President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces carried out a second military strike in two weeks against a boat he claimed was smuggling drugs from Venezuela, killing three people and leaving “bags of cocaine and fentanyl” in the ocean. Trump framed the strike as part of his policy to treat drug cartels like foreign terrorist organizations, allowing the use of lethal force. Critics, including Sen. … Continue reading 3 killed in US strike on 2nd alleged Venezuelan drug boat, Trump says

The U.S., South Korea, and Japan launched Freedom Edge, a large-scale air and naval drill near South Korea’s Jeju Island, running through Friday. The exercise, billed as their most advanced trilateral defense cooperation to date, includes missile defense, maritime operations, and cyber training to counter North Korea’s nuclear threats. Pyongyang denounced the drills as a “reckless show of strength,” with Kim Yo Jong warning of consequences, … Continue reading US, South Korea and Japan open joint air and naval exercise

Romania summoned Russia’s ambassador after reporting a Russian drone briefly entered its airspace Saturday, days after Poland reported a similar breach. Romanian F-16s tracked the drone near the Ukraine border before radar contact was lost, with officials stressing it posed no threat to civilians. The EU condemned the incident as a “blatant violation” of sovereignty, while NATO has boosted air defenses under Operation Eastern Sentry. Ukrainian … Continue reading Romania 2nd NATO nation in a week to report Russian drone in its airspace

Christian Brückner, the German man suspected in Madeleine McCann’s 2007 disappearance, has refused a Metropolitan Police request for an interview ahead of his possible release from prison in Germany. Brückner, serving a sentence for an unrelated rape, remains a key suspect in UK, German, and Portuguese investigations but denies involvement. Madeleine vanished at age three from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in … Continue reading Madeleine McCann suspect refuses police interview before German prison release

Russia launched large-scale military drills in Belarus and nearby regions, involving about 7,000 troops, aircraft, tanks, drones, and artillery in mock battles against “Western forces.” The Zapad exercises, smaller than past versions due to the war in Ukraine, come after a record incursion of Russian drones into NATO airspace in Poland, heightening tensions. Poland has closed its border with Belarus and deployed 40,000 troops, while … Continue reading Russia holds major war games in Belarus amid NATO tensions

Around 150,000 people joined an anti-immigration rally in London on Saturday led by political activist Tommy Robinson, vastly outnumbering a 5,000-strong counter-protest. Police reported violent clashes, with 26 officers injured and multiple arrests made. Demonstrators carried British flags, Trump MAGA hats, and placards calling for migrants to be sent home, while speakers including Elon Musk and European right-wing political figures echoed nationalist and anti-immigrant rhetoric, … Continue reading Thousands of people attend massive anti-immigration march in London, police say

European nations remain on edge after a recent Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace as Russia and Belarus begin five days of joint military exercises on Friday. The “Zapad” drills, rehearsing potential clashes with NATO forces, echo the February 2022 exercises after which Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine from Belarus. Poland and Lithuania, both bordering Belarus, are especially alert given the historical precedent of … Continue reading NATO on edge as Russia follows up drone incursion with Belarus military drills

China’s newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Friday, marking its first passage through the body of water separating China from Taiwan. The navy said the carrier, currently conducting sea trials, was heading to the South China Sea for training and scientific experiments and insisted its activities were not aimed at any other country. Analysts note the passage could signal China’s … Continue reading China’s newest aircraft carrier sails through Taiwan Strait

Australian authorities are investigating American influencer Mike Holston, known online as “therealtarzann,” for filming himself wrestling wild crocodiles in Queensland. In videos shared on Instagram, Holston is seen grappling with both saltwater and freshwater crocodiles, sometimes sustaining injuries himself. Holston claims the content is for “educational purposes,” but the footage has sparked widespread outrage due to the extreme danger and legal implications. Queensland officials emphasized … Continue reading U.S. influencer who filmed himself wrestling wild crocodiles in Australia is under investigation

A veteran zookeeper at Safari World in Bangkok was killed on Wednesday after being mauled by several lions in front of visitors. Officials said the man, who had worked with big cats for more than 20 years, was attacked after stepping out of his vehicle in violation of safety rules. The lions dragged him to the ground and mauled him for about 15 minutes before … Continue reading Zookeeper in Thailand dies after being attacked by lions in front of visitors

Prince Harry made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Friday to show support for wounded service members. It is his second time visiting the country, which is currently among the contenders to host the Invictus Games in four years. The games, founded by Harry, are a Paralympic-style competition for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans. His representatives confirmed his arrival, which came as … Continue reading Prince Harry makes surprise visit to Ukraine in support of wounded service members

Israel carried out a new wave of heavy airstrikes in Yemen on Wednesday, killing at least 35 people and injuring more than 130, according to the Houthi-run health ministry. The strikes, concentrated in Sanaa, hit a military headquarters and a fuel station, with nearby houses also damaged as rescue crews searched through the rubble for survivors. The attacks came just days after Iran-backed Houthi rebels … Continue reading Israeli airstrikes on Yemen kill at least 35, Houthi officials say

A gas tanker truck exploded under a Mexico City highway overpass Wednesday, killing three people and injuring 70 others in one of the capital’s deadliest roadway accidents in years. The tanker, which was carrying more than 13,000 gallons of gasoline, tipped over and erupted in flames that engulfed nearly 30 vehicles, sending thick smoke billowing across the city’s south side. Mayor Clara Brugada said at … Continue reading Massive gas tanker explosion in Mexico City kills 3 people and injures 70 others

Poland will close its border with Belarus at midnight Thursday in response to Russia’s large-scale Zapad military exercises, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced. The drills, held every four years with Kremlin-allied Belarus, are designed to simulate conflict with NATO and this year feature tens of thousands of troops operating dangerously close to Poland and Lithuania. Tusk described the maneuvers as “very aggressive” and said they … Continue reading Poland closing Belarus border due to ‘aggressive’ Russian nuclear drill, Tusk says

French police arrested nearly 300 people on Wednesday as “Block Everything” demonstrations spread across the country, paralyzing traffic, sparking fires, and triggering violent clashes with authorities. The nationwide protests erupted in response to President Emmanuel Macron’s policies and deep spending cuts, coming just days after Prime Minister François Bayrou was ousted in a parliamentary confidence vote and replaced by Sébastien Lecornu. Protesters accused the government … Continue reading France arrests hundreds as ‘Block Everything’ protests erupt across country

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dismissed Peter Mandelson, the country’s ambassador to the United States, over his previously undisclosed ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The decision came after The Sun published emails from the 2000s showing Mandelson offering support to Epstein, even urging him to fight for early release before his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Foreign Office minister … Continue reading UK fires ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson over his links to Jeffrey Epstein

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has commenced its first-ever in absentia hearing against Joseph Kony, the elusive leader of Uganda’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Kony faces 39 charges, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, stemming from decades of violence across Uganda, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite a 2005 arrest warrant and extensive international efforts, Kony remains … Continue reading ICC opens war crimes case against Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony

Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton University doctoral student, was kidnapped by a militia in Iraq in 2023 and has now been released, as announced by President Trump. She holds dual Israeli and Russian citizenship and spent more than 900 days in captivity before being turned over to the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. Her family, especially her sister Emma—who is an American citizen—expressed profound joy, with Emma … Continue reading Princeton Doctoral Student, Held in Iraq for Over 900 Days, Is Finally Free

After the Nepali government imposed a sweeping ban on major social media platforms, mass protests erupted—led largely by Gen Z—escalating into violence across Kathmandu. Demonstrators torched the parliament building, stormed prisons, and set fire to politicians’ homes, including that of former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, where his wife was inside during the blaze. The unrest turned deadly, with at least 19 people killed and … Continue reading Violent Gen Z protests spiral with at least 19 killed in Nepal

Polish and NATO forces shot down drones that violated Poland’s airspace during a Russian aerial attack on Ukraine. Fighter jets were scrambled after more than a dozen drones entered Polish territory, marking the first direct involvement of NATO forces in the conflict. The Polish military confirmed weapons were used to neutralize the drones, and operations to recover debris were launched. Polish and allied aircraft, along … Continue reading Polish and NATO forces scramble to shoot down Russian drones

Israel launched an airstrike in Doha, Qatar, targeting senior Hamas leaders, killing at least five members, including relatives of top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya. Hamas claimed Israel failed to assassinate its negotiating team, which was discussing a new US ceasefire proposal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strike as justified against those behind the October 7, 2023 attacks, while Qatar condemned it as a violation of … Continue reading Hamas claims leadership survived Israeli attack in Doha, but confirms six deaths

A freight train collided with a passenger bus near Mexico City, resulting in at least 10 fatalities and numerous injuries. The accident occurred at a railway crossing, with initial reports suggesting the bus was stalled or attempting to cross the tracks. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but the remote location complicated rescue efforts. Authorities are investigating the cause, including possible signal failures or human … Continue reading Freight train slams into a bus outside Mexico City and kills at least 10 people

A World War II-era bomb was discovered in Bratislava, Slovakia, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of residents. The unexploded ordnance, found during construction work, posed a significant risk, leading to a swift response from authorities. Bomb disposal experts are working to defuse or safely remove the device, a process that could take days. Local officials have set up temporary shelters for displaced residents, and nearby … Continue reading WWII-era bomb forces evacuation of hundreds in Slovakia’s capital

An Israeli military evacuation order has caused widespread panic among residents of Gaza City, with thousands fleeing their homes. The order, issued amid escalating tensions, warned of imminent military operations targeting militant groups in the area. Civilians, already strained by ongoing conflict, face challenges finding safe routes and shelter as infrastructure remains limited. Hospitals and aid organizations are struggling to manage the influx of displaced … Continue reading Israeli military evacuation order triggers panic in Gaza City

Nepal’s government is considering a ban on certain social media platforms, citing concerns over national security and misinformation. The proposal has sparked widespread protests, particularly among youth and activists, who argue it threatens freedom of expression. Critics claim the ban is a pretext to suppress dissent and control online narratives ahead of upcoming elections. The government has not finalized the list of targeted platforms, but … Continue reading Nepal’s plan to ban some social media triggers protests, raising concerns over freedom of expression