Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged cross-border airstrikes overnight, sharply escalating tensions, with Pakistan’s defense minister declaring the situation an “open war.” Afghanistan said its attack on Pakistani military targets was retaliation for earlier Pakistani airstrikes in Afghan border areas, while Pakistan responded with strikes in Kabul and other provinces. Relations have been strained for months, with prior border clashes and failed peace talks despite a Qatari-mediated … Continue reading Pakistan defense minister says country in ‘open war’ with Afghanistan after strikes

Cuba’s military killed four Cuban Americans aboard a U.S.-registered boat that entered Cuban waters Wednesday, calling it a “foiled armed infiltration” aimed at terrorist activities. The Interior Ministry said the vessel carried 10 armed individuals with rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, and bulletproof gear, and that a firefight injured a Cuban border guard and six people on the boat. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel vowed to defend … Continue reading 10 Cubans on U.S. boat intended to carry out an ‘armed infiltration,’ Havana says

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has ordered increased security at key energy infrastructure sites, accusing Ukraine of attempting to disrupt Hungary’s energy system. In a video statement, Orban alleged Kyiv was using an “oil blockade” and preparing further actions, though he provided no evidence. Budapest recently claimed Ukraine was deliberately restricting Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline, an accusation Ukrainian officials denied, saying the … Continue reading Hungary’s Orban orders extra security, alleges Ukraine attacks plot

A mud volcano erupted in San Juan de Urabá in Colombia’s Antioquia department, prompting authorities to order precautionary evacuations near homes and a municipal water treatment plant. No injuries have been reported, though the road to the Siete Vueltas district was damaged. Emergency teams are assessing the site after videos showed flames and thick smoke rising from the eruption. Mud volcanoes release mixtures of mud, … Continue reading Mud volcano erupts near homes in Colombia

Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities say they have launched large-scale attacks on Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line in response to recent Pakistani air strikes in Nangarhar and Paktia. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the assaults targeted Pakistani installations after what he described as repeated provocations. An Afghan military source claimed 10 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 13 outposts seized, while Pakistan said its forces mounted … Continue reading Afghanistan launches attacks against Pakistan, draws ‘immediate response’

A Kenyan recruitment agency founder has been charged with human trafficking for allegedly sending young men to fight for the Russian army. Festus Omwamba, head of Global Face Human Resources, is accused of deceiving at least 22 youths with promises of jobs abroad, only for them to end up in Russia and, in some cases, on the frontlines in Ukraine. Authorities say more than 1,000 … Continue reading Kenyan man accused of tricking and trafficking hundreds of Kenyans to fight for Russia in Ukraine

A Hong Kong appellate court has overturned fraud convictions against pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, though he will remain in prison due to a separate 20-year sentence under the Beijing-imposed national security law. Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, had previously been sentenced to five years and nine months for fraud, but judges ruled prosecutors failed to prove deception beyond reasonable doubt. His overall … Continue reading Jimmy Lai’s fraud conviction overturned by Hong Kong court in rare legal win for activist

Authorities in Chiang Mai are investigating the deaths of 72 tigers at Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai, a popular tourist attraction where visitors interact with the animals. Tests found the tigers were infected with canine distemper virus, a highly contagious disease that can affect big cats, though officials are still examining how the outbreak began. The park, which houses more than 240 tigers across two facilities, has been … Continue reading Probe under way after illness kills 72 tigers in Thai tourist park

An explosion beside a police patrol car in Moscow killed one officer and wounded two others early Tuesday, Russia’s interior ministry said. The blast occurred just after midnight near Savyolovsky railway station when a man approached the vehicle and detonated an explosive device, dying at the scene. Authorities initially reported the suspect had fled but later confirmed he was found dead after reviewing surveillance footage. Investigative Committee of Russia has opened … Continue reading Explosion in Moscow kills Russian police officer after attacker detonates device

Australian police have arrested two men over the alleged kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, who was taken from his Sydney home in February in what investigators believe was a case of mistaken identity. His remains were found Tuesday near a golf club on the city’s northwestern outskirts after an extensive search. Detectives say Baghsarian had no criminal ties and are “million percent confident” the kidnappers targeted … Continue reading Australian police arrest two over alleged kidnapping, murder of grandfather

Russia has opened a criminal investigation into Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, on suspicion of abetting terrorist activities, escalating tensions between the Kremlin and the messaging platform. State media said the case was launched based on materials from Russia’s federal security service, which claims Telegram has been used in alleged Ukrainian-linked plots and refuses to cooperate with authorities. Durov, who lives abroad and also founded VK, condemned the move … Continue reading Russia opens criminal case into Telegram founder Pavel Durov

Files related to Prince Andrew’s role as a UK trade envoy are set to be published after the Government agreed to MPs’ demands, though some documents will be withheld until police investigations conclude. Andrew, who served as a trade representative from 2001 to 2011, faces allegations of sharing sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein and was recently arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office before being released under … Continue reading UK govt agrees to publish ‘Andrew files’

Chad has closed its eastern border with Sudan after clashes linked to Sudan’s civil war killed several Chadian soldiers and civilians. The government said the closure aims to prevent the conflict from spilling over, protect citizens and refugees, and maintain territorial stability, though humanitarian exceptions may be allowed. Fighting between Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and government-aligned militias recently killed five Chadian soldiers and three civilians in the border … Continue reading Chad shuts border with Sudan after cross-border incursion kills soldiers

Australia has launched a government-backed Royal Commission into antisemitism following the December 2025 mass shooting at a Hanukkah event in Bondi Beach that killed 15 people. The inquiry, led by retired judge Virginia Bell, will examine the attack, broader antisemitism, and social cohesion in the country, with a report expected by December 2026. Security arrangements at the event and the performance of intelligence and law enforcement agencies will be … Continue reading Australia begins inquiry into antisemitism after Bondi shooting

Civil servants have alleged that Prince Andrew charged massage services and other lavish expenses to taxpayers while serving as the U.K.’s trade envoy in the early 2000s. One former official told the BBC he objected to paying for the massages but was overruled by senior staff, claiming spending was poorly scrutinized and routinely approved. Another source described excessive costs for flights, hotels and entourage accommodations, saying oversight was minimal. … Continue reading Prince Andrew charged taxpayers for massages while splurging on lavish trips as trade envoy

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, 28, has been charged with attempted murder after a 23-year-old man was allegedly shot in the back on 19 February in Johannesburg. He appeared in court alongside co-accused Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, with bail set to be requested at the next hearing on 3 March. Both men also face charges of obstructing justice, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, immigration violations, and theft linked to … Continue reading Robert Mugabe’s son charged with attempted murder over Johannesburg shooting

British police arrested Peter Mandelson as part of a misconduct investigation related to his ties with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Authorities suspect Mandelson of passing sensitive U.K. government information to Epstein in 2009, though he faces no allegations of sexual misconduct. His arrest follows the recent detention of Prince Andrew over similar concerns linked to Epstein. The investigation gained momentum after the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of pages of Epstein-related … Continue reading Police in Britain arrest former ambassador Mandelson in probe into Epstein ties

At least five people have died in a series of avalanches in Austria’s Tirol and Vorarlberg regions following heavy snowfall and dangerous conditions. In the St. Anton am Arlberg area, five off-piste skiers were caught in a massive avalanche, with victims including an American, a Pole and a young Austrian who later died in hospital. Separate avalanches in Nauders-Bergkastel and Klösterle killed a German man … Continue reading At least five people killed in string of avalanches in Austria

Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine, killing one person in the Kyiv region and causing widespread damage in several suburbs. Emergency crews rescued eight people, including a child, from rubble, while strikes in Odesa hit energy infrastructure and sparked major fires. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia fired 297 drones and 50 missiles overnight, most of which were intercepted, though several struck … Continue reading Russian missile and drone barrage hits Kyiv suburbs

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has given Ukraine a two-day deadline to resume Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline, threatening to cut off emergency electricity supplies if flows are not restored. He accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of acting “maliciously” toward Slovakia, citing economic losses after Ukraine previously halted Russian gas transit. Slovakia and Hungary remain reliant on Russian oil and have pressured Kyiv … Continue reading Slovakia threatens to cut electricity to Ukraine over Russian oil spat

Pakistan’s military said it killed at least 70 militants in airstrikes near the Afghanistan border, targeting alleged hideouts of Pakistani militants responsible for recent attacks, though state media later put the toll at 80. Deputy Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry provided no evidence for the claim. Afghanistan rejected the accusation, saying the strikes hit civilian areas in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, including a madrassa and homes. … Continue reading Pakistan claims to have killed at least 70 militants in strikes along the Afghan border

Violent clashes broke out across western Mexico after Mexican forces killed Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” during a military operation in Jalisco. Authorities said he was wounded in a raid and died while being transported to Mexico City, as cartel members responded with roadblocks and burning vehicles in multiple states. U.S. officials confirmed providing intelligence support, though … Continue reading Violence erupts in Mexico after cartel leader “El Mencho” killed in military operation

The navies of Mexico and El Salvador announced seizures of more than 10 tons of cocaine in the Pacific this week, including Mexico’s interception of a narco-sub carrying four tons and El Salvador’s record 6.6-ton bust from a Tanzania-flagged vessel. Mexican officials said the operation was aided by intelligence from United States Northern Command and Joint Interagency Task Force South. The announcements contrast with recent … Continue reading 4 tons of cocaine seized from “narco sub” off Mexico 

At least 10 people were killed and 50 wounded in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, targeting what Israel said were Hezbollah command centers in the Baalbek area. A senior Hezbollah official was reported among the dead, though the group did not immediately comment. The strikes are among the deadliest in eastern Lebanon in weeks and threaten a fragile 2024 U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and … Continue reading Israeli strikes in Lebanon kill at least 10, including senior Hezbollah official

Police searched the former home of Prince Andrew for a second day after he was arrested and questioned for nearly 11 hours on suspicion of sharing confidential trade information with Jeffrey Epstein. He was released under investigation and has not been charged, while Thames Valley Police continue searches at Royal Lodge near Windsor. The British government is now considering legislation to remove Andrew from the … Continue reading Police search former Prince Andrew’s home a day after his arrest