pixabay ## 180 Seconds to Death: Israel Shot Down 5 Deadly Russian MiGs in 3 Minutes Today, Israel, America and Russia seem to be trying to avoid a clash over Syria. But as in 1970, proximity risks conflict, as when U.S. air strikes killed hundreds, including Russian mercenaries . As Israel attacks Syrian targets, or Iranian forces inside Syria, it's not hard to envision a scenario where Russian interceptors or air defense units confront Israeli aircraft. If attacked, Israel will fight back. As in 1970, one wonders when—not if—the powder keg will explode....[read more](https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/180-seconds-death-israel-shot-down-5-deadly-russian-migs-3-minutes-28137) ## New Chinese hypersonic aircraft could penetrate any defence system, expert says China's newly-tested hypersonic aircraft has the potential to outfox any country's missile defence system, an Australian expert has warned.....[read more](https://www.9news.com.au/world/2018/08/07/16/45/new-chinese-hypersonic-aircraft-capable-of-penetrating-western-defence-systems-says-expert) ## Earth is '1C away from threatening humanity' The Earth's global temperature is 1C away from a climatic tipping point that threatens the future of humanity, scientists have warned....[read more](https://news.sky.com/story/earth-is-1c-away-from-hothouse-state-that-threatens-the-future-of-humanity-11463536) ## Female tourists fall prey to the 'love pirates' of Petra Jordan's ancient city of Petra is a magnet for tourists and also scammers who prey on foreign women....[read more](https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/the-love-pirates-of-petra-female-tourists-fall-victim-to-romance-scam-in-jordan-1.757516) ## U.S. Sanctions Could Hurt Turkish Economy but Strengthen Erdogan Washington slapped sanctions on two Turkish cabinet ministers on August 1, freezing their assets in response to the arrest of Pastor Andrew Brunson and other U.S. citizens. Meanwhile, the lira has continued its slide, shedding 6% of its value in less than a week....[read more](https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/u.s.-sanctions-could-hurt-turkish-economy-but-strengthen-erdogan) ## Lieberman says Syrian army growing beyond pre-civil war size Israel’s defence minister said on Tuesday that Syria was building up its ground forces beyond their pre-civil war size, an assessment that suggests President Bashar al-Assad’s army has recovered from a critical manpower shortage earlier in the war. The Syrian military was hit by major defections in the first years of the conflict, which began in 2011, and by 2015 Assad acknowledged that “a shortfall in human capacity” meant the army could not fight everywhere for fear of losing vital ground....[read more](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180807-lieberman-says-syrian-army-growing-beyond-pre-civil-war-size/) ## Crossing $1 Trillion: What’s Next for Apple? As Apple and its CEO, Tim Cook, set their sights on the future, experts from Wharton and elsewhere point out that the company does face some challenges: Apple’s smartphone sales have slowed (although margins have gone up); it has no big-bang product around the corner, notably in augmented reality or artificial intelligence (AI); its R&D investments are lagging; and its next big leap may take place under a different CEO....[read more](http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/crossing-1-trillion-whats-next-apple/) ## Turkish, U.S. defence ministers discuss defence deals, Syria, counterterrorism - broadcasters ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar and U.S. counterpart Jim Mattis speak over phone and discuss bilateral defence deals, Syria and counterterrorism, Turkish broadcasters and the state news agency said, without citing their source....[read more](https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-turkey-security-usa/turkish-u-s-defence-ministers-discuss-defence-deals-syria-counterterrorism-broadcasters-idUKKBN1KS24C?rpc=401&) ## Super Raptor: The Air Force Has Big Plans to Make the F-22 Ever Deadlier The Air Force F-22 has been refining it dog-fighting skills, assessing technical upgrades and testing air to air combat tactics during a recent Red Flag exercise in Nevada – designed to improve attack maneuvers and solidify emerging communications technologies and sensors, service officials said....[read more](https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/super-raptor-air-force-has-big-plans-make-f-22-ever-deadlier-28162) ^{THANKS FOR READING...} *** *** *** CRYPTO MARKET UPDATE ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/dhoil5bia8.jpg) STATE OF STEEM STEEM ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/l5xa0j5rl3.jpg) STEEM DOLLARS ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/jtqzx99b1t.jpg)