MashedHobbits

China, which already boasts the largest naval force in the world, is building carriers and large warships at a staggering pace as it seeks to project power far beyond its shores and catch up to the military supremacy of the US.

With a full-load displacement of over 40,000 tons, the Type 076 ranks among the world’s largest amphibious assault ships, featuring a twin-island superstructure and a full-length flight deck, according to the PLAN.

Most notably, it adopts an electromagnetic catapult system, which allows it to carry fixed-wing aircraft along with helicopters and amphibious equipment usually found on this type of warship, the PLAN added.

The electromagnetic catapult system will enable the Type 076 to launch larger and heavier aircraft than it could without the technology. That means the aircraft can carry more fuel – expanding their range and that of the ship as a fighting platform – and more bombs or missiles, making the aircraft themselves more lethal.

Only one other warship in service worldwide, the US Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, employs the electromagnetic catapult system. ZHUHAI, CHINA - NOVEMBER 12: A J-35A stealth fighter jet flies in the sky during the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China 2024, on November 12, 2024 in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province of China. The Airshow China kicks off on November 12 in Zhuhai.

China’s newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, which is in sea trials and has yet to be commissioned, also has an electromagnetic system.

More than 2,500 people gathered here on Dec. 22 to protest against a spate of sexual assaults by U.S. servicemen stationed in Okinawa Prefecture, according to organizers.

People overflowed to outside of the venue at the civic center in the city of Okinawa. Participants deemed the Japanese and U.S. governments as primarily responsible for ensuring that such incidents are not repeated, and adopted a resolution calling for the prevention of a recurrence and demanding an apology and compensation for the victims.

The Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport will be built on a man-made island off the northeast coast of China, NDTV reported. Covering an area of 20 square kilometers (7.7 square miles), it will surpass the sizes of both Hong Kong International Airport (12.48 square kilometers) and Kansai International Airport in Japan (10.5 square kilometers), both of which are also situated on artificial islands.

Belarus, Bolivia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan will join BRICS as partner countries.

Ushakov noted that these nations have expressed their eagerness to attain this status and mentioned that Moscow is awaiting a response from an additional four countries.

An Israeli supporter brandished a gun and threatened protesters at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Paris on Saturday, where attendees called for an end to Israel's year-long military actions in Gaza.

After an emotional debate, Parliament voted on Friday in favor of allowing assisted suicide for some terminally ill people in England and Wales.

Reservists who recently served in Gaza have described to the Guardian the scale of the new military infrastructure built in the territory by Israel. This includes extensive new camps and roads across a swath of northern and central Gaza.

One recently demobilised officer said he had spent much of the previous 70 days demolishing houses to clear more ground for what had become a series of big military bases in Gaza’s Netzarim corridor, a military zone that has been established between the Mediterranean coast and Gaza’s eastern perimeter fence.

“That was the only mission. There was not a single construction left that was taller than my waist anywhere (in the corridor), except our bases and observation towers,” he said.

Israel’s new defense minister has said security forces would no longer apply administrative detention orders to Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank, and thus only Palestinian suspects can be held indefinitely without trial.

A Malaysian court has ordered the government to return dozens of Swatch watches seized by authorities over their designs celebrating LGBTQ pride.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court on Monday ruled that the Ministry of Home Affairs should return the 172 rainbow-themed watches after finding that they had been seized illegally without a search warrant.

David Crisp admitted to an undercover investigator that he had “ignored government edicts” on sanctions by selling £1,000-a-bottle “Boadicea the Victorious” perfume in Russia.