BBC boss to step down after ‘serious and systemic’ bias rocks network

BBC Director General Tim Davie and BBC News chief Deborah Turness have resigned following allegations of “serious and systemic” bias made by former adviser Michael Prescott. The accusations centered on the BBC’s coverage of Donald Trump, Gaza, and trans issues, particularly an edited Panorama segment that misleadingly spliced parts of Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech. Davie said his resignation was his own decision but acknowledged that the … Continue reading BBC boss to step down after ‘serious and systemic’ bias rocks network

UK government recovers £74m from asylum hotel firms

The UK government has recovered £74 million from excessive profits made by companies running asylum accommodation, following a review of contracts after Labour took office last year. While welcomed, the sum represents only a small fraction of the £2.1 billion spent on asylum accommodation in 2024/25—equivalent to less than two weeks’ costs. Ministers have sought to cut expenses through room sharing, cheaper alternatives, and plans … Continue reading UK government recovers £74m from asylum hotel firms

Spain’s former king reveals how he shot and killed his brother

Spain’s former king Juan Carlos has, for the first time, recounted how he accidentally killed his younger brother Alfonso nearly 70 years ago. In his memoirs, published in France, Juan Carlos described the March 29, 1956 incident when, at age 18, he fired a .22-calibre pistol in a room at the family home in Estoril, Portugal, unaware a bullet remained in the chamber; the shot … Continue reading Spain’s former king reveals how he shot and killed his brother

Student suspect investigated after Indonesia mosque blast injures dozens

Indonesia’s national police chief, Listyo Sigit Prabowo, said a suspect linked to explosions at a mosque inside a school complex in North Jakarta was a student there, and authorities are investigating his background and motive. The blasts, which occurred during Friday prayers in Kelapa Gading, injured dozens but caused no deaths. The suspected perpetrator is among two people currently in surgery. Police found toy weapons … Continue reading Student suspect investigated after Indonesia mosque blast injures dozens

North Korea fires ballistic missile days after Hegseth visit, says Seoul

North Korea fired at least one ballistic missile toward its eastern waters, South Korea’s military reported Friday, following recent artillery tests and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit for annual security talks. The short-range missile traveled 700 km (435 miles) toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan), likely landing outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. The launch comes amid rising tensions as South Korea prepares to … Continue reading North Korea fires ballistic missile days after Hegseth visit, says Seoul

Louvre museum director defends security plan after audit slams spending

The Louvre’s president and director, Laurence des Cars, acknowledged ongoing security shortcomings following the theft of Crown jewels worth over €88 million three weeks ago. In an interview Friday, she said a “master plan” to upgrade the museum’s security, including improvements to video surveillance, is being implemented. A recent report by the French Court of Audit criticized the museum for prioritizing acquisitions and visible projects … Continue reading Louvre museum director defends security plan after audit slams spending

Typhoon Kalmaegi slams into Vietnam after unleashing deadly destruction in the Philippines

Typhoon Kalmaegi wreaked havoc in central Vietnam on Thursday after devastating the Philippines, where it killed at least 188 people, mostly in Cebu province. The storm brought torrential rains and powerful winds to areas already flooded from record rainfall, leaving homes destroyed, trees uprooted, and tens of thousands displaced. Survivors in the Philippines are now struggling to salvage belongings and clear debris as floodwaters recede, … Continue reading Typhoon Kalmaegi slams into Vietnam after unleashing deadly destruction in the Philippines

China aims to expand its power in the Pacific with its new Fujian aircraft carrier

China’s largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has officially entered service, marking a major milestone for the world’s largest navy, Chinese state media reported. Unlike China’s first two carriers, the Fujian was both designed and built domestically and features an electromagnetic catapult system capable of launching heavier aircraft, including the J-35 stealth fighter, J-15T heavy fighter, and KJ-600 early-warning plane. President Xi Jinping … Continue reading China aims to expand its power in the Pacific with its new Fujian aircraft carrier

US strikes another alleged drug boat bringing death toll from campaign in Latin America to 70

U.S. forces conducted another strike on an alleged drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, killing three people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, raising the death toll from the Trump administration’s campaign to at least 70. The strikes, launched in September, have targeted boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, destroying at least 18 vessels, though the U.S. has not publicly provided evidence linking them to … Continue reading US strikes another alleged drug boat bringing death toll from campaign in Latin America to 70

Israeli jets strike southern Lebanon towns

Israeli jets carried out airstrikes on several towns in southern Lebanon on Thursday, escalating their near-daily attacks after warning residents to evacuate. The strikes followed Hezbollah’s call for the Lebanese government to avoid negotiations with Israel. Israel said it targeted Hezbollah military infrastructure, accusing the group of rebuilding its capabilities nearly a year after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Lebanese officials condemned the strikes, saying they hit … Continue reading Israeli jets strike southern Lebanon towns

Sudan civil war spiralling out of control, UN secretary general says

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the war in Sudan is spiraling out of control, urging an immediate halt to the fighting and violence. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), reportedly backed by the UAE, recently seized El Fasher in Darfur after an 18-month siege, with reports emerging of civilians being shot, including in a maternity hospital. The two-year civil war between the Sudanese Armed … Continue reading Sudan civil war spiralling out of control, UN secretary general says

Russian forces appear to tighten grip on strategic city of Pokrovsk

Fierce street fighting continues in Pokrovsk, eastern Ukraine, as Russian forces advance on the strategic city, much of which lies in ruins. Ukraine’s general staff denied claims that its troops were encircled, but analysts warn the situation is deteriorating, with Russian forces only a few kilometres from surrounding Ukrainian positions. Kyiv deployed special forces in a daring operation to shift momentum, but the effort has … Continue reading Russian forces appear to tighten grip on strategic city of Pokrovsk

Typhoon Kalmaegi death toll rises to 66 as widespread flooding hits central Philippines

Typhoon Kalmaegi has killed at least 66 people and left 26 missing in the central Philippines, with widespread flooding trapping residents on rooftops and sweeping away vehicles. Six of the fatalities occurred when a Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed in Agusan del Sur while en route to provide disaster relief. Cebu province, still recovering from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake in late September, was hardest hit, prompting … Continue reading Typhoon Kalmaegi death toll rises to 66 as widespread flooding hits central Philippines

Israel returns bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza

Gaza’s largest functioning hospital received the bodies of 15 more Palestinians returned from Israel, continuing exchanges outlined in last month’s fragile ceasefire. Since the U.S.-brokered agreement, the International Committee of the Red Cross has transported 285 bodies to Gaza, though identifying them is hindered by limited DNA testing. The returns coincide with Israel receiving the body of Itay Chen, an Israeli soldier killed in the … Continue reading Israel returns bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza

Prosecutors seize yachts, luxury cars from man accused of running Cambodia cyberscams

Prosecutors in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore have seized hundreds of millions of dollars in assets belonging to Cambodian businessman Chen Zhi, accused by the U.S. of leading a global cyber-scam syndicate. Chen, founder of Prince Holding Group, faces U.S. charges of wire fraud and money laundering, alongside a massive seizure of $14 billion in bitcoin, and joint sanctions from the U.S. and U.K. authorities. … Continue reading Prosecutors seize yachts, luxury cars from man accused of running Cambodia cyberscams

Japan deploys the military to counter a surge in bear attacks

Japan has deployed troops to Akita Prefecture to help manage a surge in bear attacks, which have injured over 100 people and killed at least 12 since April. Both brown bears and Asiatic black bears have been increasingly seen near schools, train stations, supermarkets, and hot springs as they forage ahead of hibernation. The operation involves soldiers setting up food-lured box traps, transporting local hunters, … Continue reading Japan deploys the military to counter a surge in bear attacks

Brazil’s president calls for investigation after 121 killed in police operation against gang

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called the police operation against Rio de Janeiro’s Red Command gang, which left 121 dead, “a massacre.” The raid involved thousands of officers clashing with heavily armed gang members who reportedly used drones dropping explosives. Police identified 99 of the dead as criminals, including 42 with active arrest warrants, though the operation also claimed some police lives. The … Continue reading Brazil’s president calls for investigation after 121 killed in police operation against gang

Driver ‘shouting Allahu Akbar’ ploughs into crowd on French holiday island

A man drove his car into pedestrians and cyclists on France’s Ile d’Oléron on Wednesday morning, injuring at least ten people, four critically. The 35-year-old local suspect, known to police for prior behavioral and alcohol issues, shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the attack, intentionally set his vehicle on fire, and was subdued with a stun gun before being arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. The rampage … Continue reading Driver ‘shouting Allahu Akbar’ ploughs into crowd on French holiday island

Vietnam flood death toll rises to 37

Central Vietnam is grappling with severe floods and landslides that have killed at least 37 people, displaced tens of thousands, and left many areas without power or communication. Heavy rains in late October inundated villages, swept away homes, and blocked major highways, while rivers in Hue City reached dangerous levels. Rescuers and aid workers have delivered food, water, medicine, and shelter, and are helping restore … Continue reading Vietnam flood death toll rises to 37

Tanzanian opposition claims security forces are secretly dumping bodies after election violence

Authorities in Tanzania are facing international scrutiny over deadly crackdowns on post-election protests, with the main opposition party, Chadema, claiming security forces have secretly disposed of hundreds of bodies. Protests erupted after the Oct. 29 election, which President Samia Suluhu Hassan won with over 97% of the vote amid low turnout and barred opposition candidates. Security forces used live bullets and tear gas, enforcing a … Continue reading Tanzanian opposition claims security forces are secretly dumping bodies after election violence

13 suspected drug cartel members killed in shootout with police in Mexico

Thirteen suspected cartel members were killed Monday in a shootout with authorities in Guasave, Sinaloa, while four others were arrested and nine kidnapped victims rescued. The clash began when security forces on patrol were attacked by gunmen hiding under a bridge. Authorities seized seven vehicles, high-powered weapons, and tactical gear following the firefight. Sinaloa has been engulfed in a violent internal war within a major … Continue reading 13 suspected drug cartel members killed in shootout with police in Mexico

China sentences infamous Myanmar scam mafia members to death

A Chinese court has sentenced five senior members of the notorious Bai family mafia to death, part of a wider conviction of 21 family members and associates for fraud, homicide, injury and other crimes. The Bais ran a criminal empire based in Laukkaing that evolved from casinos and red‑light districts into massive cyberscam operations exploiting trafficked workers, many of them Chinese. Authorities say their networks … Continue reading China sentences infamous Myanmar scam mafia members to death

Typhoon Kalmaegi leaves at least 26 dead in Philippines, with survivors trapped on roofs and in cars

Typhoon Kalmaegi has killed at least 26 people in the Philippines, mostly due to flooding across central provinces like Cebu and Southern Leyte. Floodwaters trapped residents on rooftops and submerged vehicles, while power outages were reported in affected areas. Separately, six people died when a Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed while delivering aid to storm-hit provinces, the AP has reported. The typhoon, with winds of … Continue reading Typhoon Kalmaegi leaves at least 26 dead in Philippines, with survivors trapped on roofs and in cars

UK stabbing suspect named, charged with attempted murder

Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder following a mass stabbing on a train in the U.K. He was arrested at Huntingdon station Saturday night after multiple people were injured and also faces charges of actual bodily harm and possession of a bladed article. Williams is linked to a previous incident on Nov. 1 at Pontoon Dock tube … Continue reading UK stabbing suspect named, charged with attempted murder

Avalanche in Nepal kills 7 climbers on Mount Yalung Ri

An avalanche on Monday struck a base camp on Mount Yalung Ri in Nepal, killing five foreign climbers and two Nepali guides. Five other foreigners were injured, though their identities and nationalities have not been released. Rescue efforts were hampered by bad weather, preventing a helicopter from reaching the site, with authorities planning another attempt at dawn. The U.S. State Department said it is monitoring … Continue reading Avalanche in Nepal kills 7 climbers on Mount Yalung Ri