Japan on Monday accused Chinese military aircraft of locking radar onto its fighter jets near Okinawa, while denying Beijing’s claims of Japanese interference. Japanese officials said the F-15 jets maintained a safe distance during the incidents, which lasted a few minutes in the afternoon and about 30 minutes in the evening, and no Japanese airspace was violated. China defended its actions, calling the exercises pre-announced … Continue reading Japan protests after China military jet locks radar on Japanese aircraft

A burst pipe at the Louvre in Paris last week caused flooding that damaged 300 to 400 works in the museum’s Egyptian antiquities library, including books and periodicals used by researchers. Staff are working to dry and preserve the affected items, some of which date back to the 19th century. The damaged area is scheduled for a major ventilation and heating system renovation starting in … Continue reading Hundreds of works in the Louvre damaged by flooding

A 31-year-old man was arrested Sunday after a robbery at Heathrow Airport in which 21 people, including a young child, were pepper-sprayed. Police said a woman’s suitcase was stolen inside a parking-garage elevator by four men who sprayed an irritant, affecting people nearby. Authorities believe the suspects and victim knew each other and said the incident was not terrorism-related but rather an argument that escalated. … Continue reading Toddler among 21 victims in pepper spray, robbery attack at London airport

Thailand launched airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia after both countries accused each other of firing first. The clash threatens a U.S.-brokered ceasefire from October, which followed deadly fighting in July. Thailand said Cambodian forces opened fire, killing one Thai soldier, prompting airstrikes, while Cambodia claimed Thailand initiated the conflict. Civilians near the border fled and schools closed as tensions escalated, NBC News has … Continue reading Thailand launches airstrikes along border with Cambodia

The Kremlin praised Donald Trump’s new national security strategy, calling it aligned with Russian thinking and welcoming its emphasis on dialogue and improved U.S.-Russia relations. The announcement comes as U.S. efforts to broker a peace deal in Ukraine enter a critical phase, with talks in Florida and an upcoming meeting in London between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European leaders, and U.S. officials. Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s … Continue reading Kremlin hails Trump’s national security strategy as aligned with Russia’s vision

West African troops were deployed to Benin on Sunday following an attempted coup by a group of soldiers who attacked state institutions and briefly seized state TV. President Patrice Talon said the situation was “totally under control” after loyalist forces regained control, while ECOWAS sent forces from Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone to support the government. The mutinying soldiers, calling themselves the Military … Continue reading Troops and warplanes deployed in Benin after ‘failed coup attempt’

Russia has recently accelerated its territorial gains in Ukraine, seizing about 200 square miles in November, one of the fastest advances since the war began. Western leaders, including Volodymyr Zelensky, Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz, are meeting for emergency talks amid concerns over weakening support for Kyiv. European officials insist Ukraine is not close to collapse but warn that long-term backing is … Continue reading Russia rapidly gaining territory in Ukraine as peace talks stall

A 32-year-old man in Auckland, New Zealand, has been charged with theft after allegedly stealing a jewel-encrusted Fabergé egg locket by picking it up and swallowing it. Police arrested him inside the store minutes after the incident on Friday afternoon; he remains in custody ahead of a court appearance on December 8. The stolen item, a Fabergé James Bond Octopussy Egg locket, is valued at … Continue reading Man charged with theft after allegedly swallowing Fabergé egg

Israel carried out an airstrike on a Hamas militant in southern Gaza Wednesday in response to an earlier attack that wounded five Israeli soldiers, testing a fragile ceasefire in place since October. The strike came as Israel received the remains of what may be one of the last hostages held in Gaza and prepared to allow Palestinians to exit the territory via the Rafah crossing … Continue reading Israel launches airstrike in southern Gaza after earlier attack by militants wounded 5 soldiers

Israeli and Lebanese diplomats met Wednesday in Naqoura under U.S. auspices to discuss economic cooperation aimed at stabilizing southern Lebanon near their shared border—the first direct, public engagement between the countries since 1993. The meeting comes amid rising tensions, including recent Israeli strikes against Hezbollah targets following the assassination of the group’s top military commander, Haytham Ali Tabatabai. U.S. officials hope the talks will help … Continue reading U.S. brokers first direct Israel-Lebanon talks in decades

Spain is preparing to reinstate mask mandates in hospitals and healthcare facilities due to rising flu cases ahead of winter. The Ministry of Health is coordinating with regional governments to create a unified protocol aimed at protecting vulnerable populations and easing pressure on hospitals. Masks will become mandatory for patients, visitors, and staff in high-risk medical settings, particularly where immunocompromised individuals are treated. Although everyday … Continue reading Spain bringing back mask mandates as flu spreads

Colombia responded sharply after President Donald Trump suggested possible U.S. military action against the country as part of his fight against drug trafficking. Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned Trump not to threaten the nation’s sovereignty, saying such comments risk damaging long-standing diplomatic ties. Trump claimed Colombia and Venezuela were producing cocaine for shipment to the U.S. and said they could be targets of military strikes. … Continue reading Colombia warns on ‘brink of war’ with USA

Belgian authorities have arrested three people, including former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, in a probe into suspected fraud involving EU-funded training for junior diplomats. Police also raided the Brussels headquarters of the EU foreign service and several College of Europe buildings in Bruges, as well as the homes of the suspects. The investigation, led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, focuses on possible … Continue reading Former EU top diplomat among three held in fraud investigation

Germany’s Defense Ministry confirmed that around 20,000 rounds of ammunition intended for the armed forces were stolen from a civilian contractor’s trailer last week. The theft occurred between November 24 and 25 while the trailer was parked overnight, and was discovered on November 28. The military is investigating the incident with local police and emphasized the seriousness of ensuring such ammunition does not fall into … Continue reading German military says thousands of rounds of ammunition were stolen from parked vehicle

The Taliban carried out a public execution in Khost, Afghanistan, of a man convicted of killing 13 members of a family, including nine children, earlier this year. Tens of thousands attended the execution at a stadium, making it the 11th public execution since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan condemned the execution as inhumane and a violation of … Continue reading Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers carry out public execution in sports stadium in eastern city

Bulgaria’s government has withdrawn its controversial 2026 budget proposal after nationwide protests against planned tax hikes and higher social security contributions. The backlash comes amid years of political instability and deep public divisions over eurozone adoption and corruption. Tens of thousands of mostly young protesters in Sofia accused the government of perpetuating corrupt institutions and demanded either a revised budget or the cabinet’s resignation. Some … Continue reading Bulgarian government pulls budget amid fierce protests

Malaysia’s transport ministry announced that the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 will resume on 30 December, more than 10 years after its disappearance. The US-based company Ocean Infinity will conduct a 55-day, intermittent seabed search under a “no-find, no-fee” contract, targeting areas deemed most likely to contain the wreckage. Families of the 239 people onboard welcomed the renewed effort, expressing hope for long-awaited … Continue reading Search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 to resume more than 11 years after plane went missing

Britain plans to remove the automatic right to trial by jury for many lower-level criminal cases as part of emergency measures to address a severe court backlog and overcrowded prisons, Justice Minister David Lammy announced. Defendants facing charges likely to result in sentences under three years would no longer be able to choose a jury trial, though jury trials would remain for serious crimes such … Continue reading Britain plans to curb jury trials to tackle court crisis

A Russian-flagged tanker carrying sunflower oil, the MIDVOLGA-2, was attacked in the Black Sea about 130 km off Turkey’s coast, though its crew was unharmed and it did not request assistance. The incident follows Ukrainian naval-drone attacks on two Russian “shadow fleet” tankers, Kairos and Virat, inside Turkey’s exclusive economic zone days earlier. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the earlier attacks as a “worrying … Continue reading A third Russian tanker attacked in the Black Sea, Turkish authority says

Floods and landslides on Indonesia’s Sumatra island have killed 708 people, with 504 still missing, following unusually heavy monsoon rains and a rare tropical storm. The disaster has affected 3.2 million people in Indonesia, injured 2,600, and forced the evacuation of around one million residents, while aid delivery has been hampered by blocked roads and damaged infrastructure. Aceh and North Sumatra face severe food shortages, … Continue reading Death toll from Indonesia floods and landslides passes 700 

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging people to take precautions, including wearing face masks, as winter viruses, particularly flu, spread across the country. This year’s flu season began unusually early due to a mutated strain, raising concern among health experts. UKHSA advises regular handwashing, ventilating indoor spaces, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home if unwell. Flu rates have risen slightly, with the … Continue reading Brits told to ‘wear mask’ as flu spreads across country

A study finds that British Christians who leave their faith are increasingly turning to paganism, wicca, or other spiritual practices, surpassing conversions to Buddhism, Islam, or Judaism. Over one in ten former Christians identify as spiritual, with nearly half of these adopting pagan beliefs. While Christianity still gains new adherents, the number leaving the faith exceeds those joining, contributing to an overall decline in Christian … Continue reading Paganism is top choice for Christians who convert to new faith

Pope Leo XIV concluded his visit to Turkey before arriving in Lebanon to offer hope to its struggling population and support the country’s Christian community. In Turkey, he visited the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral and Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, promoting messages of peace and interfaith respect. In Lebanon, he faced a nation reeling from financial collapse, the 2020 Beirut port explosion, and ongoing tensions with Israel and … Continue reading Pope Leo brings message of peace to Lebanon after leaving Turkey

Germany’s far-right AfD launched its new youth organization, Generation Germany, on Saturday in Giessen amid protests by over 25,000 demonstrators, some of whom clashed with police. The party dissolved its previous youth group, the Young Alternative, earlier this year after it was classified as a right-wing extremist organization. Up to 5,000 police were deployed to manage the protests, using water cannons and pepper spray to … Continue reading German far-right party sets up new youth wing as thousands protest

A long-lost painting by Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens, hidden for over four centuries, sold for 2.3 million euros ($2.7 million) at a Versailles auction. The artwork, depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, was discovered in a private Paris townhouse and had previously been undervalued at around 10,000 euros. Experts authenticated it through the Rubenianum in Antwerp and scientific analysis of the paint layers, confirming … Continue reading Long-lost Rubens painting depicting crucifixion sells for $2.7M