Venezuela has launched a large-scale military mobilization in response to a growing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said the exercises, ordered by President Nicolás Maduro, involve land, air, naval, and reserve forces, including the civilian Bolivarian Militia, to strengthen national defense and communications. The move follows the arrival of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its … Continue reading Venezuela announces ‘massive mobilization’ of military forces

A new species of bee with devil-like horns, named Megachile (Hackeriapis) lucifer, was discovered in Western Australia by Curtin University researcher Kit Prendergast. The bee was found while surveying a critically endangered wildflower in 2019, and DNA analysis confirmed it did not match any known species. This is the first new member of this bee group described in over 20 years, highlighting how much biodiversity … Continue reading Scientists discover new “lucifer” bee with devil-like horns

Typhoon Fung-wong passed through the northwestern Philippines on Monday, causing floods, landslides, power outages, and at least 18 deaths before weakening into a tropical storm over the South China Sea and moving toward Taiwan. The storm struck northeastern Aurora province with 115 mph winds as a super typhoon, following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 232 people. Provinces including Catanduanes, Eastern Samar, Nueva Vizcaya, Mountain … Continue reading Typhoon approaches Taiwan after causing 18 deaths and destruction in the Philippines

Israel’s Knesset passed the first reading of a bill introducing the death penalty for terrorism, with a vote of 39 to 16. Proposed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the bill targets individuals who kill Israelis out of racist motives and intend to harm the State of Israel and the Jewish people. Critics argue the law would primarily affect Palestinians, rather than Jewish extremists … Continue reading Israel parliament passes first reading of death penalty for ‘terrorism’ law

Thieves broke into Syria’s National Museum in Damascus, stealing several ancient Roman-era statues, officials confirmed Tuesday. The museum, which houses priceless antiquities and had recently reopened after Syria’s civil war and the fall of the Assad regime, was temporarily closed following the heist. Authorities reported that six marble statues were taken from the classical department, and investigations are underway, with museum guards and other individuals … Continue reading Thieves steal ancient Roman-era statues from Syria’s national museum

Over 50 passengers were rescued after a catamaran sank off the coast of the Dominican Republic while ferrying tourists from the cruise ship Mein Schiff 1. The vessel, named Boca de Yuma I, unexpectedly took on water during a shore excursion and fully submerged, prompting a rapid rescue by the Dominican navy. All passengers were reported safe, with no injuries, and have since returned to … Continue reading Panic at sea as cruise ship catamaran sinks leaving tourists floating for their lives

The Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group has entered the Latin America region, escalating U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, according to two U.S. officials. Ordered by President Donald Trump last month, the deployment adds to existing forces in the area, which include eight warships, a nuclear submarine, and F-35 aircraft. Officials did not specify the carrier’s exact location but confirmed it is within the … Continue reading US aircraft carrier moves into Latin America region, officials say

A suicide bomber attacked outside a district court in Islamabad on Tuesday, killing 12 people and injuring 27 when explosives detonated near a police vehicle during a busy court session. Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with the blast heard for miles. The attack was claimed by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, which has carried out smaller attacks in recent years. Authorities said the … Continue reading A suicide bomber targets an Islamabad court, killing 12 people

At least eight people were killed and 20 injured Monday night after a car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort, a popular tourist area. Authorities say a slow-moving vehicle exploded at a traffic light, igniting nearby cars and rickshaws and causing a massive fire. Police have opened a case under anti-terrorism laws but have not yet identified the cause or any suspects, saying it is “too … Continue reading India rattled after car explosion in Delhi kills at least 8 people

A court in Magdeburg, Germany, is set to begin the trial of Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a 51-year-old Saudi psychiatrist accused of killing six people and injuring over 300 by ramming a van into a Christmas market in December 2024. He faces charges including six counts of murder, 338 counts of attempted murder, and committing a “treacherous attack.” Al-Abdulmohsen, who has lived in Germany since 2006, expressed … Continue reading German court opens trial of Saudi doctor for Christmas market attack

Ukraine will face power cuts of eight to 16 hours across much of the country on Sunday after Russian attacks on energy infrastructure reduced generating capacity to “zero,” Ukrenergo said. Hundreds of Russian drones and ballistic missiles targeted electricity and heating facilities, killing at least seven people and disrupting water and energy supplies in multiple cities. Ukrainian officials warned that nuclear substations powering the Khmelnytskyi … Continue reading Ukraine facing widespread power cuts after generating capacity reduced to ‘zero’ by Russian attacks

A Sudanese medical group has accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of attempting to hide evidence of mass killings in Darfur by burning bodies or burying them in mass graves. The Sudan Doctors Network said RSF forces are collecting “hundreds of bodies” in el-Fasher following their takeover of the city on October 26, calling the violence part of a broader campaign of genocide. The … Continue reading Sudan medics accuse RSF of burning, burying bodies to conceal ‘genocide’

At least 31 inmates have died in a prison in southern Ecuador, including 27 who were hanged, following clashes between rival gangs at El Oro prison in Machala. Four prisoners were killed and over 30 injured in the initial violence, which erupted amid plans to transfer inmates to a new facility. Ecuador’s overcrowded prisons have repeatedly seen deadly gang violence, with hundreds killed in recent … Continue reading Dozens of inmates found hanged in Ecuador prison

Israel has confirmed the recovery of the remains of Hadar Goldin, a soldier killed in Gaza in 2014, ending an 11-year effort by his family to bring him home. Goldin, 23, was killed just hours after a ceasefire began during the 2014 Israel-Hamas war, and evidence found in a tunnel had long confirmed his death. His remains were the last from that conflict still held … Continue reading Israel confirms receiving the remains of a soldier killed in Gaza in 2014

Rescuers in Malaysia have recovered seven bodies and found 13 survivors after a boat carrying migrants from Myanmar capsized near Langkawi island. The vessel reportedly left Myanmar’s Rakhine state with about 300 people on board before splitting into three smaller boats as it neared Malaysia. One of the boats is believed to have sunk near Thailand’s Tarutao island, with some victims drifting into Malaysian waters. … Continue reading 7 Myanmar migrants dead and 13 rescued after boat capsizes near Malaysia

Britain is sending anti-drone equipment and Royal Air Force specialists to Belgium after a series of drone sightings near Belgian airports and military bases. The deployments follow temporary closures at Brussels Airport and Liège cargo airport, as well as reports of drones near a base storing U.S. nuclear weapons. U.K. military chief Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton said the source of the drones remains unknown, … Continue reading U.K. sends anti-drone troops to Belgium

Typhoon Fung-wong has struck the Philippines, prompting the evacuation of over 900,000 people and causing at least two deaths. The storm made landfall in Aurora province on Luzon as a super typhoon with sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and gusts up to 230 km/h (143 mph), before weakening to a typhoon over western Luzon. Authorities warned of destructive winds, life-threatening storm surges, and … Continue reading Super Typhoon Fung-wong slams into the Philippines

BBC Director General Tim Davie and BBC News chief Deborah Turness have resigned following allegations of “serious and systemic” bias made by former adviser Michael Prescott. The accusations centered on the BBC’s coverage of Donald Trump, Gaza, and trans issues, particularly an edited Panorama segment that misleadingly spliced parts of Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech. Davie said his resignation was his own decision but acknowledged that the … Continue reading BBC boss to step down after ‘serious and systemic’ bias rocks network

The UK government has recovered £74 million from excessive profits made by companies running asylum accommodation, following a review of contracts after Labour took office last year. While welcomed, the sum represents only a small fraction of the £2.1 billion spent on asylum accommodation in 2024/25—equivalent to less than two weeks’ costs. Ministers have sought to cut expenses through room sharing, cheaper alternatives, and plans … Continue reading UK government recovers £74m from asylum hotel firms

Spain’s former king Juan Carlos has, for the first time, recounted how he accidentally killed his younger brother Alfonso nearly 70 years ago. In his memoirs, published in France, Juan Carlos described the March 29, 1956 incident when, at age 18, he fired a .22-calibre pistol in a room at the family home in Estoril, Portugal, unaware a bullet remained in the chamber; the shot … Continue reading Spain’s former king reveals how he shot and killed his brother

Indonesia’s national police chief, Listyo Sigit Prabowo, said a suspect linked to explosions at a mosque inside a school complex in North Jakarta was a student there, and authorities are investigating his background and motive. The blasts, which occurred during Friday prayers in Kelapa Gading, injured dozens but caused no deaths. The suspected perpetrator is among two people currently in surgery. Police found toy weapons … Continue reading Student suspect investigated after Indonesia mosque blast injures dozens

North Korea fired at least one ballistic missile toward its eastern waters, South Korea’s military reported Friday, following recent artillery tests and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit for annual security talks. The short-range missile traveled 700 km (435 miles) toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan), likely landing outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. The launch comes amid rising tensions as South Korea prepares to … Continue reading North Korea fires ballistic missile days after Hegseth visit, says Seoul

The Louvre’s president and director, Laurence des Cars, acknowledged ongoing security shortcomings following the theft of Crown jewels worth over €88 million three weeks ago. In an interview Friday, she said a “master plan” to upgrade the museum’s security, including improvements to video surveillance, is being implemented. A recent report by the French Court of Audit criticized the museum for prioritizing acquisitions and visible projects … Continue reading Louvre museum director defends security plan after audit slams spending

Typhoon Kalmaegi wreaked havoc in central Vietnam on Thursday after devastating the Philippines, where it killed at least 188 people, mostly in Cebu province. The storm brought torrential rains and powerful winds to areas already flooded from record rainfall, leaving homes destroyed, trees uprooted, and tens of thousands displaced. Survivors in the Philippines are now struggling to salvage belongings and clear debris as floodwaters recede, … Continue reading Typhoon Kalmaegi slams into Vietnam after unleashing deadly destruction in the Philippines

China’s largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has officially entered service, marking a major milestone for the world’s largest navy, Chinese state media reported. Unlike China’s first two carriers, the Fujian was both designed and built domestically and features an electromagnetic catapult system capable of launching heavier aircraft, including the J-35 stealth fighter, J-15T heavy fighter, and KJ-600 early-warning plane. President Xi Jinping … Continue reading China aims to expand its power in the Pacific with its new Fujian aircraft carrier