A top-secret U.S. government assessment reportedly concludes that China would defeat the United States in a war over Taiwan due to Beijing’s ability to mass-produce cheaper weapons in overwhelming quantities. The “Overmatch Brief” warns that U.S. reliance on costly, highly sophisticated systems leaves it vulnerable, a realization that reportedly alarmed national security officials. In simulated wargames, major U.S. assets such as the USS Gerald R. … Continue reading China would destroy US military in fight over Taiwan, top secret document warns

U.S. forces seized a Guyana-flagged oil tanker, the Skipper, off the coast of Venezuela, an action President Trump called justified but did not fully explain. The vessel had covertly loaded 1.1 million barrels of Venezuelan oil and was suspected of heading to Cuba. U.S. authorities say the tanker has long been sanctioned for participating in an illicit oil-shipping network tied to foreign terrorist organizations. The … Continue reading Trump says U.S. seized oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela

Lithuania has declared an “emergency situation” in response to an influx of meteorological balloons launched from Belarus, which are suspected to be used by Belarusian security services and previously smuggled cigarettes. The measure allows the military to assist police and border guards, while prosecutors and secret services investigate the Belarusian state’s involvement. The balloons have forced repeated airport closures, affecting over 350 flights and 51,000 … Continue reading Lithuania declares state of emergency over smuggler balloons from Belarus

Japan issued a megaquake advisory after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck northern Honshu, causing 34 mostly minor injuries and some structural damage. Officials warned that a subsequent magnitude 8 or larger quake could occur within a week, potentially triggering a tsunami up to 98 feet and killing nearly 200,000 people. The advisory aims to prompt residents, especially along the coast, to prepare emergency supplies and … Continue reading Japan warns of possible megaquake after powerful earthquake

Rights groups including the ACLU, NYCLU, and Center for Constitutional Rights have filed a lawsuit seeking the release of an internal Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) opinion that allegedly justifies the Trump administration’s strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels off Latin America. The lawsuit argues that the public deserves to understand the legal rationale behind military actions that have killed at least 86 people since … Continue reading ACLU files lawsuit seeking legal basis for Trump’s Caribbean boat strikes

South Korea and Japan scrambled fighter jets after Russian and Chinese military aircraft conducted a joint air patrol near both countries. Seven Russian and two Chinese planes, including bombers and fighters, entered South Korea’s Air Defence Identification Zone (KADIZ) on Tuesday, prompting Seoul to deploy jets as a precaution. Japan also deployed aircraft after Russian Tu-95 bombers and Chinese J-16 fighters flew near the Tsushima … Continue reading S Korea, Japan scramble warplanes in response to Russia, China air patrol

The U.S. flew two F/A-18 fighter jets over the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday, marking the closest known approach of U.S. aircraft to Venezuelan airspace. A U.S. defense official called it a routine training flight and emphasized that the jets stayed in international airspace. This mission comes after months of increased U.S. military activity following strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels. Earlier flights involving B-52 and … Continue reading US deploys fighter jets to Gulf of Venezuela in closest known approach yet

Israel carried out multiple airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Monday, targeting sites linked to Hezbollah, including a special operations training compound and a rocket-launching site, causing damage to several homes. No immediate casualties were reported, but the attacks come amid ongoing tensions despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in 2024, which ended over a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun … Continue reading Israel launches new wave of air attacks on Lebanon, straining fragile truce

Kenya sent 230 additional police officers to Haiti on Monday as part of a UN-led mission to combat the country’s rampant gang violence, while 100 officers ended their deployment. Armed gangs now control roughly 90% of Port-au-Prince, driving widespread murders, kidnappings, and looting amid ongoing political instability. The multinational mission, initially approved by the UN Security Council in 2023, has struggled due to being underfunded … Continue reading Kenya deploys more police officers to control Haiti’s gangs

Six Pakistani soldiers were killed and four injured in an overnight attack on a security checkpoint in Kurram district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, carried out by the Pakistan Taliban (TTP). Two militants were also killed during the heavy firefight, according to officials. The attack comes amid heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, following recent cross-border skirmishes that have killed dozens. Although Afghan and Pakistani officials signed a … Continue reading Attack kills six Pakistani soldiers, raises tension with Afghanistan

At least five people, including three police officers, were killed and three others injured when a car exploded near a police station in Coahuayana, Michoacán, Mexico, on Saturday. The explosion scattered human remains across the area and is under investigation by Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office. Michoacán is a hotspot for drug cartel activity, including groups designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S., and criminal groups … Continue reading Car bomb kills 5 people, including 3 officers, in front of police station in Mexico

On Monday, angry farmers in Crete stormed the tarmac at Heraklion’s Nikos Kazantzakis airport, forcing a suspension of flights, while clashes erupted near Chania airport, leaving two people injured. The protests target delays in EU-backed agricultural subsidies, following a scandal revealing widespread fraudulent claims. Farmers across Greece have used tractors and vehicles to block roads, ports, and airports, disrupting traffic and freight transport, particularly at … Continue reading Protesting Greek farmers swarm onto airport tarmac in Crete

A total of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger state, Nigeria, were released over the weekend and hosted at a government ceremony on Monday, appearing relieved but disoriented. At least 303 children and 12 teachers were seized on Nov. 21, with 50 escaping and about 150 still in captivity. Details of the release, including whether a ransom was paid, were not … Continue reading 100 schoolchildren abducted in Nigeria are released

Tensions in southern Yemen escalated on Monday after the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council seized control of parts of the oil-rich Hadhramaut province. In response, Yemen’s airspace was briefly closed, stranding hundreds of passengers, as the Saudi-led coalition reportedly withheld flight permissions to send a “message” to the separatists. The takeover highlights divisions within the anti-Houthi camp, which opposes Iran-backed Houthis controlling most of northern Yemen, … Continue reading UAE-backed separatists tighten grip over southern Yemen

Renewed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia over a long-disputed border have escalated, resulting in multiple deaths and thousands displaced. Cambodia reports that two more civilians were killed overnight, raising its total to seven, while Thailand says at least three of its soldiers have died. Both countries blame each other for breaking the fragile ceasefire established in July. The ceasefire had been hailed as a historic … Continue reading Thailand-Cambodia fighting spreads along border as death toll rises 

A bomb explosion in eastern Congo’s Sange killed over 30 people and wounded 20 amid clashes between the Congolese army (FARDC) and the pro-government Wazalendo militia. The violence occurred just days after a U.S.-brokered peace deal aimed at ending fighting with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, highlighting continued instability despite the agreement. Residents described confusion and attacks that made it difficult to distinguish between soldiers … Continue reading Bomb explosion kills over 30 in eastern Congo after army clashes with pro-government militia

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck off Japan’s northeastern coast late Monday, causing injuries, minor damage, and a small tsunami. At least 33 people were injured, mostly from falling objects, and a tsunami of up to 70 centimeters hit coastal communities, damaging some oyster rafts. Power outages affected about 800 homes, bullet train services were temporarily suspended, and roughly 480 residents took shelter at Hachinohe Air … Continue reading Japan assesses damage from 7.5 magnitude quake that injured 33

At least 25 people, including several tourists, were killed in a nightclub fire in Arpora, Goa, caused by a gas cylinder explosion, officials said. Most of the victims were kitchen staff, while six others were injured and are in stable condition. The club’s narrow entry and exit delayed firefighting efforts, trapping some patrons and staff during the blaze. Authorities noted the club had previously received … Continue reading A fire at a popular nightclub in India kills at least 25, officials say

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