Britain’s asylum housing crisis has intensified after a High Court ruling blocked the use of a hotel in Epping, fueling calls for similar legal challenges nationwide. The government, legally required to house asylum-seekers, currently accommodates over 32,000 in hotels, though arrivals continue to rise sharply, with more than 111,000 asylum applications in the past year—the highest on record. The Epping case, sparked by protests after … Continue reading Court ruling complicates UK government’s efforts to house asylum-seekers

Iran has held its first military drill since its 12-day war with Israel, launching cruise missiles from navy vessels in the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean. The exercise, called “Sustainable Power 1404,” aimed to showcase strength after Israeli strikes damaged Iranian air defenses and nuclear facilities. Defense officials said new missiles have been deployed to counter future threats. The drill comes as Iran suspends … Continue reading Iran’s navy launches country’s first military drill since 12-day war with Israel

A drone strike destroyed a 16-truck U.N. food convoy bound for famine-hit North Darfur, Sudan, the U.N. said Thursday. All drivers and staff survived, but the attack— the second on aid convoys in three months—wiped out desperately needed supplies. Sudan’s war, which erupted in April 2023 between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has killed about 40,000 people and displaced nearly 13 million, the … Continue reading Drone attack destroys 16 trucks carrying UN food to Sudan’s famine-hit Darfur region

German prosecutors say a Ukrainian man, identified as Serhii K, has been arrested in Italy over suspected involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions. He is accused of helping plant explosives that ruptured three of the four pipelines, cutting a key gas link between Russia and Europe during the energy crisis. Investigators allege he was part of a team that chartered a yacht from … Continue reading Ukrainian held in Italy over Nord Stream gas pipelines blast

A powerful 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck the remote Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica, southeast of Ushuaia, Argentina. The quake, recorded at a depth of 10 km, prompted initial tsunami warnings for parts of Chile’s Antarctic territory and raised alerts across several countries, including New Zealand, Canada, and American Samoa. Thousands in Chile evacuated buildings amid tremors, though no damage or casualties have been … Continue reading Huge 8.0 earthquake hits as millions in several countries on high alert for tsunamis

At least 18 people were killed and dozens injured in two major attacks in Colombia, intensifying the country’s worst security crisis in decades. A car bomb in Cali killed six and wounded over 60 near a military aviation school, while a drone strike brought down a police helicopter outside Medellín, killing 12 officers. Authorities blamed dissident Farc factions, with Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez attributing the … Continue reading At least 18 killed and dozens injured in separate Colombia attacks

Six severed heads were discovered on a road in Tlaxcala, central Mexico, in an area normally considered peaceful and far from cartel hotspots. A blanket left at the scene carried a warning to rival gangs, allegedly signed by “La Barredora,” a little-known group, though its involvement remains unclear. Authorities confirmed the victims were men and have launched an investigation, while federal officials have yet to … Continue reading Six severed heads found on Mexico street with ominous message

Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults of the war, firing over 570 drones and 40 missiles mainly at western Ukraine, far from the front lines. A strike hit Flex Ltd, a Texas-based electronics manufacturer in Mukachevo, killing one person, injuring 15, and sparking a major fire with 600 workers inside. Ukraine called the attack deliberate targeting of civilian businesses, noting it followed earlier … Continue reading Russia bombs US factory in Ukraine in one of war’s largest attacks

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara from Irish rap group Kneecap, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court seeking to dismiss a terrorism charge for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert in November. Prosecutors say the charge was filed within the legal time limit, while his lawyers argue it came a day late. Supporters rallied outside the court with Irish and … Continue reading Member of Irish rap band Kneecap appears at UK court on ‘terrorism’ charge

Human Rights Watch reports that M23 rebels killed at least 140 people in eastern DR Congo’s Rutshuru area in July, with total deaths possibly exceeding 300. Witnesses said the Rwanda-backed group executed civilians, including women and children, using guns and machetes, and forced mass burials or left bodies uncollected. The massacre occurred during M23’s campaign against the Hutu FDLR militia, despite ongoing peace efforts brokered … Continue reading DR Congo rebels killed 140 civilians despite peace process, rights group says

French authorities are investigating the death of 46-year-old livestreamer Raphael Graven, known as Jean Pormanove, who regularly appeared on Kick broadcasts showing him being assaulted and humiliated. He died during a live stream in Contes, near Nice, prompting prosecutors to order an autopsy and open a criminal inquiry. Junior minister Clara Chappaz condemned the violence as “absolutely horrific” and said Kick must answer for its … Continue reading French streamer dies live online after months of apparent mistreatment

Israel has called up 60,000 reservists ahead of a planned ground offensive to seize all of Gaza City, with five divisions expected to take part. Defence Minister Israel Katz approved the operation, which aims to defeat Hamas and secure the release of hostages, though only 20 are believed to still be alive. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are expected to be ordered south, raising international … Continue reading Israel calls up 60,000 reservists ahead of planned Gaza City offensive

NATO scrambled fighter jets overnight after heavy Russian strikes on Ukraine targeted oil facilities and port infrastructure in Izmail, near the Romanian border, less than a mile from Alliance territory. The Romanian Air Force confirmed that German Typhoon jets were deployed to monitor the situation, though no drones entered NATO airspace. This marks the second such response in three days. The bombardments, which injured civilians … Continue reading NATO scrambles war planes as Russia launches strikes less 1 mile from border

A New Zealand soldier has admitted to attempted espionage, marking the country’s first-ever spying conviction. Believing he was communicating with a foreign agent in 2019, he instead dealt with an undercover police officer investigating extremist groups after the Christchurch mosque attacks. He attempted to share military information, including security assessments and login details, and was also found with banned material linked to the Christchurch gunman. … Continue reading New Zealand soldier admits attempted espionage in the country’s first spying conviction

Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, has been charged with 32 offences, including four counts of rape, domestic abuse, illegal filming, and harassment. Prosecutors allege he raped four women between 2018 and 2024, often after consensual sex while they were asleep, and recorded the assaults. Høiby denies the sexual abuse and most violence charges. If convicted, … Continue reading Son of Norway’s crown princess charged with four counts of rape

A fire and explosion at the Elastik industrial plant in Russia’s Ryazan region killed 24 people and injured at least 157, officials said Monday. The blaze, which broke out in a gunpowder workshop, reduced parts of the facility to rubble and triggered ongoing rescue operations. Authorities declared a day of mourning and opened a criminal case into industrial safety violations, ruling out a Ukrainian attack, … Continue reading Explosion and fire at factory in Russia kill 24 people, injure over 150

Russia launched its largest overnight assault on Ukraine in weeks, firing 270 drones and 10 missiles, with major strikes targeting energy facilities in the Poltava region. The attack coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meetings in Washington with President Donald Trump and European leaders to discuss a path toward ending the war. Trump suggested Ukraine could strike a deal with Russia, ruling out NATO membership … Continue reading Russia launches largest attack of August on Ukraine after Trump-Zelenskyy meeting

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced plans to deploy 4.5 million militia members nationwide in response to U.S. “threats,” after Washington increased its bounty for his arrest to $50 million and launched anti-drug operations in the Caribbean. The militia, created under Hugo Chávez, is officially said to number 5 million, though the true figure is likely smaller. Maduro condemned U.S. sanctions and accusations linking him to … Continue reading Maduro Says Mobilizing Millions Of Militia After US ‘Threats’

South Korea and the U.S. launched their 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise Monday, involving 21,000 troops in command simulations and field training. The allies say the drills are defensive, but North Korea condemned them as invasion rehearsals and warned of retaliation. The exercise comes as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung prepares for an Aug. 25 summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, amid concerns Trump may … Continue reading South Korean and US militaries begin annual summertime drills

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced tougher measures against anti-government protesters after days of violent clashes across the country. Despite his threats, thousands demonstrated Sunday in Belgrade and other towns, demanding the release of detained protesters. Vucic denounced the unrest as “terrorism” allegedly orchestrated by the West, though without evidence, and warned of harsher state action within a week. The unrest, which has seen offices of … Continue reading Serbia’s populist leader vows tough response to protesters following riots

A 63-year-old American tourist was seriously injured in a shark attack while spearfishing near Big Grand Cay in the Bahamas on Sunday, authorities said. He was first treated at a local clinic before being airlifted to the U.S. The Bahamas, which has one of the world’s highest rates of shark attacks, has recorded 34 confirmed incidents in the past 400 years, CBS News has reported. … Continue reading U.S. tourist attacked by a shark while spearfishing in the Bahamas

Iraqi authorities have begun excavating a suspected Islamic State mass grave at Khasfa, near Mosul, believed to contain thousands of victims, including Iraqi security forces, Yazidis, and Shiites. The effort, launched August 9 by Iraq’s Martyrs’ Foundation, is in its early phase—collecting visible remains and surface evidence while preparing for full exhumation, which requires international support due to site hazards like sulfur water and unexploded … Continue reading Iraq starts excavation of large mass grave left by Islamic State

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis joined nationwide protests and a strike on Sunday, with organizers estimating over one million participants throughout the day. The demonstrations, centered at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, demanded the government secure the release of 50 hostages still held in Gaza. The protests coincided with the release of a video of captive Matan Zangauker, intensifying public pressure on leaders. Families of hostages, … Continue reading Protesters in Israel demand hostage deal in one of the largest demonstrations since war

A hiker in his 20s was killed by a brown bear on Mount Rausu in Hokkaido, northern Japan, after being dragged into the forest on Thursday. Authorities found his body and personal items near the scene on Friday, and hunters killed a bear nearby; DNA tests will confirm if it was responsible. Hokkaido’s brown bear population has slightly declined, but human-bear encounters are rising, with … Continue reading Hiker’s body found after bear drags him from trail into forest in Japan

Australia has launched its largest-ever military exercises with the Philippines, involving over 3,600 personnel in live-fire drills, maneuvers, and a beach assault near the disputed South China Sea. The drills, called Alon, feature fighter jets, a guided-missile destroyer, troop aircraft, anti-tank weapons, and special forces, and will run until August 29. Observers from the U.S., Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, and Indonesia are participating. … Continue reading Australian and Philippine forces launch largest military exercises near disputed South China Sea