Britain is set to significantly bolster its defense capabilities in response to escalating global threats, particularly from Russia. The Labour government plans to construct 12 new attack submarines and increase defense spending to 3% of GDP by 2029. This strategic shift includes investing in munitions factories, long-range weapons, and a cyber command to address modern warfare challenges and growing international tensions.
Related news
A rare oarfish, also known as a 'doomsday fish', appeared on Tasmania's west coast. Sybil Robertson discovered the large, silver fish on the beach. Experts say encountering oarfish is exceptionally unusual. These deep-sea creatures live in deep ocean waters. Oarfish are not strong swimmers and often float vertically. A marine biologist encountered one in 2022 on the Great Barrier Reef.
Lawrence Campbell, a Winnipeg man, is suing his former girlfriend, Krystal McKay, after she allegedly cashed in his $3.6 million lottery ticket and disappeared. Campbell claims he entrusted McKay with the ticket because he lacked ID, but she severed ties shortly after receiving the winnings. He alleges she ghosted him and obtained a protection order, while McKay denies the accusations and is preparing her legal response.
President Bola Tinubu defended his economic reforms, claiming progress despite rising inflation and cost-of-living protests. While the World Bank noted economic growth, critics like Omoyele Sowore denounce the policies, citing increased insecurity and the burden on low-income citizens due to subsidy removals. Amnesty International reports a high death toll from jihadist and armed group violence during Tinubu's tenure.
More than a million Muslim pilgrims poured into the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual hajj, with authorities vowing to hold a safer pilgrimage amid searing desert heat and a massive crackdown on illegal visitors. As of Friday, more than 1.3 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the multi-day pilgrimage, according to officials.
Top security officials at the Shangri-La Dialogue highlighted the interconnectedness of global security, citing China and North Korea's support for Russia as evidence of blurred regional lines. Concerns were raised that Russia's success in Ukraine could embolden China in the Indo-Pacific, particularly regarding Taiwan. A unified global approach is needed to address the coordinated authoritarian axis of Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.
Italy's foreign minister on Wednesday again urged Israel to stop its strikes on Gaza, while warning that expelling Palestinians from the territory "is not and never will be an acceptable option". "I want to reiterate today in this chamber with the utmost clarity -- the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza is not and will never be an acceptable option," Tajani said.
South Africa's communications minister refuted the claims that a draft policy easing Black ownership requirements for tech firms was designed to favor Elon Musk's Starlink. Minister Solly Malatsi defended the directive before Parliament, denying it was specifically for Starlink, despite Musk's criticism of the ownership laws. The policy aims to boost competition by allowing more operators into the market.
A US federal judge on Monday cancelled the planned trial of US aviation giant Boeing over crashes of its 737 MAX aircraft that left nearly 350 people dead. The case dates to a January 2021 Justice Department agreement with Boeing that settled charges that the company knowingly defrauded the Federal Aviation Administration during the MAX certification.