South Sudan orders civilians to vacate a northern area as it battles an armed group

Elbridge A. Colby, a foreign policy expert with establishment credentials, faced opposition from traditional Republican hard-liners but found support from President Trump's loyal allies when nominated for a Pentagon position. The confirmation battle reflects a larger debate over America's global influence and includes Colby's alignment with Trump's baseless election claims. Despite his earlier skepticism of nation-building efforts and support for withdrawing troops from the Middle East, Colby's association with Trump has caused tensions with his...

Group Captain John "Paddy" Hemingway, the last surviving Battle of Britain pilot, has passed away at the age of 105. Born in Dublin in 1919, Hemingway enlisted in the RAF in 1938 and fought in the Battle of France before becoming part of "The Few" in the Battle of Britain in 1940, as dubbed by Winston Churchill. Tributes from Prince William, Sir Keir Starmer, and other leaders highlight Hemingway's bravery and sacrifice in helping bring...

Taiwan's defense ministry announced plans to enhance military cooperation with the United States, including intelligence sharing and joint tabletop exercises, amidst escalating military threats from China. The 2025 Quadrennial Defence Review highlighted Taiwan's intention to deepen military exchanges with the U.S. through strategic dialogues, drills observation, and intelligence collaboration. Emphasizing the strategic partnership with the U.S., Taiwan aims to advance strategic cooperation across various levels and fields to strengthen their defense capabilities. Full Article

The German Parliament is considering loosening government borrowing limits to boost defense and infrastructure spending, aiming to counter America's shift away from Europe and revive the economy. Led by Friedrich Merz, the proposed changes to the "debt brake" in the Constitution would enable increased investment in key sectors like transportation and cybersecurity. The move is seen as crucial for Germany's competitiveness and security amid shifting global dynamics, with support from both center-right and center-left lawmakers....

Yoga mats and virtual reality headsets have been added to the Office for National Statistics' basket of goods used to calculate inflation, reflecting changing consumer trends. The addition of VR headsets shows a growing interest in emerging technology, while yoga mats have seen increased popularity since the pandemic. Other new additions include men's sliders and mango, while items like hand sanitiser and local newspaper ads have been removed, showcasing evolving consumer habits. Full Article

Germany's Bundestag will vote on a fiscal package allowing for higher defense spending and a 500 billion euro infrastructure and climate fund. In order to pass, over two thirds of parliament must support the package, with approval needed from the Bundesrat as well. The proposed changes would exempt defense and security expenditures, as well as infrastructure fund loans, from the debt brake, giving states more flexibility around debt. Full Article