North Korea

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.

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.

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.

North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles into the sea from its east coast on Sunday, prompting South Korea to heighten surveillance and convene an emergency meeting. Japan also detected the launches, protesting the violation of UN resolutions and the threat to regional peace.

North Korea's nuclear weapons production capability is seeing a "very serious increase," according to the IAEA chief. Heightened activity at the Yongbyon complex, including its reactor and reprocessing unit, signals a significant expansion. New uranium enrichment facilities are also under construction, boosting production capacity. This development raises global concerns about regional security and nuclear proliferation.

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.

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.

US Vice President J D Vance is questioning the Pentagon's assessment of the Iran conflict, concerned about undisclosed missile stockpile depletion. He fears this could impact responses to global flashpoints like Taiwan, South Korea, and Europe. Despite official assurances, some believe the situation is being downplayed, potentially affecting future military readiness.

Country needs time to build up domestic capacities, till then reduce dependence on those ‘perfect’ imports

A major disagreement has surfaced between AI leaders Dario Amodei and Jensen Huang. Amodei compared US chip sales to China to providing nuclear weapons. Huang strongly rejected this, calling it lunacy. He defended chip sales, estimating significant revenue. Huang also warned of a divided global AI ecosystem if access is cut. This highlights a growing Silicon Valley debate.

Japan has lifted its ban on lethal weapons exports, a significant shift in its post-war pacifist stance. This move aims to bolster its defense industry amidst regional security concerns, with countries like Australia already signing major deals. While China criticizes the policy, allies see it as a step towards enhanced regional stability and cooperation.

North Korea has tested a short-range ballistic missile, the Hwasong-11ga, equipped with a controversial cluster bomb warhead. This development, described as a "devil's weapon," signifies an escalation in Pyongyang's military capabilities and raises significant concerns about civilian risks due to the indiscriminate nature of cluster munitions.

North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles on Wednesday. This followed a rare conciliatory message from leader Kim Jong Un to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Seoul convened an emergency meeting and urged Pyongyang to stop violating UN resolutions. Analysts suggest North Korea is asserting strength while seeking nuclear power recognition.

North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles on Wednesday, South Korea's military said, hours after reporting an "unidentified projectile" launched from the North's capital area the previous day. About an hour later, the military said it also detected "multiple unidentified ballistic missiles" fired from North Korea's Wonsan area toward the East Sea on Wednesday morning, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.

Japan, shifting from its pacifist constitution, is now poised to export lethal weapons. This significant policy change, driven by regional security concerns, allows Tokyo to leverage its advanced defense technology. The move opens new avenues for its burgeoning defense industry, potentially transforming Japan into a major global arms supplier.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret to Pyongyang Monday over drones sent into North Korea earlier this year, actions he called "irresponsible". "We express regret to the North over the unnecessary military tensions caused by the irresponsible and reckless actions of some individuals."

North Korea has responded positively to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's apology for drone incursions, calling it "fortunate and wise." Lee admitted government officials were involved, violating policy. This rare conciliatory tone follows years of hostility, though broader tensions persist between the two nations.

South Korea's spy agency now believes Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter is likely his heir. The girl, often seen with her father at high-profile events since late 2022, is reportedly being groomed for leadership, potentially extending the Kim dynasty into a fourth generation.

Air China resumed direct flights between Beijing and Pyongyang on Monday, the first time since the pandemic. For now, North Korea is only allowing in travellers with official or other special purposes. - North Korea's Air Koryo had already restarted flights from Beijing to Pyongyang in 2023.

India’s women’s boxing team dominated the Asian Championships 2026, winning 10 medals, including four golds, with every boxer reaching the podium. Golds came from Minakshi, Preeti, Priya, and Arundhati. The men’s team had mixed results, with Vishvanath Suresh and Sachin reaching finals, while others lost. India finished with the highest medal tally overall.

K-pop titans BTS ignited their world tour in Seoul, drawing tens of thousands of devoted fans despite heavy rain. This marks their first major tour since completing mandatory military service, launching with their new album "ARIRANG." The highly anticipated shows promise massive revenue and celebrate the group's enduring global appeal after a nearly four-year hiatus.

President Trump suggested the US could seize Iran's oil, framing it as a business opportunity and citing Venezuela as an example. He also indicated a shift in US policy by referencing "to the victor belong the spoils.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei faces shareholder concerns over his public criticisms, particularly regarding the Pentagon and Donald Trump. Investors reportedly feel his aggressive stance, especially after the Pentagon's decision to blacklist Anthropic, is unprofessional for a CEO backed by major firms. This follows an internal memo where Amodei criticized Trump and OpenAI's Sam Altman.