Poland downs drones, the first NATO member to open fire during Ukraine war
On Wednesday, Poland shot down drones in its airspace, aided by military aircraft from NATO allies. This marked the first instance of a NATO member fi...
New Zealand’s intelligence agency has warned the country is facing its toughest security challenges in decades, with foreign interference and espionage from states including China, Russia, and Iran.
In its annual Security Threat Environment report released on Thursday, the Security Intelligence Service (SIS) said there was almost certainly undetected espionage harming national interests. The agency highlighted that critical organisations, infrastructure, and technologies were being targeted to steal sensitive information.
“Some states, including China, Russia and Iran, are willing to engage in covert or deceptive activity to influence decisions or gain access to technology,” the report noted. It added that China has been “assertive and powerful” in the region, with both the capability and willingness to target New Zealand’s national interests.
The Chinese Embassy in Wellington dismissed the findings, calling them “unsubstantiated and groundless” and accusing New Zealand of adopting a Cold War mentality. It said Beijing regards Wellington as a partner, but would “take firm measures” to protect its interests if necessary.
The warning comes as New Zealand, a member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, commits NZ$2.7 billion ($1.6 billion) to strengthen its defence force amid rising regional tensions.
SIS Director-General Andrew Hampton said the threats “need to be taken much more seriously than they are currently,” stressing that the deteriorating environment has direct consequences for the country’s safety.
The report also flagged violent extremism as an emerging danger, with lone actors radicalised online seen as the most plausible threat. It warned that grievances and polarising debates in online spaces were “almost certainly” fuelling extremist ideologies.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
On Wednesday, Poland shot down drones in its airspace, aided by military aircraft from NATO allies. This marked the first instance of a NATO member firing shots during Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The European Commission says it will propose sanctioning "extremist Israeli ministers" and a partial suspension of the European Union's association agreement with Israel, targeting trade-related matters. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the announcement on Wednesday.
Singapore plans to acquire four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, a statement from the country's defence ministry said on Wednesday.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russian drones had violated Polish airspace on Wednesday (10 September) calling the attack "reckless".
An explosion at a South Korean military base in a region near the border with North Korea has injured eight people, the Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday.
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