Polish police have arrested a Ukrainian national, identified as diver Volodymyr Z, on suspicion of involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions. German prosecutors allege he was part of a group that planted explosives on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, participating directly in the dives. He faces charges of sabotage and causing explosions, but his lawyer says he will challenge extradition to Germany, … Continue reading Ukrainian diver held in Poland over Russian pipeline blasts in Baltic Sea

A Congolese high military court has convicted former President Joseph Kabila of treason, war crimes, and collaborating with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, sentencing him to death in absentia. Kabila, who has not been seen publicly for months, was also ordered to pay $33 billion in damages to Congo and its eastern provinces. Prosecutors cited testimony from a former rebel insider claiming Kabila coordinated with M23 to … Continue reading Congo military court sentences former President Kabila to death for treason

Hundreds of young protesters returned to Madagascar’s streets despite President Andry Rajoelina dissolving his government, prompting police to fire tear gas in the capital, Antananarivo. The “Gen-Z” protests, sparked by repeated water and power cuts, have spread to eight cities since Thursday, leaving at least 22 people dead and 100 injured, according to the UN, though the government disputes these figures. Protesters demand Rajoelina’s resignation … Continue reading Madagascar police fire tear gas as president fails to placate protesters

The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution to deploy a 5,550-member international “Gang Suppression Force” in Haiti to combat escalating gang violence. The force, an expansion of the current Kenya-led multinational mission, will have powers to arrest gang members and protect critical infrastructure. The resolution, co-sponsored by the U.S. and Panama, passed 12-0, with Russia, China, and Pakistan abstaining. Gangs now control 90% of Port-au-Prince … Continue reading UN authorizes a much larger force to fight gangs in Haiti

Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey are urging Hamas to respond positively to President Trump’s proposal to end the war in Gaza. Acting as mediators with close ties to Hamas, officials from these countries have met the group twice in 24 hours, emphasizing that the plan aims to stop the war and offering assurances of Trump’s commitment. The proposal includes significant concessions for Hamas, such as the … Continue reading Qatar, Egypt and Turkey urge Hamas to accept Trump’s Gaza peace plan

Youth-led protests demanding better education and healthcare in Morocco turned violent on Tuesday, the fourth day of demonstrations across multiple cities. Organised online by the anonymous group “GenZ 212,” protesters clashed with security forces, overturned vehicles, set banks on fire, and attempted to storm supermarkets in cities including Ait Amira, Inzegane, Tiznit, Oujda, and Temara. Police used water cannons and made dozens of arrests, while … Continue reading Morocco’s youth protests turn violent on fourth day

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant faces a “critical” situation after being without external power for seven days, with one emergency diesel generator now failing. Russian shelling cut the plant off from the electricity grid, leaving its cooling and safety systems reliant on backup power. The outage, the longest since Russia’s 2022 invasion, marks the tenth disconnection of Europe’s … Continue reading Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says situation ‘critical’ at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa, was found dead Tuesday outside the Hyatt Regency hotel in Paris. He had been reported missing by his wife the previous evening after sending a worrying text. French authorities found a forced-open window in his 22nd-floor room, and investigators suspect suicide. Mthethwa, a former South African police minister, had recently been linked to a judicial inquiry … Continue reading South Africa’s ambassador to France found dead outside Paris hotel

The Taliban have shut down internet and telecom services across Afghanistan, creating near-total digital blackout that has halted flights, frozen banks, and cut off millions of people and businesses. Connectivity dropped to about 1% of normal after the country’s 9,350-km fiber optic network was disabled. The shutdown, ordered by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, is being rolled out in phases, affecting mobile data, phone lines, and … Continue reading Taliban kills internet across Afghanistan, citing morality concerns as UN protests

A powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck central Philippines late Tuesday, killing at least 26 people and injuring over 140. The shallow quake hit near Bogo City in Cebu province, causing widespread damage, power outages, and panic. Buildings, including churches and a sports complex, were destroyed, and landslides buried homes in mountain villages. Authorities briefly issued and later lifted a tsunami warning, the DW has reported. The … Continue reading Philippines hit by 6.9 magnitude earthquake, dozens dead

Swiss voters narrowly approved a voluntary electronic ID system, with 50.4% in favor and 49.6% opposed. Unlike a rejected 2021 proposal, the new digital IDs will be government-controlled, stored only on individual smartphones, and optional. The system allows verification of specific details, like age or nationality, without compromising other personal data, aiming to simplify bureaucratic procedures. Supporters praise its convenience, while opponents remain concerned about … Continue reading Swiss voters narrowly approve plan for electronic ID cards

Typhoon Bualoi has killed at least 11 people in central and northern Vietnam, damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes, and left dozens missing or injured. The storm caused flooding, washed-away bridges, and power outages, and forced nearly 30,000 people to evacuate, while flights were delayed or cancelled. Bualoi follows Super Typhoon Ragasa, which killed at least 28 people in the Philippines and Taiwan last week … Continue reading Typhoon kills at least 11 as it sweeps through Vietnam

Israel continues its offensive in Gaza, with tanks advancing through central and western Gaza City and airstrikes killing at least 77 people in the past 24 hours. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have tried to evacuate, but many remain trapped due to illness, disability, or lack of transport. Hamas called for a temporary halt in airstrikes to locate two Israeli hostages, while Israel and former … Continue reading Israel presses on with Gaza assault as Trump again claims ceasefire is close

North Korea and China agreed to strengthen bilateral ties and oppose “hegemonism” and unilateralism, signaling alignment against the United States. The meeting of their foreign ministers in Beijing followed the first Kim-Xi summit in over six years, which included a joint appearance with Russian President Putin at a military parade. North Korea emphasized close cooperation with China in multilateral affairs, while China stressed strategic communication … Continue reading Top diplomats of North Korea and China agree to deepen ties

Snapback sanctions were reimposed on Iran Sunday by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, citing Tehran’s failure to meet its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA. The mechanism allows UN sanctions lifted under the 2015 deal to be restored before their permanent expiration if a signatory is deemed noncompliant. European nations have pressed Iran for evidence of cooperation with inspections, resumption of U.S. talks, and accountability … Continue reading European nations hit Iran with ‘snapback’ sanctions over its nuclear program

Russian forces launched a massive drone and missile attack across Ukraine on Sunday, killing at least four people, including a 12-year-old girl, and injuring at least 70. The strike primarily targeted Kyiv, though regions including Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, and Odesa were also hit. Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted most of the 595 drones and 48 missiles fired. President Zelenskyy condemned the attack as evidence … Continue reading Russia launches massive drone and missile barrage on Ukraine hitting Kyiv

A stampede at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, for popular actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay left 40 people dead, including nine children, and injured at least 124, officials said. The crowd of tens of thousands became uncontrollable after Vijay arrived six hours late, and chaos ensued when his vehicle began moving. Authorities cited “indiscipline” and have launched an official probe. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced … Continue reading Death toll climbs to 40 after stampede at political rally for actor Vijay in southern India

Iran executed Bahman Choubi-asl on Monday, labeling him as “one of the most important spies for Israel in Iran,” according to the judiciary’s news outlet Mizan. Authorities said Choubi-asl assisted Mossad in accessing government databases, creating breaches in Iranian data centers, and tracking the import of electronic equipment. His death sentence, upheld by the Supreme Court, was confirmed on charges of “corruption on earth.” The … Continue reading Iran executes man accused of spying for Israel

Thousands protested in Buenos Aires demanding justice for three young women—cousins Morena Verdi (20) and Brenda Del Castillo (20) and 15-year-old Lara Gutierrez—who were tortured and murdered, with authorities tying the crime to drug gangs. Their bodies were found buried five days after disappearing on September 19. Investigators say the killings were allegedly livestreamed to punish the women for breaking gang rules, though Meta disputes … Continue reading Thousands march for women murdered on livestream

Denmark has temporarily banned all civilian drone flights until October 3 as it prepares to host an EU summit in Copenhagen. The move follows a wave of mysterious drone sightings over Danish military sites and airports, which authorities describe as possible “hybrid attacks.” Sweden and France are sending anti-drone support, while NATO has boosted surveillance in the Baltic. Similar drone incidents have recently disrupted airports … Continue reading Denmark bans all civilian drone flights ahead of European summit

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