The US Air Force has awarded the first increment contract for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, selecting General Atomics' FQ-42 and Anduril's FQ-44 for production. These unmanned aircraft will integrate with crewed fighters to extend reach and survivability in contested environments.
US President Donald Trump met Indian PM Narendra Modi at the G7 summit, calling him the 'most beautiful man' and pledging unwavering support. The meeting occurred amid US-India trade talks and following US military strikes in the Gulf of Oman that killed Indian seafarers, prompting India's call for an end to such attacks.
Israeli officials are reportedly furious with an emerging US-Iran peace deal, viewing it as a "catastrophe" that fails to meet their war objectives. The reported terms include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting a US naval blockade, easing sanctions, and deferring nuclear talks, while Tehran insists the deal end the conflict with Israel in Lebanon. Senior Israeli officials believe the agreement falls short on nuclear dismantlement, missile limits, and rolling back Iran's regional allies, with one calling it a "very bad" deal and a "failure" for America.
Israeli officials are reportedly furious with an emerging US-Iran peace deal, viewing it as a "catastrophe" that fails to meet their objectives. The reported terms include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting a US naval blockade, easing sanctions, and deferring nuclear talks, which Israel believes falls short on nuclear dismantlement, missile limits, and rolling back Iran's regional allies.
Elon Musk aims to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars, viewing it as humanity's "life insurance." SpaceX's Starship-Super Heavy rocket is key, but challenges include orbital refuelling, Mars' harsh environment, and unproven life support systems. Expert opinions on timelines vary, with some deeming Musk's projections overly optimistic.
US military attacks on merchant ships carrying Indian crew, resulting in fatalities, have fueled anti-American sentiment in India, potentially damaging improving bilateral relations. India has lodged strong protests with US officials.
Iran's embassy in India rejected US President Trump's claim that Iran was behind a drone attack on Indian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it "baseless." The embassy accused the US of diverting attention from its own attacks on three Indian vessels, which resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors. The US Central Command confirmed targeting the MT Jalveer tanker, stating it was in response to the crew's failure to comply with directions.
A potential meeting between Indian PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump at the G7 summit offers a chance to mend strained relations following a year of disputes over tariffs, Pakistan, and the Iran war. The meeting comes after US forces attacked three Indian vessels, killing three sailors, an incident analysts believe will not escalate.
The US shared footage of an attack on the MT Jalveer, a foreign-flagged vessel with 20 Indians onboard, in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM stated the ship violated the blockade against Iran by attempting to transport Iranian oil and was disabled after failing to comply with directions.
The Kuznetsov Naval Academy has developed an unmanned boat designed for personnel rescue and towing small surface objects. The boat can deliver life rafts, pick up individuals, and tow equipment, and can be launched from a vessel or shoreline.
NASA has launched a website detailing its $20 billion Moon Base program, aiming for a permanent outpost near the lunar South Pole. The plan involves three phases: scouting and tech testing (until 2029), semi-permanent infrastructure (2029-2032), and habitation (from 2032). SpaceX's Starship is a key component.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory tested a new magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster, achieving a record 120 kilowatts of power, a significant leap towards enabling crewed Mars missions by reducing travel time and propellant use.
NASA announces several lunar missions, including three Moon Base missions, to prepare for the 2028 crewed Artemis landing, featuring various landers, rovers, and scientific payloads.
China launched the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft carrying three astronauts to the Tiangong space station for a crew rotation and to continue long-duration experiments. The mission highlights China's space program and its international cooperation efforts.
China launched three astronauts, including the first from Hong Kong, on the Shenzhou-23 mission Sunday, aiming for a Moon landing by 2030. The mission to Tiangong space station will test long-duration spaceflight adaptability amid a renewed space race with the US.
China's Manned Space Agency reports smooth progress on its crewed lunar exploration program, emphasizing peaceful use of space and no competition with other nations.
Defense companies are planning to deploy uncrewed mine-clearing systems in the Strait of Hormuz due to ongoing disruptions from the Middle East crisis. The UK will send autonomous minehunting vessels from Canada's Kraken Robotics as part of a multinational effort.
Alan Shepard's 1961 flight, the first by an American, proved the US could send humans to space and back, restoring national confidence during the Cold War. It laid the groundwork for current programs like Artemis, which aims for permanent space infrastructure.
Over 500 officers stormed an "Islamic sect" in Crewe, arresting 10 members, including their spiritual leader, for serious crimes like rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking. The raid targeted the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light headquarters. Police are investigating allegations of forced marriage and slavery reported by a former member.
Police have arrested ten people in connection with allegations of sexual abuse, forced marriage and modern slavery against the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (Arpol), a religious community based at Webb House in Cheshire. Around 500 officers carried out raids on the group's base and two other properties. The investigation relates to allegations dating back to 2023 concerning one woman who was previously part of the community. The group, started by followers of Shia Islam at the start of the century, has approximately 150 members living at its Webb House base.
US lawmakers at a congressional hearing identified China as the 'most consequential threat and competitor in space,' warning that Beijing leverages its space capabilities 'as a tool of diplomacy and influence.' The two superpowers are in a tight race to the moon, with China targeting a 2030 crewed lunar landing and the US aiming to return astronauts by 2028 via the Artemis programme. A CSIS expert testified that the nation setting space standards will 'set the terms by which information flows, networks interoperate, and how the world is seen.'
President Trump expressed confidence in NASA's ability to land astronauts on the Moon before his potential second term ends in 2029. He met with the Artemis II crew at the White House, celebrating their recent deep-space mission. This comes as NASA targets a crewed lunar landing in 2028, though development timelines for landers remain a concern.
Nine people have been arrested in Crewe, Cheshire, over allegations including modern slavery, forced marriage and serious sexual offences at the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (Arpol) religious group. The arrests follow reports of offences allegedly taking place in 2023 relating to one woman. Those arrested include individuals of American, Mexican, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Egyptian and British nationalities. Police stress the investigation is into the alleged crimes, not the religion itself.
Nine people have been arrested following a major police operation targeting the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (Arpol) in Crewe, Cheshire. More than 500 officers raided three addresses over allegations of serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery. The group, founded by followers of Shia Islam at the start of the century, has 150 members. Those arrested include individuals of American, Mexican, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Egyptian and British nationalities. Police stress they are investigating the allegations, not the religion itself.
