Flights to and from Catania, a city in eastern Sicily, were halted on Tuesday due to an eruption from Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The eruption, which spewed hot ash and lava, led to the airport’s closure earlier this month as well. As a major hub in eastern Sicily, Catania’s airport typically handles more arrivals than Palermo, the island’s capital. Authorities … Continue reading Major airport forced to close after Mount Etna volcanic eruption

On Tuesday, Russia claimed its forces shot down 21 Ukrainian drones over occupied Crimea and the Black Sea. The attack reportedly targeted a crucial ferry crossing to the Russian-occupied peninsula, specifically the Port of Kavkaz in the Kerch Strait. Residents in the northern part of the region reported hearing several explosions. Governor Veniamin Kondratyev confirmed the drones attacked the ferry, but independent verification is pending. … Continue reading Russia claims it has destroyed dozens of Ukrainian drones in Crimea

Marine biologists have discovered cocaine in sharpnose sharks off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, marking the first instance of the drug being found in free-ranging predators. Thirteen sharks were tested, revealing high levels of cocaine and benzoylecgonine, with female sharks showing higher concentrations in their muscles than males. The study, dubbed “Cocaine Shark,” suggests a potential link between a shark’s size and its ability … Continue reading “Cocaine sharks”: Predators off coast of Brazil test positive for drug, scientists say

The U.S., Israel, and the UAE held a meeting in Abu Dhabi to discuss post-war plans for Gaza, indicating Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s acknowledgment of the need for a governance strategy after the Israel-Hamas conflict. Hosted by Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed, the meeting included U.S. representatives Brett McGurk and Tom Sullivan, and Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer along with senior defense … Continue reading U.S., Israel discuss post-Gaza war rebuild in secret talks

Rescue teams have retrieved 229 bodies following two landslides in southern Ethiopia’s Gofa zone, according to local officials. The landslides, triggered by heavy rains, occurred on Sunday evening and Monday morning. The search for survivors is ongoing, with the death toll potentially rising. Footage shows many people at the scene, digging through debris to find those trapped. The landslides have affected both adults and children, … Continue reading Ethiopia landslide rescuers pull 229 bodies from mud

Bangladesh remained without internet for a fifth day, and the government declared a public holiday on Monday as authorities kept tight control following a court order that reduced a controversial quota system for government jobs, which had sparked violent protests. Earlier, a curfew with a shoot-on-sight order was imposed, and military personnel patrolled the capital. The protests, mainly by students, demanded the end of a … Continue reading Internet is still down in Bangladesh despite apparent calm following deadly protests

The Israeli military has ordered Palestinians to leave several neighborhoods in Khan Younis, affecting 400,000 people sheltering there. The operation targets Hamas militants alleged to be using the area to launch rockets. Fierce bombardments followed the evacuation order, resulting in at least 37 deaths and 120 injuries, with more casualties expected. Thousands have been displaced multiple times, with nowhere safe in Gaza. Health officials report … Continue reading Israeli military orders evacuation of part of Gaza humanitarian zone

A gunman entered a private home for the elderly in Daruvar, Croatia, and opened fire, resulting in six deaths and six injuries, according to Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT). Five of the deceased were residents, and one was an employee. The gunman, a former military police member with a previously unregistered firearm, was later arrested near a café. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković expressed condolences and urged a … Continue reading Six killed after gunman opens fire in Croatian care home, local media reports

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the possibility of a major war returning to Europe seemed unlikely to many, including Kyiv. Now, more than two years later, the idea of conscription is making a significant comeback. Several European nations have reintroduced or expanded compulsory military service in response to Moscow’s increasing threat. This move is part of a broader effort to bolster defenses, which is … Continue reading Europe turns to conscription as threat of war with Russia grows

Hundreds of migrants from around a dozen countries departed from Mexico’s southern border town of Ciudad Hidalgo on foot, aiming to reach the U.S. border. Some are hoping to arrive before the November elections, fearing that if Donald Trump wins, he will fulfill his promise to close the border to asylum-seekers. Migrants like Miguel Salazar from El Salvador worry that a new Trump administration might … Continue reading Hundreds of migrants leave Mexico in new caravan headed for US border

Flash floods in northern and southwestern China have killed at least 20 people and left dozens missing, state media reported on Saturday, following a week of heavy downpours across the country. In Shaanxi province, a bridge collapse late Friday caused several vehicles to plunge into a swollen river, killing at least 12 people and leaving over 30 missing. Initial reports indicated that 17 cars and … Continue reading Flash floods across China kill at least 20, dozens missing

A riot erupted in Leeds, UK, after police responded to an incident involving agency workers and children on Thursday evening. West Yorkshire Police were called to Luxor Street, Harehills, at 5 p.m., where they encountered a disturbance involving the workers and children. As officers moved the workers and children to safety, tensions escalated, leading to “pockets of disorder.” Social media footage showed a large crowd, … Continue reading Riots Break Out In London, Bus Set On Fire, Police Car Flipped Over

Three police officers were injured during anti-immigration protests at a site designated for housing asylum seekers in Dublin, authorities reported. This incident is the latest in a series of clashes in a deprived northern suburb of the Irish capital. Initially, a public gathering at the site on Friday was peaceful but later escalated into public disorder. A fire broke out, and police faced verbal and … Continue reading Police Injured In Fresh Dublin Anti-immigration Riot

An Israeli air strike in Adloun, Lebanon, about 30 kilometers from the border, injured civilians on Saturday, Lebanese state media reported. The strike followed rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah and its Palestinian ally Hamas on Israeli positions. Since Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel, Hezbollah has engaged in near-daily cross-border fire in support of Hamas. The National News Agency reported that the air … Continue reading Hezbollah, Hamas launch rocket salvos at Israel

Israeli fighter jets bombed Houthi-affiliated sites in Yemen on Saturday, retaliating for a deadly drone attack in Tel Aviv the previous day, according to multiple U.S. and regional officials. This marked Israel’s first public strike against the group amid rising tensions. The airstrikes targeted gas and oil depots and a power station in Yemen’s Red Sea port of Hodeidah, a critical hub for oil exports … Continue reading IDF Bombs Sites in Yemen Linked to Iran-Backed Houthi Militia

Less than two weeks before Venezuela’s presidential election, the head of security for key opposition figure María Corina Machado has been arrested, intensifying concerns about the fairness of the election on July 28, when Nicolás Maduro seeks a third term. Machado, who was barred from running due to alleged fraud violations she denies, revealed on X that her security chief, Milciades Ávila, was detained on … Continue reading Venezuela: fears of unfair election grow as opposition security chief arrested

Search teams rescued nine crew members, mostly Indians, and recovered one body after an oil tanker, the MT Prestige Falcon, capsized in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Oman, Omani state media reported Wednesday. The tanker capsized late Monday about 25 nautical miles southeast of Ras Madrakah, according to Oman’s Maritime Security Agency. The cause of the incident and the condition of the tanker … Continue reading Nine crewmembers rescued after oil tanker capsizes in Arabian Sea off Oman

Paraguayan authorities seized over 4 tons of cocaine, valued at approximately $240 million, hidden in a sugar shipment destined for Belgium, according to the country’s anti-drug agency, Senad. The operation, dubbed “Operation Sweetness,” is the largest drug bust in Paraguay’s history and took place at the seaport in the capital, Asuncion. Following the detection of a suspicious shipment, Senad coordinated with other government agencies to … Continue reading Paraguay carries out largest cocaine bust in its history as 4 tons are found in sugar shipment headed to Europe

Initial autopsy results revealed traces of cyanide in the blood of six Vietnamese and American guests at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, with one guest suspected of poisoning the others over a bad investment, Thai authorities said Wednesday. The bodies were discovered Tuesday in the luxury hotel, located at a busy central intersection in the capital. The six guests were last seen alive Monday afternoon … Continue reading Traces of cyanide are found in the blood of Vietnamese and Americans found dead in a Bangkok hotel

Germany plans to halve its military aid to Ukraine next year, reducing it from around 8 billion euros in 2024 to 4 billion euros in 2025, according to a draft of the 2025 budget seen by Reuters. This reduction comes amid concerns that U.S. support for Kyiv could diminish if Donald Trump returns to the White House. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner stated that Ukraine’s … Continue reading Germany slashes Ukraine funding in savings push

Romania’s government has more than doubled the number of bears that park rangers can legally kill, approving the culling of nearly 500 bears this year after a deadly attack on a hiker caused a nationwide outcry. The new law, passed in an emergency parliamentary session on Monday, authorizes the culling of 481 bears to control “overpopulation,” more than twice the 220 bears culled last year. … Continue reading Romania to kill 500 bears to curb overpopulation after deadly attack

At least five people were killed and many injured across Bangladesh on Tuesday during clashes between young government supporters, police, and students protesting a government job quota system. Tens of thousands of students participated in the nationwide protests, which marked the first significant opposition to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government since her fourth term began in January. The protesters are demanding changes to the public … Continue reading Five killed in violent protests over public sector jobs quota in Bangladesh

U.S. Central Command has recommended the permanent dismantling of the Gaza pier, which has faced weather and mechanical issues since its installation in May. Despite being operational for only about 20 days, the pier delivered nearly 20 million pounds of aid. Currently located in Ashdod, Israel, the Pentagon has announced it will soon cease operations, though it might be used one final time to deliver … Continue reading U.S. military recommends permanently dismantling pier that’s helping deliver aid into Gaza

In November, a senior North Korean diplomat stationed in Cuba defected to South Korea, marking the highest-ranking defection since 2016. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service confirmed the defection, initially reported by the Chosun Ilbo newspaper, which identified the diplomat as Ri Il-kyu, a counsellor responsible for political affairs at the North Korean embassy in Cuba. Ri’s role included preventing diplomatic ties between South Korea and … Continue reading North Korea diplomat flees to South in highest ranking envoy defection since 2016

Rights groups have accused France of “discriminatory hypocrisy” for refusing to allow its athletes to wear the hijab during the Paris Olympics, starting in ten days. Amnesty International and ten other organizations stated that the ban prevents athletes from exercising their right to play sports without discrimination. They had appealed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to reverse the ban, but the IOC responded that … Continue reading France faces backlash over hijab ban for athletes at Olympics