Dutch and German intelligence agencies say Russia has stepped up its use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine, including the choking agent chloropicrin, in violation of international law. Evidence suggests thousands of instances of use, with chemicals dropped by drones to flush soldiers from trenches. Russia denies the allegations. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans called the practice “horrible and unacceptable” and urged tougher sanctions. Germany’s … Continue reading Russia expanding Ukraine chemical weapons use, allege European spy agencies

A powerful gas station explosion in southeastern Rome injured at least 25 people, including 10 first responders. The blast, heard across the city early Friday morning, followed a reported gas leak and caused extensive damage, prompting evacuations of nearby buildings and a sports center. While some victims were seriously hurt, no life-threatening conditions were reported. Authorities are investigating the cause, possibly linked to a previous … Continue reading Gas station explosion in Rome injures dozens of people

A North Korean man crossed the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone into South Korea on Thursday and was detained by Seoul’s military after a 20-hour operation. He was found near the Military Demarcation Line and safely guided out of the DMZ. Such land-border defections are rare due to heavy fortifications and landmines. South Korean authorities will investigate the incident. No unusual North Korean military activity was … Continue reading North Korean man avoids military and landmines to cross border into South Korea

Russian oil tycoon Andrey Badalov, 62, has died after falling 180ft from a Moscow tower block in what police call an apparent suicide, though investigations continue. He was vice-president of Transneft, Russia’s state oil pipeline giant. His death is the latest in a string of at least a dozen mysterious fatalities among Russian oil and gas executives since 2022, often recorded as suicides but widely … Continue reading Oil tycoon linked to ex-KGB spy dies after plunging from luxury apartment in Russia

Russia launched its heaviest airstrikes of the war on Kyiv overnight, hitting nearly every district with 550 drones and 11 missiles, injuring dozens. Ukraine, short on air defences, managed to shoot down only two missiles. The attack came hours after Donald Trump’s unproductive phone call with Vladimir Putin, in which Putin refused to back down. Meanwhile, the US has paused critical weapons shipments to Ukraine, … Continue reading Putin pounds Ukraine with record war blitz moments after Trump call

French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, detained in Iran since May 2022, have been charged with spying for Israel, conspiracy to overthrow the regime, and “corruption on earth”—all carrying the death penalty. France rejects the charges as baseless. Their families only recently received proof they were alive after Israeli strikes on Tehran’s Evin prison, France 24 has reported. Iran is accused of using detained … Continue reading Iran charges French detainees Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris with spying for Israel

The UN warns that gangs now control about 90% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and are expanding into previously safe regions, pushing the country toward total state collapse. Criminal groups have set up parallel governance, crippling trade and driving up food prices. A Kenyan-led UN-backed mission meant to help is understaffed and underfunded. Meanwhile, violence—including sexual assaults and extrajudicial killings by both gangs and security forces—continues … Continue reading Haiti’s gangs have ‘near-total control’ of the capital as violence escalates, UN says

Russian Maj Gen Mikhail Gudkov, deputy navy commander and former head of the 155th marine brigade, was killed in a Ukrainian missile strike on a field headquarters in Russia’s Kursk region. Reports suggest the base’s location may have been exposed by poor security or a mole. The attack also killed other senior officers. Gudkov’s brigade has faced heavy losses and war crimes accusations, The Guardian … Continue reading Deputy commander of Russian navy killed in strike near Ukraine frontline

At least six people have died and dozens are missing after a ferry with 65 listed passengers and crew sank late Wednesday en route to Bali from Java, Indonesia. Thirty-one survivors have been rescued so far as searches continue. Authorities suspect there were unlisted passengers on board, complicating rescue efforts. Survivors described the ferry capsizing quickly after taking on water. President Prabowo Subianto has ordered … Continue reading Six dead, dozens missing after ferry sinks off Bali

A large wildfire on the Greek island of Crete forced the evacuation of about 5,000 people, mostly tourists, from the Lasithi region. The fire, which started Wednesday near Achlia, spread rapidly on three fronts due to strong winds. Five coastal towns were evacuated as flames damaged homes, forests, and olive groves. Four people were hospitalized for breathing problems, and some required rescue from trapped locations, … Continue reading Over 5,000 evacuated as wildfire rages on Greek island of Crete

At least 36 people were killed and around three dozen injured after a massive explosion and fire at a Sigachi Industries pharmaceutical factory in Telangana, India. The blast destroyed the plant’s structure, with many victims’ bodies badly burned. Authorities are clearing debris to check for more casualties and have launched an investigation. The factory, which makes microcrystalline cellulose for drug production, will halt operations for … Continue reading Death toll rises to 36 after explosion at a pharmaceutical factory in India

Four staff members of Turkey’s satirical magazine LeMan have been arrested over a cartoon accused of depicting the Prophet Muhammad, a highly sensitive issue in Islam. Turkey’s interior minister condemned the drawing as offensive, sparking protests in Istanbul where police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.  LeMan denied the cartoon was of Muhammad, saying it was misinterpreted and meant to highlight Muslim suffering, not insult … Continue reading Turkey arrests journalists over alleged cartoon of Prophet Muhammad

An Iran-linked hacker group calling itself “Robert” claims to have stolen over 100 gigabytes of emails from Donald Trump’s inner circle and is threatening to release them in what U.S. officials call a politically motivated smear campaign. Targets reportedly include Trump allies like Susie Wiles, Roger Stone, and attorney Lindsey Halligan. U.S. authorities have tied the group to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The hackers … Continue reading Iranian Hackers Threaten to Leak 100GB of Stolen Trump Team Emails

Sergei Torop, 64, a Russian cult leader who claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for mentally and physically abusing followers of his Church of the Last Testament. Known as “Vissarion,” he founded the sect in 1991 after claiming a divine revelation, attracting thousands to remote Siberian settlements. He and two associates, also jailed, were convicted of … Continue reading ‘Jesus of Siberia’ jailed for abusing followers at isolated mountain-top cult

The Pentagon has halted shipments of some air defense missiles and precision munitions to Ukraine over concerns that U.S. stockpiles are too low. The pause, driven by a Pentagon review led by policy chief Elbridge Colby, affects Patriot air defense missiles, precision artillery rounds, and Hellfire missiles. The decision, initiated in June, takes effect as Ukraine faces intense Russian attacks. While the White House says … Continue reading Pentagon halting some promised munitions for Ukraine

A 92-year-old British man, Ryland Headley, was convicted Monday of the 1967 rape and murder of 75-year-old Louisa Dunne in Bristol, closing a 58-year cold case. Dunne was found strangled in her home. Despite a massive early investigation, the case went unsolved until a 2023 review used modern DNA analysis on preserved evidence, matching Headley’s DNA from a 1977 rape arrest, CNN has reported. He … Continue reading 92-year-old British man convicted of rape and murder in 1967 cold case

Serbian police cleared street blockades in Belgrade early Monday after protesters demanding early elections used fences and trash bins to block roads and bridges. The protests follow the arrest of anti-government demonstrators after a massive student-led rally calling for a snap vote to oust President Aleksandar Vucic’s government. Unrest began after a train station canopy collapse killed 16 people, fueling anger over alleged corruption. Clashes … Continue reading Serbian police remove street blockades in Belgrade, make new arrests

Iran reported over 900 deaths from its nearly two-week war with Israel, which ended with a ceasefire soon after U.S. strikes hit three Iranian underground nuclear sites. Israeli attacks starting June 13 killed military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, while Iran retaliated with missile barrages that killed 28 in Israel. Casualty estimates vary, with rights groups suggesting even higher Iranian civilian tolls. Despite tensions, Qatar … Continue reading Iran: More than 900 killed in war with Israel

Israeli forces launched heavy attacks across the Gaza Strip on Monday, killing at least 95 Palestinians, including families sheltering in schools and people at a crowded hospital. Strikes hit Gaza City, where a seaside café serving displaced people was bombed, killing over 30, including women, children, and journalists. In central Gaza, Israeli forces also targeted the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Hospital without warning, injuring many and … Continue reading Israel kills 95 Palestinians, bombing across Gaza amid new ceasefire push

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un grew emotional at a ceremony honoring thousands of North Korean soldiers sent to fight for Russia in Ukraine, many of whom died in battle. At the event, Kim draped flags over coffins as images of the fallen were broadcast, with North Korean and Russian officials in attendance. The ceremony marked deepening ties between the two countries following a defense pact … Continue reading Kim Jong-un weeps over coffins of NKorea troops killed in Ukraine

Afghanistan is slowly opening up to tourism, with visitors arriving by plane, motorbike, and even bicycle. The Taliban government, eager to boost the economy, is promoting the country’s scenic and historic sites despite ongoing security concerns. Tourist numbers remain modest but growing, with nearly 9,000 visitors last year. While violence has dropped since the Taliban takeover in 2021, attacks still occur, including a deadly assault … Continue reading Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan, Taliban government eager to welcome them

Russia has massed 110,000 troops near Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, aiming to capture the strategic city, according to Ukraine’s military chief. Despite repeated offensives over the past year, Moscow has failed to seize Pokrovsk, which is vital for Ukrainian supply lines and defenses in Donetsk. Ukrainian forces have used drones and defensive operations to repel assaults, CNN has reported. Russia is now trying to encircle … Continue reading Russia has amassed 110,000 troops near strategic Ukrainian city, Kyiv says

Police in Belgrade fired tear gas and arrested dozens as clashes erupted during a massive protest demanding snap elections and the resignation of President Aleksandar Vucic. About 140,000 people joined the student-led rally, chanting for elections and accusing the government of corruption and repression. The protests began after a deadly train station collapse in December fueled anger over alleged negligence, Al-Jazeera has reported. Vucic, rejecting … Continue reading Serbian police arrest dozens in clashes with antigovernment protesters

Thousands protested in Bangkok demanding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resign after a leaked call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen angered the public. In the call, she called him “uncle” and criticized a Thai commander, sparking accusations of undermining Thailand’s sovereignty. A coalition partner quit the government, and protesters blocked roads, calling her an “enemy of state.” Paetongtarn apologized but defended the call as negotiation. … Continue reading Thousands protest in Bangkok calling for Thai PM to resign

The Israeli military ordered new evacuations in northern Gaza on Sunday ahead of intensified operations against Hamas, warning residents to move south to the Mawasi area. Fighting escalated in Jabalia, killing at least six, while five more died in a strike near Mawasi in the south. Prime Minister Netanyahu was set to review the offensive’s progress amid concerns for Israeli hostages, the Times of Israel … Continue reading Trump tells Israel to make hostage deal as IDF readies to ratchet up fight in north Gaza