North Korea

North Korea has vehemently rejected the Quad's call for its denuclearisation, vowing "never" to give up its nuclear weapons. The foreign ministry accused the grouping of being a US tool and interfering in its affairs. The Quad nations, including India, had reiterated their commitment to Pyongyang's denuclearisation and condemned its weapons programs.

North Korea launched projectiles, possibly a short-range ballistic missile, into the Yellow Sea, marking its eighth weapons test this year. This move escalates regional tensions and highlights Pyongyang's focus on modernizing its short-range missile program to evade defense systems. South Korea, the US, and Japan are on high alert, sharing intelligence.

North Korea conducted tests of tactical ballistic missiles, artillery rockets, and AI-guided cruise missiles, aiming to enhance precision-strike capabilities below the nuclear threshold. Leader Kim Jong Un emphasised the combat readiness of these weapons for border deployment.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has resigned, paving the way for DK Shivakumar. Meanwhile, CBI detained Twisha Sharma’s mother-in-law after her anticipatory bail was cancelled. Fresh US-Iran tensions simmer as Kuwait reports a missile attack. Japan halted Indian mango imports due to quarantine concerns, and North Korea rejected the Quad's denuclearisation call.

North Korea's Naegohyang Women's FC arrived in South Korea for the Asian Champions League semi-finals, marking the first sports delegation visit in eight years. The team will face South Korea's Suwon FC Women, with high public interest despite ongoing political tensions between the two nations.

Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history. The Portuguese superstar has achieved success in almost every major competition. He has won multiple UEFA Champions League titles. He has broken international scoring records, and become a legendary figure for Portugal national football team, Real Madrid CF, and Manchester United FC. Many fans also place him ahead of Lionel Messi in the debate over football’s greatest player.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is confirmed for October 23, 2026, on next-gen consoles and PC, dropping PS4/Xbox One support. The campaign unfolds on the Korean Peninsula with a North Korean invasion. Expect new multiplayer maps, a revamped Ballistic Authority system, and the return of DMZ. Modern Warfare 4 content will integrate with Warzone.

North Korea has amended its constitution, mandating an automatic nuclear strike if leader Kim Jong-un is assassinated or incapacitated by foreign adversaries. This revision, prompted by concerns over recent decapitation attacks in Iran, formalizes retaliatory procedures. The move underscores Pyongyang's heightened security fears amid evolving geopolitical threats.

A Pakistani journalist's query about India's alleged Agni-6 ICBM test at the Shangri-La Dialogue was based on misinformation. India confirmed a recent test involved an advanced Agni missile with MIRV technology, not the Agni-6. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth avoided singling out either India or Pakistan as a threat.

America's Operation Epic Fury against Iran has significantly strained military readiness, deploying a vast array of naval, air, and missile-defense assets. With two of three aircraft carriers at sea and a third of Arleigh Burke destroyers committed, the US faces long-term readiness concerns. This extensive commitment, while projecting overwhelming force, highlights the risks of strategic overextension.

Donald Trump's grip on the Republican Party is absolute, as evidenced by his endorsements in Texas and Kentucky primaries. Experience and electability are secondary to unwavering loyalty, with dissenters like Senator John Cornyn and Congressman Thomas Massie facing defeat. Trump has reshaped the GOP into a patronage empire where fealty is paramount.

A Russian cargo ship, the Ursa Major, sank off Spain after explosions on December 23, 2024, carrying suspected nuclear reactor components possibly for North Korea. The vessel, previously used in Syria, experienced multiple blasts, leading to its sinking and the death of two crew members. A Russian military ship later fired flares over the area, followed by more explosions.

A mysterious metal sphere washed ashore in Japan, sparking global panic and wild online speculation about spy devices. However, officials confirmed it was a harmless oceanographic buoy, highlighting how easily fear and misinformation spread in our hyper-connected world. The 'threat' will now be recycled, a stark reminder of reality versus online hype.

South Korea's spy agency said on Friday it would boost drone-related data sharing with the army to strengthen responses to "evolving" threats. South Korea's spy agency said on Friday that it had signed an agreement with the army "to strengthen (our) drone security capabilities and jointly respond to evolving drone threats".

Cybercriminals are now leveraging AI to discover and exploit unknown software flaws, as revealed by Google's recent interception of a major attack. This development confirms fears about AI-powered hacking, prompting urgent discussions and a cautious approach to releasing advanced AI models. The cybersecurity landscape faces a new arms race as attackers gain speed.

Pakistan's Fatah-3 missile test sparks debate, potentially challenging India's BrahMos dominance in precision strikes. Analysts question if it's a Pakistani leap or Chinese hardware, highlighting China's growing military influence. Operation Sindoor showcased India's advanced capabilities, underscoring the importance of integrated systems beyond just missile technology.

India's DRDO successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) off the Odisha coast, a development that could place any country worldwide within its strike range. This achievement signifies India's mastery of complex rocket propulsion and guidance systems, enhancing its strategic deterrence capabilities.

President Trump's China visit occurs amid a US-Iran stalemate, with analysts suggesting Xi Jinping holds more leverage. Many in Beijing view Trump as a symptom of liberal democracy's instability and American decline, validating Xi's "rise of the East" worldview. This perception of US weakness could lead China to miscalculate and test Washington.

The United States has stepped up efforts to restrict Iranian oil exports, a major source of revenue for Tehran. Late last month, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on Hengli, targeting one of the most prominent and well-connected companies in China’s large crude-processing sector.

A North Korean family meticulously planned a daring sea escape for over a decade, culminating in a perilous two-hour journey across the Yellow Sea. Despite facing constant surveillance and harsh punishments, they navigated treacherous waters, bribed officials, and braved minefields. Their arduous escape, though successful in reaching South Korea, was later marked by personal tragedy.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says the biggest gap in the US-China AI race isn't chips—it's dialogue. Speaking on the Dwarkesh Podcast, Huang argued that American and Chinese AI researchers must talk and agree on what AI should never be used for. He pushed back hard against Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's call for chip export controls, warning that ceding China's market risks splitting global AI into two competing tech ecosystems.

India's U-17 coach Bibiano Fernandes is optimistic about his team's chances of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup on merit. Following a strong showing against Iran, the team needs just one victory against Australia or Uzbekistan to secure a spot. Fernandes highlighted the team's development and potential, aiming for an inspiring performance to achieve this historic qualification.

In a recent interview, Sanjay Mehandiratta, who gained fame as President Zarwari in the 'Dhurandhar' series, weighed in on the ongoing discourse surrounding patriotism versus jingoism in cinema. He asserts that while the film operates within a fictional framework, it still respects India's constitutionally protected freedom of expression. Read on to know more in detail.

US has partially restricted satellite intelligence sharing with South Korea after Seoul's unification minister revealed details about a suspected North Korean uranium enrichment site. While the minister claims the information was public, Washington views it as an unauthorized disclosure. Despite this, officials state military preparedness and broader intelligence cooperation remain unaffected.