Japan’s government is responding to China’s growing desire for power and the threat from North Korea with record spending on national defense. December 26, 2025, 07:03December 26, 2025, 07:03 The draft budget for the fiscal year 2026, which begins on April 1, provides for defense spending of around nine trillion yen (49 billion euros) – […]
Continue ReadingHeavy rain storms across large parts of California triggered floods and mudslides and left three dead as of Christmas night, according to local officials. The storms – which were expected to continue through Friday – brought 11 inches (27 cms) of rainfall to some parts of Los Angeles County, prompted evacuations and shut down major […]
Continue ReadingUkraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has given a positive assessment of a conversation he had with US envoys on how to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Zelensky said Thursday’s call with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, which lasted nearky an hour, had yielded “new ideas in terms of formats, meetings, and… timing on how to bring a […]
Continue ReadingPope Leo has called for an end to conflicts around the world during his first Christmas remarks to crowds in St Peter’s Square. He used his Urbi et Orbi address, which is traditionally delivered by the pontiff on Christmas Day to worshippers gathered in Vatican City, to address conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, […]
Continue ReadingA Polish F-16 fighter jet.Image: keystone A Russian plane and smuggling balloons kept the Polish Air Force on tenterhooks on Thursday night. The country’s airspace was partially closed. Dec 25, 2025, 9:57 p.mDec 25, 2025, 9:57 p.m Simon Cleven / t-online An article by The Polish one air force had to take action twice on […]
Continue ReadingDecember 25, 2025, 8:47 p.mDecember 25, 2025, 8:47 p.m Turkish police have arrested 115 suspected members of the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS) in nationwide raids. They are said to have planned attacks during the Christmas and New Year period, state media also reported. A total of 137 people are being sought for arrest, state […]
Continue ReadingA “Powerball” ticket.Image: iStock Unreleased December 25, 2025, 7:32 p.mDecember 25, 2025, 7:32 p.m In the USA, a lottery player received a very special Christmas present: A person from the US state of Arkansas won a lottery jackpot worth around 1.8 billion dollars (around 1.5 billion euros) on Christmas Eve – according to the operators […]
Continue ReadingKim (3rd from left) during his visit to the shipyard. Image: keystone December 25, 2025, 4:44 p.mDecember 25, 2025, 4:44 p.m According to state media, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a production facility for nuclear-powered submarines. He monitored the test launch of “new” anti-aircraft missiles. During his visit, Kim criticized South Korea’s efforts to […]
Continue ReadingPolish fighter jets have intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft operating near its airspace over the Baltic Sea, the country’s army confirmed on Thursday. The incident comes as nations on NATO’s eastern flank remain on high alert for potential airspace incursions. This follows September’s violation of Estonian airspace by three Russian military jets for 12 minutes, […]
Continue ReadingRussian nuclear-capable bombers conducted a “scheduled” flight over the Norwegian and Barents Seas, prompting “fighter jets of foreign countries” to escort them, Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday, according to Russian news agencies. Neither the date of the Tu-95 flights nor the countries that deployed monitoring aircraft were specified. “Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers and missile […]
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