Heavy rains in Mexico have killed at least 44 people due to flooding and landslides, with Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, and Querétaro among the hardest-hit areas. President Claudia Sheinbaum met with governors to coordinate an emergency response as rescue teams dig through mud-filled villages. Hundreds of military and emergency personnel are conducting rescues and setting up shelters for stranded residents. Thousands remain without electricity and running … Continue reading At least 44 people dead after torrential rains in Mexico

Severe floods hit northeastern Catalonia, Spain, on Sunday, trapping people in vehicles and homes after torrential rains drenched the region, following similar downpours that caused chaos on Ibiza. Videos showed torrents of brown water sweeping through streets and submerging cars, while local streams and ravines overflowed, especially in towns like Santa Barbara and Godall. The national weather agency issued a red alert for Tarragona, warning … Continue reading Floods trap people in cars in Spain’s Catalonia region

Madagascar’s president, Andry Rajoelina, warned of an “attempt to seize power illegally” after an elite military unit, Capsat, sided with protesters and announced it was taking control of the army. The intervention follows weeks of youth-led demonstrations over water and electricity shortages, corruption, and calls for Rajoelina’s resignation. Capsat, which helped bring Rajoelina to power in a 2009 coup, said it would not fire on … Continue reading Madagascar’s president says illegal power grab by military is under way

At least 27 people were killed in Gaza City during violent clashes between Hamas security forces and armed members of the Dughmush family, one of the deadliest internal confrontations since major Israeli operations ended. Fighting erupted in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood near the former Jordanian hospital, where Dughmush gunmen had taken refuge, prompting panic as dozens of families fled. Hamas said the Dughmush fighters had … Continue reading Gaza City clashes between Hamas and clan members leave 27 dead

Afghanistan said Sunday that its forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers and captured 25 army posts in overnight border clashes, claiming the attacks were retaliation for repeated violations of Afghan territory and airspace. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghan forces now had “complete control” of the border, though Pakistan has not confirmed any casualties. The fighting followed Afghan accusations that Pakistan bombed Kabul and an eastern … Continue reading Afghanistan says it killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in border operations

The US has been secretly supporting Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure to weaken Vladimir Putin’s economy and pressure him into negotiations. American intelligence has helped Kyiv target key refineries and energy facilities deep inside Russia, causing disruptions that raised domestic fuel prices and forced export cuts. This cooperation intensified after a July call between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in which Trump reportedly … Continue reading Ukraine hit Russian energy sites with US help

Burkina Faso’s military government arrested eight staff members of the Dutch humanitarian group INSO, accusing them of spying and treason. The detainees, including French, Czech, Malian, and Burkinabe nationals, were alleged to have collected sensitive security information after the organisation was banned for three months. INSO “categorically” rejected the allegations, stating that its information-gathering is solely for the safety of humanitarians and largely public. The … Continue reading Burkina Faso’s military gov’t arrests European NGO workers for ‘spying’

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te pledged Friday to accelerate the development of the “T-Dome” air defense system in response to threats from China. The system, inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, aims to provide high-level detection and effective interception of incoming attacks. Speaking at a National Day celebration, Lai also committed to increasing Taiwan’s defense spending to more than 3% of GDP, with a goal of reaching … Continue reading Taiwan’s president pledges to accelerate the building of air defense system

Myanmar’s military carried out a motorized paraglider strike on Bon To village in the central Sagaing region, killing at least 20 people—including children—and wounding over 50 during a Buddhist festival and rally for political prisoners. The attack targeted civilians gathered at the village’s primary school for an oil lamp ceremony marking the end of Buddhist Lent. Witnesses reported that bombs were dropped twice, with the … Continue reading Myanmar’s military strikes village in glider raid, killing at least 20 people

Israel approved a framework for the release of all hostages held in Gaza, both living and deceased, following a deal signed with Hamas in Egypt. The agreement, described as the “first phase” of ending the two-year war in Gaza, aims to bring home dozens of remaining Israeli hostages. President Trump indicated the hostages could be released as early as Monday or Tuesday under the deal. … Continue reading Israeli government approves hostage and ceasefire deal

Indian police arrested G. Ranganathan, owner of Sresan Pharma, after a cough syrup produced at his plant was linked to the deaths of at least 21 children under five in Madhya Pradesh. The syrup, sold as Coldrif, was found to be contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial chemical. Authorities have banned the product in multiple states, while the World Health Organization has sought … Continue reading Police arrest owner of drug company linked to deaths of 21 children in India

A former Warsaw city council employee, identified as Tomasz L., was charged with espionage for allegedly providing Russia with false identities for its spies. Authorities say he copied civil registry records from 2017 to 2022 while working in the archives of births, marriages, and deaths. The stolen information reportedly allowed Russian intelligence to create fake identity papers for agents abroad. Tomasz L. was detained in … Continue reading Poland charges former registry office employee with providing false identities for Russian spies

Morocco’s youth-led “Gen Z 212” movement returned to the streets Thursday, demanding the dismissal of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and broader reforms to tackle corruption and improve public services. The protests, sparked by the deaths of eight women in a public hospital in Agadir, criticize government spending on infrastructure over healthcare and education. Demonstrators, organized via social media, called on King Mohammed VI to intervene, … Continue reading Protesters rally across Morocco in final push for reforms before king’s expected address

Kyiv was hit early Friday by a “massive attack” from Russia, targeting critical infrastructure and causing widespread power and water outages, fires in high-rise apartments, and nine injuries. Ukrainian officials reported drone and missile strikes, while the energy ministry said experts were working to minimize damage and restore services. Russia also struck Zaporizhzhia, killing a seven-year-old and injuring others, while Ukraine retaliated with drone and … Continue reading Russia strikes Kyiv apartments, energy sites in major attack

South Korean authorities indicted Hak Ja Han, 82, leader of the Unification Church, over allegations she instructed church officials to bribe the wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol and a conservative lawmaker. Han and her former chief secretary face charges including bribery, embezzlement, violations of political funding laws, and instructing the destruction of evidence. Investigators claim the church offered luxury goods and cash … Continue reading South Korean prosecutor indicts Unification Church leader in probe linked to ex-first lady

Russia’s lower house of parliament approved withdrawing from the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement (PMDA) with the United States, which aimed to dispose of at least 34 tonnes of weapons-grade plutonium from Cold War stockpiles. The agreement, signed in 2000 and in force since 2011, sought to convert plutonium into safer forms like MOX fuel or irradiate it in reactors for electricity production. Russia cited … Continue reading Russia moves to withdraw from plutonium agreement with the United States

A 7.4-magnitude offshore earthquake struck Friday morning near Davao Oriental province in the southern Philippines, centered about 62 kilometers southeast of Manay town. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers due to movement along a fault. Authorities warned of potential damage and aftershocks in the affected area, ABC News has reported. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said hazardous waves could occur within … Continue reading 7.4-magnitude earthquake strikes offshore from southern Philippines

The United States is sending about 200 troops to Israel to help monitor and support the ceasefire deal in Gaza, working alongside partner nations, NGOs, and private-sector teams. The troops, part of U.S. Central Command, will establish a civil-military coordination center to facilitate humanitarian aid, logistics, and security support, though no Americans will enter Gaza. Forces from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE will join … Continue reading US sending 200 troops to Israel to support and monitor Gaza ceasefire deal

Dutch authorities discovered two hand grenades hidden in a shipment of French onions destined for a factory in Zeeland, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) reported. Dating from 1925, the grenades were consistent with old French and German chemical weapons, though their exact chemical fill could not be identified. The reason for their presence in the delivery remains unknown. Since the Netherlands … Continue reading Century-old grenades found hidden in French onion delivery in the Netherlands

At least 14 soldiers were killed and several injured in South Sudan after a shootout erupted within the Unified VIP Protection Force over a suspected “love triangle” at a market near the Abyei Box region. The clash involved officers aligned with President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar, whose ongoing political rivalry has destabilized the country since their 2018 peace deal. The violence … Continue reading At least 14 soldiers killed in South Sudan, army says

Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of plotting war in alliance with a hardline faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), warning in a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that the collusion has intensified in recent months. The Ethiopian government alleges that Eritrea and the TPLF are funding and directing armed groups in the Amhara region, including Fano militias, which are increasingly targeting the federal … Continue reading Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of preparing for war as Red Sea tensions rise

Spanish police have dismantled one of the world’s largest cocaine trafficking networks, seizing 10 tons of the drug and arresting five suspects in a joint operation with Colombian authorities. Three arrests were made in Spain and two in Colombia during seven raids, though officials did not disclose exact locations or where the drugs were found. The network reportedly smuggled around 120 tons of cocaine annually … Continue reading Spain busts major cocaine trafficking ring, seizes 10 tons of drugs

Australian and Indian defense ministers signed a new bilateral security agreement Thursday aimed at strengthening Indo-Pacific stability. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh became the first from his country to visit Australia since 2013, meeting his counterpart Richard Marles to formalize the deal. The agreement establishes a forum for joint staff talks and submarine rescue cooperation, reflecting growing defense ties, highlighted by India’s first participation in … Continue reading India and Australia sign a security deal that includes military talks

The United Nations will reduce its peacekeeping forces and operations, forcing 13,000 to 14,000 personnel to return home in the coming months due to U.S. funding cuts, a senior U.N. official said. The reductions, representing roughly 25% of the deployed peacekeepers, will affect missions in countries including Congo, South Sudan, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Kosovo, and slash the force’s budget by about 15% this year. U.S. … Continue reading United Nations to cut 25% of its global peacekeeping force

An agitated bear caused chaos in a grocery store in Numata, Gunma, Japan, injuring two men and frightening dozens of shoppers, officials reported Wednesday. The 4.5-foot bear entered the store for about four minutes, damaging glass, knocking over produce, and struggling to find an exit. Separately, a man was found dead in Iwate Prefecture after a suspected bear attack, while other recent incidents included a … Continue reading Bear injures 2 people in Japan grocery store as man killed in separate suspected attack