TOP NEWS

China's global ambitions
China's nuclear weapons capability is expanding at record speed

China is expanding its facilities for manufacturing nuclear warheads at a high rate, an analysis of satellite images shows according to the Washington Post.

- The changes we have seen since 2019 are more extensive than ever before, says Renny Babiarz, who led the review for the NGOs ONN and Vertic.

The production of nuclear warheads has slowed since 2024, and China is currently estimated to have around 600. The number is expected to exceed 1,000 before the end of the decade. In comparison, the United States has around 3,700.

According to experts, the expansion of the facilities indicates that China is preparing for an arms race, even though they outwardly say they do not want it.

Israel has put its new air defense laser into service

Israel's new laser air defense Iron Beam has been put into service, reports the Jerusalem Post. The system should be fully integrated into the air defense by the end of the year.

Iron Beam has been developed by several weapons manufacturers, including Rafael and Elbit. It is capable of shooting down drones, robots, rockets and artillery shells.

The system will greatly reduce Israel's air defense costs. The existing Iron Dome air defense can cost the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of kronor per fired missile.

Political situation in Central Africa
CAR president protected by Wagner Group during voting

The Central African Republic is holding presidential elections on Sunday. There is much evidence that incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadera will be elected to a third term. This was made possible by a constitutional amendment from 2023 that removed term limits for the head of state.

Touadera was protected by soldiers from the Russian Wagner Group, among others, when he voted in a school in the capital Bangui. Under his leadership, Russia's influence in the country has increased, but he has also managed to bring order to a country that was long plagued by violence and civil war.

- We are safer now. I hope it continues, Touader voter Beatrice Mokonzapa told Reuters.