A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Thursday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake initially prompted tsunami advisories for Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, though they were later canceled. Russian officials issued warnings along the east coast of Kamchatka, urging residents to stay alert, but reported no damage. The U.S. National Weather Service confirmed there was no tsunami threat to Hawaii, while … Continue reading Magnitude 7.8 earthquake strikes off Russia’s coast

Outgoing MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore said there is “absolutely no evidence” that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants peace in Ukraine, accusing him of “stringing us along.” Speaking in Istanbul, Moore argued that Putin underestimated Ukraine, has weakened Russia’s future, and is lying to his people and the world. He noted the war has strengthened Ukrainian identity, pushed Sweden and Finland into NATO, and accelerated … Continue reading U.K.’s MI6 spy chief says Putin has no interest in peace in Ukraine

An elderly British couple, Peter (80) and Barbie Reynolds (76), have been freed by the Taliban after nearly eight months in detention and reunited with their daughter in Qatar. The couple, who lived in Afghanistan for almost two decades running a training charity, were detained on 1 February and released through Qatari mediation. Their family, who had raised alarms over their deteriorating health in prison, … Continue reading British couple freed by Taliban hug daughter in emotional reunion

Protesters across France launched strikes and demonstrations Thursday, crippling Paris Metro services and blocking roads in opposition to President Emmanuel Macron’s proposed cuts to public services. Clashes with police and teargas erupted early in Paris, with unions warning that the austerity measures would worsen poverty and inequality for low- and middle-income workers. Opponents argue the government should tax the wealthy and businesses instead of reducing … Continue reading Strikes and protests roil France

Two people were shot dead Thursday at an Israeli-run crossing between the West Bank and Jordan, Israeli medics said, with the attacker reported “neutralized.” Jordan acknowledged a security incident but gave no details. The attack follows a similar shooting at the crossing in September 2024, when a retired Jordanian soldier killed three Israelis, the Associated Press has reported. Violence in the West Bank has sharply … Continue reading Shooting at Israeli-run border crossing with Jordan kills 2, medics say

Gunmen on motorbikes killed 22 people, including 15 at a baptism ceremony, in Niger’s Tillabéri region near the Mali and Burkina Faso borders. Local activists described the attack as a massacre that spread to nearby areas, while authorities confirmed an incident but gave no casualty figures. The assault highlights worsening jihadist violence by groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State, which has surged since March … Continue reading Gunmen kill 22 after shooting at baptism ceremony in Niger

Fifteen people from Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine have been charged over a Russia-backed plot to carry out arson attacks across Europe, Lithuanian prosecutors said. Investigators linked the suspects to Russia’s GRU and found they used courier services to send incendiary devices hidden in massage pillows and cosmetics. Explosions occurred in the UK, Germany, and Poland in 2024, including at a DHL warehouse in … Continue reading Russia-backed network behind detonating parcels in Europe, Lithuania says

NATO jets intercepted two Russian Su-30 fighters armed with supersonic Kh-31 missiles over the Baltic Sea, alongside an Il-20 intelligence aircraft. Sweden and Denmark carried out the operation after detecting aircraft flying without flight plans or transponders. The incident comes amid a surge in Russian provocations, including drone incursions into Polish, Romanian, and Latvian airspace, and large-scale Zapad 2025 war games with Belarus. In response, … Continue reading NATO jets intercept Russian warplanes carrying supersonics over Baltic