A large fire at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel in the Dominican Republic killed a 46-year-old Italian tourist and forced the evacuation of nearly 1,700 guests. Three people were hospitalized, while six others received treatment at the scene, including guests and emergency responders. Authorities said the fire spread quickly because of the resort’s palm-thatched roof and windy conditions. The blaze was brought under control, … Continue reading Woman killed, 1,700 evacuated in beach hotel fire in Dominican Republic

Thousands of people protested in Prague on Sunday against government plans to change funding for public broadcasters. Critics accuse Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and his coalition of trying to gain greater control over the media. Opponents have compared the proposed changes to media policies pursued by Robert Fico in Slovakia and Viktor Orbán in Hungary. Demonstrators gathered outside the public television headquarters, carrying banners that … Continue reading Czechia: Thousands march in support of public media funding

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped sharply after Iran announced it had closed the strategic waterway in response to Israeli strikes on Lebanon. Maritime tracking data showed only 12 vessels crossed the strait on Sunday, compared with 35 the day before, while many ships reportedly turned off tracking systems. However, U.S. Central Command disputed Iran’s claim, saying safe passage remained open and that … Continue reading Shipping stalls in Strait of Hormuz after Iran declares key waterway shut

Ukraine intensified attacks on fuel infrastructure in Russian-occupied Crimea, prompting authorities to suspend civilian gasoline sales. Crimea’s Kremlin-appointed leader, Sergey Aksyonov, said overnight Ukrainian strikes killed four people and injured 28. Fuel will temporarily be reserved for government agencies responsible for security and essential services. Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted fuel supplies in Crimea, contributing to the region’s most severe energy crisis since Russia annexed … Continue reading Ukrainian attacks prompt Russian-held Crimea to halt civilian gasoline sales

Niger’s main airport in Niamey was attacked by gunmen early Thursday, leaving 11 soldiers and two civilians dead. The Defense Ministry said security forces repelled the assault, killing 22 attackers and arresting 20 suspects. Witnesses reported gunfire and explosions during the attack, but airport operations later returned to normal. The airport serves as a major military hub for both the Nigerien air force and the … Continue reading Gunmen attack Niger airport, killing 11 soldiers and 2 civilians

The ancient Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, believed to be around 1,200 years old and linked to the legend of Robin Hood, has reportedly died after failing to grow leaves this spring. Conservationists say decades of heavy tourism compacted the soil around the tree, limiting water access to its roots, while climate change, drought, and age likely contributed to its decline. The tree had long … Continue reading 1,200-year-old Robin Hood oak tree in Sherwood Forest has died

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least three people, according to Lebanese state media, despite growing calls for a ceasefire following a new U.S.-Iran agreement. Hezbollah said it repelled a four-day Israeli offensive, claiming its fighters used drones, rockets, and artillery to stop Israeli advances. The United States urged all parties, including Israel and Hezbollah, to maintain a complete ceasefire and support ongoing negotiations. … Continue reading Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon kill three despite US-Iran deal

A 3-year-old boy was critically injured after ending up in a crocodile enclosure at a family-run zoo in Huntingdon, England. Police said the child was taken to the hospital and is in critical but stable condition. A 30-year-old man, believed to be a stranger to the boy, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Authorities are interviewing witnesses to determine how the incident occurred … Continue reading Man arrested after 3-year-old boy critically injured in crocodile enclosure

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russia since the war began, striking the Moscow Oil Refinery for the second time in a week and disrupting flights at several Moscow airports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack was retaliation for recent Russian strikes on Kyiv and warned that “Moscow will burn” if attacks on Ukraine continue. Russian officials said air defenses shot … Continue reading Ukraine drone strike hits Russian oil refinery, Zelenskyy says “Moscow will burn”

Russia has accused Ukraine of carrying out a drone strike on a bus transporting Belarusian schoolchildren in the Bryansk region, claiming the attack killed one adult and injured eight others, including six children. Russian officials described the incident as a deliberate attack on civilians and opened a terrorism investigation. Ukraine’s military denied the allegation, stating that its forces did not conduct drone operations in the … Continue reading Russia accuses Ukraine of attacking bus carrying schoolchildren, Kyiv denies it

Construction of Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, set to become the world’s tallest building, is advancing rapidly toward key milestones. The tower is expected to exceed 1,000 meters in height, surpassing Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, and has already reached more than 400 meters. Project leaders say construction is progressing at about four meters per week, with the 500-meter mark expected within six months and the 160th-floor … Continue reading World’s tallest skyscraper approaches major construction milestone

Chief Sergeant First Class (res.) Alexander Filin, 29, of Haifa, was killed in combat in southern Lebanon while serving as a combat soldier in the IDF’s 36th Division. He died when a Hezbollah roadside bomb exploded near a joint force from the 36th Division and Givati Brigade during a foot patrol near the Litani River on Wednesday evening. The blast also wounded at least seven … Continue reading IDF soldier killed, seven others wounded, by IED explosion in southern Lebanon

A magnitude-6.7 earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Tuesday, according to seismic monitoring agencies. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers near the city of Palu. Authorities reported no immediate injuries, damage, or tsunami threat following the tremor. Sulawesi is one of Indonesia’s largest islands and lies in a region prone to seismic activity, DPA International has reported. Indonesia frequently … Continue reading Strong earthquake strikes Indonesia’s Sulawesi island

Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, a 21-year-old aspiring physical education teacher, died during a rope-jumping activity at an abandoned bridge in Limeira, São Paulo state, Brazil. Investigators said two instructors launched her from the bridge without first attaching the required safety ropes, causing her fatal fall. Three instructors involved in the incident were arrested and could face manslaughter charges after admitting she was not connected … Continue reading Woman, 21, dies after being thrown from Brazil rope jump bridge without harness

The United Kingdom plans to ban children under 16 from using major social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, and X, as part of a broader effort to protect young people online. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the proposal would also restrict livestreaming, contact with strangers, certain gaming features, and AI “romantic companions” for minors. Tech companies would be responsible for enforcing the … Continue reading U.K. announces plan to ban social media for children under 16

Russian missile and drone attacks across Ukraine killed at least 11 people, injured 53, and left about 140,000 households without electricity. A direct drone strike set fire to the historic Dormition Cathedral at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a UNESCO-listed religious site, causing significant damage. The barrage also destroyed a large costume collection at the Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studios and damaged residential areas in Kyiv. In … Continue reading Russian attacks in Ukraine kill 11, damage historic Kyiv cathedral

Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was found guilty of two counts of rape and several other offences, including abuse, violating a restraining order, and filming a woman without her consent. He was sentenced to four years in prison and ordered to pay more than £50,000 in compensation to three victims. Although he faced 40 charges carrying a potential 16-year … Continue reading Son of Norwegian crown princess guilty of rape

Riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse violent clashes during a protest in Geneva against the G7 summit, held ahead of meetings involving leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump. The demonstration, which drew about 20,000 people, was largely peaceful but was disrupted by a smaller group of masked “Black Bloc” activists who threw objects, set a car on fire, and smashed windows. … Continue reading Protesters in Geneva clash with police ahead of the G7 summit in nearby France

A 30-year-old Yemeni adventurer known as “The Spider-Man of Yemen,” Al-Qaqa Ibn Antar, died after falling into a volcanic crater while climbing without safety equipment. Antar lost his grip while scaling the steep walls of the Hardah Dam crater in southern Yemen and fell approximately 393 feet into the crater. Rescue teams conducted a difficult four-hour operation before recovering his body from about 100 feet … Continue reading ‘Spider-Man of Yemen’ dies in fall while climbing volcanic crater

The UK Ministry of Defence announced that Royal Marine Commandos seized the tanker SMYRTOS in the English Channel, marking the UK’s first independently led operation against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. The vessel is suspected of helping Russia evade sanctions by transporting fuel and generating revenue to support its war in Ukraine. British officials said the operation, conducted with French coordination, dealt a significant blow to … Continue reading UK seizes suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker

Switzerland has rejected a proposal backed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party to cap the country’s population at 10 million, with nearly 55% voting against it. Opponents argued that the measure could jeopardize Switzerland’s free movement agreement with the European Union, threatening access to the EU market and worsening labor shortages in key sectors such as healthcare, tourism, and care services. Supporters claimed a population … Continue reading Swiss voters reject 10 million population cap

President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Iran have reached a ceasefire agreement, a claim later confirmed by Iran’s deputy foreign minister. The deal is intended to immediately end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, allowing toll-free shipping and the restoration of oil flows through the region. Trump described the agreement as a major step toward regional peace and suggested that a … Continue reading US-Iran ‘peace deal’ announced; Trump says Strait of Hormuz reopening

Hong Kong authorities have charged seven individuals and two construction-related companies over a deadly apartment fire that killed 168 people in November 2025. The suspects face 25 charges, including manslaughter, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, tax evasion, and attempting to obstruct justice. The companies involved were linked to renovation work being carried out at Wang Fuk Court when the fire occurred. Among those charged are … Continue reading Hong Kong charges 7 people and 2 firms over massive fire that killed 168

At least 12 people were killed and nine injured when more than 10 gunmen carried out a late-night shooting in an informal settlement near Johannesburg, South Africa. Police said the attackers arrived in a minibus, opened fire at multiple locations, and then fled the scene. Authorities suspect the massacre may be linked to organized criminal gangs involved in illegal mining or other illicit activities, although … Continue reading Mass shooting by multiple attackers leaves at least dozen dead, 9 wounded in South Africa

Pakistan carried out airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, escalating months of cross-border conflict between the two neighbors. Afghanistan’s Taliban government said the strikes killed 13 civilians, including 11 children, while Pakistan said it targeted militant hideouts and killed 26 militants. The attacks ended more than a month of relative calm following repeated clashes and failed peace talks. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of sheltering the Pakistani … Continue reading Pakistani airstrikes kill at least 13 in Afghanistan, Taliban says