Russia has opened a criminal investigation into Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, on suspicion of abetting terrorist activities, escalating tensions between the Kremlin and the messaging platform. State media said the case was launched based on materials from Russia’s federal security service, which claims Telegram has been used in alleged Ukrainian-linked plots and refuses to cooperate with authorities. Durov, who lives abroad and also founded VK, condemned the move … Continue reading Russia opens criminal case into Telegram founder Pavel Durov

Files related to Prince Andrew’s role as a UK trade envoy are set to be published after the Government agreed to MPs’ demands, though some documents will be withheld until police investigations conclude. Andrew, who served as a trade representative from 2001 to 2011, faces allegations of sharing sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein and was recently arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office before being released under … Continue reading UK govt agrees to publish ‘Andrew files’

Chad has closed its eastern border with Sudan after clashes linked to Sudan’s civil war killed several Chadian soldiers and civilians. The government said the closure aims to prevent the conflict from spilling over, protect citizens and refugees, and maintain territorial stability, though humanitarian exceptions may be allowed. Fighting between Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and government-aligned militias recently killed five Chadian soldiers and three civilians in the border … Continue reading Chad shuts border with Sudan after cross-border incursion kills soldiers

Australia has launched a government-backed Royal Commission into antisemitism following the December 2025 mass shooting at a Hanukkah event in Bondi Beach that killed 15 people. The inquiry, led by retired judge Virginia Bell, will examine the attack, broader antisemitism, and social cohesion in the country, with a report expected by December 2026. Security arrangements at the event and the performance of intelligence and law enforcement agencies will be … Continue reading Australia begins inquiry into antisemitism after Bondi shooting

Civil servants have alleged that Prince Andrew charged massage services and other lavish expenses to taxpayers while serving as the U.K.’s trade envoy in the early 2000s. One former official told the BBC he objected to paying for the massages but was overruled by senior staff, claiming spending was poorly scrutinized and routinely approved. Another source described excessive costs for flights, hotels and entourage accommodations, saying oversight was minimal. … Continue reading Prince Andrew charged taxpayers for massages while splurging on lavish trips as trade envoy

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, 28, has been charged with attempted murder after a 23-year-old man was allegedly shot in the back on 19 February in Johannesburg. He appeared in court alongside co-accused Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, with bail set to be requested at the next hearing on 3 March. Both men also face charges of obstructing justice, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, immigration violations, and theft linked to … Continue reading Robert Mugabe’s son charged with attempted murder over Johannesburg shooting

British police arrested Peter Mandelson as part of a misconduct investigation related to his ties with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Authorities suspect Mandelson of passing sensitive U.K. government information to Epstein in 2009, though he faces no allegations of sexual misconduct. His arrest follows the recent detention of Prince Andrew over similar concerns linked to Epstein. The investigation gained momentum after the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of pages of Epstein-related … Continue reading Police in Britain arrest former ambassador Mandelson in probe into Epstein ties

At least five people have died in a series of avalanches in Austria’s Tirol and Vorarlberg regions following heavy snowfall and dangerous conditions. In the St. Anton am Arlberg area, five off-piste skiers were caught in a massive avalanche, with victims including an American, a Pole and a young Austrian who later died in hospital. Separate avalanches in Nauders-Bergkastel and Klösterle killed a German man … Continue reading At least five people killed in string of avalanches in Austria

Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine, killing one person in the Kyiv region and causing widespread damage in several suburbs. Emergency crews rescued eight people, including a child, from rubble, while strikes in Odesa hit energy infrastructure and sparked major fires. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia fired 297 drones and 50 missiles overnight, most of which were intercepted, though several struck … Continue reading Russian missile and drone barrage hits Kyiv suburbs

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has given Ukraine a two-day deadline to resume Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline, threatening to cut off emergency electricity supplies if flows are not restored. He accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of acting “maliciously” toward Slovakia, citing economic losses after Ukraine previously halted Russian gas transit. Slovakia and Hungary remain reliant on Russian oil and have pressured Kyiv … Continue reading Slovakia threatens to cut electricity to Ukraine over Russian oil spat

Pakistan’s military said it killed at least 70 militants in airstrikes near the Afghanistan border, targeting alleged hideouts of Pakistani militants responsible for recent attacks, though state media later put the toll at 80. Deputy Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry provided no evidence for the claim. Afghanistan rejected the accusation, saying the strikes hit civilian areas in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, including a madrassa and homes. … Continue reading Pakistan claims to have killed at least 70 militants in strikes along the Afghan border

Violent clashes broke out across western Mexico after Mexican forces killed Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” during a military operation in Jalisco. Authorities said he was wounded in a raid and died while being transported to Mexico City, as cartel members responded with roadblocks and burning vehicles in multiple states. U.S. officials confirmed providing intelligence support, though … Continue reading Violence erupts in Mexico after cartel leader “El Mencho” killed in military operation

The navies of Mexico and El Salvador announced seizures of more than 10 tons of cocaine in the Pacific this week, including Mexico’s interception of a narco-sub carrying four tons and El Salvador’s record 6.6-ton bust from a Tanzania-flagged vessel. Mexican officials said the operation was aided by intelligence from United States Northern Command and Joint Interagency Task Force South. The announcements contrast with recent … Continue reading 4 tons of cocaine seized from “narco sub” off Mexico 

At least 10 people were killed and 50 wounded in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, targeting what Israel said were Hezbollah command centers in the Baalbek area. A senior Hezbollah official was reported among the dead, though the group did not immediately comment. The strikes are among the deadliest in eastern Lebanon in weeks and threaten a fragile 2024 U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and … Continue reading Israeli strikes in Lebanon kill at least 10, including senior Hezbollah official

Police searched the former home of Prince Andrew for a second day after he was arrested and questioned for nearly 11 hours on suspicion of sharing confidential trade information with Jeffrey Epstein. He was released under investigation and has not been charged, while Thames Valley Police continue searches at Royal Lodge near Windsor. The British government is now considering legislation to remove Andrew from the … Continue reading Police search former Prince Andrew’s home a day after his arrest

After the U.S. Department of Justice said in July that an exhaustive review of the Jeffrey Epstein files found no basis to charge additional individuals, Congress mandated the release of millions more documents, prompting investigations overseas. In the U.K., Prince Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, while authorities are also investigating Peter Mandelson. Norway charged former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland with … Continue reading Europe Is Finding Plenty to Investigate in the Epstein Files

Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on his 66th birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office following revelations in files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Thames Valley Police said the arrest was part of an ongoing assessment into claims that he shared confidential government information while serving as a trade envoy. Officers searched properties in Norfolk and Berkshire, including residences on royal … Continue reading Prince Andrew arrested over suspected misconduct in public office revealed in Epstein files

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that its air defenses destroyed over 150 Ukrainian drones overnight, marking one of the largest such attacks this year. Most drones were downed over the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, Crimea, and the Krasnodar region, causing minor injuries to a 9-year-old boy and damage to homes, vehicles, and gas pipelines. In Krasnodar, Ukrainian strikes sparked a fire at the Ilsky Oil … Continue reading Russian Military Reports Largest Wave of Ukrainian Drone Attacks Since Early January

The government of Gabon has ordered an immediate and indefinite block on social media platforms, citing the spread of false information, defamation, and data protection concerns. Residents of the capital, Libreville, reported that Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok were inaccessible, though messaging apps like WhatsApp continued to function. The move comes amid growing protests over the rising cost of living and low wages in the oil-rich … Continue reading Gabon blocks social media after protests and strikes

British police have expanded their review of Jeffrey Epstein’s links to the UK, confirming for the first time they are assessing claims that he used private flights into British airports to traffic women. The move follows comments by former prime minister Gordon Brown, who cited newly released U.S. files alleging Epstein flew women into Stansted Airport. Four forces — including Essex Police, Thames Valley Police, … Continue reading British Police investigating claims that Epstein trafficked women through UK airports

French authorities arrested nine suspects in connection with the killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque in Lyon. Prosecutor Thierry Dran said six suspects are believed to have taken part in the beating, while three allegedly assisted them. The attack occurred on the sidelines of a far-right protest against a left-wing politician, and video footage aired by TF1 showed multiple people assaulting victims with what witnesses … Continue reading France arrests nine in right-wing activist’s death

Drivers in Cuba are facing waits of weeks or even months to refuel as worsening fuel shortages grip the island. The government now requires motorists to use a state-run app called Ticket to schedule gas station appointments, but many report thousands of bookings ahead of them. Subsidized fuel sales in local currency have been halted, with gasoline now sold only in U.S. dollars at $1.30 … Continue reading Cuban drivers face monthslong wait for gasolin

The U.S. government has released intelligence alleging that China conducted a secret nuclear test in 2020 at its Lop Nur site, detected as a small 2.75-magnitude seismic event in Kazakhstan. Christopher Yeaw, assistant secretary for arms control and nonproliferation, described the tremor as “quite consistent” with a nuclear explosion, though independent experts caution that the evidence is limited and inconclusive. Ben Dando of NORSAR noted … Continue reading U.S. releases new details on alleged secret Chinese nuclear test

United States Southern Command said it carried out strikes on three suspected drug-smuggling boats in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean, killing 11 people. The military claimed the vessels were operating along known trafficking routes and were run by designated terrorist organizations, though it has not released supporting evidence. The strikes are part of a broader campaign that has involved more than 40 operations and over … Continue reading Military strikes three more alleged drug boats in Pacific, Caribbean

The United States has moved more than 50 fighter jets to the Middle East within the past 24 hours as part of a growing military buildup near Iran. Independent flight trackers observed F-16, F-22, and F-35 aircraft heading to the region. The buildup comes amid indirect nuclear negotiations, with a U.S. official telling The Jerusalem Post that recent talks in Geneva showed progress but significant … Continue reading US sends over 50 fighter jets to Middle East in military buildup against Iran