Ukraine’s intelligence services have claimed responsibility for the assassination of Russian missile scientist Mikhail Shatsky in a Moscow suburb, along with a car bombing in occupied Donetsk that killed Sergei Yevsyukov, a pro-Russian prison governor. These are the latest in a series of high-profile "liquidations" targeting individuals linked to Russian military and political operations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor government on Friday, accusing its anti-Israel policies of fostering antisemitism after an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue. The Adass Israel synagogue was firebombed during morning prayers, injuring one and causing extensive damage. Worshippers inside reported masked assailants throwing incendiary devices through the windows.
Poland’s Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski called for Russia’s suspension from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) during a meeting in Malta on Thursday, accusing Moscow of attempting to rebuild its empire. Sikorski led a walkout of European delegations in protest against Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s presence.
One of the few areas of collaboration between global nuclear powers, the International Space Station (ISS), is set to end its operational life by 2030. The ISS, a joint effort between NASA, Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada), has been a hub for groundbreaking experiments since its launch in 1998. However, its decommissioning marks the conclusion of an era in international space cooperation.
Iran reportedly paused plans for a retaliatory attack on Israel following President-elect Donald Trump’s November victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. The New York Times reported that Iranian officials adopted a more diplomatic tone after the election, including halting military escalation and engaging in cease-fire discussions with regional actors.
NATO has inaugurated an amphibious warfare center in Sørreisa, Norway, near Russia's Arctic border, to enhance defense capabilities amid escalating tensions with Moscow. This facility provides specialized training for U.S., British, and Dutch forces, improving their ability to conduct operations in Arctic conditions.
The Biden administration announced new restrictions Monday targeting the export of advanced semiconductor chips and manufacturing equipment to China. The measures, introduced by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, aim to limit Beijing's ability to develop advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and military applications.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed his anticipation for frank discussions with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump about the longstanding security agreement between Japan and the United States, which Ishiba described as the "cornerstone of the alliance."
