NATO has stepped up air defenses after a surge in mysterious drone sightings over military bases and airports across Europe, with incidents reported in Denmark, Spain, Norway, France, and Germany. Denmark’s largest air base and Copenhagen Airport were repeatedly targeted, prompting a nationwide civilian drone ban during an upcoming EU summit. Authorities suspect Russian involvement, with ships from Moscow’s “shadow fleet” linked to some incursions. … Continue reading NATO ramps up air defenses as more drones buzz military bases

Seven Buddhist monks, including nationals from India, Russia, and Romania, died when a cable-operated rail cart overturned at the Na Uyana Aranya Senasanaya monastery in northwestern Sri Lanka. Six others were injured, with four remaining in critical condition, police said. The accident occurred Wednesday night at the forest monastery in Nikaweratiya, about 125 kilometers from Colombo. Preliminary reports suggest the cable-driven cart lost control while … Continue reading 7 Buddhist monks killed in Sri Lanka monastery cable cart accident

Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, long considered the country’s most notorious fugitive, has been extradited from Greece to face trial in Chisinau. The 59-year-old is accused of masterminding the 2014 “theft of the century,” when $1 billion vanished from Moldovan banks—equivalent to 12% of the country’s GDP. Plahotniuc was arrested at Athens airport in July on an Interpol red notice while attempting to fly to Dubai, … Continue reading Greece extradites oligarch to Moldova in $1bn fraud case

Rio de Janeiro’s parliament has approved a controversial “wild west bonus” scheme to reward police officers for “neutralizing criminals,” sparking outrage from human rights groups. Lawmakers voted 47 to 15 in favor of reviving a 1990s-era policy that previously triggered a surge in extrajudicial killings in the city’s favelas before it was scrapped in 1998. The new measure, backed by allies of former president Jair … Continue reading Rio lawmakers approve ‘wild west bonus’ for police who kill ‘criminals’

The French navy has seized 9.6 tons of cocaine worth more than $600 million from a fishing vessel off the coast of West Africa, officials announced Thursday. The bust, carried out Monday by two naval ships and a helicopter, followed a joint tip-off from French, British and maritime intelligence services. Authorities said the vessel, which carried no national registration, was intercepted as part of France’s … Continue reading French navy seizes 9.6 tons of cocaine from fishing boat off coast of West Africa

A new tropical storm battered the Philippines on Friday, leaving at least four people dead and forcing more than 433,000 residents to evacuate flood- and landslide-prone villages. Storm Bualoi, locally called Opong, struck Eastern Samar late Thursday with winds of 110 kph, cutting power and triggering flooding and minor landslides. Officials said three people were killed by falling debris and one by lightning in Masbate … Continue reading Another tropical storm hits the Philippines, causing 4 deaths and new evacuations

South Korea’s military said it fired warning shots Friday after a North Korean merchant ship briefly crossed the disputed western sea boundary. The vessel entered South Korean waters near Baengnyeong Island around 5 a.m. before retreating following audio warnings and gunfire, according to Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. No North Korean forces returned fire. Officials said the response followed standard procedures and that South Korea … Continue reading South Korea fires warning shots to repel North Korean vessel breaching sea boundary

World leaders at the U.N. General Assembly are pushing for an end to Sudan’s war, which has created the world’s worst displacement and humanitarian crisis. Alan Boswell of the International Crisis Group said this year’s meeting could be “make-or-break” for peace, as key powers have finally agreed on a roadmap. The conflict erupted in April 2023 between Sudan’s army and paramilitary forces, spreading from Khartoum … Continue reading World leaders step up efforts behind the scenes at the UN to end the war in Sudan

At least 10 inmates were killed in clashes between rival drug gangs inside a prison in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, police said Thursday. The riot is the second deadly prison outbreak this week, after 13 inmates and a guard were killed Monday in another facility. Authorities identified the victims as members of Los Choneros and Los Lobos, two powerful gangs recently designated as foreign terrorist organizations by … Continue reading 10 killed, at least 2 decapitated, in Ecuador prison riot just days after deadly jailbreak

Over 500,000 people have signed a petition opposing UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s plan to introduce mandatory digital ID cards, or “Brit-Cards,” for all adults. Starmer argues the cards will make it harder to work illegally and improve border security, while critics warn they risk mass surveillance and cyber attacks on personal data. The digital ID would also integrate driving licences, passports, NHS services, … Continue reading UK’s Keir Starmer unveils plans for digital ID cards for all UK citizens

An eighth U.S. Navy warship, the USS Stockdale, has arrived in the Caribbean to strengthen counter-cartel operations near Venezuela. The growing naval presence, including air support from F-35 jets and MQ-9 Reaper drones, aims to detect, monitor, and interdict illicit trafficking while supporting homeland security. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments are conducting boardings and seizures where authorized, while the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and … Continue reading F-35s and Reaper drones join huge US Naval fleet patrolling the Caribbean

Three women in Argentina, including a 15-year-old, were kidnapped, tortured, raped, and executed by a local narco gang in what authorities described as an act of “narco revenge.” The victims—Lara Gutierrez, Brenda del Castillo, and Morena Verdi—were reportedly targeted after being accused of stealing cocaine from the gang. Disturbing details of the murders include Gutierrez having fingers amputated, del Castillo suffering a fractured skull and … Continue reading Three women raped, tortured and executed on horror TikTok livestream

South Korea says North Korea is operating four uranium enrichment facilities, including the known Yongbyon site, signaling a potential expansion of its nuclear weapons program. The North is reportedly producing highly enriched uranium daily, with estimates suggesting a stockpile of around 4,400 pounds—far more than the 550–1,100 pounds estimated in 2018. While the locations of the other undeclared sites remain unknown, experts warn that uranium … Continue reading South Korea says the North has 4 uranium enrichment facilities to build nuclear weapons

At least 17 people were killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza on Thursday, including eight children, as international calls for a ceasefire grew. The deadliest attacks hit the central town of Zawaida, where a tent and a house were struck, and the southern city of Khan Younis, where an apartment building was targeted. Local hospitals reported multiple casualties and ongoing rescue efforts for those trapped … Continue reading At least 17 killed in Gaza Strip as leaders ramp up pressure for a ceasefire

Denmark reported that drones flying over several airports, including Aalborg and Billund, were likely operated by a “professional actor” in a “systematic” hybrid attack, though there is no evidence of Russian involvement. The incursions forced temporary closures and flight diversions, posing risks to aircraft during take-off and landing. Authorities said the drones were launched locally and were not shot down due to safety concerns for … Continue reading Denmark says ‘professional actor’ behind drone incursions over its airports

A man in his 40s was arrested in West Sussex, England, over a suspected cyberattack that disrupted several European airports, including London Heathrow, Berlin, and Brussels, during the past weekend. The U.K.’s National Crime Agency said the suspect was released on conditional bail, and the investigation is ongoing. The attack targeted Collins Aerospace software, which handles check-in, boarding passes, and baggage systems, forcing staff to … Continue reading U.K. police arrest suspect over alleged cyberattack that disrupted European airports

Moldova’s Prime Minister Dorin Recean warned that Russia is spending hundreds of millions of euros to influence Sunday’s parliamentary election, aiming to undermine the country’s pro-European trajectory. Recean accused Moscow of vote-buying, over 1,000 cyberattacks, incitement of riots, and widespread disinformation to weaken the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), which risks losing its majority. Russia denies meddling, while Moldova, an EU candidate since … Continue reading Moldovan prime minister accuses Russia of using country’s election to ‘take power’

A drone launched from Yemen struck Israel’s Red Sea resort city of Eilat, injuring at least 20 people, two seriously, and damaging buildings in the city center. The attack, occurring during Rosh Hashanah, follows previous Houthi drone strikes on Eilat, part of a broader campaign the Iran-backed group says is in solidarity with Palestinians. Israeli air defenses reportedly failed to intercept the drone. Mayor Eli … Continue reading At least 20 people reported injured after drone strike on Israeli city of Eilat

Former Malawi President Peter Mutharika has been re-elected with 56.8% of the vote, defeating incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, who received 33%. Chakwera, 70, conceded, pledging a peaceful transfer of power. The election was dominated by economic concerns, including soaring inflation, food shortages, and widespread poverty. Mutharika, 85, previously served as president from 2014 to 2020, when he was credited with infrastructure improvements and lower inflation, though … Continue reading Malawi’s ex-president Mutharika, 85, wins election by a landside

At least 64 people were killed in a night attack on the Saint Joseph parish in Ntoyo, North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, carried out by the Islamist rebel group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). Victims, gathered for a mourning ceremony, were hacked, shot, or bludgeoned, and some homes were set ablaze. The ADF, which pledged allegiance to Islamic State’s Central Africa Province in … Continue reading 64 killed in attack on Catholic parish in Congo

A massive sinkhole opened on a major road in Bangkok on Wednesday, damaging infrastructure, trapping vehicles, and forcing nearby evacuations. Officials said no one was injured, but three vehicles were caught in the collapse, which may have been triggered by construction at an underground train station. The sinkhole severed a four-lane road, pulled down power poles, and damaged water pipes, prompting electricity and water shutoffs. … Continue reading Massive sinkhole swallows part of a Bangkok road, forcing evacuations in Thailand’s capital

Italy and Spain announced they are sending ships to assist the Global Sumud Flotilla, after activists reported their aid vessels bound for Gaza were attacked by drones. The group claims Israel is behind the strikes, which they say caused explosions, damage, and communication disruptions just days before reaching Gaza. More than 500 unarmed participants from multiple countries, including Italy, Sweden, and Spain, are aboard the … Continue reading Italy and Spain deploy ships to help Gaza aid flotilla targeted in drone attack

Tropical Cyclone Ragasa, once the world’s strongest storm of the year, weakened into a tropical depression Thursday as it moved from southern China toward Vietnam, but it left widespread damage and casualties in its wake. In China’s Guangdong province, hundreds of thousands lost power, streets were flooded, and more than 10,000 trees were toppled. Over 2 million people were relocated before the storm hit. Taiwan … Continue reading A weakened storm Ragasa pushes across China’s south coast after flooding

Aalborg Airport in northern Denmark was shut down Wednesday evening after unidentified drones were spotted over its airspace, just two days after similar incidents closed Copenhagen Airport. Police confirmed flights were diverted as they investigated, though the number and origin of the drones remain unknown. The repeated disruptions have fueled suspicions of Russian involvement, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warning the incursions are part of … Continue reading More mystery drones shut down another airport in Denmark

The U.S. State Department announced it is designating the gang Barrio 18 as a foreign terrorist organization, citing attacks on officials, security personnel, and civilians in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. The move places the gang alongside groups like MS-13, Tren de Aragua, and major drug cartels previously labeled as terrorist organizations under President Trump’s administration. Barrio 18 was also named a “Specially Designated Global … Continue reading U.S. designates Barrio 18 as foreign terrorist organization