Chinese scientists claim to have created a'real-life Death Star' capable of devastating enemy satellites in orbit. The science-fiction-inspired weapon combines pulses of microwave radiation into a single powerful beam - just like the planet-destroying lasers shown in Star Wars. In order to merge, the electromagnetic pulses must hit the exact same target within 170 trillionths of a second. That requires levels of timing more precise than the atomic clocks on advanced GPS satellites - a feat previously thought to be impossible. However, the weapon has now completed experimental trials for potential military applications thanks to breakthroughs in'ultra-high time precision synchronisation'.

Military and weapons researchers have developed microwave guns and lasers that can be used to disable soldiers or shoot down drones -- but a new report from the CIA and other intelligence agencies say that these kinds of weapons probably aren't responsible for the condition known as Havana Syndrome. When US personnel overseas began suffering from unexplained headaches, nausea and hearing problems in 2016, many were quick to suspect foul play by a foreign adversary. A panel of experts concluded that the anomalous health incidents that came to be known as Havana Syndrome could plausibly have been caused by "pulsed electromagnetic energy," prompting some of those afflicted with the condition to blame their symptoms on a mysterious new energy weapon, possibly wielded by Russian operatives. Now, seven intelligence agencies say that panel got it wrong. The Washington Post reports that even after reviewing about 1,000 cases across the world, the CIA and half a dozen agencies concluded that it was unlikely that the symptoms were caused by a foreign adversary.

While we're used to seeing laser weapons in the Star Wars films, the futuristic technology could soon be a reality for the UK military. The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a £30 million ($37 million) contract to create a laser weapon which can track targets at distances and operate in varied weather conditions. If the prototype is successful, the UK's first laser weapons could come into service by the mid-2020s. While the MoD has not specificed whether the laser could be used for any specific threats, director energy weapons could have a range of used. The MoD has partnered with Dragonfire, a UK industrial team to create the laser weapon.