Our daily morning stroll around the world

🇺🇸🇯🇵 US prosecutors charged a Japanese Yakuza leader with conspiring to traffic nuclear materials. The accused criminal leader, Takeshi Ebisawa, was arrested after showing samples of nuclear materials to an undercover DEA agent in Thailand, according to the indictment. Federal prosecutors say Ebisawa offered to sell 50 metric tons of uranium and thorium for $6.85 million to an undercover agent, with the belief that these materials would be used by Iran to create a nuclear weapon. The indictment also alleges the Yakuza leader attempted to buy deadly weapons, including surface-to-air missiles and armor-piercing ammunition.

🇪🇸 Spain’s birth rate fell to its lowest level since records began in 1941. New government data found Spain’s current rate is 1.19 births per woman – nearly 25% lower than a decade ago, and well below the 2.1 level necessary to maintain the current population size. Analysts largely attribute the decline to a delay in the childbearing age, unemployment, and rising housing costs. Spain currently has the second lowest fertility rate in the EU behind Malta.

🇦🇺 Australia is doubling its naval fleet to its largest size since World War II. The Royal Australian Navy will increase its major surface warships – which can operate with sailors aboard or independently as drones – from 11 to 26 over the next decade. The $35 billion project comes amid concerns about China's growing influence among Pacific island nations.