President Donald Trump stated that a planned strike on Iran, which he ultimately cancelled, would have been the largest since World War II. He claimed the decision to halt was influenced by appeals from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Iran, aiming for a deal on the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear program, a claim Iran denied.
US President Donald Trump announced he canceled a major strike on Iran, stating the decision was made after requests from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries. This cancellation is contingent on rapidly reaching a deal that includes the immediate opening of the Hormuz Strait and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.
Remote Fairfax Islands in Australia's Great Barrier Reef, once a World War II and Cold War bombing range, have largely recovered naturally, with wildlife thriving despite lingering unexploded ordnance. Conservation efforts are ongoing, and public access remains restricted.
Hedy Lamarr, an Austrian-born Hollywood actress, transcended her glamorous image to become a World War II inventor. Alongside George Antheil, she patented the 'Secret Communication System' using frequency hopping, a technology foundational to modern GPS, WLAN, and Bluetooth.
Japan is focusing on unmanned combat capabilities to build asymmetric advantages and advance its 'remilitarisation' agenda, planning to invest 1 trillion yen (US$6.2 billion) in uncrewed systems over five years starting in 2023.
Rishi Sharma, an Indian-origin man living in the US, has spent 10 years interviewing over 3,000 WWII combat veterans to preserve their life stories and contributions to history. His project, Remember WWII, is funded by donations and shared on YouTube.
Rishi Sharma, an Indian-origin man living in the US, has dedicated over a decade to interviewing World War II combat veterans. The 28-year-old has interviewed over 3,000 veterans across all fifty states and internationally, aiming to preserve their stories and contributions before they are lost.
Russian missile and drone strikes hit Kyiv early Thursday, killing two people and injuring over a dozen. The attack followed President Zelensky's warning of an impending "massive attack" and his early return from Dublin.
Manifesta 16, a European contemporary art biennial, is transforming 12 disused churches in Germany's Ruhr region into art installations and community spaces. The "This is not a church" program features international artists and explores the history of postwar German church architecture, reflecting social change and democratic ideals.
Rome hosts four-day festivities for Vespa's 80th anniversary, with thousands riding through the city, highlighting its cultural impact and global popularity since 1946.
Japanese Defense Minister Takaichi's speech at the 81st anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa was disrupted by demonstrators chanting 'No to war!' and 'Protect Article 9!', referencing Japan's pacifist constitution clause.
Poland's President Karol Nawrocki revoked Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky's Order of the White Eagle, the country's highest award, due to Zelensky's naming of a Ukrainian army unit after a WWII nationalist insurgent army involved in massacres against Poles. The decision escalates tensions between the two allies.
A collection of tech news highlights including concerns over AI extremism, OpenAI's IPO filing, Pentagon's phone tracking issues, Meta's face recognition code, and labor department DEI directives.
Poland has blocked a €6.6 billion EU weapons fund for Ukraine due to President Zelensky's recent honors for nationalist figures linked to Nazi collaboration and ethnic cleansing during WWII, straining bilateral relations and risking Zelensky's Polish state distinction.
Poland is angered by Ukrainian President Zelensky's recent honors for Nazi-backed nationalist figures, potentially leading to the revocation of his Order of the White Eagle. The OUN and UPA's wartime atrocities against Poles and Jews have strained relations, despite shared opposition to Russia.
Newly revealed diaries from US prosecutor David Nelson Sutton detail the effort to document Japanese wartime atrocities in China during the Tokyo Trial. The archives, donated to the Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanking Massacre by Japanese Invaders, highlight the prosecutorial team's sacrifice and pursuit of justice.
65 conflicts involving at least one state recorded worldwide in 2025, a new high since 1946, with 245,000 battle-related deaths
A new study by Uppsala University finds the highest number of conflicts between states in 2025 since World War II, with 65 active conflicts and 244,600 fatalities.
Israel and Iran have agreed to stop attacking each other after exchanging missile fire, but tensions remain high with conditions that could lead to renewed hostilities. The situation reflects a rift between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu over Lebanon, with Trump seeking de-escalation to facilitate negotiations with Iran.
On the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, NPR's Henry Larson meets Alex Kershaw, a historian who uses live-tweeting to bring the Normandy invasion to life, making the event feel immediate and personal to millions of followers.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth likened migration to an 'invasion' of European coastlines, urging stronger defence contributions from European countries during a speech in Normandy on the 82nd D-Day anniversary, while skipping the main international ceremony.
President Putin stated that Donald Trump's peace proposals for Ukraine could end the conflict, but emphasized Kyiv's need to compromise. Putin indicated Russia is prepared to continue fighting if necessary, but also open to diplomacy based on previously discussed compromises with Trump.
A Russian official warns that President Zelensky's actions, including alleged attacks on Russian territory and threats of missile strikes, could lead to a "most serious conflict" and World War III if not addressed.
Multiple news items cover geopolitical tensions and economic developments. Key topics include Iran's role in global conflicts and trade, US foreign policy under Trump, Russia's economic and military activities, and the war in Ukraine. Uzbekistan's automotive sector and EU energy imports are also highlighted.
