A powerful eruption of Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano has disrupted air travel, leaving around 270,000 passengers affected and grounding more than 2,000 flights.  The volcano, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, has sent volcanic ash thousands of feet into the atmosphere, reaching areas around Jakarta and forcing several airports to close.  Schools in several affected regions have moved classes online, while authorities have advised … Continue reading Indonesia volcano eruption leaves 270,000 stranded as airports extend closure

Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb military commander convicted of genocide and other war crimes, was buried in Serbia on Monday with military honors and a large crowd in attendance.  Mladic died last week while serving a life sentence for his role in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, the siege of Sarajevo and other atrocities during the Bosnian War. Many Serbs continue to view Mladic as … Continue reading War criminal Mladic is buried as a hero in Serbia despite EU warnings

Nepal is dealing with severe flooding and landslides that have caused major destruction and raised concerns about the reliability of information coming out of the country. The disaster has highlighted questions about how China is reporting on the situation, particularly because of Beijing’s close relationship with Nepal and its influence over regional information. Reports and images coming from affected areas have been difficult to independently … Continue reading As Nepal identifies those killed in the floods, questions grow over China’s reporting

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has formally deployed a new warship called the Kang Kon, saying it is capable of delivering devastating retaliatory strikes against an enemy.  The destroyer was commissioned at the eastern port of Wonsan as North Korea continues efforts to strengthen and modernize its navy. North Korea said the Kang Kon carries the same weapons systems as the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon, which analysts … Continue reading North Korea deploys warship ‘capable of annihilating retaliatory strikes’

Israeli airstrikes on the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Rumman killed at least 11 people, including two children and two medics, according to Lebanese state media.  One strike destroyed a three-story residential building, killing nine people and injuring five others, while a separate drone strike hit a civilian vehicle carrying two medics. The strikes came as Israel continues military operations against Hezbollah despite a U.S.-brokered … Continue reading Israeli strikes on southern Lebanese town kill 12 as fears of escalation mount

Thousands of people have protested across Spain over the ongoing migrant crisis in the Spanish territory of Ceuta, more than a month after a mass influx from Morocco. About 50,000 people reportedly gathered in Madrid, while demonstrators in Ceuta called for stronger measures to protect the territory and its residents. The crisis began when more than 70,000 migrants and asylum seekers crossed into Ceuta in … Continue reading Thousands protest in Spain as Ceuta’s migration crisis festers a month on

The conflict between the United States and Iran has intensified, with Iran launching missiles and drones at Kuwait in retaliation for recent U.S. strikes. Kuwait said its air defenses intercepted the incoming attacks, while Iran has also targeted U.S. assets in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Iraq. The latest escalation follows U.S. strikes on Iranian military equipment near the Strait of Hormuz, where Washington says Iran … Continue reading Iran retaliates against US by firing at Kuwait in ‘blatant’ aggression

The death toll from unprecedented flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border has risen to 1,252, with another 4,216 people still missing. The number of deaths and missing people increased sharply from the previous day as authorities continued assessing the disaster. Nearly 12,000 people have been rescued, while almost all communication towers have been restored with help from domestic and international aid. About 21,500 security personnel … Continue reading Nepal floods death toll climbs to 1,252 as rescue efforts continue