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New weapons expected at Beijing military parade

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New weapons expected at Beijing military parade


Chinese military personnel take part in a rehearsal ahead of a vast parade on September 3, 2025, in Beijing. — AFP

China will showcase a range of new weapons during a vast military parade on Wednesday, in a show of strength that is being seen as a challenge to US military dominance.

Military experts have been analysing social media photos and footage from several recent rehearsals, which have shown anti-ship missiles, cutting-edge underwater drones, anti-missile systems, and more tech that could pass by Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on September 3.

While officials have kept secret the list of hardware to be displayed in front of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian’s Vladimir Putin and other world leaders, many military enthusiasts have already spotted significant new systems, including what is rumoured to be a gigantic laser weapon.

The military has said all the equipment presented is domestically produced and “in active duty”.

‘Eagles’ to counter US ships

Four new anti-ship missiles several metres long have been seen: the YJ-15, YJ-17, YJ-19, and YJ-20. “YJ” is short for “Ying Ji”, which means “eagle attack” in Chinese.

These missiles can be launched from ships or aircraft and are designed to inflict critical damage on large vessels. The YJ-17, YJ-19, and YJ-20 models could be hypersonic, meaning they can fly at least five times the speed of sound.

“China must develop powerful anti-ship and anti-aircraft carrier capabilities to prevent the United States from posing a serious threat to China´s national security,” Song Zhongping, a military commentator and former Chinese army instructor, told AFP, referring to tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

Underwater drones

Two new, extra-large torpedo-shaped unmanned underwater vehicles have been spotted during the rehearsals.

The first, labelled “AJX002”, is 18 to 20 metres (59-66 feet) long, according to the website Naval News. The second was hidden under a tarpaulin.

Chinese military personnel take part in a rehearsal ahead of a parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan, which will be held on September 3 in Beijing. — AFP/File
Chinese military personnel take part in a rehearsal ahead of a parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan, which will be held on September 3 in Beijing. — AFP/File

While China still lags behind the United States in surface naval power, according to Naval News, it has the world’s largest programme of “extra large uncrewed underwater vehicles” (XLUUVs) — with at least five types already in the water.

Anti-missile shield

Still shrouded in mystery, the HQ-29 is described by some Chinese analysts as a “satellite hunter” capable of intercepting missiles at an altitude of 500 kilometres (310 miles), outside the Earth’s atmosphere, as well as satellites in low orbit.

Mounted on a wheeled vehicle, the system features two missile containers, each approximately 1.5 metres in diameter.

Its capabilities could make it China’s most advanced interception system to date and one of the most powerful in the world.

World’s ‘most powerful’ laser?

A huge rectangular vehicle in camouflage colours covered with a tarpaulin could be a defence system capable of shooting down missiles and drones using a powerful laser, according to the South China Morning Post daily.

The X account “Zhao DaShuai”, which is linked to the Chinese military, claims it is the “most powerful laser air defence system in the world”.

New nuclear weapons?

Intercontinental ballistic missiles, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, the ultimate symbols of power, are expected to feature prominently in the parade.

“China will showcase a new generation of nuclear weapons,” analyst Song Zhongping told AFP.

Nuclear weapons, like the other hardware which will be displayed during the parade, “will help equalise the military power balance between China and the US”, he said.

New armoured vehicles

Next-generation vehicles have been spotted in recent days, notably a new tank — slightly smaller than the Type 99A main battle tank, reportedly in service since 2011.

If this and the other equipment displayed on September 3 is indeed produced domestically and in service, as China claims, then the armed forces “have undergone a significant upgrade vis-a-vis other major advanced militaries around the world”, said James Char, a professor specialising in the Chinese military at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

“However, we won’t be able to assess the actual capabilities of all the weapons and equipment under this ceremonial (and non-operational) setting,” he added.





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Sarah Paulson remembers ‘dear friend’ Diane Keaton

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Sarah Paulson remembers ‘dear friend’ Diane Keaton


Sarah Paulson pays tribute to late Diane Keaton

Sarah Paulson just remembered her late friend as well as co-star, Diane Keaton.

After the Oscar-winning actress passed away on October 11, at the age of 79, Sarah spoke to Access Hollywood at the premiere of her new Hulu series All’s Fair, about the loss of her pal and how she’s struggling to cope up with grief.

“She was a very dear friend of mine, so it’s not something I’m able to talk about yet. I’m not able to talk about it,” she admitted.

The Ocean’s 8 star further mentioned, “But all I can say, and I have been saying tonight, which is important to me to communicate, is that what you thought she was as a performer, she was even more spectacular as a human being.”

Sarah and Diane first met while filming the 1999 movie The Other Sister, in which Diane played her fellow actress’ on-screen mother.

“I was the luckiest person in the world to have had her in my life the way that I did,” the Run talent said.

At the same event, Sarah also spoke to The Hollywood Reporter and described Diane’s death as “profoundly sad.”

“I can’t talk about it in any way that’s articulate other than to say that for all you knew and loved about her as a performer, she was even more as a friend,” Sarah Paulson concluded.

It is pertinent to mention that Diane’s family confirmed her death on October 16, stating that she passed away due to pneumonia on October 11.

In a statement released to the press, they said: “The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane.”

“She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her,” the statement concluded.





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President Trump treated to private musical performance at White House

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President Trump treated to private musical performance at White House


President Trump treated to private musical performance at White House

The Oval office at White House resounded with the powerful opera performance by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli on Friday, October 17.

The official schedule listed a high-stakes meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but the diplomatic talks was dominated by the impromptu aria from Bocelli.

The video which went viral on social media shows the 67-year-old tenor singing along to his iconic “Time to Say Goodbye” as President Donald Trump looks on from behind the Resolute Desk.

Bocelli wearing his iconic sunglasses sang a portion of the song. 

He paused mid-verse, laughing briefly before seamlessly picking up where he left off.

The song choice and the White House setting created a jarring yet powerful contrast. While ostensibly a romantic ballad, its title echoed through the West Wing just before a critical meeting.

For critics and supporters alike, the soundtrack provided an unintended symbolic backdrop to the day’s event.

Following his visit, President Trump announced that Bocelli will return to the White House and is scheduled for a formal performance on December 5.





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In talks with Zelenskiy, Trump appears to press pause on fresh support

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In talks with Zelenskiy, Trump appears to press pause on fresh support


US President Donald Trump meets with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy over lunch in the Cabinet Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on October 17, 2025. — Reuters
  • Zelenskiy’s visit aimed at acquiring weapons to sustain war with Russia.
  • Trump appears more intent on brokering peace deal between two sides. 
  • US, Ukraine presidents discuss call between Russia’s Putin and Trump.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy came to the White House on Friday looking for weapons to keep fighting his country’s war with Russia, but met an American president who appears more intent on brokering a peace deal than upgrading Ukraine’s arsenal.

While US President Donald Trump did not rule out providing the long-range Tomahawk missiles Zelenskiy seeks, Trump appeared cool to the prospect as he looked ahead to a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary in the coming weeks.

The two leaders then went behind closed doors where they also discussed a call the previous day between the Russian president and Trump, who has portrayed himself as a mediator between the warring forces despite the fact that Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

‘Get along a little’

“I think President Zelenskiy wants it done, and I think President Putin wants it done. Now all they have to do is get along a little bit,” Trump told reporters.

Zelenskiy, however, noted how difficult it has been to try to secure a ceasefire. “We want this. Putin doesn’t want (it),” he said.

The Ukrainian leader was frank, telling Trump that Ukraine has thousands of drones ready for an offensive against Russian targets, but needs American missiles.

“We don’t have Tomahawks, that’s why we need Tomahawks,” he said.

Trump responded: “We’d much rather have them not need Tomahawks.”

Later, Trump reiterated that he wants the United States to hold onto its weaponry. “We want Tomahawks also. We don’t want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country,” he said.

After the meeting, which Zelenskiy described as productive, he told reporters he did not want to talk about long-range missiles, saying the US did not want escalation, and that he was “realistic” about his chance of getting them.

The Ukrainian president, who spoke by phone with European leaders after the meeting, said he was counting on Trump to pressure Putin “to stop this war.”

When asked about Trump’s comments, Zelenskiy said: “President (Trump) is right, and we have to stop where we are. This is important, to stop where we are, and then to speak.”

Back to the table

It was unclear what Putin had told Trump that prompted him to agree to the upcoming meeting. Their August summit in Alaska ended early with no major breakthrough.

The Kremlin said much needed to be decided and that the summit might take place “a little later” than within the two-week period mentioned by Trump.

Trump’s conciliatory tone after the call with Putin raised questions over the near-term likelihood of assistance to Ukraine and reignited European fears of a deal that suits Russia. A spokesperson for the European Union said it welcomed the talks if they could help bring peace to Ukraine.

Trump was asked on Friday whether he was concerned Putin might be “playing” him for time by agreeing to talks.

“You know, I’ve been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well, so it’s possible,” Trump replied.

Michael Carpenter, a former US official who is now a senior fellow at International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the meeting with Trump was not what Zelenskiy had been hoping for but was in line with the administration’s approach to the war.

“The underlying reality is that there is no inclination to impose costs on Russia,” he said.

The president expressed affection for Zelenskiy, at one point praising him for wearing what Trump called a “very stylish” dark suit jacket after he was knocked earlier this year for visiting the White House without one.

“He looks beautiful in his jacket,” Trump said. “I hope people notice.”

War has intensified

Trump, who has campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize, is eager to add to the list of conflicts he says he has been instrumental in ending.

More than 3-1/2 years after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has made some territorial gains this year, but Ukraine’s top military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Thursday that the Russian offensive had failed.

Putin this month said his forces had taken almost 5,000 square kilometres (1,930 square miles) of land in Ukraine in 2025, equivalent to adding 1% of Ukraine’s territory to the nearly 20% already held.

Both sides have also escalated attacks on each other’s energy systems, and Russian drones and jets have strayed into Nato countries.

Analysts see talks as delaying tactic

The White House had seemed in recent days to be increasingly frustrated with Putin and leaning toward granting Zelenskiy fresh support, including the Tomahawk missiles that Ukrainians say would help them inflict more damage to Russia’s war machine.

After Friday’s talks, Zelenskiy said Russia was “afraid” of Tomahawks. Moscow has warned that supplying such missiles would mark a serious escalation.

Putin’s move appeared meant to make the US transfer of such weapons less likely, said Max Bergmann, a Russia expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Mykola Bielieskov, a senior analyst at Come Back Alive, a Ukrainian non-governmental organisation that is a major procurer of military equipment for the Ukrainian armed forces, said Tomahawk missiles would level a playing field that is tipped toward Russia.

“We don’t expect Russia to crumble after one, two or three successful strikes,” Bielieskov said. “But it’s about pressure, constant pressure. It’s about disrupting the military-industrial complex.”





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