Multiple earthquakes struck western Japan late Tuesday morning, including a magnitude 6.2 quake centered in Shimane and neighboring Tottori prefectures. The main tremor at 10:18 a.m. JST was shallow and caused strong, long-lasting shaking, followed shortly by a magnitude 5.1 aftershock and continued aftershocks. The Japan Meteorological Agency said there is no tsunami risk but warned that strong earthquakes could continue for about a week, … Continue reading 6.2 magnitude earthquake detected in Japan, no tsunami warning issued

British and French warplanes carried out a joint airstrike on an underground facility used by Islamic State militants to store weapons and explosives in central Syria, the U.K. Ministry of Defence said. The strike occurred Saturday night in a mountainous area north of Palmyra, with RAF Typhoon jets and French aircraft targeting access tunnels using precision-guided bombs. Initial assessments indicate the site was successfully hit, … Continue reading UK confirms joint airstrike targeting suspected ISIS weapons facility in Syria

German leftwing militants have claimed responsibility for an arson attack that damaged high-voltage cables in Berlin, cutting power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses. The group, calling itself Vulkangruppe, said it targeted wealthy districts to protest climate change, fossil fuel use, and the energy demands of AI data centres. Up to 45,000 households initially lost electricity and heat during freezing weather, affecting hospitals, … Continue reading Leftwing militants claim responsibility for arson attack on Berlin power grid

At least 30 villagers were killed and several others are missing after gunmen attacked Kasuwan-Daji village in northern Nigeria’s Niger state, setting fire to homes and the local market. Residents and church officials say the death toll may exceed 40, with children among those abducted, though exact numbers remain unclear. Locals reported that the attack lasted several hours and said security forces had not yet … Continue reading Gunmen kill at least 30 villagers and abduct others during raid in northern Nigeria

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured in a U.S. military operation in Caracas and flown to New York, where they are being held ahead of a federal court appearance on Monday. They face U.S. charges related to drug trafficking and alleged ties to gangs designated as terrorist organizations, which Maduro denies. President Trump said the U.S. would temporarily oversee Venezuela during … Continue reading Trump says U.S. is “in charge” of Venezuela, Maduro expected in court Monday

Denmark has become the first country to shut down its state-run postal letter service after a 90 percent drop in letter sending over the past 25 years. The final letter was delivered this week, ending a 401-year-old service operated by PostNord. Letter volumes fell from nearly 1.5 billion in 2000 to just 110 million last year, while high costs made the service economically unviable. PostNord … Continue reading Denmark ends its postal service after 401 years

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck southern and central Mexico on Friday, killing at least two people and injuring 12 others. The epicenter was near Acapulco in Guerrero, which sustained moderate damage, while Mexico City experienced structural impacts and power outages affecting most of the city. Authorities are inspecting dozens of buildings and homes for safety, and landslides have been reported on Guerrero highways. Mexico’s Seismic … Continue reading Two people killed in magnitude 6.5 earthquake in Mexico

North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast, South Korea’s military reported, with Japan confirming it has likely already landed. This follows the country’s last missile test in November. Leader Kim Jong Un has called for more than doubling the production of tactical guided weapons during a recent factory visit. He has also inspected a nuclear-powered submarine and overseen several … Continue reading North Korea fires ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan

Saudi warplanes struck southern separatist positions in Yemen’s port city of Mukalla and surrounding areas as Saudi-backed forces moved to retake the city. The airstrikes targeted the Barshid Brigade camp in Hadramout, one of two governorates recently seized by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC). The STC had declared a constitution for an independent South Yemen and advanced into oil-rich regions, prompting Saudi intervention. The … Continue reading More Saudi airstrikes hit separatist positions in Yemeni port city

Swiss authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the managers of a bar where a New Year’s Eve fire killed 40 people and injured over 100. The managers face possible charges of involuntary homicide, bodily harm, and causing a fire, as investigators examine all leads. The fire reportedly started when sparklers on Champagne bottles ignited the bar’s ceiling around 1:30 a.m., prompting scrutiny of safety … Continue reading Swiss officials open investigation into managers of bar where fire killed 40

President Trump said early Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country during a large-scale U.S. strike, drawing swift international condemnation. Trump said the U.S. would temporarily run Venezuela during a transition period and move to restore oil production. U.S. officials said the operation was carried out by the Army’s Delta Force, and Maduro is expected … Continue reading US strikes Venezuela & captures Maduro; Trump says US going to run the country for now

At least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were reported around 2 a.m. Saturday in Caracas, prompting Venezuela’s government to accuse the United States of attacking civilian and military sites. The Pentagon declined immediate comment, while the FAA banned U.S. flights over Venezuela and nearby Curacao due to ongoing military activity. Explosions occurred over less than 30 minutes, causing power outages at military installations and in … Continue reading Venezuela accuses US of attacking civilian, military installations in multiple states

Russia accused Ukraine of killing at least 27 people and injuring more than 30 in a drone strike on a New Year’s party at a hotel and cafe in the Russian-occupied Kherson region. The attack, reported by the Russia-installed governor Vladimir Saldo, allegedly used three drones to hit a venue in Khorly on the Black Sea, and Saldo said he informed President Putin. Ukraine did … Continue reading Russia accuses Ukraine of killing 27 people in New Year attack in occupied Kherson region

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed to defend the island’s sovereignty in his New Year’s address, warning of China’s “expansionist ambitions” after Beijing conducted live-fire military drills near Taiwan. Lai emphasized strengthening national defense, societal resilience, and building effective deterrence against potential aggression. His remarks followed China’s objections to a planned $11 billion U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, which includes missiles, drones, and artillery systems. Beijing … Continue reading Taiwan’s president pledges to defend island’s sovereignty after Chinese military drills

UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged Israel to reverse its planned ban on 37 NGOs operating in Gaza and the West Bank, calling their work “indispensable to life-saving humanitarian work.” Israel says the groups failed to meet new registration rules requiring detailed disclosures on staff, funding, and operations, with enforcement set for March 1. Humanitarian experts and aid organizations, including Doctors Without Borders and the Norwegian … Continue reading UN chief Guterres calls on Israel to reverse NGO ban in Gaza, West Bank

Unrest over economic problems in Iran turned violent, leaving a 21-year-old Basij member dead after he confronted demonstrators in Kuhdasht, Lorestan province, with about a dozen security personnel injured. Protests, driven by high inflation and the rial’s sharp devaluation, have spread across the country, including attempts to storm government offices in Fasa, though authorities have so far taken a relatively conciliatory tone. Analysts warn that … Continue reading Iran Says Regime Loyalist Killed as Protests Turn Violent

In recent months, Venezuelan authorities have detained several Americans amid escalating U.S. military and economic pressure on the country, according to a U.S. official. Some detainees face legitimate criminal charges, while at least two may be designated as wrongfully held. These include three dual Venezuelan-American citizens and two Americans with no known ties to Venezuela. Past negotiations under the Trump administration had secured the release … Continue reading Venezuela Detains Americans Amid Growing Pressure

Dutch police reported facing an unprecedented level of violence on New Year’s Eve, with officers across the Netherlands pelted with fireworks and explosives. In Amsterdam, a 19th-century landmark, the Vondelkerk, caught fire in the early hours of New Year’s Day, causing the collapse of its 50-metre tower, though the cause remains unknown. Fireworks-related incidents elsewhere proved deadly, with a 17-year-old boy and a 38-year-old man … Continue reading Netherlands police face ‘unprecedented’ New Year’s violence

A roughly 150-year-old deconsecrated church in Amsterdam, the Vondelkerk, was severely damaged by a fire that broke out shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day, though no casualties were reported. Flames tore through the neo-Gothic spire, collapsing the tower and heavily damaging the roof as strong winds spread burning debris, prompting evacuations of nearby homes. Firefighters brought the blaze under control by late morning, and … Continue reading Monumental Church in Amsterdam Ravaged by Flames on New Year’s Day

About 40 people were killed and at least 115 seriously injured when a fire broke out during a New Year’s celebration at a crowded bar in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana shortly after midnight. The blaze transformed the Le Constellation bar from a festive venue into the site of one of Switzerland’s worst tragedies, prompting five days of national mourning. Authorities said the exact … Continue reading 40 dead and 115 injured in fire at Swiss Alpine bar during New Year’s celebration

The search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 is set to resume on 30 December, over a decade after it vanished with 239 people onboard. Ocean Infinity, a marine robotics company, will conduct the search under a “no find, no fee” contract, exploring a new 5,800-square-mile area of the Indian Ocean. The plane disappeared in March 2014 during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, sparking … Continue reading Search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 expected to resume on Tuesday

An investigation into the Sydney Hanukkah festival shooting found no evidence that suspects Sajid and Naveed Akram were part of a broader terrorist cell. The father and son spent most of November in the Philippines, where police determined they did not receive training or logistical support for the attack. Authorities allege the pair acted alone and were inspired by the Islamic State, with Sajid killed … Continue reading Alleged Bondi gunmen did not train in the Philippines and acted alone, police say

Saudi Arabia declared its national security a “red line” after a coalition strike targeted vehicles and cargo in Yemen allegedly supplied by the UAE to southern separatists. The limited military operation at Mukalla port came after warnings to the Southern Transitional Council (STC) against military action in Hadramout province. Yemen’s Saudi-backed presidential council demanded all UAE forces leave within 24 hours, canceled a joint defense … Continue reading Saudi Arabia says its national security a ‘red line’ after Yemen strike

China launched rockets toward Taiwan on Tuesday as part of the second day of large-scale military drills, which included a simulated blockade of the island. The exercises, called “Justice Mission 2025,” involve navy destroyers, bombers, live-fire drills, and anti-submarine maneuvers in five maritime and airspace zones, some within 12 nautical miles of Taiwan’s coast. Taiwan reported tracking 130 Chinese air sorties, 14 naval ships, and … Continue reading China fires several rockets around Taiwan during live military drills

The United States pledged $2 billion in humanitarian aid on Monday to assist tens of millions of people in over a dozen countries next year, part of a new UN-backed mechanism to improve efficiency and accountability following steep aid cuts under the Trump administration. The funding will prioritize life-saving assistance in 17 countries, including Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Sudan, while excluding … Continue reading US pledges $2bn in new UN model for delivery of humanitarian assistance