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Israel Confirms Use of New Iron Beam Laser Defense System to Down Hezbollah Drones

Israel has confirmed that its air defense forces successfully used a prototype of its new Iron Beam laser system, known as "Magen Or" (Light Shield), to intercept and destroy dozens of enemy aerial threats, including Hezbollah drones. In a statement on Wednesday, Israeli authorities said the system used during the fighting is a smaller version of the Iron Beam high-powered laser interceptor, which is expected to be delivered to the IDF later this year. (Read More)​

Israel Strikes Yemen's Sanaa Airport in Response to Houthi Attacks

Israel carried out airstrikes on Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport on Wednesday, targeting Houthi-controlled infrastructure in response to missile launches toward Israel a day earlier. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strike destroyed an aircraft used by the Houthis. The IDF claimed the aircraft had been used to move fighters involved in attacks against Israel. (Read More)​

Ukrainian Drone Barrage Grounds Moscow Flights, Hits Russian Tech Hub

A major Ukrainian drone strike late Tuesday into Wednesday forced the temporary suspension of flights at three of Moscow’s four airports: Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky, according to civil aviation authorities. The disruptions followed the Russian Defense Ministry’s report of shooting down nearly 300 Ukrainian drones overnight across 12 regions, including Moscow. (Read More)​

Hybrid-Electric GHOST Strike-Recon Drone In The Works For USAF | TWZ

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded General Atomics a $99.3 million contract to develop GHOST, a hybrid-electric, ducted fan-powered drone designed for long-endurance ISR and strike missions in contested environments. Building on the company’s MQ-Next and Gambit drone concepts, GHOST aims to deliver enhanced fuel efficiency, stealth, and up to 60 hours of flight time. (Read More)​​

India’s New Surveillance Tech Rules Spark Global Backlash from CCTV Manufacturers

Global surveillance camera manufacturers are at odds with Indian regulators over new rules requiring hardware, software, and source code to be tested in government labs. Effective April 9, the policy requires all internet-connected cameras, including those from major brands like Hikvision, Dahua, Hanwha, Motorola Solutions, and CP Plus, to undergo and pass evaluations before being sold in India. (Read More)​

Armed Phosphorus Pyrotechnic Found on Montrose Beach; Three More Still Missing

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a warning to beachgoers and boaters on Lake Michigan after an armed phosphorus flare was found washed up on Montrose Beach on Monday. According to the Coast Guard, three phosphorus pyrotechnics remain missing following a joint military exercise with the Air Force off the coast of Milwaukee earlier this month. (Read More)​

Police Arrested Two in NYC Crypto Kidnapping and Torture Case

Police recently arrested two suspects linked to the kidnapping and prolonged torture of an Italian man in a high-end New York City townhouse, reportedly motivated by attempts to seize control of his crypto assets. John Woeltz, 37, and William Duplessie, 33, now face charges including kidnapping, assault, and unlawful imprisonment. (Read More)​

China Shifts From Lender to Debt Collector, Hitting Poor Nations Hard

China is no longer the world’s biggest development lender. It’s now the largest debt collector for many of the world’s poorest countries. This is the main finding from a new report by the Lowy Institute, an Australian foreign policy think tank. The report stated that this year alone, 75 poorest countries throughout Africa, South America and the Pacific Islands, as well as South, Central and Southeast Asia, are expected to pay China $22 billion. (Read More)​

Philippines Freezes Israeli Arms Deals Over South China Sea Dispute

The Philippines has decided it will not sign new defense contracts with Israeli arms companies unless Israel officially recognizes Philippine sovereignty over the South China Sea, a region also claimed by China, Israeli news outlet Calcalist reported on Wednesday “The Philippines is trying to force Israel to take sides,” a senior defense official told Calcalist." (Read More)​