Venezuela is mobilizing troops and a massive civilian militia along its Caribbean coast as President Nicolás Maduro vows to resist what he calls U.S. aggression amid the largest American military buildup in the region since the 1980s. State media portrays the United States as a predatory power seeking to seize Venezuela’s oil, while propaganda footage shows citizens training and armed forces conducting drills. Despite the … Continue reading Venezuela Mobilizes Troops and Militias as U.S. Military Looms Offshore

Sweden will establish its first emergency grain stocks in the north, investing 575 million kronor ($60 million) to ensure food security in the event of a crisis or war. The reserves will be located in Norrbotten, Västerbotten, Västernorrland, and Jämtland, regions currently dependent on grain transported from the south. Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin emphasized that northern Sweden is strategically important for the military and … Continue reading Sweden to set up emergency grain reserves so it’s prepared for crisis

A fire broke out Tuesday at a garment factory and adjacent chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh, killing at least 16 people and injuring others, with authorities warning the death toll could rise. The blaze began on the third floor of the four-story factory before spreading to the warehouse storing bleaching powder, plastic, and hydrogen peroxide. Fire officials said neither facility had approval or fire safety … Continue reading Garment factory fire kills 16 workers in Bangladesh

Ecuador has experienced multiple explosions targeting bridges, with authorities blaming the local gang Los Lobos and Colombian ex-FARC dissidents in retaliation for recent military operations against illegal miners. Transport Minister Roberto Luque described the attacks as “terrorism,” while Interior Minister John Reimberg said the blasts followed the destruction of illegal mining sites and the detention of ex-FARC members. No casualties have been reported from the … Continue reading Explosions hit Ecuador, local criminal gang and ex-FARC dissidents blamed

South Korea has issued a “code black” travel warning for parts of Cambodia, urging citizens to leave areas affected by employment scams and detention cases targeting Koreans. The ban covers border towns Poipet and Bavet, and the Bokor Mountain region, where a 22-year-old Korean student was allegedly tortured to death in August. Around 60 South Koreans remain detained after a crackdown on scam operations, with … Continue reading South Korea bans travel to parts of Cambodia amid deepening scam crisis that has left 80 missing

The United States denied that Hamas is violating the Gaza ceasefire, saying delays in returning the bodies of hostages were expected given difficult conditions. Trump advisers emphasized that all live hostages had been released in accordance with the agreement and outlined U.S. efforts with Israel to establish safe zones in Gaza for civilians fearing Hamas retribution. They acknowledged the complexity of demilitarizing the Strip but … Continue reading US denies Hamas violating deal, is aiming to set up safe zone for Gazans fleeing group

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire following some of the deadliest border clashes in years, which killed dozens and prompted evacuations. The truce, starting Wednesday at 6:00 pm Islamabad time, was claimed by both sides as requested by the other, with Pakistan emphasizing dialogue to resolve the dispute. The clashes erupted after the Taliban launched offensives along the southern Pakistani border, amid longstanding … Continue reading Afghanistan, Pakistan enter 48-hour truce after deadly border clashes

Hamas announced it has returned all the Israeli hostage remains it has been able to recover, but extensive efforts and special equipment are still needed to locate the rest. The Red Cross transferred two more coffins to Israel, where they are being sent to the National Centre for Forensic Medicine for identification. Under the Gaza peace plan, Hamas was to return 20 living hostages and … Continue reading Hamas says it has handed over all Israeli hostage remains it could recover

Doctors Without Borders announced it is permanently closing its emergency care center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, due to escalating gang violence, which now controls 90% of the city. The Turgeau facility, a key medical lifeline, had temporarily closed in March 2025 after armed men fired on evacuation vehicles, injuring some staff. Over 60% of the capital’s health facilities, including the main hospital, are now closed or … Continue reading Doctors Without Borders permanently closes its emergency center in Haiti’s capital

Israel received the remains of two additional hostages on Wednesday, hours after the military said one previously returned body was not that of a hostage, heightening tensions amid the fragile ceasefire. The coffins, transferred by the Red Cross from Hamas, were sent to a forensic lab in Tel Aviv for identification, which has not yet been confirmed. Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry received 45 more Palestinian … Continue reading Israel receives remains of 2 more hostages

Sweden is preparing to fill its grain silos for the first time since the Cold War amid concerns over potential conflict with Russia. Following its 2024 NATO membership and the end of military non-alignment, the government plans to invest £45 million to build emergency grain reserves, particularly in northern regions vulnerable to isolation. Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin emphasized the strategic importance of northern Sweden … Continue reading Sweden to begin stockpiling food for first time since Cold War

A fire and explosion on a crude palm oil tanker at a shipyard on Indonesia’s Batam Island killed at least 10 people and injured 21 others on Wednesday. The blaze erupted in the ship’s gas tank while repair workers were still on board, followed by a powerful explosion that caused panic. Four of the injured are in critical condition, and relatives gathered at hospitals seeking … Continue reading Fire and explosion on oil tanker at Indonesian shipyard kills 10 and injures 21

At least 20 people were killed when a bus caught fire on a highway in Rajasthan, western India, while traveling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur. Smoke was first noticed from the back of the bus, and despite the driver stopping and urging passengers to evacuate, the fire spread rapidly, trapping many inside. Police suspect an electrical short caused the blaze and that a jammed door prevented … Continue reading At least 20 dead in bus fire on highway in India after jammed door traps many passengers

Authorities in Indonesia have raised the alert to the highest level after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted, sending ash about 10 km (6.2 miles) into the sky. No casualties or damage were immediately reported, but residents and tourists on Flores Island have been warned to stay clear and prepare for potential evacuation. The volcano erupted twice early Wednesday, with authorities advising people to remain at least … Continue reading Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupts, sends volcanic ash into the sky

Finland and Sweden announced plans to buy more U.S. weapons to support Ukraine, amid concerns that Western military aid has dropped sharply in recent months. The purchases fall under NATO’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a program coordinating regular deliveries of arms and ammunition to Kyiv, with about $2 billion already allocated. Finland will also provide its own separate military equipment, while Sweden encouraged other … Continue reading NATO’s newest members offer to buy more US arms for Ukraine

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hope for a peaceful next phase in the Israel-Hamas deal, emphasizing that Hamas must disarm and demilitarize, or “all hell breaks loose,” echoing President Trump’s warning. The agreement, brokered by the Trump administration, secured the release of all 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, while Hamas has begun returning the remains of deceased hostages. … Continue reading Netanyahu says Hamas must disarm or “all hell breaks loose”

Madagascar’s military has taken control of the country following the parliament’s vote to impeach President Andry Rajoelina amid weeks of youth-led antigovernment protests. Colonel Michael Randrianirina announced that the military would govern alongside a transitional committee for up to two years, suspend key institutions, and organize a referendum and elections to establish a new government. Rajoelina, who fled the country after an elite military unit … Continue reading Madagascar military says it seizes power, suspends institutions

The U.S. government has seized nearly $15 billion in bitcoin and charged Chen Zhu, a U.K.-Cambodian businessman and Prince Holding Group chairman, with wire fraud and money laundering in what the Justice Department calls its largest-ever forfeiture. Prosecutors allege Chen and co-conspirators forced people to work in Cambodian cyber scam centers, running “pig butchering” investment scams that defrauded billions, with proceeds spent on yachts, jets, … Continue reading U.S. charges Cambodian tycoon in massive alleged cryptocurrency scam

Violent clashes between Hamas and rival groups in Gaza have intensified, including a disturbing incident reportedly involving the public execution of eight blindfolded men in Gaza City’s al Sabra neighborhood. Videos shared on social media, some from Hamas-affiliated channels, show masked fighters, some wearing Hamas headbands, dragging, assaulting, and ultimately shooting the detainees while large crowds watch. While the timing of the execution cannot be … Continue reading Masked Hamas fighters seen executing men in Gaza City as the group fights with rival powers

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the U.S. military conducted a strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel off Venezuela’s coast, killing six people linked to narcoterrorist networks. The operation marks the fifth fatal strike against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean since September and follows the administration’s declaration of a “non-international armed conflict” with drug traffickers. A new Joint Task Force under U.S. Southern Command … Continue reading Trump touts another US strike near Venezuela that killed six alleged drug smugglers

Hamas returned the remains of four additional hostages on Tuesday after Israel accused the group of violating the U.S.-brokered peace deal and threatened to restrict aid to Gaza. The dispute over the remains of 28 deceased hostages, including two Americans, has become the first major crisis of the peace process. Israel insists that returning all bodies is a key part of the agreement, while Hamas … Continue reading Hamas returns bodies of 4 more hostages after Israel threatens aid cut

Tens of thousands protested in Brussels on Tuesday against Prime Minister Bart de Wever’s proposed austerity measures, prompting police to fire tear gas to disperse the crowds. Minor clashes occurred as demonstrators set off flares and smoke bombs, played drums and horns, and choked major roads and transportation hubs. The protest, organized by Belgium’s three major trade unions, also coincided with nationwide strikes targeting cuts … Continue reading Police fire tear gas at Brussels protest against austerity measures

Hamas has begun deploying fighters and police across Gaza to reassert control following last week’s ceasefire with Israel. The group has targeted Israel-backed militias and engaged in clashes with local families, though U.S. President Trump indicated these actions fall within the ceasefire’s parameters. The first phase of the agreement saw Hamas release 20 hostages, while Israel freed around 2,000 prisoners and allowed aid shipments into … Continue reading Hamas deploys armed fighters and police across parts of Gaza

Malaysia and the U.S. are supporting efforts to expand the ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, aiming for a signing at the upcoming ASEAN summit later this month, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said Tuesday. The two countries fought five days of combat in late July, killing dozens and displacing over 260,000 people, and agreed to a truce after mediation by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim … Continue reading US and Malaysia work to expand Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire in advance of ASEAN summit

Three police officers were killed Tuesday in Castel D’Azzano, near Verona, northern Italy, when a house exploded during a forced eviction. The blast, triggered as officers tried to enter the two-story building, caused the structure to collapse, burying them under debris. At least 15 other officers and firefighters were injured, and two residents—a 60-year-old man and a woman suspected of triggering the explosion—were hospitalized with … Continue reading Blast kills three police officers trying to evict siblings from house in Italy