Students across France are protesting over underfunded schools, overcrowded classrooms, staff shortages and worsening educational conditions. The demonstrations have spread nationwide, with more than 250,000 people taking part in rallies and school blockades.  Clashes have erupted in several cities, with protesters setting fires and throwing objects while riot police responded with tear gas and other crowd-control measures.  Hundreds of people have been injured, including students … Continue reading France shuts down nearly 900 schools as violent protests grow over education funding

A Turkish-owned cargo ship carrying grain caught fire and sank in the Black Sea after reportedly being struck by a drone off Romania, killing two crew members and injuring 11 others.  The vessel, the Royad Mammadov, was reportedly travelling from Ukraine’s Izmail port toward Italy when the incident occurred in Romania’s exclusive economic zone. Romanian authorities have not confirmed who was responsible for the attack or … Continue reading Turkish grain ship sinks in Black Sea after deadly drone attack

More than 400 schools across France will be fully or partly closed on Monday because of ongoing student protests and security concerns. The demonstrations, which began in September over education funding and poor school conditions, have involved thousands of teenagers and led to clashes with police and more than 5,000 arrests. Education Minister Édouard Geffray said 24 schools had been damaged and 78 education workers … Continue reading More than 400 schools in France to be closed on Monday as more protests planned

Downing Street says RAF Fairford remains secure after the US Air Force abruptly withdrew 12 B-1 bombers from the Gloucestershire base amid concerns over a possible Iran-backed threat. US officials reportedly received new intelligence about a potential plot against the base, prompting the bombers to return to the US with additional refuelling support. The UK government has not confirmed any additional threat to local residents, … Continue reading UK insists RAF Fairford is safe after US withdraws its bombers from base

Yemeni pro-government forces backed by Saudi Arabia say they have secured the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait and launched a major offensive against the Iran-backed Houthi movement. Government forces reportedly captured an airport near the Red Sea town of Dhubab and cut a key road to Mokha, although the Houthis deny making significant advances. The offensive has also opened fronts near Sanaa and elsewhere as government … Continue reading Yemeni government forces say they have ‘secured’ Bab al-Mandab Strait

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US is closely monitoring the death of a Russian laboratory worker following a reported accident at a plague research institute in Siberia. The 28-year-old worker, Darya Shipilova, became ill at work and died two days later, while reports of a possible laboratory infection remain unconfirmed by Russian authorities. Several hospitals and the research institute have been placed … Continue reading US closely monitoring case of lab worker who ‘possibly’ died of plague in Siberia

Bolivian police arrested Attorney General Roger Mariaca and 13 others over allegations that they protected drug traffickers and operated a criminal network within the justice system.  The arrests came days after the United States revoked Mariaca’s visa and accused him of accepting bribes to facilitate drug trafficking, allegations he has denied. Bolivian officials also said authorities found more than $300,000 in cash being removed from … Continue reading Bolivia arrests top prosecutor and 13 others accused by US of protecting drug traffickers

Finnish authorities are investigating a series of suspected break-ins and attempted intrusions at the homes of several members of Parliament. Parliament Speaker Jussi Halla-aho described the number of reported cases as significant, although some incidents may have occurred as far back as a year ago.  Police said there were no obvious signs of forced entry or theft, with some politicians reporting small signs suggesting someone … Continue reading Finland probes suspected break-ins at politicians’ homes

Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Kunar and Helmand provinces, with Afghan officials saying at least nine people were killed and 11 wounded.  Afghanistan said the victims were women and children and that three homes were destroyed in the attacks. Pakistan said the strikes targeted hideouts used by armed groups and claimed that 22 fighters were killed. The United Nations later reported that at least … Continue reading Pakistan launches deadly air attacks on Afghanistan

A sperm whale struck a 52-foot yacht carrying four sailors in the remote South Pacific, badly damaging the vessel’s hull and steering system.  The crew issued a distress call and spent hours trying to control the flooding before abandoning the yacht for a life raft. The sailors later cut the raft’s connection to the yacht because they feared the sinking vessel could pull them underwater. … Continue reading Whale sinks yacht in South Pacific, sailors rescued alive 18 hours later

French student protests over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and poor school conditions have spread nationwide, with some demonstrations turning violent. Authorities say about 2,000 people, mostly teenagers, have been arrested since the protests began, while roughly 400 schools have been closed.  Students have also protested proposed education funding levels, arguing that schools need more resources to address deteriorating facilities and staffing shortages.  The government has … Continue reading 2,000 arrested in France as student protests escalate into violence

MI5 issued a rare public warning alleging that the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI) is a front for China’s Ministry of State Security and has used research partnerships with British universities to obtain sensitive technology information. The security service said more than 100 UK academics received funding or awards linked to CGTRI, with research in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications, and … Continue reading MI5 issues spy alert to UK universities over Chinese front company

Russia launched its largest attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since the spring, heavily targeting Kyiv and surrounding areas and killing at least five people, including a child. The overnight strikes hit 11 regions, damaging power facilities, homes, railways, and other civilian infrastructure while leaving some households without electricity. Ukraine’s largest private energy company restored power to thousands of homes, but authorities warned residents to limit … Continue reading Russia launches largest attack on Ukraine energy infrastructure since spring

More than 400 people, mostly children, were detained in France after high school students across the country protested over class sizes, teacher shortages, and long school days. The Education Ministry said about 400 schools were affected, while clashes between protesters and police occurred in several cities. Police reported that 48 officers were injured, with some protesters accused of throwing objects and hydrochloric acid and damaging … Continue reading Hundreds detained as student protests across France turn violent

Andy Burnham said there are “strong indications” that Iran may have been involved in an alleged terror plot near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The Prime Minister said investigators believe foreign actors were involved but stressed that the police investigation remains ongoing. Five British nationals aged 23 to 25 were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism but were later released on bail. The RAF … Continue reading Burnham says ‘strong indications Iran played a part’ in RAF Fairford ‘terror plot’

A flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an altercation in the cockpit involving one of the pilots. Israeli officials said the incident may have been an attempted hijacking and that a major disaster was narrowly avoided after crew members subdued the pilot. The airline confirmed that the crew secured the aircraft but said the motive remains … Continue reading Flydubai pilot attempts terror hijacking of flight to Tel Aviv, foiled by Israeli passengers

Poland plans to make it easier and faster for its military to shoot down drones and missiles that enter its airspace. Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said pilots currently must visually identify an aerial threat before firing, but the government plans to allow radar information alone to support an engagement decision. The proposed change comes after several recent Russian aerial incursions, including a Russian Mi-8 … Continue reading Poland eases engagement rules for pilots guarding against Russia

A nearly 2-year-old child in the Netherlands has become the first child under 12 to be euthanized under rules introduced in 2024.  The child was born extremely prematurely and suffered severe brain damage, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and other serious complications that caused unbearable suffering. Doctors and the child’s parents determined that the condition could not improve and that other treatments had failed to provide sufficient … Continue reading Severely disabled toddler euthanized in the Netherlands under new rules

A Myanmar military airstrike near a crowded market in Kyauktaw, Rakhine State, killed at least 49 people and wounded 58 others.  The strike reportedly involved two bombs dropped near the market, which was a major trading center for the region. The Arakan Army, which controls the area, said civilians including vendors, shoppers and pedestrians were among those killed. The military has not immediately commented on … Continue reading At least 49 dead after airstrike near market in Myanmar’s Rakhine state

Estonia has accused Russia of ordering an August arson attack on Milrem Robotics, a defence company in Tallinn that supplies unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine.  Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the attack was an act of sabotage directed by Russian intelligence services. Estonian authorities say the suspects have been arrested and no longer pose a threat. Russia has rejected Estonia’s accusation, and Tallinn has … Continue reading Estonia says Russia ordered August arson attack on defence company

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a suspected attack plot near a U.S.-used British air base involved a foreign actor. British authorities arrested five men near RAF Fairford on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses after suspicious vehicles were reported. No viable explosives were found, and the suspects were later released on bail while the investigation continues. Rubio did not identify the foreign actor or … Continue reading Incident at US air base in UK involved foreign state, Rubio says

Four Americans were among six people killed when a building in Athens, Greece, exploded and collapsed near the Acropolis.  Greek officials said the explosion was caused by a gas leak in the building in the tourist district of Plaka. The four Americans were tourists visiting Athens when the explosion occurred. Greek emergency crews searched the collapsed structure and recovered the victims, CBS News has reported. … Continue reading 4 American tourists dead after building explosion and collapse in Athens

At least 10 people were killed in separate Russian and Ukrainian attacks on September 26, as fighting continued despite renewed efforts toward peace talks.  Russian attacks killed four people in Ukraine, including two women who died when their home collapsed in Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian drone strikes killed six people in Russia and Russian-occupied territory, including three in the Krasnodar region. Ukraine also continued targeting Russian oil … Continue reading At least 10 people killed in Russian and Ukrainian attacks

More than 50 people were arrested during a protest supporting Palestine Action outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, England.  More than 250 demonstrators gathered outside the conference venue, with some holding signs expressing support for Palestine Action. Police arrested protesters under the Terrorism Act because Palestine Action was designated a proscribed organization by the UK government in 2025. The protest was organized by Defend … Continue reading Palestine Action protesters arrested outside UK Labour Party conference

At least 27 people were killed in two separate mass shootings in South Africa near Johannesburg and Cape Town. In the first attack, eight gunmen opened fire at a bar west of Johannesburg, killing 17 people and wounding 15 others.  Hours later, another shooting at an entertainment venue near Cape Town killed 10 people and wounded 11 others.  Police had not arrested any suspects and … Continue reading Gunmen kill at least 27 people in separate mass shootings in South Africa