An Iranian official says Iran’s navy obliged a US submarine to surface as it entered the Gulf “violating its border” in the latest report of an apparent confrontation between Iranian and US forces in the region.

Iran says its navy forced US submarine to surface in Gulf waters

On Tuesday, two high school cheerleaders were shot after one of them approached a wrong vehicle in&nbsp;the parking area. According to police officials, the shooting occurred around 00:15 am (local time) outside a supermarket in Elgin, near Austin, Texas.&nbsp;

Police said an altercation occurred in the parking lot, and multiple shots were fired into a vehicle. The department has charged Pedro Tello Rodriguez Jr, 25, with "deadly conduct." The suspect was arrested after his vehicle licence plate number was traced, BBC reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-shooting-at-a-sacramento-gurudwara-injures-two-one-suspect-at-large-576076" target="_blank">Also read | US: Shooting at a Sacramento gurudwara injures two, one suspect at large</a>

While one of the athletes Heather Roth was treated at the scene,&nbsp;Payton Washington, 18, remains in the hospital in critical condition, her father told NBC News.

Describing the incident, Roth said that she got out of her friend's car to get into her own vehicle, but mistakenly picked the wrong car. She said that there was a man in the passenger seat, so she retreated&nbsp;to her friend's vehicle.&nbsp;

"I see the guy get out of the passenger door. And I rolled my window down, and I was trying to apologise to him... and he just threw his hands up and he pulled out a gun and he just starting shooting at all of us."

The cheerleader team's owner, Lynn Shearer, said the group of four girls were carpooling home after their practice when the shooting occurred.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alabama-birthday-party-shooting-three-arrested-charged-with-murder-584249" target="_blank">Also read | Alabama birthday party shooting: Three arrested, charged with murder</a>

The Members of Washington's cheerleading squad held a prayer vigil on Tuesday. The team is preparing to compete at the Cheerleading World in Orlando, Florida, over the weekend without their teammates.&nbsp;

The Woodlands Elite Generals cheerleading team has organised a GoFundMe page, an initiative to raise medical funds for Washington. They said she was shot twice and was seriously injured.&nbsp;

The incident is one in a string of shootings where young Americans are shot after they mistakenly approach the wrong vehicle or person.&nbsp;

Last Saturday in New York, 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis was shot and killed after her friend accidentally drove down the wrong driveway.&nbsp;

Last week in Missouri, Ralph Yarl, 16, was shot in the head and arm when the Black teenager rang the doorbell at the wrong address.

(with inputs from agencies)

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On Tuesday, two high school cheerleaders were shot after one of them approached a wrong vehicle in the parking area. According to police officials, the shooting occurred around 00:15 am (local time) outside a supermarket in Elgin, near Austin, Texas.

On Tuesday, two high school cheerleaders were shot after one of them approached a wrong vehicle in the parking area. According to police officials, the shooting occurred around 00:15 am (local time) outside a supermarket in Elgin, near Austin, Texas. Police said an altercation occurred in the parking lot, and multiple shots were fired into a vehicle. The department has charged Pedro Tello Rodriguez Jr, 25, with "deadly conduct." The suspect was arrested after his vehicle licence plate number was traced, BBC reported. Also read | US: Shooting at a Sacramento gurudwara injures two, one suspect at large While one of the athletes Heather Roth was treated at the scene, Payton Washington, 18, remains in the hospital in critical condition, her father told NBC News. Describing the incident, Roth said that she got out of her friend's car to get into her own vehicle, but mistakenly picked the wrong car. She said that there was a man in the passenger seat, so she retreated to her friend's vehicle. "I see the guy get out of the passenger door. And I rolled my window down, and I was trying to apologise to him... and he just threw his hands up and he pulled out a gun and he just starting shooting at all of us." The cheerleader team's owner, Lynn Shearer, said the group of four girls were carpooling home after their practice when the shooting occurred. Also read | Alabama birthday party shooting: Three arrested, charged with murder The Members of Washington's cheerleading squad held a prayer vigil on Tuesday. The team is preparing to compete at the Cheerleading World in Orlando, Florida, over the weekend without their teammates. The Woodlands Elite Generals cheerleading team has organised a GoFundMe page, an initiative to raise medical funds for Washington. They said she was shot twice and was seriously injured. The incident is one in a string of shootings where young Americans are shot after they mistakenly approach the wrong vehicle or person. Last Saturday in New York, 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis was shot and killed after her friend accidentally drove down the wrong driveway. Last week in Missouri, Ralph Yarl, 16, was shot in the head and arm when the Black teenager rang the doorbell at the wrong address. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Horrific incident': Two high school cheerleaders shot after one approached wrong car, suspect detained

The US is providing assistance to India to counter its adversary China on the border areas and also develop defence industrial base, a top American commander has said, adding that Washington and New Delhi faced the same security challenge from Beijing in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.

India, US facing same security threat from China, says top US Indo-Pacific commander

Robert Kennedy Jr., a well-known opponent of vaccines and the nephew of 35th US President John F Kennedy publicly declared his run for the 2024 presidency at a campaign launch event on&nbsp;Wednesday.&nbsp;"I've come here today to announce my candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States," he said at the campaign launch in the US state of Massachusetts.&nbsp;

The state served as a bastion for the Kennedy family. Prior to becoming president, JFK was the Democratic representative for Massachusetts in both chambers of the US Congress. The crowd at the campaign launch in Boston had Kennedy's supporters who wore hats bearing anti-vaccination themes.&nbsp;

During the event, Kennedy swore to tell the "truth" to the American people in order to address the country's severe political polarisation, as per AFP quoting the JFK nephew.&nbsp;

This comes as US President Joe Biden has also frequently stated his intention to run for office. However, the president is yet to formally announce his bid for the Democratic Party's candidature&nbsp;to challenge the 69-year-old outsider.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-looks-to-boost-russias-nato-encirclement-with-wargame-over-sweden-584210">US steps up Russia's NATO encirclement process with wargame over Sweden</a>

Biden's public launch is expected later in the year, however, there is no date fixed yet. A few other candidates have also declared their intention to challenge the 80-year-old Biden for the Democratic nomination, but no well-known figures have entered the contest. Marianne Williamson, the self-help guru, launched a Democratic presidential bid for 2024 in March. An author, she is calling out to support "profound, positive, peaceful change in America" for the next generations.&nbsp;

Kennedy dropped clues about his presidential ambitions in a Twitter post last month. He sought help in deciding whether he should run for the White House or not.&nbsp;"If it looks like I can raise the money and mobilise enough people to win, I’ll jump in the race," he wrote.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yemen-stampede-at-ramadan-charity-distribution-in-sanaa-leaves-79-dead-hundreds-injured-584208">Yemen: Stampede at Ramadan charity distribution in Sana'a leaves 85 dead, hundreds injured</a>

"If I run, my top priority will be to end the corrupt merger between state and corporate power that has ruined our economy, shattered the middle class, polluted our landscapes and waters, poisoned our children and robbed us of our values and freedoms."

<h2>Who is Robert Kennedy Jr.?&nbsp;</h2>

Kennedy's father "RFK" was the Democratic president John F. Kennedy's attorney general and also a New York senator. The assassinations of both Kennedy brothers, JFK in 1963 and RFK in 1968, are considered two of the most important political moments in US history.

Watch | India becomes home to nearly a fifth of humanity&nbsp;

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An environmental lawyer, RFK Jr. has come to be renowned since 2005 for his advocacy of conspiracy theories against vaccines, particularly those that claim vaccinations cause autism.

He was appointed in 2017 by former US President Donald Trump to lead a presidential panel that would examine the safety of vaccines. This decision prompted instant condemnation from scientists and public health professionals.&nbsp;

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Robert Kennedy Jr., a well-known opponent of vaccines and the nephew of 35th US President John F Kennedy publicly declared his run for the 2024 presidency at a campaign launch event on Wednesday.

Robert Kennedy Jr., a well-known opponent of vaccines and the nephew of 35th US President John F Kennedy publicly declared his run for the 2024 presidency at a campaign launch event on Wednesday. "I've come here today to announce my candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States," he said at the campaign launch in the US state of Massachusetts. The state served as a bastion for the Kennedy family. Prior to becoming president, JFK was the Democratic representative for Massachusetts in both chambers of the US Congress. The crowd at the campaign launch in Boston had Kennedy's supporters who wore hats bearing anti-vaccination themes. During the event, Kennedy swore to tell the "truth" to the American people in order to address the country's severe political polarisation, as per AFP quoting the JFK nephew. This comes as US President Joe Biden has also frequently stated his intention to run for office. However, the president is yet to formally announce his bid for the Democratic Party's candidature to challenge the 69-year-old outsider. Also Read | US steps up Russia's NATO encirclement process with wargame over Sweden Biden's public launch is expected later in the year, however, there is no date fixed yet. A few other candidates have also declared their intention to challenge the 80-year-old Biden for the Democratic nomination, but no well-known figures have entered the contest. Marianne Williamson, the self-help guru, launched a Democratic presidential bid for 2024 in March. An author, she is calling out to support "profound, positive, peaceful change in America" for the next generations. Kennedy dropped clues about his presidential ambitions in a Twitter post last month. He sought help in deciding whether he should run for the White House or not. "If it looks like I can raise the money and mobilise enough people to win, I’ll jump in the race," he wrote. Also Read | Yemen: Stampede at Ramadan charity distribution in Sana'a leaves 85 dead, hundreds injured "If I run, my top priority will be to end the corrupt merger between state and corporate power that has ruined our economy, shattered the middle class, polluted our landscapes and waters, poisoned our children and robbed us of our values and freedoms." Who is Robert Kennedy Jr.? Kennedy's father "RFK" was the Democratic president John F. Kennedy's attorney general and also a New York senator. The assassinations of both Kennedy brothers, JFK in 1963 and RFK in 1968, are considered two of the most important political moments in US history. Watch | India becomes home to nearly a fifth of humanity × An environmental lawyer, RFK Jr. has come to be renowned since 2005 for his advocacy of conspiracy theories against vaccines, particularly those that claim vaccinations cause autism. He was appointed in 2017 by former US President Donald Trump to lead a presidential panel that would examine the safety of vaccines. This decision prompted instant condemnation from scientists and public health professionals. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

JFK's nephew Robert Kennedy Jr announces 2024 presidential bid at campaign launch event

Republican U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday unveiled a plan to raise the nation's debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion and cut federal spending by three times that amount, laying out an opening position in what is likely to be a tense partisan debate over government borrowing.

McCarthy's proposal, which he unveiled on the floor of the House of Representatives, would cut the total amount of domestic and military spending to 2022 levels and cap growth at 1% annually in years to come. It would not touch retirement and health programs that are projected to expand dramatically as the population ages.

President Joe Biden and the Democratic-controlled Senate are likely to reject the proposals, but McCarthy said they would serve as the basis for negotiations between the two parties over raising the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt limit in the coming weeks. Failure to raise the debt ceiling would lead to default which would shake the U.S. and world economies.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jfks-nephew-robert-kennedy-jr-announces-2024-presidential-bid-at-campaign-launch-event-584213">JFK's nephew Robert Kennedy Jr announces 2024 presidential bid at campaign launch event</a>

McCarthy's plan would also repeal green-energy incentives signed into law by Biden last year, boost domestic oil and gas production and scrap his $400 billion student-loan forgiveness effort.

It would claw back unspent COVID-19 relief money, cancel a recent budget increase for the Internal Revenue Service and impose stiffer work requirements for some benefit programs.

Congress would gain greater power to block Biden administration regulations under the proposal as well.

McCarthy said the package would lower spending by $4.5 trillion over the coming 10 years. That would not be enough to eliminate budget deficits that are projected to add more than $20 trillion to the national debt over that time period.

"President Biden has a choice: Come to the table and stop playing partisan political games, or cover his ears, refuse to negotiate and risk bumbling his way into the first default in our nation's history," McCarthy said on the House floor.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-intense-burst-of-light-in-skies-over-kyiv-triggers-panic-in-conflict-ridden-ukraine-584226">Mysterious flash of light over Kyiv triggers panic in conflict-ridden Ukraine</a>

He did not say when the House of Representatives, which his Republicans control by a narrow 222-213 majority, would vote on the plan.

Biden reiterated his position that Congress should raise the $31.4 trillion debt limit without conditions, as it did three times under his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump.

"Take default off the table, and let's have a real serious, detailed conversation about how to grow the economy, lower costs and reduce the deficit," he said at an appearance outside Washington.

Biden's budget, released last month, would save $3 trillion over 10 years largely through tax hikes.

The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget praised McCarthy's plan as a "realistic and extremely welcome first step." But Democratic Representative Richard Neal dismissed it as "not serious."

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The US federal government has already reached the borrowing limit and by this summer is expected to hit a point where it will no longer be able to meet its financial obligations without action by the divided Congress.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned the federal government could run out of ways to cover its debts by as soon as early June.

The $1.5 trillion increase proposed by McCarthy could cover the government's needs until early next year, setting the stage for another debt ceiling fight in the midst of the 2024 presidential election campaign.

It was unclear whether McCarthy's plan would unite House Republicans. A sizeable contingent of hardline members have dismissed the risks of failure to act, while others might balk at its limits on military spending.

A lengthy 2011 standoff over the debt ceiling led to a first-ever downgrade of the federal government's credit rating, which rattled markets and raised borrowing costs.

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Republican U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday unveiled a plan to raise the nation's debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion and cut federal spending by three times that amount, laying out an opening position in what is likely to be a tense partisan debate over government borrowing.

Republican U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday unveiled a plan to raise the nation's debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion and cut federal spending by three times that amount, laying out an opening position in what is likely to be a tense partisan debate over government borrowing. McCarthy's proposal, which he unveiled on the floor of the House of Representatives, would cut the total amount of domestic and military spending to 2022 levels and cap growth at 1% annually in years to come. It would not touch retirement and health programs that are projected to expand dramatically as the population ages. President Joe Biden and the Democratic-controlled Senate are likely to reject the proposals, but McCarthy said they would serve as the basis for negotiations between the two parties over raising the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt limit in the coming weeks. Failure to raise the debt ceiling would lead to default which would shake the U.S. and world economies. Also Read | JFK's nephew Robert Kennedy Jr announces 2024 presidential bid at campaign launch event McCarthy's plan would also repeal green-energy incentives signed into law by Biden last year, boost domestic oil and gas production and scrap his $400 billion student-loan forgiveness effort. It would claw back unspent COVID-19 relief money, cancel a recent budget increase for the Internal Revenue Service and impose stiffer work requirements for some benefit programs. Congress would gain greater power to block Biden administration regulations under the proposal as well. McCarthy said the package would lower spending by $4.5 trillion over the coming 10 years. That would not be enough to eliminate budget deficits that are projected to add more than $20 trillion to the national debt over that time period. "President Biden has a choice: Come to the table and stop playing partisan political games, or cover his ears, refuse to negotiate and risk bumbling his way into the first default in our nation's history," McCarthy said on the House floor. Also Read | Mysterious flash of light over Kyiv triggers panic in conflict-ridden Ukraine He did not say when the House of Representatives, which his Republicans control by a narrow 222-213 majority, would vote on the plan. Biden reiterated his position that Congress should raise the $31.4 trillion debt limit without conditions, as it did three times under his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump. "Take default off the table, and let's have a real serious, detailed conversation about how to grow the economy, lower costs and reduce the deficit," he said at an appearance outside Washington. Biden's budget, released last month, would save $3 trillion over 10 years largely through tax hikes. The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget praised McCarthy's plan as a "realistic and extremely welcome first step." But Democratic Representative Richard Neal dismissed it as "not serious." Watch | India becomes home to nearly a fifth of humanity × The US federal government has already reached the borrowing limit and by this summer is expected to hit a point where it will no longer be able to meet its financial obligations without action by the divided Congress. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned the federal government could run out of ways to cover its debts by as soon as early June. The $1.5 trillion increase proposed by McCarthy could cover the government's needs until early next year, setting the stage for another debt ceiling fight in the midst of the 2024 presidential election campaign. It was unclear whether McCarthy's plan would unite House Republicans. A sizeable contingent of hardline members have dismissed the risks of failure to act, while others might balk at its limits on military spending. A lengthy 2011 standoff over the debt ceiling led to a first-ever downgrade of the federal government's credit rating, which rattled markets and raised borrowing costs. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Republican McCarthy unveils plan to lift US debt ceiling, cut spending

Late last year, the US said it would provide Ukraine with patriot air defence system as Russia pounded energy infrastructure from the air. Back then, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the announcement, saying Moscow will find an 'antidote'. Germany announced in January that it was following the United States in sending one of the advanced missile defence batteries to Ukraine. The Netherlands said it would supply parts of a patriot air defence system to Ukraine, specifically two launchers and missiles. Meanwhile, the new US aid package also includes munitions for the Himars precision rocket system, anti-tank mines, and over nine million rounds of small arms ammunition. According to the US State Department, the latest package brings total aid to Ukraine since Russia's invasion to more than $35.4 billion. Separately, the Ukrainian army said that France's Light AMX-10 RC armoured fighting vehicles were already in service.

Russia watches as US arms Ukraine with Patriot defence system; French armoured vehicles now in use

US officials have arrested two men on allegations they operated a "secret police station" in New York City on behalf of China. The two are charged with conspiring to act as agents for the Chinese government.

Gravitas: All about China's overseas police stations

Authorities in northern California have arrested more than a dozen men. The detainees are members from two warring criminal syndicates. Police say that a violent rivalry was responsible for a mass shooting at a Sikh temple and a brutal sword attack at a parade in 2018.

17 Sikh Community members detained in the US, detainees are members from two warring gangs

There have been 160 shootings in the United States of America this year itself. The topic of gun violence is deeply divisive in America. Gun politics within American politics is defines by two primary opposing ideologies about civilian gun ownership mainly those who advocate for gun control and those that advocate for gun rights.

Mass shootings on the rise in America

As republicans gear up for the 2024 presidential election, Joe Biden sees his approval rating plummet. A new poll suggests at least 40 states disapprove of the incumbent U.S. president.

US: Joe Biden's approval ratings plummet | World News | WION

Concerns over the potential dual-use of research station as China speeds up construction of its new station in Antarctica. Western experts say that the station could be used for espionage, something China denies. Clearly another potential flashpoint between the US & China.

Race to become polar superpower | World News | WION

Alphabet's Google has had a major legal victory in a decade-old case after it was able to covince a US court to cancel at least three patent infringement claims against its chrome browser.

Google wins decade-long legal case in US

New details continue to emerge from the top secret documents, now better known as the Pentagon leaks. According to the Washington Post, one of the documents say that Chinese military may soon deploy a high altitude spy drone that travels at least three times the speed of sound.

Pentagon leaks: China readies supersonic spy drone unit, says leaked documents | World News | WION

Shooting of a black teen in Kansas in the US last week has once again opened the conversation about racial discrimination. In the US, an 84-year-old white man turned himself in for a shooting incident and was charged with first degree assault after he shot a 16-year-old black teen boy.

US: Black teen shot after arriving at the wrong door in Kansas

Sudan's rival fighting sides have agreed a 24-hour ceasefire after deadly fighting engulfed the capital and saw a US diplomatic convoy fired upon. The conflict between the Sudanese army and a paramilitary group known as the RSF broke out four days ago and has killed at least 185, triggering a humanitarian crisis.

Sudan conflict: 24-hour ceasefire agreed after at least 185 people killed

A Moscow court jailed kremlin critic for 25 years after a trial he and the west said was politically motivated. Vladimir Kara-Murza holds Russian & UK passports. The kremlin critic had lobbied western governments for sanctions & individual Russians for purported rights violations. The ministry accused the envoys of interference in Russia's internal affairs & activity incompatible with diplomatic status. The 3 ambassadors had made a joint appearance in front of tv cameras on the steps of the Moscow court to condemn the verdict against Kara-Murza. UK envoy Deborah Bronnert delivered her remarks in Russian so that Russian-language channels could potentially broadcast them. In a statement, the ministry called Bronnert's remarks inappropriate & provocative. The statement added the ambassador's remarks ran counter to the British Embassy's status & diplomatic norms. Russia warned US envoy that it would quash attempts to incite discord.

Russia summons US, UK and Canada envoys | Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza jailed for 25 years

China is working extremely hard from making diplomatic inroads to making footprints in world's most remote frontiers in order to gain polar power by the end of the decade, U.S. is not behind. U.S. is countering China's quest of global influence.

U.S. seeks to counter China in the Pacific | WION Newspoint

A report by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the US Department of Defense (DOD) spends around one billion dollars every year to develop what is known as “directed energy” weapons.&nbsp;

The weapons in question essentially fire concentrated electromagnetic energy or simply known as lasers. However, this military technology is also something that the American taxpayers are now paying at least a billion dollars for. So this is how it is being used.&nbsp;

According to the report, the DOD has developed high-energy lasers that have “successfully shot down drones in demonstrations.” The GAO who reportedly visited these defence facilities also found how the US military is working on making laser weapons small and light enough to be used by one person.&nbsp;

The Pentagon too is experimenting with high-powered microwave weapons which could potentially penetrate solid objects and this technology has several implications including, disrupting the enemy’s power source, sensors and other electronics, said the GAO.&nbsp;

Similarly, a Congressional Research Service (CRS), a non-partisan organisation which conducts research for lawmakers, in its analysis, last year, found that these high-energy lasers and microwave weapons could be useful for short-range air defence, against drones as well as to counter rocket, artillery and mortar fire, reported CBS News.&nbsp;

The CRS also found that these lasers are not only affordable but also more efficient than conventional weapons.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the GAO noted how various branches of the US military have already tested these powerful lasers. Reportedly, the US Navy has tested them on drones and small boats while the Air Force has developed a laser which can be attached to its aircraft.&nbsp;

“DOD has pursued these potentially transformative technologies for decades because they could provide considerable advantages,” stated the GAO, in its report. It added, “They can deliver destructive or disruptive effects to targets at the speed of light and have potentially significant advantages over kinetic weapons, such as missiles, including lower per-use cost.”&nbsp;

However, the GAO report finds that the departments have had difficulty “getting these technologies out of the lab and into the field for several reasons” which include determining how to use them for different missions. Additionally, the DOD’s “efforts to transition prototypes to acquisition programs face challenges,” said the government agency.&nbsp; 
 
But this is not the only hurdle that these weapons face, as directed energy weapons also have legal and functional limitations, including some laser systems being restricted under international treaties.&nbsp;

For example, the United Nations has banned laser weapons specifically designed to cause permanent blindness, while previous prototypes have reportedly been affected by atmospheric conditions like rain or fog.&nbsp;

Therefore, before these “direct energy” weapons can be put to actual use on missions, simply powering them remains a challenge, not to mention the development of new tactics to deploy this novel weaponry.&nbsp;

“As a novel technology, (directed energy) weapons require the development of new tactics, techniques and procedures — processes by which the warfighter knows how best to use a particular technology in an operational environment,” the GAO noted.&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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A report by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the US Department of Defense (DOD) spends around one billion dollars every year to develop what is known as “directed energy” weapons.

A report by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the US Department of Defense (DOD) spends around one billion dollars every year to develop what is known as “directed energy” weapons. The weapons in question essentially fire concentrated electromagnetic energy or simply known as lasers. However, this military technology is also something that the American taxpayers are now paying at least a billion dollars for. So this is how it is being used. According to the report, the DOD has developed high-energy lasers that have “successfully shot down drones in demonstrations.” The GAO who reportedly visited these defence facilities also found how the US military is working on making laser weapons small and light enough to be used by one person. The Pentagon too is experimenting with high-powered microwave weapons which could potentially penetrate solid objects and this technology has several implications including, disrupting the enemy’s power source, sensors and other electronics, said the GAO. Similarly, a Congressional Research Service (CRS), a non-partisan organisation which conducts research for lawmakers, in its analysis, last year, found that these high-energy lasers and microwave weapons could be useful for short-range air defence, against drones as well as to counter rocket, artillery and mortar fire, reported CBS News. The CRS also found that these lasers are not only affordable but also more efficient than conventional weapons. Meanwhile, the GAO noted how various branches of the US military have already tested these powerful lasers. Reportedly, the US Navy has tested them on drones and small boats while the Air Force has developed a laser which can be attached to its aircraft. “DOD has pursued these potentially transformative technologies for decades because they could provide considerable advantages,” stated the GAO, in its report. It added, “They can deliver destructive or disruptive effects to targets at the speed of light and have potentially significant advantages over kinetic weapons, such as missiles, including lower per-use cost.” However, the GAO report finds that the departments have had difficulty “getting these technologies out of the lab and into the field for several reasons” which include determining how to use them for different missions. Additionally, the DOD’s “efforts to transition prototypes to acquisition programs face challenges,” said the government agency. But this is not the only hurdle that these weapons face, as directed energy weapons also have legal and functional limitations, including some laser systems being restricted under international treaties. For example, the United Nations has banned laser weapons specifically designed to cause permanent blindness, while previous prototypes have reportedly been affected by atmospheric conditions like rain or fog. Therefore, before these “direct energy” weapons can be put to actual use on missions, simply powering them remains a challenge, not to mention the development of new tactics to deploy this novel weaponry. “As a novel technology, (directed energy) weapons require the development of new tactics, techniques and procedures — processes by which the warfighter knows how best to use a particular technology in an operational environment,” the GAO noted. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pentagon spends $1 billion every year to develop ‘directed energy’ weapons

According to a report by the Spanish organisation safeguard defenders, 54 secret Chinese police stations were reported in 2021. A year later, in December 2022, reportedly 48 more stations emerged.

China's 'secret police station': 34 people charged for creating 'troll farm' | World News | WION

China's secret police stations: 2 held for operating the secret stations in New York | WION

Two held for operating 'secret Chinese police station' in NYC

According to a report by the Spanish organisation safeguard defenders, 54 secret Chinese police stations were reported in 2021. A year later, in December 2022, reportedly 48 more stations emerged. After they were exposed in Netherlands & Spain last year, around 13 countries began probing the matter. US officials have arrested two New York residents. For allegedly helping establish a secret Chinese police station in Manhattan's Chinatown. This is the first time such a police case has been filed and an action has been taken by the US.

China'a secret police stations: US attorney says, 'China violated our national sovereignty' | WION

A Christian worker has sued his employer in the U.S. supreme court for being asked to work on Sunday. He accuses the postal service company of religious discrimination. Do your religious beliefs make you more deserving of leaves at work? Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Christian worker refuses to work on Sunday | Religion makes you entitled of leaves?

Scientists have discovered a hole in the Pacific Ocean which spews hot liquid from inside. What is this doom hole capable of? Is climate change puncturing the ocean floors? Molly Gambhir brings you a report.

Gravitas: Will the Pacific Ocean witness a mega quake?

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