The now-retired Kori-1 nuclear reactor of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co.’s nuclear power plant in the southeastern port city of Busan, South Korea, 26 June 2025. The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission approved the decommissioning of the country’s first commercial nuclear reactor the same day, which was permanently shut down in June 2017 after operating since April 1978.File Photo by YONHAP / EPA
Jan. 9 (Asia Today) — South Korea on Thursday formally launched an intergovernmental consultative body to coordinate nuclear cooperation talks with the United States, including discussions tied to uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing for peaceful commercial purposes, the Foreign Ministry said.
The ministry said the first inter-ministerial meeting was held Thursday under Lim Gap-soo, the government’s representative for South Korea-U.S. nuclear cooperation. The new task force will serve as the government’s main platform for preparing consultations and related negotiations with Washington to secure capabilities related to enrichment and reprocessing, the ministry said.
Eight institutions are participating: the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety and Control and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power. The National Security Office at the presidential office will act as the control tower, the ministry said.
“At this meeting of relevant ministries, we reviewed the roles and cooperation systems of each ministry regarding key issues and tasks related to enrichment and reprocessing, and exchanged views on the direction and plan for responding to consultations with the U.S.,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said it plans to hold periodic director-level meetings and working-level consultations to review key plans step by step and to pursue a whole-of-government approach aimed at shaping domestic and international conditions for securing enrichment and reprocessing capabilities for peaceful and commercial purposes.
Separately, the Foreign Ministry said it formed its own internal task force Monday to support Lim’s work, with three working-level officials assigned.
A ministry official said there could be multiple routes for cooperation, including revising the existing bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement, making limited amendments or reaching another arrangement. The official said communication with the United States is ongoing and consultations will begin once both sides are ready.
South Korea and the United States previously discussed security cooperation measures on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju in October, including nuclear-powered submarines, enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing and defense spending, and released a joint fact sheet in November outlining the measures, the ministry said.
Jan. 7 (UPI) — The Trump administration announced Wednesday it created new dietary guidelines and created a new food pyramid.
“Under President Trump’s leadership common sense, scientific integrity and accountability have been restored to federal food and health policy,” a fact sheet from the Department of Health and Human Services announced. “For decades, the Dietary Guidelines favored corporate interests over common sense, science-driven advice to improve the health of Americans. That ends today.”
The new guidelines focus on high-quality protein, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains, the fact sheet said. It calls for people to avoid highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates.
“The Dietary Guidelines are the foundation to dozens of federal feeding programs, and today marks the first step in making sure school meals, military and veteran meals, and other child and adult nutrition programs promote affordable, whole, healthy, nutrient-dense foods,” the fact sheet said.
The government also released a new website, Realfood.gov.
The American Heart Association said it welcomed the new guidelines on fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
The AHA “commends the inclusion of several important science-based recommendations, notably the emphasis on increasing intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains while limiting consumption of added sugars, refined grains, highly processed foods, saturated fats and sugary drinks,” the AHA said in a statement.
But it took issue with some of the recommendations.
“We are concerned that recommendations regarding salt seasoning and red meat consumption could inadvertently lead consumers to exceed recommended limits for sodium and saturated fats, which are primary drivers of cardiovascular disease. While the guidelines highlight whole-fat dairy, the Heart Association encourages consumption of low-fat and fat-free dairy products, which can be beneficial to heart health,” the statement said.
The new guidance pushes protein at every meal and says to eat as much as twice the recommended daily allowance of 0.08 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. It says to eat 1.2 to 1.6 grams. Proteins can be flavored with “salt, spices, and herbs,” it said.
The guidelines also recommend full-fat dairy, which is different from past recommendations of low-fat or fat-free dairy. Full-fat dairy has saturated fats. The fact sheet calls this “ending the war on healthy fats.”
“Paired with a reduction in highly processed foods laden with refined carbohydrates, added sugars, excess sodium, unhealthy fats, and chemical additives, this approach can change the health trajectory of America,” the fact sheet said.
“When [Diversity, Equity and Inclusion] impacts nutrition science, it enables special interests to argue the status quo is acceptable because it would violate ‘health equity’ principles to encourage Americans to eat healthier food,” the fact sheet added.
The Big Weekender will be available from October 9 and feature modern country music including songs by Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, Morgan Wallen and Chris Stapleton.
And when there isn’t a performer on stage, visitors can enjoy the Saddle Up line-dancing experience.
In 2026, there will also be new headliners for the Decade Big Weekenders, which are available from £62 per person.
At selected Back to the 2000s Weekenders, former JLS star Aston Merrygold will be part of the line up, as will The Wanted 2.0.
Aston Merrygold will also headline some of the Replay Weekenders, with music from the 80s, 90s, and noughties.
British singer-songwriter Alison Limerick will headline at selected 90s Reloaded Weekenders as well.
In addition to the new Giants of Country – Bootleg Edition Weekender and returning Decades Weekenders, there will also be four other Big Weekenders launching this year for the first time.
At the Bognor Regis resort there will be two new Big Weekenders.
The first to launch will be Don’t Tell Mama LGBTQ+ Weekender, which will begin on January 23.
And then Bugged Out will return as well, after a 10-year hiatus, on March 6.
It will feature “three nights of the best electronic music from world-class DJs,” according to Butlin’s.
Minehead will also get another Big Weekender, launching this weekend – My Generation Weekender, which will be ideal for Mod fans.
In Skegness, guests can enjoy the Soul Power Weekender from January 16, transporting visitors back to the early 90s.
Butlin’s is currently running an offer for up to 25 per cent off selected Big Weekenders, with the offer ending on January 15.
Each Weekender includes three nights of live music, with headline performers and DJs.
For the price, accommodation is also included and there will be other activities – such as pool parties and silent discos – on during the daytime and evening of each day.
What’s a Butlin’s Weekender like?
THE Sun’s Caroline Iggulden has attended a Butlin’s Big Weekender; here’s what she thought…
Clutching my bottle of Smirnoff Ice in the middle of a packed dancefloor wearing silver combat trousers and a bum bag, I felt like I had been transported back to my youth.
And for a fleeting moment, I forgot I was a mother of three with a job, a mortgage and a pile of laundry to tackle when I got home.
This is part of the joy of a Butlin’s ’90s Reloaded Weekender where garage legends DJ Luck and MC Neat were belting out the floor fillers from my teen disco days.
On Friday night we kicked off proceedings by heading off to watch Chesney Hawkes.
We then headed over to the Centre Stage venue where we caught sets from Ride On Time hitmakers Black Box, Garage acts DJ Luck and MC Neat, and Artful Dodger.
In true Nineties style, midnight felt too early to go to bed so we hit the silent disco at the resort’s sports bar venue Hotshots where we could flick between channels on our light-up headphones, blasting everything from Whigfield to Warren G.
The brilliant thing about a Butlin’s Weekender break is you know exactly what you’ll be spending.
All entertainment and accommodation is included in the price of your visit so it’s great value for groups like ours.
ONE of the most popular UK holiday parks has launched an all-inclusive offer – and it includes all your food and drink.
Parkdean’s new offer is being rolled out across 42 of its 65 resorts in the UK.
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Parkdean Resorts is launching an all-inclusive offer at 42 of it’s parksCredit: Parkdean HolidaysOne of the sites included is Highfield Grange holiday park in Essex
The all-inclusive package starts from £25 per adult per day and £10 per child per day.
It includes three meals a day and unlimited soft drinks, including Costa Coffee.
The parks cover the whole of the UK with destinations in favourite spots like Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Norfolk, Snowdonia, the Isle of Wight, and the Lake District.
Caravan holidays without the package start from £89 for four nights.
So a family of four can enjoy four nights with food, drink, and accommodation for as little as under £93 per day when adding the all-inclusive package.
With these prices, holidays can be as low as £23.25 per day with the all-inclusive package.
Andy Edge, Chief Marketing Officer at Parkdean Resorts said: “Following the huge success of our trial at ten parks in 2025, we are rolling out our all-inclusive offer to a total of 42 holiday parks this year – making us one of the largest providers of all-inclusive UK holiday park breaks.
“Families of four can save over £300 by going all-inclusive, making this an extremely cost-effective option for families seeking action-packed breaks in some of the UK’s most scenic and sought-after locations.”
The offer is available only on four-night Monday to Friday breaks during selected spring and early summer dates.
To book the offer, you must be arriving at one of the selected parks between February 16 to March 23, 2026.
You can stay at the resorts in a caravan, lodge or pitch up yourselfAll-inclusive for children is £10 per day and £25 for adults each dayCredit: Parkdean Holidays
Other included dates include between April 20, to May 18 and then June 1 to July 13, 2026.
While main meals are included in the offer for dinner, starters, sides and desserts are not.
And you cannot book all-inclusive for one day – it has to cover the whole break.
Any dishes over £19.99 will include a £5 supplementary charge.
The website also added that ‘Bottled soft drinks, canned soft drinks, non-alcoholic cocktails, hand-crafted sodas, mixers and dash measures of soft drinks are excluded’.
You can stay in a range of accommodation across Parkdean Resorts including their caravans.
Each comes with a lounge with Freeview TV, a fully equipped kitchen with cooker and fridge, a bathroom with shower, and between 1-4 bedrooms.
These 42 Parkdean Resorts Are Offering All-Inclusive Packages…
The family-friendly holiday park operator is offering the package to visitors who want to avoid cooking and washing up during their stay, with three meals a day included in the price
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A family of four can enjoy an all-inclusive break for under £400(Image: Publicity Picture)
Holiday park operator Parkdean Resorts is launching an all-inclusive package at 42 of its UK-based parks during selected dates in 2026 with prices from just £25 a day for adults.
The package will include three meals a day, unlimited soft drinks, and all-you-can-drink Costa Coffee. After trialling the package at ten parks in 2025, the option to book an all-inclusive break will be extended to over 40 of its parks during spring and early summer.
The upgrade will be available for those booking four-night breaks between Monday and Friday on dates between February 16 and March 23, April 20 and May 18, or June 1 to July 13. The price starts at £25 per adult and £10 for children, while a four-night caravan holiday costs from £89, meaning a family of four could enjoy a midweek break that includes all meals and accommodation for under £400.
To book an all-inclusive break, all holidaymakers need to do is add the option when checking out on the Parkdean website. There’s also an option to add all-inclusive dining to your break once you arrive at the park, if you’re not quite sure about upgrading.
Parkdean have revealed the list of parks that’ll offer the all-inclusive package, and it includes family-friendly destinations such as Cornwall, Dorset, the Isle of Wight, and the Lake District, giving plenty of choices of places to stay.
Andy Edge, Chief Marketing Officer at Parkdean Resorts, said: “Following the huge success of our trial at ten parks in 2025, we are rolling out our all-inclusive offer to a total of 42 holiday parks this year – making us one of the largest providers of all-inclusive UK holiday park breaks.
“Families of four can save over £300 by going all-inclusive, making this an extremely cost-effective option for families seeking action-packed breaks in some of the UK’s most scenic and sought-after locations.”
List of Parkdean Resorts parks offering all-inclusive breaks:
Comcast has officially spun off its cable channels, including CNBC and MS NOW, into a separate company, Versant Media Group.
The transaction was completed late Friday. On Monday, Versant took a major tumble in its stock market debut — providing a key test of investors’ willingness to hold onto legacy cable channels.
The initial outlook wasn’t pretty, providing awkward moments for CNBC anchors reporting the story.
Versant shares fell about 14% to about $40 a share around mid-day. The stock opened Monday on the Nasdaq at $45.17 per share.
Comcast opted to cast off the still-profitable cable channels, except for the perennially popular Bravo!, as Wall Street has soured on the business, which has been contracting amid a consumer shift to streaming.
Versant’s market performance will be closely watched as Warner Bros. Discovery attempts to separate its cable channels, including CNN, TBS and Food Network, from the Warner Bros. studios and HBO later this year. Warner Chief Executive David Zaslav’s plan, which is scheduled to occur this summer, is being contested by the Ellison family’s Paramount, which has launched a hostile bid for all of Warner Bros. Discovery.
The market’s distaste for cable channels has been playing out in recent years. Paramount found itself on the auction block two years ago, in part, because of the weight of its struggling cable channels, including Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and MTV.
Management of the New York-based Versant, including longtime NBCUniversal sports and television executive Mark Lazarus, has been bullish on the company’s balance sheet and its prospects for growth. Versant also includes USA Network, Golf Channel, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine.
“As a standalone company, we enter the market with the scale, strategy and leadership to grow and evolve our business model,” Lazarus, who is Versant’s Chief Executive, said Monday in a statement.
Through the spinoff, Comcast shareholders received one share of Versant Class A common stock or Versant Class B common stock for every 25 shares of Comcast Class A common stock or Comcast Class B common stock, respectively. The Versant shares were distributed after the close of Comcast trading on Friday.
Comcast gained about 3% on Monday, trading at about $28.50.
Comcast Chairman Brian Roberts maintains Versant’s controlling shares.
The Israeli military continues to demolish structures in northern Gaza while also blocking the entry of aid.
Published On 4 Jan 20264 Jan 2026
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The Israeli army has launched more attacks into parts of Gaza outside its direct military control, despite the ceasefire deal mediated by the United States in October.
At least three Palestinians were killed on Sunday in separate Israeli attacks in Khan Younis, medical sources told Al Jazeera.
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They included a 15-year-old boy, a fisherman, and a third man shot dead east of Khan Younis.
In the central part of the besieged enclave, Israeli fire injured several people east of the Bureij refugee camp.
In Gaza City to the north, Israeli forces continued to demolish homes and civilian infrastructure within the mostly destroyed Tuffah neighbourhood.
The Israeli army confirmed it was destroying more infrastructure in northern Gaza, but claimed that the target was “terrorist infrastructure above and below ground”, including tunnels in Beit Lahiya.
Israeli drones also dropped explosives on several homes in eastern Gaza City. The Shujayea and Zeitoun neighbourhoods of Gaza City, which have also been extensively attacked during more than two years of Israel’s genocidal war, were hit with artillery shelling.
At least 71,386 Palestinians have been killed and 171,264 others injured since the start of the war in October 2023, according to the latest figures from Gaza’s Ministry of Health. At least 420 people have been killed since the ceasefire was signed less than three months ago.
The Israeli military continues to block a large amount of the international humanitarian aid amassing at the border with Gaza, while maintaining that there is no shortage of aid despite testimonies by the United Nations and others working on the ground.
It has also moved to ban several prominent international aid groups from operating in Gaza, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and the Norwegian Refugee Council.
The Great British Rail Sale is returning for the fourth year, offering millions of discounted tickets with savings of up to 50% and more on popular routes across the UK
A major sale on train travel is launching this month (Image: Getty Images)
A massive sale for rail travel is set to launch this month, offering up to 50% off on thousands of popular routes from nearly every train operator.
The Great British Rail Sale is back to make train journeys more affordable, boasting millions of discounted tickets. The week-long sale, taking place from 6 to 12 January 2026, presents an opportunity to secure bargain fares with over 50% savings on advance and off-peak tickets.
These reduced fares are valid for travel on thousands of routes from 13 January to 25 March 2026. With almost all train operators joining in and routes covering the length and breadth of the UK, it’s the perfect time to book, whether you’re planning a city getaway, commuting, or looking for half-term activities.
Some of the deals include £10 trips from South Coast destinations, such as Portsmouth to London Waterloo, offering a whopping 59% saving. Travellers hopping on the train from Exeter to London Waterloo can also enjoy a staggering 76% discount with tickets slashed from £41.70 to just £10.
In other deals, a 50% reduction will be available on the London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street route, with tickets going for a mere £7. Passengers can also benefit from the discounted journey from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport, which will be priced at just £1.20, down from £2.90, reports the Express.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “The Rail Sale is back – and it means further discounts for passengers as we freeze rail fares for the first time in 3 decades to help ease the cost of living. We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so whether you’re planning a half-term getaway, or visiting friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions. It’s all part of our plans to build a railway owned by the public, that works for the public.”
This marks the fourth year of the Great British Rail Sale, with travellers saving approximately £8 per trip last year, leading to more than one million tickets being snapped up. The government is understood to be determined to increase the number of people using trains in an effort to reduce carbon emissions and clear road space for emergency vehicles and freight.
Jacqueline Starr, executive chairperson and CEO of Rail Delivery Group, said: “The Rail Sale gives people even more reasons to choose rail, whether it’s reconnecting with loved ones or exploring new places. Rail continues to play a vital role in the lives of millions, supporting local economies and offering a more sustainable way to travel.
“This year’s Rail Sale will offer millions of discounted advance fares across the network from 6 January, giving customers the chance to save on journeys big and small. By making rail travel more accessible, we hope even more people will enjoy the convenience and comfort of travelling by rail.”
Key discounts
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EasyJet has launched a major sale that could see you save up to £400 off a package holiday, while some getaways start from as little as £187 per person with everything included
EasyJet has launched a major sale for 2026 getaways(Image: Getty Images)
As the festivities wind down, many of us are looking ahead to the new year with plans to book our 2026 getaway.
Now could be the best time to secure your next trip, as easyJet has launched a major sale, offering up to £400 off a lengthy list of holidays. EasyJet has launched its Big Orange Sale to help travellers book those desirable destinations at a discounted rate.
Holidaymakers can save up to £400 by using a simple code on a catalogue of EasyJet holidays, from city breaks to beach escapes. The low-cost flights and package holiday group offers more than 8,000 hotels in over 100 destinations across Europe and North Africa, from Amsterdam and Prague to Gran Canaria and Marmaris.
Additionally, all of its package holidays include flights, a hotel, 23kg luggage, some transfers, and the option to secure the trip for a deposit of just £60 per person.
Those looking to take advantage of the Big Orange Sale will need to use the code BIGSALE on the easyJet website when booking a package holiday.
This could see you save £50 on a minimum spend of £500, £100 on a minimum spend of £800, £150 on a minimum spend of £1,500, £300 on a minimum spend of £3,000 and £400 on a minimum spend of £4,000.
EasyJet has outlined some of the best holiday packages available for 2026, with some starting from as little as £184 per person. These include:
Four nights at the 3-star Espresso City Centre in Amsterdam on a Room Only basis for £227 per person, including flights from London Southend on 1 February 2026
Four nights at the 4-star Mamaison Residence Downtown in Prague on a Room Only basis for £231 per person, including flights from Glasgow on 8 February 2026
Three nights at the 4-star Dream Castle Paris in Paris on a Bed and Breakfast basis for £184 per person, including flights from Liverpool on 1 March 2026
Seven nights at the 5-star Melia Dunas Beach Resort & Spa in Cape Verde on an All Inclusive basis for £832 per person, including 23kg luggage, transfers and flights from Manchester on 29 January 2026
Seven nights at the 4-star Valeria Dar Atlas Resort in Marrakech on an All Inclusive basis for £435 per person, including 23kg luggage, transfers and flights from Liverpool on 5 February 2026
Seven nights at the 5-star Grand Ideal Premium Hotel in Marmaris on an All Inclusive basis for £490 per person, including 23kg luggage, transfers and flights from Edinburgh on 16 April 2026
Seven nights at the 4-star Golden Costa Salou in Salou on a Half Board basis for £415 per person, including 23kg luggage, transfers and flights from Manchester on 18 April 2026
Seven nights at the 4-star Abora Buenaventura by Lopesan Hotels in Gran Canaria on a Half Board basis for £460 per person, including 23kg luggage, transfers and flights from London Gatwick on 20 April 2026
Seven nights at the 4-star Sol Lanzarote in Lanzarote on an All Inclusive basis for £637 per person, including 23kg luggage, transfers, a free child’s place and flights from Birmingham on 5 May 2026
For more information or to book your easyJet package holiday, you can visit their website.
Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
Desperate to escape the big chill this January? It doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Ryanair is offering a number of cheap flights to the Canary Islands in the next few weeks, where holidaymakers can bask in 21C weather
Gran Canaria has a similar climate to Tenerife(Image: Getty Images)
Budget airline Ryanair has launched what it claims is its ‘biggest ever seat sale’, with 10 million fares at discounted prices.
There are plenty of summer bargains to be found in the sale, including cut-price fares that are ideal for winter sun seekers keen to enjoy a break from the gloomy January weather. Right now there are great prices on flights to the Canary Islands.
It’s no surprise the Canaries are so popular with Brits in January. While the New Year is set to bring freezing weather to much of the UK, the Canaries have temperatures as high as 22C forecast next week.
Usually, the hottest Canary Island is Tenerife, and Ryanair flies to Tenerife South from a number of UK airports. The south of the island tends to be warmer than the north. There are £24.9 one-way fares from London Stansted to Tenerife South on a number of January dates, and while midweek is slightly cheaper, weekends are just a couple of pounds more.
In the south of the island, there are popular resorts, such as Costa Adeje, a lively part of Tenerife that is full of bars, restaurants, and shops. It also has golden sand beaches such as Playa del Duque, where you can enjoy up to seven hours of sunshine a day in January.
However, it’s not just London airports that enjoy these cheap fares; there are also £24.99 deals from Liverpool and Manchester, while Edinburgh flights to Tenerife start at £25.99 one-way. Flight times start at four hours 30 minutes from London airports, so you could be soaking up the sun in no time.
Gran Canaria is also popular and has a similar climate to Tenerife, forecast to hit about 20C in January, although there is some stormy weather at the start of the week. Again, there are some deals to be had from both London and regional airports, with inexpensive flights throughout January. Bristol to Gran Canaria flights are currently showing from £25.81 one way, while flights from London Luton Airport start at £24.99.
Lanzarote is another destination beloved by winter sun seekers, and according to the weather forecast, will be hitting daytime highs of 21C next week. If you’re in need of some sunshine, there are £24.99 one-way fares from London Stansted, Bournemouth, Manchester, and other regional airports.
The south and east coasts of Lanzarote tend to be the most popular, in part because of their close proximity to the airport and milder weather. Playa Blanca is a great place to stay in January, offering a long, sandy beach with typically calm seas, an upmarket marina area featuring restaurants, and a shopping centre.
Fuerteventura is the least visited of the major Canary Islands, but it still has the same natural beauty as its neighbours. It’ll see highs of up to 20C in early January, and six to seven hours of sunlight a day. The island can be reached from London Stansted, with £24.99 one-way flights on various dates, while Newcastle fares start from £25.99 and Leeds Bradford from £32.
Fuerteventura has an arid landscape, but is flatter than the other Canaries, with spectacular desert landscapes. The second-largest Canary Island, it’s known for its white sand beaches, large national parks, and the lively former fishing village of Corralejo, where you can take a boat trip to nearby islands or a day of snorkelling.
Prices are subject to availability and can change.
Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com
Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
China’s latest live-fire drills around Taiwan include a simulated blockade of the island — a strong possibility should Beijing seek to retake what it describes as a breakaway province that must eventually be reunited. As well as potentially reflecting, at least in part, Beijing’s existing planning for a future invasion of Taiwan, the exercises come at a time of notable tensions between China and the United States, as well as Japan.
A screen grab from a video shows Taiwan Coast Guard personnel conducting rapid-response exercises in response to aircraft and naval activity by the PLA on December 29, 2025. Photo by Taiwanese Ministry of Defense/Anadolu via Getty Images
This morning, the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theater Command sent elements from its navy, air force, rocket force, and coast guard to surround Taiwan, as part of a surprise exercise called Justice Mission 2025. The maneuvers began less than an hour after they had been officially announced, and assets said to be involved include destroyers, frigates, fighters, bombers, drones, and long-range missiles. The photo at the top of this story, showing a PLA J-16 Flanker multirole fighter, was released today by the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense, reportedly obtained via the targeting pod of a Taiwanese F-16. It may, however, originate from an earlier occasion.
Joint military drills “Justice Mission 2025” around Taiwan, starting Monday morning, can be summarized with 4 keywords: “coverage”, “blockade”, “precision strike” and “decapitation strike” .
— 新‧二七部隊 軍事雜談 (New 27 Brigade)🇹🇼🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@new27brigade) December 29, 2025
The PLA Eastern Theater Command released a video on its official Weibo account that purportedly shows a view of the Taipei 101 skyscraper, as seen from a drone.
Most significantly, the live-fire drills involve a simulated blockade of major Taiwanese ports. As we have described in the past, an aerial and maritime blockade of Taiwan could potentially be an attractive option for Beijing to use its hard power, with the aim of choking the island into submission, while holding back from a full-scale invasion.
At the same time, Justice Mission 2025 has involved training for other kinds of contingencies, including attacking different types of maritime targets, and responding to international “interference” — a tacit reference to dealing with the U.S. military and other nations that might be expected to come to Taiwan’s aid in a crisis.
A Taiwanese Mirage 2000 fighter takes off at Hsinchu Air Base in Hsinchu on December 29, 2025. Photo by CHENG Yu-chen / AFP
In the PLA’s words, its forces are conducting their drills “in close proximity” to Taiwan, to test “sea-air coordination and precise target hunting and neutralization,” including attacks on submarines and other maritime targets.
As of Monday afternoon, local time, the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense said it had detected 28 PLA Navy and coast guard ships, including two that entered Taiwan’s contiguous zone.
Very notable that the majority of the PLA vessels marked in this map are inside Taiwan’s contiguous zone and pushing against the boundary of Taiwan’s territorial waters.
Five of the exercise zones and live-fire areas violate the territorial waters. https://t.co/j1S4IIGNjz
At least 89 PLA aircraft were also reported, the largest daily tally for more than a year. In a break from previous exercises, a significant number of PLA aircraft reportedly had their transponders switched on, meaning that they were visible on flight-tracking software, reflecting Beijing’s apparent decision to conduct the drills more in the public eye.
So close, so beautiful, go to Taipei at any time … 《这么近 那么美 随时到台北》 伸手可掬日月潭水，迈步可登阿里山顶
Taiwan also stated that a formation of four amphibious assault ships, with embarked helicopters, was spotted 160 nautical miles west of Taiwan’s southern tip.
Compared to previous large-scale exercises, Justice Mission 2025 appears to be making use of a larger area, according to published maps of air and maritime warning areas. At least some of these zones also overlap with Taiwan’s territorial border, which extends to 12 nautical miles off its coast.
Col. Shi Yi, the spokesperson for the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command, described the exercise as “a stern warning against ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces and external interference forces.”
A Chinese ship is seen in waters near Pingtan island, the closest point to Taiwan, in eastern China’s Fujian province on December 29, 2025. Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP
Beijing has also issued messages intended for U.S. consumption.
In particular, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian claimed that unnamed “external parties” were pushing the region closer to war. “Any sinister schemes to obstruct China’s reunification are doomed to fail,” Lin added.
More pointedly, China’s Ministry of Defense said today that “relevant countries” should “abandon illusions of using Taiwan to contain China.”
For its part, Taiwan has condemned the latest Chinese exercises.
Taipei accused Beijing of escalating tensions and undermining regional peace. In response to the PLA maneuvers, Taiwan said that it dispatched “appropriate forces” to respond and conduct counter-combat-readiness exercises of its own.
In response to today’s #PLA aircraft and naval activity, the #ROCArmedForces conducted Rapid Response Exercises and closely monitored the situation. Joint sea and air operations with all services and the Taiwan Coast Guard remain on high alert. #FullAwarenesspic.twitter.com/urRlOh4cUL
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) December 29, 2025
“Defending democracy and freedom is no provocation, and the existence of the Republic of China [Taiwan’s formal name] is not an excuse for aggressors to disrupt the status quo,” the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense said.
We strongly condemn the PRC’s irrational provocations and oppose the PLA’s actions that undermine regional peace. Rapid Response Exercises are underway, with forces on high alert to defend the Republic of China and protect our people.#ROCArmedForces#PeaceThroughStrengthpic.twitter.com/uPw0Qm9Upn
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) December 29, 2025
The backdrop to Justice Mission 2025, of course, is Beijing’s aspiration to reunify Taiwan with the mainland.
Many have floated 2027 — which also marks the centenary of the founding of the PLA — as the year China could be capable of invading the island, including U.S. officials. While the Chinese leadership has expressed its preference for a unification achieved through peaceful means, the PLA has also been instructed to be prepared to conduct a successful invasion of Taiwan no later than 2027.
Starting from ‘island encirclement’ drills by H-6 bombers from 2016, when Taiwan’s independence-leaning President Tsai Ing-wen took office, China’s gray-zone operations directed against the island have been progressively stepped up to frequent incursions into its southwestern corner of the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) since 2020.
Another significant turning point was the August 2022 visit to Taiwan by a U.S. congressional delegation led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. This provided Beijing with further justification to escalate. Significant numbers of PLA aircraft were sortied over the tacitly agreed median line of the Taiwan Strait while warships sailed into its contiguous zone.
Justice Mission 2025 is now the sixth major PLA military exercise targeting Taiwan since Pelosi’s visit.
On the one hand, large-scale military maneuvers, and especially live-fire exercises, are a critical element of routine readiness training for the PLA.
On the other hand, Beijing has frequently timed these maneuvers, or otherwise promoted them, in response to perceived acts of provocation by Taiwan or the United States.
With that in mind, it’s likely no coincidence that the apparent snap drills come soon after the U.S. government approved a record $11-billion arms package for Taiwan. This includes offensive as well as defensive equipment — including additional examples of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) — which has long been a particular issue for China.
There has also been a notable uptick in critical articles in Chinese state media in recent days regarding the U.S. position toward the so-called ‘First Island Chain.’
The First Island Chain is a boundary defined by archipelagos opposite mainland East Asia, extending from the southern end of the Japanese home islands all the way to the South China Sea.
For long, the United States has highlighted the strategic importance of defending the First Island Chain against primarily Chinese aggression.
A Pentagon map showing the geographic boundaries of the First and Second Island Chains. U.S. Department of Defense
Beijing has also voiced displeasure with recent statements from Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who has called for increased defense spending to counter what he described as China’s “intensifying” threats.
Japan, too, has been highlighted by Beijing, specifically after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said her country would likely become militarily involved if China were to attack Taiwan.
As such, the timing for a high-profile military exercise of this kind is very much right, as far as Beijing is concerned.
The Chinese flag is seen on Pingtan island, the closest point to Taiwan, in eastern China’s Fujian province, on December 29, 2025. Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP
It is notable, however, that on this occasion the signaling as well as the scenarios being practiced focus not only on dealing with Taiwan, but also deterring international involvement, something that is now being referenced more explicitly by Beijing.
Speaking after a major exercise in April of this year, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that “America is committed to sustaining robust, ready, and credible deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, including across the Taiwan Strait.”
Now, with the PLA’s secondmajor exercise during U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term, Beijing will be keeping a close eye on Washington’s response to the drills.
China has begun two days of military exercises around Taiwan, including live-fire drills that Beijing says simulate a blockade of key ports. Taiwan condemned the move, launching fighter jets, and mobilising troops in response.
Drone attacks hit fuel market in city that serves as headquarters for RSF’s alternative government.
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group says the country’s army struck a fuel market in the city of Nyala, the RSF’s administrative capital, as part of an intensified aerial campaign against its positions in South Darfur.
For three consecutive days ending Thursday, military drones and warplanes pounded strategic RSF sites across Nyala, including the international airport, military positions and training facilities.
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The strike on the fuel market triggered a huge blaze as barrels of fuel exploded, according to footage circulated on social media, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the air.
Youssef Idris Youssef, who heads the RSF’s civil administration in South Darfur, accused the army of deliberately targeting civilians. He described the attack as part of “a systematic policy” to punish Darfur residents for not resisting the RSF presence in their communities.
The Sudanese military has not issued any statement regarding the strikes.
Casualties were reported among both civilians and RSF members involved in the fuel trade.
In the aftermath, RSF intelligence services conducted mass arrests near the targeted site and Nyala’s main market, detaining civilians and military personnel on accusations of providing coordinates to the army, according to local sources.
Nyala holds particular strategic importance as the seat of the RSF’s parallel government, known as TASIS, which the group declared in July. Led by RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, the alternative administration has been widely condemned as possibly fracturing Sudan, but controls significant territory across Darfur.
The city was struck by the army in October when it targeted the RSF and Nyala airport, which has been reportedly used by the RSF as a logistics hub for its forces.
Fighting continues across Darfur
Fighting has raged across Darfur since the RSF captured el-Fasher in October, an offensive marked by atrocities documented by rights groups.
The United States has said the RSF has committed genocide in Darfur.
This week, the RSF announced it had seized the Abu Qumra region in North Darfur and claimed advances towards Um Buru, though joint forces allied with the army disputed RSF assertions that they had also taken the town of Karnoi.
The attack on Nyala came just two days after Sudan’s prime minister, Kamil Idris, presented a peace proposal to the United Nations Security Council calling for RSF withdrawal from captured areas, disarmament in camps, and eventual elections.
The RSF rejected the plan, with spokesman Alaa el-Din Naqd telling Sudanese outlet Radio Dabanga it amounted to “wishful thinking”.
Sudan’s de facto leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, was in Ankara for talks on Thursday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at which Erdogan expressed his support for peace efforts and his opposition to dividing Sudan.
Hours earlier, a senior official in Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council ruled out any negotiations, declaring there could be “no truce and no negotiation with an occupier”.
The war, which erupted in April 2023, has killed more than 100,000 people and displaced nearly 14 million, in what the UN describes as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Since the RSF seized el-Fasher – the last major army stronghold in Darfur – the conflict has shifted to Central Kordofan, splitting Sudan between territories controlled by the military and the RSF.
The US defence department posted a short video that appears to show a missile being launched from a military vessel
President Donald Trump has said the US launched a “powerful and deadly strike” against the Islamic State (IS) group in north-western Nigeria.
The US leader described IS as ” terrorist scum”, accusing the group of “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians”.
Trump said the US military “executed numerous perfect strikes”, while the US Africa Command (Africom) later reported that Thursday’s attack was carried out in co-ordination with Nigeria in the Sokoto state.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar told the BBC it was a “joint operation” targeting “terrorists”, and it “has nothing to do with a particular religion”.
Without naming IS specifically, Tuggar said the operation had been planned “for quite some time” and had used intelligence information provided by the Nigerian side.
The minister did not rule out further strikes, adding that this depended on “decisions to be taken by the leadership of the two countries”.
In his post on Truth Social late on Thursday, Trump said that “under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper”.
He did not say at the time which killings he was referring to, but claims of a genocide against Nigeria’s Christians have been circulating in recent months in some right-wing US circles.
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday that he was “grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation”.
“Merry Christmas!” he added, writing on X.
AFP via Getty Images
President Trump last month ordered the US military to prepare for action in Nigeria
The US Department of Defense later posted a short video that appeared to show a missile being launched from a military vessel.
On Friday morning, the Nigerian foreign ministry said in a statement that the country’s authorities “remain engaged in structured security co-operation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorist and violent extremism.
“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” the statement said.
Groups monitoring violence say there is no evidence to suggest that Christians are being killed more than Muslims in Nigeria, which is roughly evenly divided between followers of the two religions.
An adviser to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu told the BBC at the time that any military action against the jihadist groups should be carried out together.
Daniel Bwala said Nigeria would welcome US help in tackling the Islamist insurgents but noted that it was a “sovereign” country.
He also said the jihadists were not targeting members of a particular religion and that they had killed people from all faiths, or none.
President Tinubu has insisted there is religious tolerance in the country and said the security challenges were affecting people “across faiths and regions”.
Trump earlier announced that he had declared Nigeria a “country of particular concern” because of the “existential threat” posed to its Christian population. He said “thousands” had been killed, without providing any evidence.
This is a designation used by the US state department that provides for sanctions against countries “engaged in severe violations of religious freedom”.
Following this announcement, Tinubu said his government was committed to working with the US and the international community to protect people of all faiths.
Jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province have wrought havoc in north-eastern Nigeria for more than a decade, killing thousands of people – however most of these have been Muslims, according to Acled, a group which analyses political violence around the world.
In central Nigeria, there are also frequent clashes between mostly Muslim herders and farming groups, who are often Christian, over access to water and pasture.
Deadly cycles of tit-for-tat attacks have also seen thousands killed – but atrocities have been committed on both sides.
Human rights groups say there is no evidence that Christians have been disproportionately targeted.
The US Central Command (Centcom) said fighter jets, attack helicopters and artillery “struck more than 70 targets at multiple locations across central Syria”. Aircraft from Jordan were also involved.
CHRISTMAS and New Year’s sales are starting to emerge and this means you could grab some bargain flights.
EasyJet has already launched its Big Orange Sale with up to 20 percent off flights departing between January 5 and December 13, 2026.
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EasyJet has launched its Big Orange Sale with up to 20 per cent off flightsCredit: Alamy
If you grab a bargain today, it could even make the ideal last-minute Christmas gift.
You can book discounted fares for as little as £14.49 from now until February 3, 2026.
Destinations include some of the budget airline’s newest routes, such as Tbilisi in Georgia and the Scandinavian Mountains in Sweden.
Alternatively, if you wanted to head off on a ski trip you could fly to top ski destinations in Europe, such as Grenoble in France, Geneva in Switzerland and Innsbruck in Austria.
Perhaps cold holidays aren’t your thing? Then why not head off to some winter sun spots including Enfidha in Tunisia, Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt and Marrakech in Morocco.
Specific flights include London Gatwick to Palma, in Majorca, from £18.99.
As the capital of the Balearic Islands, Palma is known for its Gothic Cathedral, historic Old Town and of course, pretty beaches.
Or if you fancy relaxing, head to Palma Beach, which is just a short distance from the city centre and boasts turquoise waters, soft sand and a number of nearby restaurants.
If you live near Bristol, you could head to Bordeaux in France for just £14.49.
Known as the wine capital of France, Bordeaux is home to the UNESCO World Heritage ‘Port of the Moon’ with 18th century architecture.
Destinations include Bordeaux, France, which you could fly to from Bristol Airport for £14.49Credit: Alamy
Across Bordeaux, you will find around 6,000 wineries, producing mostly red wine.
If you happen to live in or near Birmingham, for £17.99 you could head to one of the major fashion capitals of the world – Milan, Italy.
While in the city, Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral) is also worth visiting; it has Gothic features and you can climb the roof for panoramic views of the city.
From Manchester you could head toMadrid from £21.49 per person.
The capital of Spain is home to many sites to explore that are ideal for history lovers, such as the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor and Retiro Park.
There are also several museums, such as the Prado Museum – the main Spanish national art museum – and Reina Sofia Museum home to a collection of 20th-century art.
If you live in or near Birmingham, you could fly to Milan in Italy for £17.99Credit: Alamy
And if you fancy a holiday package, easyJet is also offering up to £400 off of all easyJet holidays.
For this discount to apply you have to spend a minimum of £4,000 though.
Or you could get £300 off of a £3,000 spend, £150 off of a £1,500 spend, £100 off an £800 spend and £50 off a £500 spend with the code ‘BIGSALE’.
You will need to book before 11pm on March 3, 2026, and then travel between now and October 31, 2027.
All easyJet holiday packages include flights and a hotel, with 23kg luggage per person and transfers if booking a beach holiday.
Or perhaps you fancy a beach break? You could head to Palma, Majorca from London Gatwick for £18.99Credit: PA
Kevin Doyle, easyJet’s UK country manager, said: “By launching our Big Orange Sale today, customers can take advantage of our great value fares and make plans for a well-deserved break to look forward to in 2026.
“With over 45 new routes from the UK available for next year, customers can choose from flights and package holidays to up to 140 destinations across Europe and beyond, whether that’s to return to their top holiday hotspot, or discover somewhere new.
“We look forward to welcoming millions of customers onboard in 2026 and we remain focused on providing them with low-cost travel, flying them where they want to go, and always aiming to make the travel experience easy.”
Syrian state television denounces the Israeli incursion as another violation of the nation’s sovereignty.
Israeli forces have advanced into the Quneitra area of Syria’s occupied Golan Heights and set up two military checkpoints, an Al Jazeera correspondent on the ground reports.
The Israeli military operation on Saturday took place in the villages of Ain Ziwan and al-Ajraf in the southern part of the country.
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For months, Israeli forces have conducted near-daily incursions into southern Syria, particularly in the Quneitra governorate, carrying out arrests, erecting checkpoints, and bulldozing land, all of which have prompted growing public anger and unrest.
Syrian state television said the Israeli incursion was a violation of Syrian sovereignty, noting that the army used five military vehicles to set up the checkpoint in Ain Ziwan.
The latest raid comes one day after Israeli forces advanced towards the towns of al-Asha, Bir Ajam, Bariqa, Umm al-Azam and Ruwayhina in the southern Quneitra countryside, according to the Syrian News Agency (SANA).
Dozens of Syrians on Friday protested the Israeli incursion in the city of al-Salam in the Quneitra Governorate, condemning the ongoing Israeli attacks against citizens and their properties.
The demonstrators, part of a group called “Syrians with Palestine”, held banners denouncing what they stated were repeated Israeli violations of Syrian lands.
Despite a reduction in direct military threats, the Israeli army continues to carry out air raids that have caused civilian casualties and destroyed Syrian army sites and facilities.
Over the past year, Israel has launched more than 600 air, drone or artillery attacks across Syria, averaging nearly two attacks a day, according to a tally by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED).
Israeli military incursions have become more brazen, more frequent and more violent since Israel expanded its occupation of southern Syria following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Disengagement accord
After al-Assad’s fall, Israel declared the 1974 Disengagement Agreement – brokered after the 1973 war, in which Syria failed to regain the occupied Golan Heights – void.
The agreement had established a UN-patrolled buffer zone, which Israel has since violated, advancing deeper into Syrian territory.
Citing al-Assad’s flight, Israel says the accord no longer applies, while carrying out air raids, ground incursions, reconnaissance flights; setting up checkpoints; and arresting or disappearing Syrians. Syria has not responded with attacks.
In September, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that Israel had conducted more than 1,000 air attacks and more than 400 ground incursions in Syria since al-Assad was overthrown, describing the actions as “very dangerous”.
Syrians believe that the continuation of these violations hinders efforts to restore stability in the region and undermines attempts to improve the economic situation in southern Syria.
Al Jazeera visited Quneitra in recent weeks and spoke to Syrians about Israeli incursions and abductions there, which have stoked fears.
Syria and Israel are currently in talks to reach an agreement that Damascus hopes will secure a halt to Israel’s air raids on its territory and the withdrawal of Israeli troops who have pushed into southern Syria.
In the background, the United States has been pushing diplomatic efforts to restore the 1974 deal.
You can save up to £400 on a holiday in the sale(Image: Getty Images)
It’s never too early to start planning your 2026 getaway and it might be the best time yet as Jet2 has launched a huge sale, offering up to £400 off on all holidays. In a bid to help holidaymakers secure their getaway for next year, Jet2holidays has launched a sale just in time for Christmas. The UK’s biggest tour operator is offering travellers £100 off per person on all holidays, and a generous 20% discount on all Jet2.com flights, including one-way journeys.
This means a family of four could save a hefty £400 on a holiday to Spain or Italy, even during the school holidays. Additionally, hundreds of hotels and resorts offer free stays for children, providing the chance for even further savings.
But it’s not just families who can benefit. Couples booking a getaway with Jet2holidays during the sale can also enjoy a £200 discount on trips to destinations such as Greece or Cyprus.
The sale applies to all holidays, across all seasons booked through Jet2holidays, Jet2CityBreaks, VIBE by Jet2holidays, Indulgent Escapes and Jet2Villas. There are a bundle of holiday options available to suit everyone, from private villas nestled in Majorca near the Mediterranean coast, to an all-inclusive resort in Egypt with excursions to the sprawling desert.
However, there’s more. Holiday-goers can also secure their 2026 summer holiday for a low deposit of £25 per person.
Jet2 flies to more than 75 destinations across Europe from 14 UK airports so there’s a destination to suit everyone. However, if you’re hoping to take advantage of these savings you don’t have long as the sale runs until Monday, January 12, 2026.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “Nothing beats the joy of booking a holiday and we are spreading that joy far and wide through the launch of this fantastic sale, making it easier for customers to getaway for less.
“Launched in time for the busy holiday booking season, Jet2 is offering holidaymakers fantastic savings on their holidays and flights, and we know that this, alongside our industry-leading customer service, will be a huge hit.
“With so much value and choice available, we look forward to welcoming even more new and existing customers, whilst showcasing what makes us the UK’s favourite tour operator and airline.”
For more information or to book your next getaway, you can visit the Jet2.com and Jet2holidays websites.
Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
Albanese said Australia has more guns now than 30 years ago, when the country’s deadliest-ever mass shooting took place.
Australia will launch a national gun buyback scheme, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced, as the country continues to come to terms with the deadly attack on a Jewish holiday event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead.
Albanese called the plan the country’s biggest gun buyback since 1996 – the year of Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in modern history, the Port Arthur massacre in the island state of Tasmania – and said authorities will purchase surplus, newly-banned and illegal firearms.
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“Right now, there are more guns in Australia than there were during Port Arthur. We can’t allow that to continue,” Albanese told a news conference on Friday, adding that there are currently more than four million firearms in the country.
“Non-citizens have no need to own a gun. And someone in suburban Sydney has no need to own six … The terrible events of Bondi show we need to get more guns off our streets,” he said.
Albanese added that authorities in Australia’s states and territories will be tasked with collecting the weapons and processing payments for surrendered firearms under the scheme. Federal police will then be responsible for destroying them.
“We expect hundreds of thousands of firearms will be collected and destroyed through this scheme,” Albanese added.
Aided by some of the toughest gun restrictions globally, Australia has one of the lowest gun homicide rates in the world.
Restrictions were tightened after a lone gunman, armed with semiautomatic weapons, killed 35 people at the Port Arthur tourist site almost 30 years ago.
The massacre shocked the country, with authorities soon after launching a major gun amnesty and buyback scheme that removed more than 650,000 newly-prohibited firearms from circulation.
‘We need to do more to combat this evil scourge’
Sunday’s shooting in Sydney’s Bondi Beach area – in which two attackers, named as father and son Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram, went on a shooting spree and killed 15 people – has had a similarly jolting impact on Australian society as the Port Arthur massacre and prompted self-reflection.
Albanese said 50-year-old Sajid – who was shot dead at the scene – and 24-year-old Naveed – who was charged with “terrorism” and murder offences after he awoke from a coma on Tuesday – were inspired by “Islamic State ideology”.
On Thursday, Albanese announced tougher hate speech laws as he acknowledged the country had experienced a rising tide of anti-Jewish hate since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, and Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.
Albanese said rising anti-Semitism in Australia “culminated on Sunday in one of the worst acts of mass murder that this country has ever seen”.
“It was an attack on our Jewish community – but it was also an attack on the Australian way of life,” he said.
“Australians are shocked and angry. I am angry. It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge, much more,” he added.
The prime minister also announced on Friday that Australia will hold a national day of reflection this Sunday – one week after the mass shooting.
Albanese urged Australians to light candles at 6:47pm (07:47 GMT) on Sunday, December 21 – “exactly one week since the attack unfolded”.
“It is a moment to pause, reflect, and affirm that hatred and violence will never define who we are as Australians,” he told reporters.
Earlier on Friday, hundreds of people plunged into the ocean off Bondi Beach in another gesture to honour the dead.
Swimmers and surfers paddled into a circle as they bobbed in the gentle morning swell, splashing water and roaring with emotion.
“They slaughtered innocent victims, and today I’m swimming out there and being part of my community again to bring back the light,” security consultant Jason Carr told the AFP news agency.
“We’re still burying bodies. But I just felt it was important,” the 53-year-old said.
“I’m not going to let someone so evil, someone so dark, stop me from doing what I do and what I enjoy doing,” he said.
Surfers and swimmers congregate in the surf at Bondi Beach as they participate in a tribute for the victims of Sunday’s Bondi Beach attack, in Sydney, on December 19, 2025 [David Gray/AFP]
Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
The U.S. Navy personnel in the Middle East have test-launched a Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS) long-range kamikaze drone from the Independence class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Santa Barbara. Described as a first-of-its-kind achievement, this comes two weeks after the U.S. military announced it had established Task Force Scorpion Strike (TFSS) in the region, armed with the LUCAS drones from SpektreWorks. Being able to employ the one-way attack drones from the sea, as well as from sites on land, opens the door to new operational possibilities on top of what was already a major new addition to the U.S. military’s long-range strike arsenal.
TWZ has previously explored in great depth the arguments for arming Navy ships with various types of uncrewed aerial systems to provide additional layers of defense, as well as enhanced strike, electronic warfare, intelligence-gathering, and networking capabilities, which you can find here. Just earlier this year, we also laid out a detailed case for why America’s armed forces should be heavily investing in rapidly-producible long-range kamikaze drones — Shahed-136 clones primarily — just like LUCAS, as you can read here.
Personnel from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s (NAVCENT) Task Force 59 conducted the rocket-assisted launch of the LUCAS drone from the stern flight deck of the USS Santa Barbara on December 16, according to an official release. The ship was operating in the Arabian Gulf, more commonly known as the Persian Gulf, at the time. Established in 2021, Task Force 59 has been leading efforts to expand the Navy’s operational use of uncrewed platforms, as well as new artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, in the Middle East. The LUCAS drone itself had been provided by TFSS, which falls under the auspices of U.S. Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT), the regional headquarters for special operations activities under U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
“Bravo Zulu. U.S. Navy forces in the Middle East are advancing warfighting capability in new ways, bringing more striking power from the sea and setting conditions for using innovation as a deterrent.” – Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM Commander https://t.co/TgQ4WLbph3pic.twitter.com/WUiAVojTht
The official release from NAVCENT does not provide specific details about capabilities demonstrated during the test, such as how far the LUCAS drone flew, how it was controlled or directed, and whether it hit a mock target of some kind at sea or on land at the end of its flight.
TWZ reached out to CENTCOM, which declined to provide more granular information. We have also reached out to NAVCENT and SpektreWorks.
The LUCAS drone seen right after launch from the stern flight deck of the USS Santa Barbara. NAVCENT/C5F/U.S. Army Spc. Kayla Mc Guire
General details about the LUCAS drones the U.S. military now has deployed in the Middle East remain limited. It is known that SpektreWorks directly reverse-engineered the design from Iran’s Shahed-136, and initially with an eye toward its use as a threat-representative target for training and test purposes. At some 10 feet long and with a wingspan of around eight feet, LUCAS is slightly smaller than the Iranian drone. SpektreWorks has also publicly provided specifications for the related target drone, called the FLM 136, which has roughly half the range and payload capacity as the Shahed-136. However, it is unclear whether this reflects the capabilities found on operationalized configurations. LUCAS is also said to have a unit cost of around $35,000.
The video below includes a montage of clips from Iranian state media showing Shahed-136s being employed during an exercise.
Баражуючий іранський боєприпас «Shahed 136»
Pictures of the LUCAS drones the U.S. military has released so far show a modular, reconnaissance design that could also be used for surveillance and reconnaissance missions, as well as in the decoy role. AsTWZ has previously written:
“We see two variants of LUCAS. One is not of particular note, it seems geared to strike the static targets we have become accustomed to for this type of weapon. The other features two very interesting details. It has what appears to be a gimbaled camera system mounted on its nose and, most importantly, a miniature beyond-line-of-sight satellite datalink mounted on its spine. This is a major development that would allow these weapons to not only be controlled dynamically after launch at great distances, but also to hit moving targets and targets of opportunity.”
A previously released picture showing LUCAS drones at a base within the CENTCOM area of operations. Both of the known configurations of the LUCAS drone deployed in the Middle East are visible here. Courtesy Photo
“In addition, this capability would help enable swarm tactics, where the drones work to attack targets cooperatively with their progress monitored and altered in real-time by human operators, regardless of whether they have the satellite terminal or not. This is made possible by providing simpler, lighter line-of-sight datalinks on the drones equipped with warheads only, which then connect line-of-sight to the drone carrying the satellite communications terminal, acting as a force-multiplying networking hub. This also means you can have many simple drones paired with a much smaller number of more costly ones equipped with cameras and networking equipment, but achieve the same overall effect as if they all had the more advanced capabilities. This modularity which is ‘greater than the sum of its parts’ is a central tenet of emerging drone warfare TWZ highlighted a decade ago.“
A closer look at the more advanced camera and networking-equipped variant of LUCAS. Courtesy Photo
…
“Seeing as swarms can be tailored to various objectives, with mixing and matching BLOS networking enabled units with strikers, and placing them in real time to minimize risk and maximize effect, America’s Shaheds should be significantly more survivable and effective. The ability to work together, reacting to their environment, and leverage real-time intelligence gathered by the full gamut of U.S. and allied assets, are even larger advantages. This is in addition to pairing them with combined arms tactics, from electronic warfare to kinetic strikes, to ensure they get to their target areas. Even if some die to air defenses, that can be viewed as a win, depending on what engages them. Consuming costly and finite effectors is a feature, not a bug, for these relatively cheap weapons, as you can read all about in our larger feature.“
All of this is further magnified by the ability to employ LUCAS drones from any ship with sufficient deck space, as well as launchers on land, which could be semi-fixed or mobile. This is something TWZ highlighted explicitly in our past feature on the prospect of integrating drone swarms onto Navy ships.
Observations for years now of how Iran and its proxies, as well as Russia, have been employing variants and derivatives of the Shahed-136 have underscored their ability to be sent along often circuitous routes to attack targets from unexpected vectors. Even without the addition of more dynamic targeting and fully networked swarming capabilities, this creates immense challenges for defenders. This is only further compounded by the breadth of areas targeted simultaneously and the sheer volume of drones that can be launched in mass barrages, owing in large part to their relatively low cost.
U.S. officials have themselves been quick to highlight the new operational capabilities LUCAS offers, especially in light of the newly announced test launch from the USS Santa Barbara.
Another picture of the LUCAS drone being test-launched from the USS Santa Barbara. NAVCENT/C5F/U.S. Army Spc. Kayla Mc Guire
“A cutting-edge, low-cost attack drone asset, launched from a naval vessel that can sail and operate wherever international law allows, is a tremendous new capability to employ in the region,” Navy Capt. Timothy Hawkins, CENTCOM’s top spokesperson, told TWZ.
“U.S. Navy forces in the Middle East are advancing warfighting capability in new ways, bringing more striking power from the sea and setting conditions for using innovation as a deterrent,” Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, also said in a statement.
“This first successful launch of LUCAS from a naval vessel marks a significant milestone in rapidly delivering affordable and effective unmanned capabilities to the warfighter,” Vice Adm. Curt Renshaw, commander of NAVCENT and U.S. Fifth Fleet, added in his own statement accompanying the official release. “This achievement demonstrates the power of innovation and joint collaboration in this critical region.”
“This platform will undoubtedly enhance regional maritime security and deterrence,” Renshaw added.
Conducting the test in the Arabian Gulf also underscores previous statements from CENTCOM about how the deployment of LUCAS in the Middle East specifically offers a new way to challenge Iran.
USS Santa Barbara seen sailing in the Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf) around the time of the LUCAS test. NAVCENT/C5F
“We are now at a point where not only are we building them in mass, but we have already based them in [the] Middle East for the first time,” a U.S. official told TWZ earlier this month when the establishment of TFSS was announced. “In essence, we are able to flip the script on Iran.”
As we mentioned at the time, the benefits that kamikaze drones like LUCAS offer to U.S. forces also extend well beyond the Middle East. Separate U.S. Marine Corps testing of LUCAS drones at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) in Arizona points to plans to field long-range kamikaze drones more broadly across America’s armed forces.
A LUCAS drone seen being tested at Yuma Proving Ground. US Army/Mark Schauer
As an aside, using an Independence class LCS for the recent maritime LUCAS test launch highlights another potential mission for these ships, as well as the Navy’s Freedom class LCSs. Both types of LCS have chronically underdelivered for the Navy, and the service has spent considerable energy searching for ways to get more operational utility out of the vessels. Last year, then-Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro announced plans to arm “many” Independence and Freedom class LCSs with new containerized missile launchers as a new way to boost their firepower, as you can read more about here. Giving these ships the ability to launch waves of low-cost, long-range kamikaze drones would be another way to approach this goal.
American Shahed 2? You bet! Meet the MQM-172 “Arrowhead”, an enhanced US copy of the Iranian Shahed-136 kamikaze drone. This is apparently the second Shahed clone; the first, called LUCAS (Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System), was developed by Arizona-based SpektreWorks and… pic.twitter.com/ptI5iq9vk9
China is testing the LOONG M9, a new loitering munition from LOONG UAV that closely resembles the Iranian Shahed-136.
The drone reportedly carries a 50 kg payload, has a 200 kg takeoff weight, and reaches speeds up to 223 km/h with a range of 1,620 km and 8–9 hours of endurance.… pic.twitter.com/cFBe1ElJRS
Whatever plans the rest of the U.S. military may have now for drones like LUCAS, the recent at-sea test launch from the USS Santa Barbara shows that American forces in the Middle East are already working to expand their ability to employ this already important new capability at least in that region.
The new route will take nearly eight hours in total, but passengers will have none of the extras usually associated with long-haul flights, such as meals or entertainment screens to pass the time
The route will connect London Gatwick with Sharjah(Image: Daily Record)
Flying on a budget airline is always a bit of an endurance test. They’re usually pretty cramped and offer little in the way of service or extras. But if the flight is a couple of hours long, most people aren’t bothered about luxurious extras if it means they’ve got more money in their pocket to enjoy the destination once they land.
However, in recent years, budget airlines have been offering longer routes, meaning that even long-haul destinations can be reached on one of these minimalistic services. One of the latest offerings comes from Air Arabia, who in spring 2026 will be offering a new London Gatwick to Sharjah route. It comes in at a leg-cramp-inducing seven hours and 50 minutes.
According to the Telegraph, these flights, which are operated on a single-aisle plane, will clock in as the world’s longest budget airline flights. However, they will offer an inexpensive way to visit the Middle East, and Sharjah Airport is just half an hour from Dubai, which will no doubt make it a popular route. According to Skyscanner, the cheapest tickets available now from London to Sharjah is £182. It remains seen how much cheaper the new route will be.
On-board, Air Arabia doesn’t look much different to easyJet, Jet2, or Ryanair. Cabins will have a single aisle with three seats on each side. Some services will have options to upgrade to extra legroom, and you can choose Basic, Value, or Ultimate packages when you book with the latter two, including checked baggage, either a sandwich or a hot meal, and water.
You won’t get seatback TVs to help you pass the time, but you can download an app called SkyTime, which allows you to access TV shows, movies, sports, and other entertainment on your personal device. Otherwise, your view for eight hours will be the seat in front of you and the in-flight magazine.
However, if you’re hoping to enjoy a cold beer or gin and tonic en route to your holiday destination, you’ll be disappointed. Air Arabia is a dry airline, so the trolley will only be stocked with soft drinks. It’s worth noting that Sharjah is a dry emirate too. While non-Muslims can drink in their homes, no alcohol is served in hotels or restaurants.
If you can make it through the flight, you have the option of staying in Sharjah, or heading to nearby Dubai for your stay. Sharjah isn’t as well-known as its neighbouring city, but it’s the third-largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
UNESCO named Sharjah the “Cultural Capital of the Arab World”, and it hosts the Islamic Civilization Museum, which has thousands of items from coins to calligraphy and Islamic artefacts set in a beautiful domed building.
Sharjah also boasts long sandy beaches that overlook the Persian Gulf, and the Al Majaz Waterfront area is particularly popular with tourists, as this large complex features picturesque parkland, Western chain restaurants, and stunning views of the skyscrapers that comprise Sharjah’s skyline.
There’s also plenty to do for families, including the colourful Sharjah Aquarium and Sharjah Classic Cars Museum, where you can see shiny vehicles from the earliest days of automobiles through to modern cars.
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