SHOCKING footage has emerged showing a drone and robodog fight it out in a fiery exchange sparking debate about the future of warfare.
The clip went viral on Chinese social media where people feared this could be a snapshot into what the “first machine war” might look like.
Both the drone and a robodog appear to be shooting each other with fireworks.
It’s not clear where the fight was filmed.
And there’s no word on whether the kit was operating autonomously or controlled by a human.
But the drone can be seen circling the robot dog as the pair exchange fire.
It’s not thought that either machines are military builds but it does offer a gloomy idea of how wars could look in future.
The use of drones on the battle ground have become more common as technology has massively improved and costs have come down.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence revealed that more than 1.2million drones were distributed to defence forces last year, including reconnaissance, strike, and FPV kamikaze drones.
Meanwhile, in September Russian President Vladimir Putin said the country was ramping up production of drones tenfold to nearly 1.4 million units.
But robodogs are still relatively new.
Previously Ukraine was set to unleash robotic dogs in the war to replace soldiers in dangerous missions on the frontline.
A demonstration in an undisclosed location showed the bots, known as BAD One, following commands from operators including standing up, crouching, running, and jumping.
The robots sit low to the ground, making them difficult to detect, and have a battery life of up to two hours.
They can carry up to 7kg of ammunition or medical supplies.
The US Marines started testing a robot dog with a terrifying AI-targeting rifle attached to it last year.
The Terminator-style quadruped, known as Q-UGV, has an imaging system powered by AI that can automatically detect and track potential targets.
It requires a human operator, but they can be located anywhere in the world.
IT is believed the world is closer to a full-fledged global war than it ever was since World War Two.
It’s been almost three years since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine and tensions between Russia and the West continue to rise.
Many fear the crisis in Ukraine could still develop into a wider armed conflict, with officials warning that further escalation could see the bloodiest conflict in Europe since WW2 if resulting in nuclear war.
Fears are that madman Putin could launch a devastating attack on Nato countries that would force the West to defend its allies – ultimately plunging the world into crisis.
North Korea is also ready to pounce on the West as Putin’s alliance with deranged leader Kim Jong-Un continues to grow.
What would happen if World War 3 started?
With the advancement of technology and modern weaponry, World War 3 could be the deadliest of all wars ever fought in the history of mankind.
We could see unparalleled levels of suffering, the displacement of millions, severe food insecurity, and disruption to essential services.
It is predicted that in the event of a nuclear war between the US and Russia, an estimated 99 per cent of the population in the belligerent countries, as well as Europe and China, would die.
Other attacks across the globe could result in catastrophic events – upending the structure of society completely.
DUNNES Stores shoppers have been racing to the tills in recent months to pick up their viral fleeces.
The retailer has been releasing different fleeces back to back, and fashion fans are loving them.
Now, Dunnes Stores has brought out another one, and fashion fans are in a frenzy.
In a post on Instagram, the fashion giant shared a look at the stunning new pieces.
Dunnes wrote: “New fleece drop: @powercutclothing
“Ascend ¼ Zip Fleece have landed in all new bold colours: Bright Red, Rose Elegance and Marshmallow.”
In the pictures, the models can be seen wearing the must-have layering piece.
First is the red one, which offers some pop when worn with black leggings.
It features a quarter zip and would be perfect for wearing with leggings under a big coat for a spring walk.
The other pictures show models wearing it in the other two colours: a crisp white and a stunning light pink.
The Powercut Ascend Quarter Zip Rose Elegance Fleece is available online and in stores across the country for just €45.
It comes in sizes XXS to XXL, but is set to sell out fast.
In the official item description on the Dunnes Stores website, fashion chiefs wrote: “Stay warm with our Ascend Quarter Zip Fleece, the perfect blend of comfort and functionality for your active lifestyle.
“This fleece features a cosy lining that keeps you comfortably insulated and pockets that allow you to carry essentials while on the move.
“Whether you’re heading out for a brisk morning jog or simply lounging around, the Ascend Quarter Zip Fleece delivers cosy warmth and a contemporary look.”
And it’s just one piece in a large range of activewear the retailer has brought out.
To match, shoppers can wear a new pair of popular leggings for a cosy gym trip or a spring walk.
The new full-length contour leggings are now available in stores and online.
They are priced at just €15 and come in black.
Dunnes wrote: “With a crossover high waist and a curved hem detail, these full length leggings offer a supportive, slimming silhouette that is made to move with you.
“Super soft, quick drying, and breathable, these leggings feature four-way stretch and moisture management technology to help you stay cool while you work out.
“Matching jacket sold separately.
The contour leggings come in sizes XS to XXL.
DUNNES Stores opened its first store on Patrick Street in Cork in 1944 - and it was an instant hit.
Shoppers from all over the city rushed to the store to snap up quality clothing at pre-war prices in Ireland’s first ‘shopping frenzy’.
During the excitement, a window was forced in and the police had to be called to help control the crowds hoping to bag founder Ben Dunne’s ‘Better Value’ bargains.
Dunnes later opened more stores in the 1950s and began to sell groceries in 1960 – starting with apples and oranges.
The retailer said: “Fruit was expensive at the time and Ben Dunne yet again offered Better Value than anyone else in town.
“Over time, our food selection has grown and that spirit of good value has remained strong.
“Now we offer a wide range of carefully-sourced foods from both local Irish suppliers and overseas.”
The retailer’s first Dublin store opened its doors in 1957 on Henry Street and a super store on South Great Georges Street was unveiled in 1960.
They added: “In 1971, our first Northern Irish store opened, and many others soon followed.
“Expansion continued in the 1980s in Spain, and later into Scotland and England.”
Dunnes now has 142 stores and employs 15,000 people.
FERNE McCann’s next move is “make or break” following a difficult few months for the TV star.
In a shock result for the 34-year-old, Ferne crashed out of Dancing on Ice on Sunday night.
The popular series was expected to help Ferne relaunch her career since quitting her ITVBe reality show and closing her business last year.
According to brand and culture expert Nick Ede, Ferne’s next steps are vital in securing her position in the industry, but insists: “She’s enterprising and popular so she will bounce back very soon.”
He told The Sun: “With Ferne leaving her business, cancelling her popular reality show it feels like she put all her eggs in one basket with Dancing On Ice and this could be a make or break situation for her.
“She has had a pretty turbulent life both on and off camera but she has always had a loyal fanbase and through adversity has become a successful businesswoman and Tv personality but since she parted ways with her wellbeing app shoorah and her long running TV show all eyes have been on her on Dancing on Ice.
“I think that that it was a huge surprise that she was let go so early on in the show as both the audience and judges loved her progression.
“However, with her crashing out so soon she wont be getting the air time or building her popularity again as much as she will have wanted to.
“She is one of the few Towie stars that have lasted a long time in reality TV world and she is still very popular with the press.
“Her next move will be interesting.
“She’s amassed a huge net worth of over three million but Dancing on Ice was a bit of a make or break moment for her.
“It was a prime time opportunity for her to widen her popularity and to cement herself as a popular star.
“She may decide to give reality another go and follow in the footsteps of chloe sims who has become a worldwide star or she may just decide to settle down with her fiancé.
“I don’t think is the last we have heard from Ferne and I’m sure she’s planning a fly on the wall wedding show or a new business venture.”
Last year Ferne gave up control of the wellbeing business she runs with her fiancé Lorri Haines.
The Towie legend relinquished her power in the business partnership, according to a new filing with Companies House.
With Ferne crashing out so soon from Dancing on Ice, she wont be getting the air time or building her popularity again as much as she will have wanted to.
It came just weeks after she shocked fans when she announced she had quit her ITVBe show Ferne McCann: My Family & Me, previously called Ferne McCann: First Time Mum, series after 13 series.
Her statement read: “After an incredible 13 series I have made the very difficult decision that this series of @fernemyfamandme will be my last.
“Where do I begin? Firstly by saying a huge, huge thank you to each one of you that have watched my show and been on our family journey with us.
“This show has been such an incredible part of my life for the last seven years and what a ride it has been filming from being pregnant with Sunday to now.
“Your support and loyalty to me and my family has, at times, lifted me more than you will ever know. Thank you.”
A LALIGA footballer and his wife reportedly had a gun pointed at them during an armed robbery of their home.
Athletic Bilbao forward Alex Berenguer, 29, and model and aerospace engineer Sofia Jem were targeted at their villa in Mungia, in the Basque country, on Monday night.
According to El Correo in Spain, three armed men wearing balaclavas attempted to break in.
The report adds that Berenguer managed to close a glass door which stopped the trio from entering.
It is then claimed that a gun was aimed at both Berenguer and Jem.
Thankfully, the shocking ordeal ended as the footballer was able to alert the police during the attempted raid and the robbers fled.
Spanish authorities launched an investigation.
It is understood neither Berenguer nor Jem were injured in the raid but are both likely heavily shaken up.
Neither have commented publicly just yet.
Berenguer came through the youth academy at Osasuna then joined Torino in 2017.
The Spaniard spent three years in Italy before returning to his homeland, signing for Bilbao in 2020.
Berenguer scored the winning penalty in last season’s Copa del Rey final shootout victory over Mallorca – ending the club’s 40-year trophy drought.
Despite the key moment, his contract technically ran out for a week last summer – briefly making him a free agent – before signing a new deal with Bilbao until 2027.
He has racked up 32 goals in 199 games – and could make his 200th appearance in Thursday’s Europa League clash with Viktoria Plzen or against Real Betis on Sunday.
Bilbao are enjoying a fine season, sitting fourth in LaLiga and third in the Europa League.
GINA Knight finally confesses who she slept with at Christmas in EastEnders, and the revelation threatens to shatter her already fragile family.
Tuesday’s episode of EastEnders revealed a shocking twist as Gina (Francesca Henry) confessed to being the one who threw the brick and left the threatening note, aiming to scare her mum, Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).
So all eyes were on the young woman to prove she wasn’t also the Christmas Day attacker.
Gina explained that she knew her dad George Knight (Colin Salmon) had not been at an illegal fight that Christmas night.
So she threw the brick to misdirect the police towards the Fords, who were previously after Cindy.
George urged Gina to stop protecting him, but with Ian ready to call the police, Gina turned to Cindy in a desperate bid to plead her case.
Gina protested that she couldn’t have attacked her mum as she was having a one-night stand.
But Cindy struggled to believe her and demanded to know who her mystery man was.
Gina finally broke down and admitted she’d slept with her sister’s boyfriend Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) – right as Anna Knight (Molly Rainford) walked in with him.
Can Anna forgive her sister for her betrayal? Or is the family destroyed forever?
And was George on the night of Cindy’s attack?
Meanwhile, Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) is onto Reiss Colwell (Johnny Freeman) about seeing Bianca Jackson’s (Patsy Palmer) confession to Debbie Colwell’s (Nicola Duffett) murder.
She is adamant that her sister couldn’t have killed Debbie and thinks she lied to get her out of prison.
Reiss is desperately stalling and trying to convince Sonia that Bianca was telling the truth.
Will Sonia see the video and Debbie’s dollhouse in the background to reveal Bianca’s true whereabouts?
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and is available to watch from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
LOVE triangles are a fundamental part of soap-land, but which ones have become the most iconic?
EASTENDERS
Bradley/Stacey/Max: Stacey Slater began an affair with boyfriend Bradley Branning’s dad Max in 2007.
Despite their romps, Stacey still married Bradley, but their deceit came out in an iconic Christmas Day episode that year.
Grant/Sharon/Phil: Heading even further back in Walford history, EastEnders fans were gripped in the 90s as Sharon Watts had a one-night stand with her brother-in-law Phil Mitchell.
Sharon confided in best friend Michelle Fowler – not realising it was caught on tape – and her husband Grant eventually found out and played it in front of everyone at the Queen Vic.
Syed/Amira/Christian: Syed Masood was engaged to Amira before realising he had feelings for another man, Christian, which he confessed to him on his wedding day.
A devout Muslim, Syed refused to admit his true sexuality and went ahead and married Amira anyway, but when they returned, the two men started an affair before being caught in the act by Amira.
CORONATION STREET
Shelley/Peter/Lucy: Peter Barlow took the concept of a love triangle and ran with it in Coronation Street – extending it to bigamy.
He was in a relationship with Shelley Unwin but started dating Lucy Richards, and quickly married her after she fell pregnant with his son, Simon.
But it didn’t stop him also marrying Shelley, but he was eventually caught when Lucy turned up in Weatherfield and the two women confronted him.
Ken/Deidre/Mike: Back in 1982, Deirdre Barlow started sleeping with her husband’s nemesis Mike Baldwin in secret, before confessing all a year later.
When Mike turned up at the marital home, Deirdre was being throttled by her husband who then kicked her out, but years later they reconciled.
Maria/Aidan/Eva: In 2017, Aidan Connor started sleeping with girlfriend Eva Price’s best friend, Maria Connor.
Eva eventually found out and she decided to take revenge by faking a pregnancy, spending his money and planned to confront him on their wedding day.
But she had a change of heart when a remorseful Aidan confessed, and decided to marry him anyway, only for Maria to arrive and expose her fake pregnancy.
EMMERDALE
Ross/Debbie/Pete: Debbie Dingle found herself torn between two brothers, Ross and Pete Barton in 2015 in Emmerdale.
She eventually decided to marry Pete but yet again, a soap wedding day was ruined when the groom learned of his bride’s betrayal via a recording played at the wedding.
Chrissie/Robert/Aaron: Robert Sugden was married to Chrissie White and all seemed well – until he began a steamy affair with Aaron Dingle.
Robert’s ex Katie Sugden almost exposed the affair – but fell to her death before she had the chance.
However, a guilty Aaron eventually cracked and told Chrissie about the affair – after which she announced it to the whole pub.
