Ugandan and Congolese forces say they have rescued at least 200 civilians from captivity by the ISIL-linked Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The captives were freed from a camp near the River Epulu and were reportedly in poor health after facing forced labour, starvation, and abuse. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), originally formed in Uganda and now based in eastern DRC, has carried … Continue reading Ugandan and Congolese forces rescue 200 people from ISIL-linked ADF

The head of Ukraine Patrol Police, Yevhen Zhukov, resigned after two officers were criticized for allegedly fleeing a deadly mass shooting in Kyiv. The attack left six people dead and 14 injured when a gunman opened fire and later took hostages before being killed by police. Authorities suspended the officers and launched an investigation, with Interior Minister Igor Klymenko condemning their actions as unprofessional. President Volodymyr Zelensky also criticized their inaction and … Continue reading Ukraine police chief resigns after officers allegedly fled deadly shooting

The United States and the Philippines launched one of their largest joint military exercises, Balikatan, involving more than 17,000 troops. This year’s drills also include expanded participation from Japan and Canada, reflecting stronger regional cooperation. The exercises feature live-fire maneuvers and mock combat scenarios near the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. China has criticized the drills as provocative, while U.S. and Philippine officials say they are meant to strengthen defense and disaster response capabilities, the AP … Continue reading US and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines as China objects

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Japan’s northeast coast near Iwate, prompting tsunami warnings and mass evacuations. Although waves reached only about 80 cm and warnings were later lifted, officials caution that a stronger quake—possibly magnitude 8.0 or higher—could occur within the next week. More than 170,000 people were ordered to evacuate, with disruptions to transport and some power outages reported. No major damage or injuries were … Continue reading Japan on high alert for ‘huge’ second quake after lifting tsunami warning

A shooting at the Teotihuacán pyramids in Mexico left one person dead and at least 13 injured. Authorities say a man opened fire at the site, killing a Canadian woman before taking his own life. Police recovered a firearm, a bladed weapon, and ammunition at the scene. Victims included tourists from multiple countries, with several still hospitalized, CNN has reported. Officials expressed condolences and pledged support as the incident … Continue reading Gunman opens fire at Mexico’s Teotihuacan pyramids, killing Canadian and injuring others

Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago are investigating after 56 bodies, mostly infants, were discovered abandoned in a cemetery in Cumuto. The remains include 50 babies and six adults, with officials suspecting possible unlawful disposal of unclaimed corpses. Some of the adult bodies had morgue identification tags and signs of autopsies, prompting a forensic inquiry. Police have secured the site and deployed specialist units to determine the origin … Continue reading Trinidad and Tobago police uncover 56 bodies, mostly children, at cemetery

Russian drone strikes killed at least two people and wounded several others in Ukraine on Sunday, including a teenager in Chernihiv and a man in Kherson. Ukrainian officials said the attacks involved hundreds of drones, many of which were intercepted, but several still hit targets and caused fires and destruction. In response, Ukraine struck a drone production facility in Taganrog in southwestern Russia, reportedly damaging a factory involved in military drone manufacturing. … Continue reading Russian attacks kill at least 2 as Ukraine strikes a Russian drone factory

A large fire destroyed about 1,000 homes in a coastal village in Sandakan, Sabah state on Borneo, displacing thousands of residents. The blaze broke out in a water village of stilt houses, where strong winds and low tide conditions helped it spread quickly. More than 9,000 people were affected, though no deaths have been reported so far. Emergency crews struggled to contain the fire due to … Continue reading Fire in Malaysia destroys 1,000 homes, thousands displaced

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that a photo showing a soldier in southern Lebanon destroying a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer is genuine. The military said the incident occurred during operations in the region and strongly condemned the behavior. It stated that the soldier’s actions do not reflect the values expected of its personnel and launched an official investigation. The case is being reviewed by the Northern Command, … Continue reading IDF says image of soldier destroying Jesus statue in Lebanon is real, vows action

A United Nations peacekeeping patrol in southern Lebanon was attacked with small arms fire on Saturday, killing one French peacekeeper and injuring three others. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and French President Emmanuel Macron blamed Hezbollah for the attack, though the group denied involvement. The incident occurred near Ghandouriyeh shortly after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. Lebanese authorities have launched an investigation through the military tribunal to determine … Continue reading French soldier killed and 3 others wounded in an attack on peacekeepers in Lebanon

North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters on Sunday, according to South Korean and U.S. officials. The missiles were launched from the Sinpo area and flew about 140 kilometers, prompting coordinated monitoring and condemnation from South Korea, Japan, and the United States. The tests come amid warnings from the International Atomic Energy Agency about rapid advances in North Korea nuclear program. Officials said they … Continue reading North Korea launches multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward sea

A gunman killed six people and wounded at least 14 after opening fire and taking hostages inside a supermarket in Kyiv, according to Ukrainian authorities. The attacker, who was later shot dead by police, barricaded himself in the store after setting fire to an apartment and moving through a central district armed with an automatic weapon. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the suspect was born in Russia … Continue reading Mass shooting in Ukraine’s capital leaves 6 dead before police shoot and kill gunman

Pope Leo visited Angola on Sunday, urging national unity and reconciliation after decades of conflict. He celebrated Mass near Luanda before traveling to a Catholic shrine in Muxima, drawing about 130,000 people across both events. Calling Angola a “beautiful yet wounded country,” he encouraged citizens to overcome old divisions and reject violence. The pope also prayed at a historic site tied to the transatlantic slave … Continue reading Pope urges Angola to heal divisions at events drawing 130,000

Israeli forces say they have established a “yellow line” in southern Lebanon following a recent ceasefire, marking a new military boundary. The Israel Defense Forces said troops fired on individuals who approached the line, claiming they posed an immediate threat. The measure mirrors a similar system used in the Gaza Strip, where movement is restricted and areas are divided under military control. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli attacks and demolitions in … Continue reading Israel says established a ‘yellow line’ in Lebanon, as it has in Gaza

A series of arson attacks targeted Jewish sites in North London, including minor smoke damage at the Kenton United Synagogue, with no injuries reported. The Metropolitan Police is investigating whether the incidents are linked and possibly connected to Iranian-backed groups. A little-known organization, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, has claimed responsibility for several of the attacks. Authorities have increased security patrols in Jewish communities amid a rise in antisemitic incidents, CBS … Continue reading U.K. police are investigating if Iranian proxies are behind recent attacks on Jewish sites

Hundreds of commercial ships are stranded after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz on April 18, disrupting a route that carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Iranian forces reportedly fired near vessels to force them to turn back, leaving crews shaken and unable to leave the region. Shipping companies like Hapag-Lloyd say crews are stuck for weeks, facing stress, danger from mines, and difficult conditions onboard. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard … Continue reading Iran shuts Hormuz trapping thousands of sailors

According to The New York Times, Hamas plans to hand over thousands of small arms used by its Gaza police and internal security forces. However, it intends to keep weapons held by its military wing, the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades. Hamas officials said they are coordinating with other Gaza security groups and preparing to transfer governance to a civilian-led body. Many Palestinians in Gaza worry that retaining military capabilities could … Continue reading Hamas officials claim terror group ready to hand over small weapons, rifles to Gazan police

The U.S. military seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, the Touska, after it attempted to breach an American naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz. Former President Donald Trump said the ship ignored warnings, prompting a U.S. destroyer to disable it and take control. The vessel was already under U.S. sanctions for alleged illegal activity. Iran condemned the incident as a violation of the fragile ceasefire … Continue reading US military seized Iranian-flagged container ship

Turkish authorities have detained more than 160 people over online activity linked to school shootings and alleged misinformation, according to the justice minister. The crackdown follows a deadly incident in which a student opened fire at his former school, injuring 16 people before killing himself. Officials also said dozens of social media accounts were blocked for allegedly targeting schools or encouraging attacks. The shootings sparked … Continue reading Turkey orders mass arrests over online praise for recent school shootings

Former Australian special forces soldier Ben Roberts-Smith was granted bail after spending 10 days in prison over alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. The decorated veteran, who received the Victoria Cross, is accused of murdering five people between 2009 and 2012 but denies all charges. Prosecutors allege the victims were unarmed and that some killings were carried out by subordinates under his orders. His lawyer argued … Continue reading Australian ex-soldier Roberts-Smith granted bail in Afghan war crimes case

South Korea celebrated the safe capture of Neukgu, a 2-year-old wolf who escaped from a Daejeon zoo and became a national sensation. After nine days on the run, he was found, tranquilized, and returned to the zoo in stable condition. The escape sparked widespread concern, with officials—including the president—emphasizing efforts to capture him alive. Veterinarians treated Neukgu for minor issues, including removing a fishing hook … Continue reading South Koreans breathe sighs of relief as escaped wolf is returned to zoo safely

Pope Leo XIV drew a crowd of about 120,000 people in Douala, Cameroon, where he criticized inequality despite the country’s natural wealth. He highlighted both material and spiritual poverty, urging young people to use their talents and values to build a better future. During his Africa trip, he also spoke out against corruption, calling it a threat to justice and leadership credibility. Cameroon’s largely young … Continue reading Pope Leo XIV greeted by crowd of 120,000 in Cameroon

An Israeli drone strike killed one person in southern Lebanon on the first full day of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The incident occurred shortly after Donald Trump announced that the U.S. had prohibited Israel from continuing airstrikes in Lebanon. Trump used unusually strong language toward Israel, emphasizing that further attacks were not allowed. Hezbollah has stopped firing on Israel since the truce … Continue reading 1 killed in Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on 1st full day of ceasefire deal

Iran and the United States both said the Strait of Hormuz was reopening, though tensions remain after recent conflict disrupted global shipping and energy prices. Donald Trump claimed NATO offered assistance but said he rejected it, continuing his criticism of the alliance. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that Britain would not be drawn into the conflict but announced a future UK-France-led mission to protect … Continue reading UK and France to lead defensive mission in Strait of Hormuz

A large flotilla of more than 70 boats carrying activists and humanitarian aid has departed from Barcelona, heading toward Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Organizers say over 1,000 participants from around the world are involved, making it the largest civilian-led maritime mission of its kind aimed at protesting Israel’s actions and delivering attention to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. The convoy, delayed by bad … Continue reading Flotilla carrying activists and aid for Palestinians in Gaza sets sail from Spain