Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Hard Numbers

Hard Numbers: US friendly fire downs F/A-18, Russia guns down prisoners, US court rules on Pegasus spyware case, China goes after Canadian activists

​An F/A-18 Hornet approaches the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt as USS McFaul trails behind, October 30, 2001. Theodore Roosevelt and its carrier airwing are conducting missions in support of operation Enduring Freedom.

An F/A-18 Hornet approaches the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt as USS McFaul trails behind, October 30, 2001. Theodore Roosevelt and its carrier airwing are conducting missions in support of operation Enduring Freedom.

(CREDIT REUTERS/U.S. Navy-Johnny Bivera)
Make us preferred on Google

2: Two US Navy pilots were forced to eject from their F/A-18 fighter over the Red Sea on Sunday during a “friendly fire” incident when a US warship targeted their plane with a missile. Both pilots survived the ejection but one sustained minor injuries, and it is not immediately clear why the ship, which was on station to shoot down Houthi missiles launched from Yemen, fired upon the aircraft.


127: Russian forces have summarily executed at least 127 Ukrainian troops this year according to prosecutors investigating these war crimes. The figures is an immense spike — officials counted just 20 summary executions of prisoners of war in 2022 and 2023 combined — suggesting an alarming shift in Russian doctrine.

1,400: A US court on Friday ruled that Israeli cyber-intelligence firm NSO Group was liable for hacking the devices of 1,400 WhatsApp users using the secretive software known as Pegasus, in violation of US cybersecurity laws. Pegasus has been implicated in hacks on dissidents by authoritarian governments around the world, and has been on a US blacklist since 2021.

20: Beijing announced Sunday it was taking punitive action against twenty people and two Canadian institutions advocating on behalf of the human rights of Tibetan and Uyghur minorities in China. The measures include asset freezes, bans on entry to China, and seizure of any real estate in the PRC. They come just weeks after Canada also announced sanctions on Chinese officials accused of human rights abuses.

More For You

Canada shows another red card at the border
Will Fitzpatrick
While the US has drawn attention for blocking fans, coaches, and referees from entering the country for the World Cup, co‑host Canada has also denied entry into its country for two players. Ahead of Ghana’s opening match against Panama in Toronto, midfielder Thomas Partey was denied a visa to travel from the US to Canada. And just yesterday, [...]
60 years: The amount of time since England last won a World Cup, when they defeated West Germany 4-2 on home soil in 1966. | GZERO Hard Numbers
Will Fitzpatrick
England's national team kicks off its World Cup campaign today against Croatia in Dallas. The Three Lions look to avenge their agonizing 2-1 quarter final defeat in the 2022 World Cup against France. They’ve been given a bit of extra motivation by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has hinted at a potential extra bank holiday if they were to win [...]
Cape Verde’s keeper goes viral
Will Fitzpatrick
The 40-year-old’s stunning display against Spain has earned him plaudits worldwide, as Cape Verde managed to draw 0-0 with European champions in Atlanta yesterday. It’s an astonishing achievement for the tiny African island of 500,000 people, which is ranked 64th in the world (Spain, which has 50 million people, is 3rd). Vozinha’s saves have also [...]
UK set to ban under-16s from social media
Farida Dowidar
The UK government announced a ban on young people’s access to most social media platforms, along with livestreaming and chat features on certain gaming platforms. The ban is expected to begin early 2027, joining similar efforts by other countries like Australia, Canada, Greece, and Indonesia. But will the plan work? Last week, it emerged that [...]