U.S. President Donald Trump announced a limited naval blockade targeting Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz after ceasefire talks with Iran in Pakistan failed. The blockade will still allow ships traveling between non-Iranian ports, easing earlier fears of a full shutdown of the vital oil route. Rising tensions pushed global oil prices sharply higher, reflecting concerns about energy supply disruptions. Iran responded by warning it would confront military vessels while keeping … Continue reading US military says it will blockade Iranian ports after ceasefire talks ended without agreement

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sharply criticized Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of being driven by violence and even threatening potential military action against Israel. The tensions escalated after Turkey indicted 35 senior Israeli officials, including Benjamin Netanyahu, on charges of crimes against humanity. In response, Benjamin Netanyahu accused Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of oppressing Kurdish citizens, while Israeli defense minister Israel Katz dismissed Erdoğan as politically extreme. The dispute comes amid broader regional tensions, … Continue reading Turkey brands Netanyahu ‘Hitler of our time’ as Erdogan threatens to invade Israel

The Philippines opened a new coast guard base on Thitu Island to strengthen its presence in the disputed South China Sea. Officials said the base will help defend sovereignty, protect fishermen, and support patrol and rescue operations. The island is also claimed by China, as well as Vietnam and Taiwan, and has seen frequent tensions between Chinese and Filipino vessels. China continues to assert broad claims over the sea despite a 2016 South China Sea … Continue reading Philippines opens key coast guard base in the disputed South China Sea

At least four migrants died while trying to board an inflatable “taxi-boat” off the northern coast of France for a crossing to the United Kingdom, with dozens more rescued. Authorities said strong currents swept people away as they attempted to reach the boat from the beach. The incident occurred near Equihen Beach, an area often used by migrants waiting for safe conditions to depart. Recent days have seen a … Continue reading 4 dead, 38 rescued during attempted sea crossing from France to U.K.

Vladimir Putin announced a 32-hour ceasefire in Ukraine over Orthodox Easter, set to run from Saturday evening through Sunday. The move follows a proposal by Volodymyr Zelenskyy to pause attacks on energy infrastructure during the holiday. Kyiv had not immediately responded to the announcement. Previous short-term ceasefires have largely failed, with both sides accusing each other of violations, CBS News has reported. Meanwhile, United States-mediated peace talks have stalled as the … Continue reading Putin declares 32-hour ceasefire in Ukraine for Orthodox Easter

United Kingdom deployed naval forces to monitor and deter Russian submarines suspected of targeting undersea cables and pipelines near its waters. Defence Secretary John Healey said the vessels were tracked for over a month with support from allies like Norway. He stated the operation aimed to send a warning to Vladimir Putin that such covert activity had been detected and would not be tolerated. Russia denied the accusations, calling them unproven and insisting … Continue reading U.K. military deployed to deter threat to undersea cables amid Russian sub presence

Israel’s prime minister said attacks on Hezbollah will continue despite a United States-Iran ceasefire, while also agreeing to begin direct peace talks with Lebanon. The U.S. State Department confirmed it will host these negotiations next week. Ongoing Israeli military actions in Lebanon are straining the fragile ceasefire and complicating broader efforts to end the regional conflict involving Iran. Meanwhile, a message attributed to Iran’s leadership claimed victory in the war and called for compensation for damages and … Continue reading Israel vows to continue fighting Hezbollah but agrees to talks with Lebanon

Israel launched its heaviest strikes yet on Lebanon, killing hundreds and escalating regional tensions despite a recently announced ceasefire. Iran warned that continued attacks make peace talks with the United States unlikely, with officials calling negotiations “unreasonable.” Both Israel and the United States said the ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuvowed military operations would continue. Disagreements over Iran’s nuclear program remain a major obstacle, with both sides presenting conflicting claims about … Continue reading Iran says peace talks would be ‘unreasonable’ following Israeli strikes

North Korea conducted multiple weapons tests this week, including a tactical ballistic missile with a cluster-bomb warhead and an electromagnetic weapon system, according to state media. The tests, overseen by military officials, also involved carbon fiber bombs and a mobile short-range anti-aircraft missile system. South Korea reported that several missiles were launched over two days, prompting an emergency security meeting. The missile tested, known as … Continue reading North Korea tests military assets including ballistic missile

Australia’s most decorated living veteran, Ben Roberts-Smith, did not seek bail after facing war crime murder charges in a Sydney court. He has been charged with two counts of war crime murder and three counts of aiding or abetting such crimes related to incidents in Afghanistan. The allegations stem from a 2020 military report that found evidence Australian special forces unlawfully killed civilians and prisoners. … Continue reading Decorated Australian veteran remains behind bars on Afghan war crime charges

A pastor, Cheryl Bartley, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter following a baptism ceremony death in Birmingham. The victim, Robert Smith, 61, drowned during the ceremony in Erdington in October 2023. The Crown Prosecution Service said there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court after working with police investigators. Bartley is scheduled to appear before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court in May, the Mirror … Continue reading Pastor charged with drowning someone to death during baptism

Israeli airstrikes hit residential areas in Beirut shortly after a U.S.-Israel ceasefire was announced, as Israel clarified the deal does not apply to its conflict with Hezbollah. The Israeli military launched over 100 strikes within minutes across Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley, killing at least 254 people, with the highest toll in the capital. Entire neighborhoods were struck, causing widespread destruction, fires, and … Continue reading Apocalyptic scenes in Beirut after Israel bombs 100 times in 10 minutes

President Donald Trump announced he would suspend planned U.S. attacks on Iranian infrastructure for two weeks, contingent on Iran agreeing to open the Strait of Hormuz. He described the pause as part of a potential “double-sided ceasefire” and said it followed discussions with Pakistani leaders. The announcement came shortly before a deadline he had set for Iran to comply, which had raised global concerns and … Continue reading Trump-Iran agree to two-week ceasefire

Russian artillery and aerial attacks across Ukraine killed nine people, including a child, in multiple strikes on Tuesday, officials said. The attacks included shelling in Kherson that killed four people and a drone strike on a passenger bus in Nikopol that killed four more and injured several others. Ukrainian officials described the strikes as deliberate terror and warned of worsening conditions in frontline areas. Meanwhile, … Continue reading Two children among 13 dead in fresh Ukraine, Russia strikes

An Iran-backed Iraqi group, Kataeb Hezbollah, released U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson a week after she was kidnapped in Baghdad. The group said her release was conditional on her leaving Iraq immediately and described it as a one-time gesture. The announcement came shortly before a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran following over a month of conflict. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed … Continue reading Iraqi armed group releases US journalist

North Korea launched several ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast on Wednesday, following a similar suspected launch the previous day. The missiles traveled about 240 km, and South Korean and U.S. authorities are analyzing the tests. South Korea condemned the launches as provocations that violate U.N. Security Council resolutions and held an emergency security meeting. Officials said Tuesday’s launch may have failed … Continue reading North Korea fires ballistic missiles as Pyongyang dismisses Seoul’s diplomacy hopes

Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, despite most members voting in favor. The vote came just hours before President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to stop threatening the key waterway or face potential U.S. strikes. The resolution had already been weakened to focus only on defensive measures and remove authorization for military force in an … Continue reading Russia, China veto UN resolution aimed at reopening Strait of Hormuz

China has reserved five areas of airspace off its northeast coast for 40 days, from March 27 to May 6, without explaining why. Such restrictions are typically linked to military drills, but no exercises have been announced, and drills by the People’s Liberation Army usually last only a few days. The restricted zones, issued as aviation notices called Notams, span about 340 miles from the … Continue reading China restricts airspace for 40 days in signal of intense military activity

Bangladesh is running an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign with support from World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Gavi to contain an outbreak that has killed more than 100 children in less than a month. The initial effort is targeting children aged 6 months to 5 years in high-risk districts, with plans to expand nationwide in phases. Health officials report over 900 confirmed cases among thousands … Continue reading Bangladesh conducts emergency measles vaccinations as outbreak kills more than 100 children

An Italian mafia boss, Roberto Mazzarella, was arrested at a luxury villa on the Amalfi Coast after being a fugitive for over a year, police said. He is accused of involvement in a 2000 murder in Naples linked to organized crime. Authorities reported he was found with his family and did not resist arrest during the operation. Police also seized cash and luxury watches during … Continue reading Fugitive Italian mafia boss wanted for murder arrested at luxury villa

Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida rejected calls for the group to disarm, saying it would allow Israel to continue its war in Gaza. He argued that disarmament should not be discussed until Israel fully implements the first phase of a ceasefire plan brokered by the United States. Hamas has also told mediators it will not consider giving up its weapons without guarantees of a complete Israeli … Continue reading Hamas armed wing says disarmament demands not acceptable

Israeli forces carried out heavy airstrikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon, targeting sites linked to Hezbollah. The attacks caused widespread damage and casualties, with many civilians fleeing affected areas. Anger toward Hezbollah has been rising among Lebanese civilians following recent violence and deaths. Israel said it killed several Hezbollah members responsible for earlier attacks on its soldiers and also targeted allied militia forces, the Times … Continue reading Israel launches fresh strikes in Beirut

Australia’s most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, was arrested at Sydney Airport and faces five war crimes charges related to alleged murders of unarmed civilians in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. Authorities claim the victims were detained, unarmed, and under the control of Australian Defence Force personnel when they were killed. Prosecutors allege Roberts-Smith either carried out the killings himself or ordered subordinates to do … Continue reading Australia’s most-decorated living soldier arrested over alleged war crimes

At least three people have been killed by a falling tree in a forest near the northern German city of Flensburg, a police spokesman said on Sunday. Mass-circulation newspaper Bild reported that the accident happened on Easter Sunday at around 11 am (0900 GMT) in Satrupholm near Flensburg. The group was said to have been searching for Easter eggs. Others were injured in the incident. … Continue reading Three killed by falling tree in German forest during Easter egg hunt

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said authorities discovered explosives near a key gas pipeline supplying Serbia and Hungary, though no suspects or motives were identified. The devices were found close to the Balkan Stream pipeline, which transports Russian gas through the region. Vučić shared the findings with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who responded by convening an emergency defense meeting. The incident comes amid wider tensions … Continue reading Explosives found near gas pipeline connecting Serbia and Hungary