An Australian mother of four, Rayann El Houli, was held in custody after appearing in court charged with traveling to Syria and joining the Islamic State group. She was arrested in Melbourne months after returning to Australia with her children and another woman from Lebanon. Authorities say she is part of a broader series of recent returns of women and children from Syrian camps linked … Continue reading Australian woman held in custody on charges of traveling to Syria to join Islamic State

Five villagers trapped in a flooded cave in central Laos for more than a week were found alive, while two others remain missing. The group became trapped on May 19 after heavy rain caused flash flooding that blocked the cave’s exit. Rescue divers have made difficult trips through narrow, flooded passages to bring the survivors food and supplies and continue searching for the missing. Rescuers … Continue reading 5 of 7 people trapped in flooded Laos cave for more than a week found alive

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has ordered the military to expand control over Gaza to 70% of the territory, raising fears of a collapse of the October ceasefire. Israeli forces have gradually increased their presence beyond the original ceasefire lines, while armed militias backed by Israel have reportedly pressured Palestinians to leave areas near the border zones. Critics, including UN-linked observers and analysts, … Continue reading Netanyahu orders Israeli army to seize ‘70% of Gaza Strip’, violating ceasefire deal

A Russian drone struck an apartment building in Romania near the Ukrainian border, injuring two people and causing a fire that was later extinguished. Romanian officials said the drone entered their airspace during renewed Russian attacks on Ukraine and condemned the incident as an irresponsible escalation. Radar tracked the drone to the city of Galati, where it crashed into a residential building. Romania scrambled two … Continue reading Romania condemns ‘irresponsible escalation’ after Russian drone hits apartment building

A train collided with a school minibus at a railway crossing in Buggenhout, northern Belgium, killing four people including two children. Five other children were injured and taken to hospital, but their conditions were reported as stable and not life-threatening. Authorities said the minibus was carrying seven pupils from a school for children with learning disabilities, along with a driver and supervisor. The impact was … Continue reading Four dead and two injured after train hits school bus in Belgium

About 90 drones fell during a Vivid Sydney light show over Darling Harbour, forcing the cancellation of a second performance. Organisers said the incident was caused by “unforeseen technical difficulties,” likely linked to changes in radio frequency conditions that disrupted the fleet’s positioning system. Most of the drones landed in the water while a few fell onto a boardwalk, but no injuries were reported due … Continue reading Vivid Sydney cancels shows after 83 drones plunge into Darling Harbour

North Korea said it conducted new weapons tests involving multiple systems, including a nuclear-capable cruise missile it plans to deploy with front-line units near the South Korean border. State media reported that leader Kim Jong Un supervised the tests, which also included ballistic missiles and advanced rocket artillery with upgraded targeting systems. South Korea confirmed detecting several projectiles fired into waters off its west coast … Continue reading North Korea says it tested new warheads, technology and navigation in latest launches

Dozens of people were killed in a wave of Israeli air and artillery strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, which Lebanon’s health ministry said left at least 31 dead, including children. Israel said it struck more than 100 Hezbollah targets, marking one of the heaviest bombardments since a US-brokered ceasefire in April. The escalation followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pledge to intensify military operations … Continue reading Dozens killed in Lebanon as Israel intensifies strikes

Rescuers in central Laos are searching for seven people trapped in a cave after flash flooding blocked the exit last week. The group had entered the cave in Xaisomboun province on May 19 to search for gold when heavy rain caused dangerous conditions. One person escaped and alerted authorities, but the status of the remaining individuals is still unknown. Thai rescue teams have joined local … Continue reading Rescuers race to reach 7 trapped in a Laos cave after flash floods block exit

The US said it carried out new self-defense strikes in southern Iran targeting missile sites and boats suspected of laying mines, according to US Central Command. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed it had shot down a US drone and engaged other aircraft, while warning it reserves the right to retaliate for ceasefire violations. The strikes reportedly occurred near Bandar Abbas, a strategic port near the Strait … Continue reading US launches new strikes on Iran, targeting missile sites and boats

According to reports, the United States is planning to reduce military assets assigned to NATO, including fighter jets, warships, and submarines, in the event of a European crisis. A Pentagon envoy reportedly told NATO officials that US fighter jet contributions would be cut by about one-third and that destroyers would be withdrawn from NATO force commitments. Submarines are also expected to be removed from the … Continue reading Secret NATO ultimatum sparks panic as US pulls jets, bombers and submarines from Europe

Cambodia has enacted a new conscription law requiring men aged 18 to 25 to serve two years in the military, with penalties for evasion of up to five years in prison. The law replaces a 2006 statute that was never enforced and includes provisions for voluntary service for women and exemptions for certain groups like monks and people with disabilities. It was signed into effect … Continue reading Cambodia’s new conscription law takes effect in wake of conflict with Thailand

Nineteen Australian women and children linked to the Islamic State group are returning from Syrian detention camps, with flights arriving in Sydney and Melbourne. Australian officials said some may face criminal charges, warning that anyone involved in crimes will face prosecution. The government stressed it provided no assistance for the return and has long-standing security plans to monitor and manage returnees. Earlier this month, several … Continue reading 19 Australian women and children linked to Islamic State group set to return from Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to intensify strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, saying Israel would continue and escalate its campaign despite a recent ceasefire extension. Soon after his statement, Israeli forces launched attacks on Hezbollah-related sites in the Bekaa Valley and other areas. The escalation reportedly triggered people to flee Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, while Lebanon was marking Liberation Day. … Continue reading Israel to intensify Lebanon offensive to ‘crush’ Hezbollah

Russia has warned it will carry out a “series of systematic strikes” on defense-related facilities in Kyiv in response to a Ukrainian drone attack in the occupied Luhansk region that reportedly killed at least 18 people. Moscow said the attack on Starobilsk was “the last straw” and accused Ukraine of targeting civilians and committing terrorism. Russian officials said the planned strikes will focus on sites … Continue reading Russia warns foreigners to leave Kyiv as it prepares ‘systematic strikes’

The U.S. military said it carried out limited “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and mine-laying boats while maintaining restraint during an ongoing ceasefire. At the same time, President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran were progressing and proposed that several countries, including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, join the Abraham Accords as part of a broader peace agreement. The proposal has drawn … Continue reading US military says it carried out ‘self-defense’ strikes in Iran

Attacks on Ebola treatment facilities in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are increasing as health officials warn the outbreak could worsen in both the DRC and Uganda. Several health centers and medical tents have been stormed or set on fire by angry residents, often sparked by disputes over the handling of bodies under strict burial protocols. Aid groups say the violence is driven by … Continue reading Attacks on Ebola centres intensify in eastern DRC amid outbreak fears

Turkish police stormed the headquarters of the main opposition CHP party on Sunday, using tear gas and rubber bullets against supporters gathered outside during a tense standoff. The raid followed a court decision that nullified the election of party leader Özgür Özel and sought to reinstate former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The CHP has rejected the ruling as politically motivated, saying it is part of a … Continue reading Turkish police storm offices of main opposition party, firing tear gas and rubber bullets

A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near a railway track in Quetta, Pakistan, as a passenger train passed, killing at least 23 people and injuring more than 70. The blast overturned and set fire to two train cars and caused heavy damage to nearby buildings and vehicles in the area. Authorities said many of the wounded were in critical condition, and hospitals in Quetta … Continue reading Suicide bombing near a railway track in southwest Pakistan kills at least 23 people

A nine-story building under construction collapsed early Sunday in Angeles City north of Manila after a severe thunderstorm, leaving at least 21 people missing. Rescue teams reported hearing voices from beneath the rubble as they searched for survivors, while 24 workers were rescued or escaped safely. More than 100 responders, including police and firefighters, used their hands and sniffer dogs to navigate the unstable debris … Continue reading 9-story building under construction in the Philippines collapses; 21 missing

Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv early Sunday, causing fires, widespread damage, and hours of explosions across the city. Ukrainian officials said at least two people were killed and 77 injured, with damage reported in every district and several cultural sites affected, including the destruction of the Chernobyl museum. Ukraine’s air force said Russia used 600 drones and 90 missiles, including … Continue reading Russia pounds Kyiv in powerful drone and missile attack

A 39-year-old spearfisher was killed in a shark attack on Sunday at Kennedy Shoal on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia. The man, from Cairns, was diving with friends when he suffered a fatal head injury during the attack. He was transported by boat to Hull Heads, where paramedics confirmed his injuries were unsurvivable. Witnesses had reported bull sharks in the area before the … Continue reading Spearfisher mauled in Australia’s second fatal shark attack in a week

Prisoners at Barinas prison in western Venezuela protested from the prison roof on Sunday, burning mattresses and demanding the removal of the prison director. Inmates accused guards and prison staff of opening fire on unarmed prisoners during what they described as a peaceful protest, leaving several wounded. Videos shared by a local prison rights NGO showed injured prisoners and included claims of poor treatment, including … Continue reading Venezuelan inmates take to prison roof to protest shootings, abuse

Russia joined several major energy producers and emitters in voting against a UN General Assembly resolution calling for stronger global action on climate change. The vote passed 141–8 with 28 abstentions and supported an International Court of Justice advisory opinion stating that failure to meet climate obligations could be unlawful and may require reparations. Alongside Russia, countries such as the United States, Iran, Saudi Arabia, … Continue reading Russia Joins U.S. and Iran in Voting Against UN Climate Change Resolution

British Defence Secretary John Healey said Russian fighter jets carried out two dangerous encounters with an unarmed RAF Rivet Joint spy plane over the Black Sea in mid-April. In one incident, a Russian Su-27 flew within six metres of the aircraft and made repeated close passes, while a Su-35 later came close enough to trigger the plane’s emergency systems and disable autopilot. The RAF aircraft … Continue reading Russian jet causes ‘dangerous’ near miss after flying close to RAF spy plane