Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb military commander convicted of genocide and other war crimes, was buried in Serbia on Monday with military honors and a large crowd in attendance.  Mladic died last week while serving a life sentence for his role in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, the siege of Sarajevo and other atrocities during the Bosnian War. Many Serbs continue to view Mladic as … Continue reading War criminal Mladic is buried as a hero in Serbia despite EU warnings

Nepal is dealing with severe flooding and landslides that have caused major destruction and raised concerns about the reliability of information coming out of the country. The disaster has highlighted questions about how China is reporting on the situation, particularly because of Beijing’s close relationship with Nepal and its influence over regional information. Reports and images coming from affected areas have been difficult to independently … Continue reading As Nepal identifies those killed in the floods, questions grow over China’s reporting

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has formally deployed a new warship called the Kang Kon, saying it is capable of delivering devastating retaliatory strikes against an enemy.  The destroyer was commissioned at the eastern port of Wonsan as North Korea continues efforts to strengthen and modernize its navy. North Korea said the Kang Kon carries the same weapons systems as the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon, which analysts … Continue reading North Korea deploys warship ‘capable of annihilating retaliatory strikes’

Israeli airstrikes on the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Rumman killed at least 11 people, including two children and two medics, according to Lebanese state media.  One strike destroyed a three-story residential building, killing nine people and injuring five others, while a separate drone strike hit a civilian vehicle carrying two medics. The strikes came as Israel continues military operations against Hezbollah despite a U.S.-brokered … Continue reading Israeli strikes on southern Lebanese town kill 12 as fears of escalation mount

Thousands of people have protested across Spain over the ongoing migrant crisis in the Spanish territory of Ceuta, more than a month after a mass influx from Morocco. About 50,000 people reportedly gathered in Madrid, while demonstrators in Ceuta called for stronger measures to protect the territory and its residents. The crisis began when more than 70,000 migrants and asylum seekers crossed into Ceuta in … Continue reading Thousands protest in Spain as Ceuta’s migration crisis festers a month on

The conflict between the United States and Iran has intensified, with Iran launching missiles and drones at Kuwait in retaliation for recent U.S. strikes. Kuwait said its air defenses intercepted the incoming attacks, while Iran has also targeted U.S. assets in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Iraq. The latest escalation follows U.S. strikes on Iranian military equipment near the Strait of Hormuz, where Washington says Iran … Continue reading Iran retaliates against US by firing at Kuwait in ‘blatant’ aggression

The death toll from unprecedented flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border has risen to 1,252, with another 4,216 people still missing. The number of deaths and missing people increased sharply from the previous day as authorities continued assessing the disaster. Nearly 12,000 people have been rescued, while almost all communication towers have been restored with help from domestic and international aid. About 21,500 security personnel … Continue reading Nepal floods death toll climbs to 1,252 as rescue efforts continue

Norwegian authorities have seized a Russian vessel in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard at the request of Ukraine. The seizure was ordered as part of Ukraine’s efforts to recover a $4.22 billion arbitration award against Russia over the seizure of Ukrainian energy assets following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea. The vessel, the Professor Molchanov, is operated by Russia’s state weather and environmental monitoring agency and … Continue reading Norway seizes a Russian vessel in remote Arctic, drawing Putin’s ire

Russian Maj. Gen. Nikolai Varpakhovich, commander of the Kremlin’s 22nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Division, was shot in the face and abdomen by an unknown gunman riding a motorcycle. The attack reportedly occurred outside his home in Probuzhdeniye, near Engels, and left him in critical condition before he was taken to a hospital. Varpakhovich oversees nuclear-capable strategic bombers and has been accused by Ukrainian authorities of … Continue reading Putin’s nuclear bomb commander shot in face and abdomen in assassination attempt

South Korea has sentenced Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han to two years in prison for political funding violations and bribery. The Seoul Central District Court found that Han was involved in giving 100 million won to a ruling-party lawmaker before the 2022 presidential election. She was also convicted over luxury gifts, including Chanel bags and a diamond necklace, given to former first lady Kim … Continue reading South Korea hands jail term to Unification Church leader

Israel and Greece have signed a $3.5 billion defense agreement for Israel to build Greece a multi-layered air defense system known as the “Achilles Shield.” The system will combine Israeli-made technologies, including David’s Sling, SPYDER, BARAK MX and advanced radar systems, to protect against missiles, aircraft and drones. Greece is also purchasing a separate Drone Dome system to defend strategic sites from drone attacks. The … Continue reading Israel signs $3.5 billion air defense deal with Greece

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is winning on the battlefield in Ukraine and claimed Russian forces are continuing to make advances. He said Russian troops had captured territory in Donetsk and were putting pressure on Ukrainian forces in several areas. Putin also dismissed reports that Russia may need another military mobilization, calling such claims “utter nonsense.” He accused Ukraine’s leadership of terrorism and said … Continue reading Putin says Russia is winning on battlefield, will not negotiate with ‘terrorists’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned airlines and insurers that Russian airspace is becoming increasingly dangerous because of Ukraine’s expanding drone operations. He said the growing number of Ukrainian drones over Russia could effectively make the country’s airspace unusable for civilian aviation. Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine does not intend to target civilian aircraft, but warned that airlines flying through Russian airspace must account for the increasing … Continue reading Zelenskyy warns ‘Russian airspace will effectively be closing’

Germany has officially accused Russia of being behind an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August. German authorities said explosive-laden drones were found near Ukrainian cargo aircraft, raising concerns about a deliberate attack on critical infrastructure. Germany described the incident as part of a broader Russian hybrid warfare campaign involving sabotage, espionage and other covert operations. In response, Berlin announced the closure of Russia’s … Continue reading Germany blames Russia for airport drone plot, shuts down consulate

Japan’s Defense Ministry has requested a record 8.9 trillion yen ($55.6 billion) for the next fiscal year as it prepares for changing military threats.  The plan focuses heavily on drones, artificial intelligence and long-range weapons, including attack drones and hypersonic missiles.  Japan also wants to develop an AI system that can help military commanders make faster decisions and establish a Defense Ministry cloud for secure … Continue reading Japan to beef up its defense with drones, AI and missiles

Explosions were heard across Kyiv early Tuesday as Russia launched another major air attack on the Ukrainian capital and surrounding areas. The strikes killed at least 12 people in Kyiv and the surrounding region and injured more than a dozen others, including children. Russian drones and ballistic missiles struck residential areas, railway infrastructure and other locations, causing fires and significant damage. Ukrainian officials said the … Continue reading Russian air attacks kill 12 in Kyiv region on sixth day of strikes

Israeli forces carried out a heavy wave of strikes across Gaza, saying the attacks were intended to remove threats to Israeli security forces. The strikes came as an Israel-backed Palestinian militia reportedly conducted a raid in Gaza City targeting senior Hamas officials. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said a senior Hamas member was captured during the operation, with a security source identifying him as the … Continue reading IDF strikes Gaza as Hamas official captured in reported raid

Several improvised explosive devices were found at a power substation near Germany’s Jänschwalde coal-fired power plant in Brandenburg after what authorities believe was a deliberate attack. The attackers reportedly fired rockets at the facility, damaging several power lines and prompting emergency crews to respond. The grid operator 50Hertz said there was a brief interruption of service, but all power lines have since been restored. Police … Continue reading Improvised explosive devices found near German power plant, police say

Catastrophic flash floods triggered by a glacial collapse in the Himalayas have killed more than 1,000 people in Nepal and China, with thousands still missing. Nepal has reported nearly 1,000 deaths and thousands of people unaccounted for, while China has confirmed additional deaths and missing people in Tibet. Rescue efforts have been complicated by destroyed roads, bridges and other infrastructure, while hundreds of hydropower workers … Continue reading Mass burials in Nepal as death toll from flash floods exceeds 1,000

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet in Kyrgyzstan during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, highlighting their growing strategic partnership. The summit in Bishkek brings together leaders from Russia, China, India, Iran and other member states to discuss regional security, economic cooperation and major international issues. Putin and Xi are expected to discuss their countries’ expanding political and economic … Continue reading Russia, China leaders to meet at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit

Niger’s army says it has regained control of a major military airbase in the capital, Niamey, after mutinous soldiers attacked it on Saturday. The confrontation involved hundreds of discontented troops and lasted for several hours, with gunfire and explosions reported around the airport, presidential palace and other key locations. The mutiny highlights growing tensions within Niger’s military, which has suffered heavy losses while fighting jihadist … Continue reading Niger says it regains control of airbase after soldiers mutiny

A shooting at a rave in Aarau, Switzerland, early Sunday left one 22-year-old woman dead and five others injured. The victims, four men and one woman between the ages of 24 and 27, were taken to hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to severe. The shooting occurred around 2:30 a.m. at a horse-racing track where the “Aarau Rave VOL. 7” techno event was being held. … Continue reading 1 dead and 5 wounded in a shooting at a rave in Switzerland

Tens of thousands of Norwegians gathered to mourn King Harald V, who died at age 89 after a 35-year reign. His son immediately became King Haakon VIII and delivered an emotional speech honoring his father as a loving parent and dedicated monarch. Mourners across Norway have placed flowers, lit candles and signed condolence books as the country remains in an official period of mourning. Haakon’s … Continue reading Tens of thousands mourn King Harald V in Oslo as Norway enters a new royal era

Nepal has warned of possible new flooding as water levels rise in the Bhotekoshi River following devastating floods earlier in the week. The latest warnings came after Chinese authorities reported increased water flow upstream and alerted Nepal to another potential threat. The catastrophic flooding has killed at least 788 people in Nepal, with more than 2,500 still missing, while additional deaths and missing people have … Continue reading Nepal warns of possible fresh flooding as communities grapple with devastation

The United States carried out strikes against two Iranian launchers on Larak Island, marking the first known U.S. attack on Iran since late July. U.S. officials said the strikes were intended to stop Iran’s Revolutionary Guard from launching rockets carrying sea mines into the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Iran said the strikes killed and wounded several soldiers and civilians and vowed to retaliate against … Continue reading Iran retaliates after first US strikes in a month