Ezra Jin, founder and pastor of Zion Church, and dozens of church staff and members have been arrested in China amid a crackdown on unregistered Christian churches. Jin, a father of U.S. citizens, was detained Friday at his home in Beihai, Guangxi, while more than 30 pastors and staff were arrested or made unreachable starting Thursday, some facing criminal charges for “illegal dissemination of religious … Continue reading China detains dozens of underground church pastors in crackdown

Venezuela announced it will close its embassies in Norway and Australia and open new missions in Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe as part of a foreign service restructuring aimed at strengthening African alliances. The government described the closures as a “strategic re-assignation of resources” and said consular services in Norway and Australia will continue through other diplomatic missions. Norway expressed regret over the embassy closure and … Continue reading Venezuela announces closure of Norway, Australia embassies

The Russian submarine Novorossiysk surfaced off the coast of France last week and was later escorted by the Dutch navy in the North Sea, reportedly due to a fuel leak. NATO chief Mark Rutte mocked the incident, calling the vessel a “lone and broken Russian submarine limping home from patrol” and joking it resembled a hunt for a mechanic rather than a military mission. Russia’s … Continue reading NATO chief Mark Rutte mocks Russia over ‘limping’ submarine in English Channel

Severe flooding from two tropical systems, Hurricane Priscilla and Tropical Storm Raymond, has devastated parts of Mexico, killing at least 64 people, leaving 65 missing, and damaging roughly 100,000 homes across five states. In Poza Rica, an oil town in Veracruz, floodwaters not only destroyed homes but left thick oil residue on walls, vehicles, and trees, complicating cleanup efforts. Residents like Lilia Ramírez described seeing … Continue reading Death toll from torrential rains in Mexico rises to 64 as search expands

After last week’s ceasefire with Israel, Hamas has begun deploying armed fighters and police across Gaza to reassert control over the war-torn territory. Reports and images show Hamas forces at hospitals, as well as violent clashes and executions targeting alleged collaborators and rival groups. While the renewed violence is not expected to derail the ceasefire immediately, it highlights deep concerns about Hamas’s disarmament and the … Continue reading Hamas deploys armed fighters and police across parts of Gaza

Zimbabwean opposition MP Desire Moyo has died after the vehicle he was traveling in struck an elephant on the Bulawayo-Gweru highway. The accident, which occurred early Friday, also injured four other MPs. Moyo, a member of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and a poet celebrated for his contributions to the arts, died instantly from his injuries. Colleagues described the crash as horrific, noting that … Continue reading Zimbabwe lawmaker and poet dies after his car hits an elephant

Ian Watkins, the former Lostprophets singer and convicted pedophile, was killed in a prison attack in the U.K. on Saturday. He was serving a 29-year sentence at HMP Wakefield for child sex offenses, including the attempted rape of a baby. West Yorkshire Police said prison staff reported the assault at 9:39 a.m., and Watkins was pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide detectives are investigating the … Continue reading Lostprophets Singer Ian Watkins Killed In Prison Attack

A drone and artillery attack by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a displacement camp in El-Fasher killed at least 60 people, including children, women, and the elderly. The assault struck the Dar al-Arqam center on university grounds multiple times, one of the deadliest since the RSF began besieging the city 18 months ago. El-Fasher, the last major city in North Darfur under army control, … Continue reading Sudan: Drone, artillery strike kills 60 at refugee camp

Chinese coast guard ships used water cannons and rammed a Philippine government vessel off Thitu Island in the disputed South China Sea, causing minor damage but no injuries, the Philippine coast guard said. Two other Philippine fisheries vessels were also targeted, with the Chinese side claiming the ships had entered Chinese waters near Sandy Cay without permission. The Philippines condemned the aggressive maneuvers, asserting they … Continue reading Chinese coast guard rams and damages a Philippine vessel off an island in the South China Sea

The trial of two British men accused of spying for China collapsed after the U.K. government refused to label Beijing a national security threat at the time of the alleged offenses. Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry were charged under the Official Secrets Act for sharing information between 2021 and 2023, but prosecutors could not secure testimony confirming China as an “enemy.” The case was dropped … Continue reading UK prosecutor says spying case collapsed because government wouldn’t call China a threat

Heavy rains in Mexico have killed at least 44 people due to flooding and landslides, with Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, and Querétaro among the hardest-hit areas. President Claudia Sheinbaum met with governors to coordinate an emergency response as rescue teams dig through mud-filled villages. Hundreds of military and emergency personnel are conducting rescues and setting up shelters for stranded residents. Thousands remain without electricity and running … Continue reading At least 44 people dead after torrential rains in Mexico

Severe floods hit northeastern Catalonia, Spain, on Sunday, trapping people in vehicles and homes after torrential rains drenched the region, following similar downpours that caused chaos on Ibiza. Videos showed torrents of brown water sweeping through streets and submerging cars, while local streams and ravines overflowed, especially in towns like Santa Barbara and Godall. The national weather agency issued a red alert for Tarragona, warning … Continue reading Floods trap people in cars in Spain’s Catalonia region

Madagascar’s president, Andry Rajoelina, warned of an “attempt to seize power illegally” after an elite military unit, Capsat, sided with protesters and announced it was taking control of the army. The intervention follows weeks of youth-led demonstrations over water and electricity shortages, corruption, and calls for Rajoelina’s resignation. Capsat, which helped bring Rajoelina to power in a 2009 coup, said it would not fire on … Continue reading Madagascar’s president says illegal power grab by military is under way

At least 27 people were killed in Gaza City during violent clashes between Hamas security forces and armed members of the Dughmush family, one of the deadliest internal confrontations since major Israeli operations ended. Fighting erupted in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood near the former Jordanian hospital, where Dughmush gunmen had taken refuge, prompting panic as dozens of families fled. Hamas said the Dughmush fighters had … Continue reading Gaza City clashes between Hamas and clan members leave 27 dead

Afghanistan said Sunday that its forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers and captured 25 army posts in overnight border clashes, claiming the attacks were retaliation for repeated violations of Afghan territory and airspace. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghan forces now had “complete control” of the border, though Pakistan has not confirmed any casualties. The fighting followed Afghan accusations that Pakistan bombed Kabul and an eastern … Continue reading Afghanistan says it killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in border operations

The US has been secretly supporting Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure to weaken Vladimir Putin’s economy and pressure him into negotiations. American intelligence has helped Kyiv target key refineries and energy facilities deep inside Russia, causing disruptions that raised domestic fuel prices and forced export cuts. This cooperation intensified after a July call between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in which Trump reportedly … Continue reading Ukraine hit Russian energy sites with US help

Burkina Faso’s military government arrested eight staff members of the Dutch humanitarian group INSO, accusing them of spying and treason. The detainees, including French, Czech, Malian, and Burkinabe nationals, were alleged to have collected sensitive security information after the organisation was banned for three months. INSO “categorically” rejected the allegations, stating that its information-gathering is solely for the safety of humanitarians and largely public. The … Continue reading Burkina Faso’s military gov’t arrests European NGO workers for ‘spying’

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te pledged Friday to accelerate the development of the “T-Dome” air defense system in response to threats from China. The system, inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, aims to provide high-level detection and effective interception of incoming attacks. Speaking at a National Day celebration, Lai also committed to increasing Taiwan’s defense spending to more than 3% of GDP, with a goal of reaching … Continue reading Taiwan’s president pledges to accelerate the building of air defense system

Myanmar’s military carried out a motorized paraglider strike on Bon To village in the central Sagaing region, killing at least 20 people—including children—and wounding over 50 during a Buddhist festival and rally for political prisoners. The attack targeted civilians gathered at the village’s primary school for an oil lamp ceremony marking the end of Buddhist Lent. Witnesses reported that bombs were dropped twice, with the … Continue reading Myanmar’s military strikes village in glider raid, killing at least 20 people

Israel approved a framework for the release of all hostages held in Gaza, both living and deceased, following a deal signed with Hamas in Egypt. The agreement, described as the “first phase” of ending the two-year war in Gaza, aims to bring home dozens of remaining Israeli hostages. President Trump indicated the hostages could be released as early as Monday or Tuesday under the deal. … Continue reading Israeli government approves hostage and ceasefire deal

Indian police arrested G. Ranganathan, owner of Sresan Pharma, after a cough syrup produced at his plant was linked to the deaths of at least 21 children under five in Madhya Pradesh. The syrup, sold as Coldrif, was found to be contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial chemical. Authorities have banned the product in multiple states, while the World Health Organization has sought … Continue reading Police arrest owner of drug company linked to deaths of 21 children in India

A former Warsaw city council employee, identified as Tomasz L., was charged with espionage for allegedly providing Russia with false identities for its spies. Authorities say he copied civil registry records from 2017 to 2022 while working in the archives of births, marriages, and deaths. The stolen information reportedly allowed Russian intelligence to create fake identity papers for agents abroad. Tomasz L. was detained in … Continue reading Poland charges former registry office employee with providing false identities for Russian spies

Morocco’s youth-led “Gen Z 212” movement returned to the streets Thursday, demanding the dismissal of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and broader reforms to tackle corruption and improve public services. The protests, sparked by the deaths of eight women in a public hospital in Agadir, criticize government spending on infrastructure over healthcare and education. Demonstrators, organized via social media, called on King Mohammed VI to intervene, … Continue reading Protesters rally across Morocco in final push for reforms before king’s expected address

Kyiv was hit early Friday by a “massive attack” from Russia, targeting critical infrastructure and causing widespread power and water outages, fires in high-rise apartments, and nine injuries. Ukrainian officials reported drone and missile strikes, while the energy ministry said experts were working to minimize damage and restore services. Russia also struck Zaporizhzhia, killing a seven-year-old and injuring others, while Ukraine retaliated with drone and … Continue reading Russia strikes Kyiv apartments, energy sites in major attack

South Korean authorities indicted Hak Ja Han, 82, leader of the Unification Church, over allegations she instructed church officials to bribe the wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol and a conservative lawmaker. Han and her former chief secretary face charges including bribery, embezzlement, violations of political funding laws, and instructing the destruction of evidence. Investigators claim the church offered luxury goods and cash … Continue reading South Korean prosecutor indicts Unification Church leader in probe linked to ex-first lady