A rocket attack from Cambodia on Sunday killed a 63-year-old Thai villager, marking the first confirmed civilian death directly linked to a week of fighting along the Thailand-Cambodia border. The conflict, sparked by a Dec. 7 skirmish that wounded two Thai soldiers, involves longstanding territorial disputes over frontier land containing ancient temple ruins. Both sides have employed heavy weaponry, including Cambodia’s truck-mounted BM-21 rocket launchers … Continue reading Thailand says Cambodian rocket fire has caused its first civilian death in new border fighting

Ukraine has agreed to abandon its goal of joining NATO in exchange for legally binding security guarantees from the U.S., European allies, Canada, Japan, and other partners, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said ahead of talks in Berlin. This marks a major shift for Kyiv, which had long sought NATO membership as protection against Russian aggression, and aligns with one of Russia’s key demands. Zelenskyy described the … Continue reading Ukraine’s Zelenskyy abandons hopes of joining NATO ahead of peace talks

Hong Kong’s High Court has convicted pro-democracy activist and newspaper founder Jimmy Lai on three charges under the 2020 National Security Law, including conspiring with foreign forces to threaten China’s national security and publishing seditious material. Lai, 78, who has been in detention since December 2020, now faces the possibility of a life sentence. Judges described him as the “mastermind” of a criminal conspiracy, citing … Continue reading Hong Kong court convicts democracy activist Jimmy Lai on conspiracy charges

The U.S. military is deploying additional aircraft, ships, and support units to the Caribbean, giving President Donald Trump expanded options to escalate pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The buildup includes stealth fighters, electronic warfare planes, refueling tankers, warships, and drones that could enable airstrikes, enforce an oil embargo, or seize more tankers. Trump has warned of possible land strikes and authorized covert operations, while … Continue reading U.S. Pours More Firepower Into the Caribbean as Trump Ramps Up Threats

The Israeli military said it killed Raed Saad, a top Hamas commander, in a targeted strike on a car in Gaza on Saturday, marking the most high-profile assassination since the cease-fire two months ago. Saad, a senior figure in Hamas’s Qassam Brigades, helped plan the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that triggered the two-year conflict. Four people were killed in the strike, though … Continue reading Israel Says It Killed Senior Hamas Commander, Despite Cease-Fire

German police have arrested five men suspected of planning a vehicle-ramming attack on a Christmas market in southern Bavaria. The suspects include three Moroccans, a 56-year-old Egyptian reportedly serving as a local imam, and a 37-year-old Syrian, who are accused of plotting or encouraging the attack. Prosecutors say the Egyptian called for the attack with the intent to kill or injure as many people as … Continue reading Five men arrested for ‘Islamist plot’ to ‘attack German Christmas market’

Police say a father and son carried out a mass shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, killing 16 people, including the father, and injuring dozens. Authorities identified the suspects as a 50-year-old licensed gun owner and his 24-year-old son, who remains in critical but stable condition, and said no additional suspects are being sought. The attack occurred during the “Chanukah By … Continue reading Bondi Beach shooting gunmen who killed 15 were father and son

Ukraine provided the Trump administration with a detailed, point-by-point response to the latest draft of the U.S. 20-point peace plan on Wednesday. The plan, which includes significant territorial concessions, has put pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to act quickly. Zelensky’s adviser Rustem Umerov sent the response to Jared Kushner after consultations with European allies, including France, Germany, and the U.K., proposing amendments to make … Continue reading Ukraine officially responds to U.S. peace plan under pressure from Trump

Ukraine struck a Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker, the Dashan, in the Black Sea using Sea Baby maritime drones in a joint operation by the SBU and navy. The attack caused critical damage to the vessel, which was traveling with its transponder off toward Russia’s Novorossiysk port, a key oil hub. This marks the third strike on Russian tankers in two weeks, targeting ships used … Continue reading Ukraine says it struck Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in Black Sea

Renewed fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has entered its fourth day, with both sides accusing each other of violating international law and causing civilian casualties. Cambodia reported attacks on villages, schools, and cultural sites, including temples, resulting in 10 civilian deaths and 60 injuries, while Thailand claimed it was retaliating against Cambodian forces using historical sites for military operations. The clashes have spread across five … Continue reading Cross-border fighting between Thailand, Cambodia enters fourth day

Denmark’s Defense Intelligence Service has, for the first time, labeled the United States a potential security risk, citing Washington’s increasing use of economic and technological power even against allies. The agency says U.S. behavior is shifting amid heightened interest in Greenland, where great-power rivalry in the Arctic is intensifying. Tensions grew after Donald Trump repeatedly suggested acquiring Greenland and did not rule out using military … Continue reading Danish Spy Agency Now Views US as a Possible Security Concern

A top-secret U.S. government assessment reportedly concludes that China would defeat the United States in a war over Taiwan due to Beijing’s ability to mass-produce cheaper weapons in overwhelming quantities. The “Overmatch Brief” warns that U.S. reliance on costly, highly sophisticated systems leaves it vulnerable, a realization that reportedly alarmed national security officials. In simulated wargames, major U.S. assets such as the USS Gerald R. … Continue reading China would destroy US military in fight over Taiwan, top secret document warns

U.S. forces seized a Guyana-flagged oil tanker, the Skipper, off the coast of Venezuela, an action President Trump called justified but did not fully explain. The vessel had covertly loaded 1.1 million barrels of Venezuelan oil and was suspected of heading to Cuba. U.S. authorities say the tanker has long been sanctioned for participating in an illicit oil-shipping network tied to foreign terrorist organizations. The … Continue reading Trump says U.S. seized oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela

Lithuania has declared an “emergency situation” in response to an influx of meteorological balloons launched from Belarus, which are suspected to be used by Belarusian security services and previously smuggled cigarettes. The measure allows the military to assist police and border guards, while prosecutors and secret services investigate the Belarusian state’s involvement. The balloons have forced repeated airport closures, affecting over 350 flights and 51,000 … Continue reading Lithuania declares state of emergency over smuggler balloons from Belarus

Japan issued a megaquake advisory after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck northern Honshu, causing 34 mostly minor injuries and some structural damage. Officials warned that a subsequent magnitude 8 or larger quake could occur within a week, potentially triggering a tsunami up to 98 feet and killing nearly 200,000 people. The advisory aims to prompt residents, especially along the coast, to prepare emergency supplies and … Continue reading Japan warns of possible megaquake after powerful earthquake

Rights groups including the ACLU, NYCLU, and Center for Constitutional Rights have filed a lawsuit seeking the release of an internal Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) opinion that allegedly justifies the Trump administration’s strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels off Latin America. The lawsuit argues that the public deserves to understand the legal rationale behind military actions that have killed at least 86 people since … Continue reading ACLU files lawsuit seeking legal basis for Trump’s Caribbean boat strikes

South Korea and Japan scrambled fighter jets after Russian and Chinese military aircraft conducted a joint air patrol near both countries. Seven Russian and two Chinese planes, including bombers and fighters, entered South Korea’s Air Defence Identification Zone (KADIZ) on Tuesday, prompting Seoul to deploy jets as a precaution. Japan also deployed aircraft after Russian Tu-95 bombers and Chinese J-16 fighters flew near the Tsushima … Continue reading S Korea, Japan scramble warplanes in response to Russia, China air patrol

The U.S. flew two F/A-18 fighter jets over the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday, marking the closest known approach of U.S. aircraft to Venezuelan airspace. A U.S. defense official called it a routine training flight and emphasized that the jets stayed in international airspace. This mission comes after months of increased U.S. military activity following strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels. Earlier flights involving B-52 and … Continue reading US deploys fighter jets to Gulf of Venezuela in closest known approach yet

Israel carried out multiple airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Monday, targeting sites linked to Hezbollah, including a special operations training compound and a rocket-launching site, causing damage to several homes. No immediate casualties were reported, but the attacks come amid ongoing tensions despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in 2024, which ended over a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun … Continue reading Israel launches new wave of air attacks on Lebanon, straining fragile truce

Kenya sent 230 additional police officers to Haiti on Monday as part of a UN-led mission to combat the country’s rampant gang violence, while 100 officers ended their deployment. Armed gangs now control roughly 90% of Port-au-Prince, driving widespread murders, kidnappings, and looting amid ongoing political instability. The multinational mission, initially approved by the UN Security Council in 2023, has struggled due to being underfunded … Continue reading Kenya deploys more police officers to control Haiti’s gangs

Six Pakistani soldiers were killed and four injured in an overnight attack on a security checkpoint in Kurram district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, carried out by the Pakistan Taliban (TTP). Two militants were also killed during the heavy firefight, according to officials. The attack comes amid heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, following recent cross-border skirmishes that have killed dozens. Although Afghan and Pakistani officials signed a … Continue reading Attack kills six Pakistani soldiers, raises tension with Afghanistan

At least five people, including three police officers, were killed and three others injured when a car exploded near a police station in Coahuayana, Michoacán, Mexico, on Saturday. The explosion scattered human remains across the area and is under investigation by Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office. Michoacán is a hotspot for drug cartel activity, including groups designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S., and criminal groups … Continue reading Car bomb kills 5 people, including 3 officers, in front of police station in Mexico

On Monday, angry farmers in Crete stormed the tarmac at Heraklion’s Nikos Kazantzakis airport, forcing a suspension of flights, while clashes erupted near Chania airport, leaving two people injured. The protests target delays in EU-backed agricultural subsidies, following a scandal revealing widespread fraudulent claims. Farmers across Greece have used tractors and vehicles to block roads, ports, and airports, disrupting traffic and freight transport, particularly at … Continue reading Protesting Greek farmers swarm onto airport tarmac in Crete

A total of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger state, Nigeria, were released over the weekend and hosted at a government ceremony on Monday, appearing relieved but disoriented. At least 303 children and 12 teachers were seized on Nov. 21, with 50 escaping and about 150 still in captivity. Details of the release, including whether a ransom was paid, were not … Continue reading 100 schoolchildren abducted in Nigeria are released

Tensions in southern Yemen escalated on Monday after the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council seized control of parts of the oil-rich Hadhramaut province. In response, Yemen’s airspace was briefly closed, stranding hundreds of passengers, as the Saudi-led coalition reportedly withheld flight permissions to send a “message” to the separatists. The takeover highlights divisions within the anti-Houthi camp, which opposes Iran-backed Houthis controlling most of northern Yemen, … Continue reading UAE-backed separatists tighten grip over southern Yemen