and the diplomatic strain any such suggestion creates between the United States, Denmark and NATO partners.
Japan Moves to Government‑Own, Contractor‑Run Munitions Plants as It Rebuilds Defence Industrial Base
Japan is considering a GOCO model — government ownership of munitions plants with private contractors operating them — to guarantee ammunition supply in a crisis. The plan, part of a broader defence‑industry reorganisation, is being coordinated with revisions to national security documents and reflects lessons from global ammunition shortages since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Taiwan’s Home‑built Submarine Misses First Dive in Sixth Sea Trial, Delaying Delivery Hopes
Taiwan’s domestically built submarine Hai Kun underwent its sixth sea trial on January 26 but did not complete a first dive, conducting instead a complex pre‑dive systems verification. The programme has been delayed from original schedules, with Taipei imposing contractual fines on the builder as it seeks an accelerated delivery later this year.
U.S. Tells Israel It Is Nearing Readiness for Possible Strike on Iran, Raising Risks of Escalation
U.S. officials have informed Israel that preparations for possible military action against Iran are nearing completion, with operational windows expected to emerge in coming months but final action subject to presidential authorization. Public statements from Washington, Jerusalem and Tehran reflect heightened deterrent signaling that increases the risk of miscalculation and wider regional escalation.
Middle East Tensions Send Oil and Gold Surging as Beijing Manages Domestic Reforms and Tech Shocks
US military moves in the Middle East and reports of possible action against Iran have pushed oil up about 3% and driven gold to record highs as investors seek safety. At the same time China is advancing domestic regulatory reforms, dealing with supply‑chain cost pressures in semiconductors, and showcasing logistics prowess through high‑profile corporate outreach.
From Oars to Missiles: China’s Navy Recasts a Small-Boat Legend to Inspire a Modern Fleet
China’s PLAN staged a ceremonial handover of the “Sea Tiger” honor from Cold War veterans to the crew of the modern frigate Honghe, using storytelling and ritual to link small-boat heroism to contemporary naval professionalism. The event highlights Beijing’s effort to fuse historical legend with technical modernization to strengthen morale and operational culture in a rapidly upgrading navy.
Shanxi County Uses DNA to Reunite Three Anti‑Japanese War Martyrs With Their Families
Licheng County in Shanxi held a ceremony on January 28 to escort home the remains of three Anti‑Japanese War martyrs to Sichuan and Hebei after DNA testing and field investigations identified them. The repatriations reflect a larger, state‑led effort to resolve unidentified wartime dead using forensic science, with implications for family closure, local governance and national memory politics.
Cold-Weather Drills Across China Signal Focus on Year-Round Combat Readiness
Chinese military and paramilitary units have carried out winter training across multiple theatres—testing air-defence, mobility, medical evacuation and small-unit tactics under severe weather. The exercises aim to eliminate seasonal readiness gaps, sharpen high-altitude and cold-weather skills, and publicly demonstrate sustained operational capability.
U.S. Flies Dozens of Heavy Transports to Middle East in Largest Short-Term Airlift This Year
Open‑source data show the U.S. moved at least 42 heavy transport aircraft into the Middle East between January 18–26, with flights delivering matériel to hubs across the region. The operation, paired with a carrier strike group entry, is a significant logistics surge intended to preposition capabilities and signal deterrence amid heightened tensions with Iran.
Turkey Cracks Alleged Iran-Directed Spy Ring Targeting NATO Base and Drone Transfers
Turkish authorities say they have dismantled an espionage network they allege was directed by Iranian intelligence, arresting six people, including defence-industry executives, accused of planning drone transfers to Cyprus and surveilling Incirlik Air Base. The case raises NATO security concerns given Incirlik's role and underlines the use of encrypted communications and commercial cover in contemporary intelligence operations.
“Take Off and Fight”: Southern Theater Air Force Demonstrates High‑Tempo Readiness
State media footage of the Southern Theater Air Force’s high‑tempo drills showcased a ‘take off and fight’ readiness aimed at compressing scramble‑to‑engagement timelines. The exercises reflect broader PLA efforts to integrate platforms and shorten decision loops, with implications for deterrence, regional signaling and the risk of inadvertent escalation.