For the first time, the U.S. Defense Secretary will not attend the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, signaling a shift in America’s role in supporting Ukraine. Pete Hegseth will miss the gathering of over 50 defense leaders in Brussels on Wednesday and will not participate virtually. This move follows a series of U.S. actions distancing itself from the Ukraine war effort, including halting new military … Continue reading Hegseth will skip a meeting on organizing military aid to Ukraine

Over 200 inmates escaped from Malir prison in Karachi, Pakistan, after a series of mild earthquakes triggered panic on Monday. The inmates attempted to flee while being relocated for safety. So far, 80 have been recaptured, and efforts continue to find the remaining 136. One inmate died and 22 people were injured during the chaos. Most escapees face minor charges. Authorities have warned of strict … Continue reading More than 200 inmates escape Pakistani prison after an earthquake

Aid distribution centers in Gaza will shut down for a day on Wednesday as Israel declares surrounding roads “combat zones.” The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S. and Israeli-backed group replacing UN-led aid, cited organizational updates as the reason for closure. This follows a deadly incident where 27 Palestinians were killed near a GHF site, the third such event in days. Critics, including the UN, … Continue reading IDF says roads to Gaza aid centres are ‘combat zones’ as sites close for day

Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, a 47-year-old transgender U.S. journalist turned Ukrainian military medic, has been sentenced in absentia by Russia to 20 years in a penal colony. Russia accused her of spreading false information and acting as a mercenary. Labeled a terrorist by the Kremlin, Ashton-Cirillo has been outspoken against Russia’s actions and treatment of LGBTQ individuals. Her past claims included allegations of Russian biological and chemical … Continue reading Trans American who joined Ukraine army jailed for 20 years in Russian penal colony

NATO is urging its European members to increase ground-based air-defense capabilities fivefold in response to rising threats from Russia, according to sources familiar with the matter. This proposal will be discussed at a defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels and is part of broader efforts to rebuild weapons stockpiles and reduce reliance on U.S. defense systems. NATO leaders aim to boost defense spending to 5% of … Continue reading NATO Is Pushing for Fivefold Boost to Ground-Based Air Defenses

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff rejected Hamas’ latest ceasefire proposal as “totally unacceptable,” urging the group to accept the U.S.-backed framework, which Israel has already approved. Hamas had offered to release 10 hostages and 18 bodies in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas insists on a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian aid, while Israel accuses the group of stalling. Over … Continue reading U.S. envoy rejects Hamas ceasefire proposal as ‘unacceptable’

Wiyuach Makuach, a 60-year-old woman, lost her arm in a deadly airstrike on May 3 in Fangak, South Sudan, during a wave of attacks that killed seven people at a hospital, including a Doctors Without Borders facility. The strikes are part of escalating violence between South Sudan’s army and militia groups, which has killed and injured dozens of civilians in recent weeks. Many victims, including … Continue reading Civilian casualties mount in South Sudan amid fighting between army and local militias

Portuguese and German police have launched a new search in the Algarve region of Portugal as part of the ongoing investigation into the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann. The search focuses on an area near Praia da Luz, close to where Madeleine, then three years old, vanished while on holiday. German prosecutors are leading the case and suspect 48-year-old Christian Brückner, currently imprisoned in Germany … Continue reading New search in Portugal in Madeleine McCann case

The UK government has unveiled a major defence overhaul to prepare for a “new era of threats” from powers like Russia and China. Backed by a Strategic Defence Review, the plan includes building 12 nuclear submarines, six munitions factories, expanding the Army, and embracing technologies like AI, drones, and lasers. Defence Secretary John Healey said the military must become “10 times more lethal,” as the … Continue reading Defence plan will ensure UK is ready for war, minister says

Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano on the island of Sicily, erupted on Monday, spewing ash and lava after part of its southeast crater collapsed. The eruption produced a lava fountain and pyroclastic flow, but posed no danger to the local population or air travel. The summit area was closed to tourists as a precaution, CBS News has reported. Etna frequently erupts, with activity reported … Continue reading Italy’s Mount Etna volcano erupts with a massive ash cloud and a “lava fountain”

Two people have died and hundreds were arrested during celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) Champions League victory across France. A 17-year-old was fatally stabbed in Dax, while a 23-year-old scooter rider was killed in a crash in Paris. Celebrations were marred by violence, vandalism, and looting, with fireworks and flares set off, bus shelters smashed, and vehicles torched. Police arrested 559 people, including 491 in … Continue reading Two dead and hundreds arrested in France after PSG Champions League win

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has launched a new mission from Sicily to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, after a previous attempt was disrupted by a drone attack. Aboard the vessel Madleen are Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, Irish actor Liam Cunningham, and Franco-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan. The voyage carries symbolic relief supplies and aims to challenge Israel’s blockade on Gaza. This comes as Gaza faces … Continue reading Greta Thunberg’s Aid ship aiming to break Israel’s siege of Gaza sets sail from Italy

The UK will build up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines, as part of a major defence review to be announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday. These submarines will replace the current Astute-class fleet from the late 2030s. The government also plans to spend £15 billion on modernising the UK’s nuclear warhead programme, ensuring continuous-at-sea deterrence. The Strategic Defence Review, led by Lord … Continue reading UK to build up to 12 new attack submarines

A mass casualty incident occurred in southern Gaza, with at least 21 people declared dead and 179 injured, many suffering gunshot or shrapnel wounds, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The injuries followed disputed reports of violence near an aid distribution center in Rafah. The Hamas-run civil defense agency blamed Israeli forces for shooting civilians, while Israel’s military denied firing at … Continue reading Red Cross says at least 21 killed and dozens shot in Gaza aid incident

Ukraine carried out its largest long-range drone attack on Russia, targeting 40 warplanes at four military bases in an operation called “Spider’s Web.” The SBU security service used 117 drones, reportedly smuggled into Russia in wooden cabins on trucks, to strike strategic bombers and other aircraft. President Zelensky claimed the attacks caused $7 billion in damages and praised the SBU. Russia called the strikes a … Continue reading Ukraine drones strike bombers during major attack in Russia

Russia has accused Serbia of supplying weapons to Ukraine, calling it a betrayal by a long-time Slavic ally. The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) claimed Serbian-made ammunition is reaching Ukraine through NATO intermediaries like the Czech Republic, Poland, and Bulgaria, and even African states. Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic, while denying recent direct exports, confirmed talks with Russian President Putin to investigate how Serbian arms are … Continue reading Russia accuses ally Serbia of betrayal for supplying arms to Ukraine

ISIS has claimed responsibility for its first attack on Syrian government forces since Bashar al-Assad’s fall, targeting a military convoy in southern Syria’s Sweida province. The bombing, which reportedly killed or wounded seven soldiers, marks an escalation by ISIS, which had focused on Kurdish forces until now. Another recent attack targeted U.S.-backed Kurdish-led fighters, Al-Jazeera has reported. Analysts say these moves indicate ISIS is trying … Continue reading ISIS launches first attacks against new Syrian government

Ukraine has issued evacuation orders for 11 more villages in the northern Sumy region, as Russian forces advanced, capturing two villages and killing civilians in missile and drone strikes. Ukrainian officials fear Russia is preparing a major new offensive, with 50,000 troops massed near Sumy. Russia also claimed control of villages in Donetsk and Sumy, while launching 109 drones and 5 missiles overnight. Amid the … Continue reading Russia seizes more Ukrainian territory amid fears of fresh ground offensive

At least 151 people have died due to severe flooding in Mokwa, Nigeria, following predawn rains that caused torrents of water to overwhelm the town. Over 3,000 people were displaced and 500 households affected, with two roads and bridges destroyed. Relief efforts are underway, with President Bola Tinubu promising rapid aid distribution and support for victims. Flooding in Mokwa, located near the River Niger, is … Continue reading Death toll reaches 151 in north-central Nigerian town submerged in floods

Hamas leaders are reviewing a proposed ceasefire deal from the Trump administration that Israel has already approved, according to Hamas spokesperson Basem Naim. The deal would include a 60-day pause in fighting, the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners at a ratio of 30 per hostage, and an increase in aid deliveries to Gaza. While Hamas … Continue reading Hamas says it’s reviewing a U.S. ceasefire deal backed by Israel

A South African court sentenced Racquel “Kelly” Smith to life in prison for kidnapping and selling her 6-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith, to a traditional healer. Prosecutors alleged the girl was targeted for her green eyes and fair complexion. Smith’s boyfriend and a friend were also sentenced to life for human trafficking, plus 10 years for kidnapping. The judge said none of the accused showed remorse … Continue reading South African woman gets life sentence for selling daughter

Andrew and Tristan Tate, who face 21 criminal charges in the UK—including rape, bodily harm, and human trafficking—will return to the UK after Romanian legal proceedings conclude. Romanian authorities are investigating the brothers, who deny all charges. A Romanian court has ruled they can be extradited, but the timeline remains uncertain. The CPS authorized the UK charges earlier this year, with evidence provided by Bedfordshire … Continue reading Andrew and Tristan Tate will return to UK to face charges, lawyers say

Gen. Michael Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command, warned that terrorist groups in Africa are expanding their capabilities to potentially launch attacks on U.S. soil. He highlighted the Sahel region as a growing hub of instability and terror activity. Al-Qaeda factions have significantly increased in size, with AQIM tripling and Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin quadrupling in size since 2022. These groups are expanding operations and … Continue reading US Africa commander highlights terror growth in Sahel and competition with China for influence

Paul Doyle, a 53-year-old father of three and former Royal Marine from Liverpool, has been charged after a car he allegedly drove crashed into crowds at a Liverpool Premier League victory parade, injuring 79 people, including a nine-year-old. The incident occurred on Water Street at 6:00 p.m. BST. Doyle faces seven charges, including multiple counts of causing and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with … Continue reading Liverpool parade crash suspect to appear in court

A wildfire emergency in western Canada has spread across provinces, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. Saskatchewan declared a state of emergency with 14 wildfires burning out of control, while Manitoba evacuated 17,000 residents amid its own state of emergency. Over 166 fires are active across Canada, 84 of which are out of control, affecting provinces like Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia. The Canadian Armed … Continue reading Western Canada wildfires emergency hits another province as thousands flee