logo
Poland scrambles fighter jets, activates air defences as Russia's massive missile and drone barrage hits Ukraine

Poland scrambles fighter jets, activates air defences as Russia's massive missile and drone barrage hits Ukraine

Economic Times3 days ago

The Russian attack
Live Events
Poland: The guardian of NATO's eastern border
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
Russia launched a massive wave of air strikes across Ukraine in the early hours of Monday (June 9), and Poland responded with heightened alert, scrambling fighter jets and activating its air defence systems along the shared border. The Operational Command of Poland's Armed Forces confirmed that "all necessary procedures have been initiated" to ensure the safety of Polish airspace.Polish military officials said that Polish and allied aircraft were put on high alert early Monday, with special focus on regions close to the Ukrainian border. 'The Operational Command is monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis,' their statement said.Despite the tension, no violations of Polish airspace were reported during the Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine overnight. By around 7 am, the Polish command noted a 'decreased threat of Russian strikes' on the border regions, allowing them to stand down from the heightened alert.https://x.com/ukrinform_news/status/1931952209723334681?s=46This latest Russian attack included missiles and drones targeting multiple Ukrainian regions, demonstrating the ongoing intensity of the conflict. For millions of Ukrainians, these air raids are not just headlines but terrifying realities.https://x.com/ukrinform_news/status/1931965693613793474?s=46Poland, a NATO member, has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine throughout the conflict, providing military aid and shelter to millions of refugees. Its quick military alert Monday underscores the country's role as a guardian of NATO 's eastern border, a frontline between Western democracies and Russian aggression.Analysts stress that Poland's vigilance is crucial not just for national security but for European stability. Tomasz Kowalski, a defence expert in Warsaw, explains, 'Poland's readiness sends a message that any spillover from the war into NATO territory will meet immediate resistance.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bruce Springsteens Berlin concert echoes with history and a stark warning
Bruce Springsteens Berlin concert echoes with history and a stark warning

News18

time23 minutes ago

  • News18

Bruce Springsteens Berlin concert echoes with history and a stark warning

Last Updated: Berlin, Jun 11 (AP) Veteran rock star Bruce Springsteen, a high-profile critic of President Donald Trump, slammed the US administration as 'corrupt, incompetent and treasonous" during a concert on Wednesday in Berlin. He was addressing tens of thousands of fans at a stadium built for the 1936 Olympic Games that still bears the scars of World War II and contains relics from the country's dark Nazi past. 'Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experiment to rise with us, raise your voices, stand with us against authoritarianism, and let freedom reign," he said. Springsteen, long a political opponent of the president, has made increasingly pointed and contentious public statements in recent concerts. He denounced Trump's politics during a concert last month in Manchester, calling him an 'unfit president" leading a 'rogue government" of people who have 'no concern or idea for what it means to be deeply American." Springsteen is no stranger to Berlin. In July 1988, he became one of the first Western musicians to perform in East Germany, performing to a ravenous crowd of 1,60,000 East Germans yearning for American rock 'n' roll and the freedom it represented to the youth living under the crumbling communist regime. An Associated Press news story from that period says 'fireworks steaked through the sky" and hundreds of people in the audience waved handmade American flags as they sang along to 'Born in the USA." Almost four decades later, Springsteen issued a stark warning, 'The America that I love, the America that I've sung to you about, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration." (AP) RUK RUK

‘Invasive Species'? Japan's Growing Pains on Immigration
‘Invasive Species'? Japan's Growing Pains on Immigration

Mint

timean hour ago

  • Mint

‘Invasive Species'? Japan's Growing Pains on Immigration

Hello Kitty seems an unlikely trigger for an immigration debate. But that's what happened in Japan this week when Megumi Hayashibara, a prominent voice actress behind icons from Kitty to the long-running anime franchise Evangelion's Rei Ayanami, took to her blog to discuss the growing population of outsiders. She called for a crackdown on rule-breaking foreigners, and criticized overseas students on free scholarships while locals pay for their education. The thrust of her post was a call for readers to vote. But her most cutting remark was a fear that local habits and Japaneseness itself might be lost if current trends continue, like the native crayfish endangered by an 'invasive species' of crustacean threatening its natural habitat. While it's hardly the protests in Los Angeles, her comments show how immigration is becoming a heated topic in a country where it has only recently become a feature. And it's one that authorities should not ignore, as politicians elsewhere were content to do until fringe groups become seen as the only ones with the answers. I wrote in 2022 about how Tokyo, long stereotyped as being closed to immigration, was accepting more foreigners than many realized. That trend continues, with immigrants nearly doubling in the past decade and a record 10% jump in 2024. It's less the absolute level as the pace of change: Foreign residents have gone from less than 1% to more than 3% of the population in the past three decades, and will reach around 10% in 2050. Criticism is fueled by the mistakes of Western nations and promoted by influencers who conflate Japan with other countries. Tokyo's strategy has been far subtler than many nations now struggling with anti-immigration populism, but it's no less vulnerable to the YouTube algorithm: A quick search for 'Japan immigration issues' immediately turns up videos by the likes of the ubiquitous Hiroyuki Nishimura, the message-board entrepreneur with millions of followers and a controversial take on everything. These videos have titles like 'Why should Japanese have to provide for foreigners?', 'Japan is defenseless' and 'Japan will no longer be a country for Japanese!' What they ignore is that Japan doesn't have a vast force of idle foreigners who are burdening the state. It accepts few asylum seekers, has been selective about the nationalities it attracts, and has functioning border control. The number of illegal residents is a quarter of three decades ago, despite the increase in foreigners; the number of foreign-committed crimes shows a similar downtrend. Copy-pasted arguments from other countries don't apply here. But there are also areas of legitimate concern where authorities have not kept pace. From worries that short-term stayers are exploiting Japan's generous medical insurance system, to a bizarre loophole allowing tourists to easily get Japanese drivers' licenses, there's a worry that the country's hospitality is being exploited. The declining domestic population is complicating things. Working-age locals fell by 224,000 last year. This simultaneously lifts the need for foreigners to supplement the labor force, while heightening concerns about Japanese being 'replaced' in their own country. The truth of Hayashibara's comments lies in the fact that the thing many love about Japanese society — the 'it just works' nature of public life, from mass transit to healthcare to the low crime rate — is deeply dependent on everyone following the rules. Newcomers are often irked by all the procedures, from putting out garbage to talking on the subway. But these are necessary for residents, in particular those in cities stacked cheek-by-jowl, to coexist in harmony. Hayashibara's complaints about bad manners will be familiar to those who live in Japan, foreign or local; everyday annoyances have increased since the borders were reopened after Covid. In a Justice Ministry survey, nearly 78% said they most wanted foreign residents to follow local rules and customs. The government hasn't kept up with the times. Only now is Tokyo discussing simple issues, such as stopping tourists with unpaid medical debt from returning or rejecting visa extensions for those who haven't paid healthcare. I recently noted Japan doesn't track how easy it is for foreigners to buy property. A highly followed story since then concerns a Tokyo building where foreign ownership is seemingly seeking to force out residents to operate an illegal Airbnb. Politicians are reacting, slowly. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has pledged the country 'will accept foreigners who follow the rules' while cautioning that those who don't 'will be dealt with strictly.' Longtime ruling party leadership candidate Taro Kono has recently been burnishing his credentials by criticizing illegal immigration. It's all the growing pains of a changing nation. Talk of 'invasive species' is unhelpful at best. But Japan also shouldn't repeat the mistakes of countries that dismissed citizens' concerns about immigration and ghettoization, only to watch them turn to fringe politicians when no one else would listen. The way to stave off the rise of populist talking heads is to address these worries, and enforce a sense of fairness and equal treatment. After all, what else would Kitty want? More From Bloomberg Opinion: The figure also lowballs the total, as Japan does not count foreigners who became naturalized citizens. This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Gearoid Reidy is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Japan and the Koreas. He previously led the breaking news team in North Asia, and was the Tokyo deputy bureau chief. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

High-tech response vital as terror evolves with drones, apps: Home Secretary Govind Mohan
High-tech response vital as terror evolves with drones, apps: Home Secretary Govind Mohan

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

High-tech response vital as terror evolves with drones, apps: Home Secretary Govind Mohan

Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi: Union home secretary Govind Mohan on Wednesday outlined five key outcomes of the two-day counterterrorism seminar organised by the National Security Guard (NSG) in the national capital. Citing the recent Pahalgam attack and the retaliatory Operation Sindoor , he emphasised the need to enhance domestic capabilities and global cooperation From drawing lessons from international experiences to discussing evolving threats, response mechanisms and counter strategies, Mohan highlighted the increasing use of social media, drones, and encrypted apps by terrorists and their handlers to evade law stressed the importance of leveraging technology in counterterror operations and conducting tech-enabled counter-IED (improvised explosive device) operations."Terrorism is a global threat-one that endangers not just India but the entire world. It has jeopardised national security across continents and inflicted deep wounds on the fundamental values of humanity. According to the Institute for Economics and Peace's 2024 Report, the number of countries impacted by terrorism has risen from 58 to 66 in 2024. The entire world is grappling with the devastation caused by terrorism," Mohan April 22 this year, 26 Indians lost their lives in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir."Whoever attempts such acts must pay the price. That is precisely why, through Operation Sindoor, we neutralised cross-border terrorism at its source. With precise military strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, we successfully destroyed key operational bases of terrorist organisations. This stands as a testament to the military skill and professional strength of our armed forces," Mohan at the valedictory session, he added: "Unfortunately, some countries and communities are associating terrorism with their identity or faith-and in doing so, are tarnishing the very idea of humanity. This problem needs to be eradicated from its roots. Whether or not a country is directly impacted by terrorism, it is essential for all nations-including India-to come together on a united platform. We must strengthen global cooperation, share technological solutions, and above all, raise public awareness against this menace."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store