Tropical Storm Barbara is strengthening off Mexico’s Pacific coast and could become a hurricane by Monday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. Centered southwest of Zihuatanejo, the storm has 65 mph winds and is moving west-northwest. While it’s expected to stay at sea, heavy rain may cause flooding and mudslides in parts of western Mexico, the Associated Press has reported. Coastal areas may also … Continue reading Tropical storm Barbara off south-west Mexico coast could become hurricane

Russia claims its forces have advanced to the edge of Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region amid intensified fighting and growing tensions over stalled peace talks and the return of war dead. Moscow has seized over 190 square km of northeastern Ukraine in recent weeks and continues pushing west from Donetsk. Ukraine says its forces are holding the line and accused Russia of playing politics with prisoner and … Continue reading Russia advances to east-central Ukrainian region amid row over dead soldiers

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck central Colombia early Sunday near Paratebueno, southeast of Bogotá.  No casualties were reported. The quake was followed by smaller tremors, and authorities are assessing the impact. People in Bogotá felt the shaking, but early reports indicate no damage, ABC News has reported. Colombia is located in the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire. Written by B.C. Begley Continue reading 6.3 magnitude earthquake hits central Colombia, no casualties reported

Israel has vowed to block the “Madleen” aid ship from reaching Gaza, calling it a media stunt. The vessel, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, aims to challenge Israel’s blockade. Israeli officials warn the attempt is unlawful and undermines humanitarian efforts, CNN has reported. Despite limited aid recently allowed into Gaza, humanitarian groups warn of worsening famine and crisis conditions. Written by B.C. Begley Continue reading Israel intercepts Gaza-bound aid ship, detaining Greta Thunberg and other prominent activists

Colombian presidential candidate and senator Miguel Uribe Turbay remains in critical condition after being shot three times—twice in the head—during a campaign event in Bogotá. A 15-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene with a firearm. Uribe, a right-wing critic of President Gustavo Petro, was rushed into surgery and remains in intensive care. Leaders across Colombia and abroad condemned the attack as a threat to … Continue reading Colombia presidential hopeful shot in head at rally

The Wagner Group has announced its withdrawal from Mali, claiming it has completed its mission of fighting Islamist militants alongside the Malian military since 2021. The exit coincides with renewed jihadist attacks in the region, including deadly assaults on military bases in Boulikessi, Timbuktu, and Mahou. Despite Wagner’s departure, Russia will maintain a presence in Mali through Africa Corps, a rival mercenary group. Wagner’s exit … Continue reading Wagner to withdraw from Mali after ‘completing mission’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel is arming anti-Hamas militias in southern Gaza, a move he defended as a way to protect Israeli soldiers. The revelation follows a leak by former defense minister Avigdor Lieberman and has sparked political backlash within Israel. Meanwhile, Gaza faces worsening humanitarian conditions, with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation halting aid distribution due to security concerns and deadly incidents … Continue reading Israel arming Gaza militias fighting Hamas, Netanyahu says

Israel has recovered the body of Thai national Nattapong Pinta, who was taken hostage during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. The 35-year-old agricultural worker was likely killed early in his captivity, and his body was retrieved in a special operation in Rafah, Gaza. He is believed to be the last Thai hostage from the attack, during which 1,200 people were killed and 251 … Continue reading Body of Thai hostage recovered from Gaza, Israel says

Russia launched massive strikes on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, early Saturday, killing at least three people and injuring several others in what Ukrainian officials call the most intense attack since the war began. The assault, involving over 50 drones, missiles, and bombs, followed a large-scale Russian aerial offensive and appears to be retaliation for a Ukrainian drone operation that damaged key Russian missile carriers. Russia … Continue reading Kharkiv hit by ‘most powerful attack’ of entire war, mayor says

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, mistakenly deported to El Salvador during the Trump administration, was returned to the U.S. on Friday to face federal charges related to a human smuggling operation. His deportation had sparked a legal and political standoff after officials admitted it was an error but resisted court orders to bring him back. U.S. authorities presented an arrest warrant to El Salvador’s president, leading to … Continue reading Kilmar Abrego Garcia returned to USA; Charged with trafficking

A wild elephant named Plai Biang Lek caused a stir in northeastern Thailand when he wandered into a grocery store near Khao Yai National Park and helped himself to snacks. The 30-year-old elephant, a known local, calmly grabbed food including rice crackers and bananas before leaving without harming anyone, though he left behind muddy footprints. Videos of the incident amused viewers online, ABC News has … Continue reading A hungry wild elephant raids a grocery store for snacks in Thailand

Authorities in Cologne, Germany, safely defused three large unexploded World War II bombs after evacuating over 20,000 people in the city’s largest postwar operation. The bombs, discovered in a shipyard in Deutz, triggered evacuations of homes, schools, hospitals, and key infrastructure, including a major train station. Streets were emptied, transport disrupted, and cultural sites shut down. Residents were warned they could face fines or forced … Continue reading Cologne defuses WW2 bombs after 20,000 evacuated

Erin Patterson, on trial for allegedly poisoning four in-laws with death cap mushrooms in a 2023 lunch, has denied deliberately foraging or weighing the mushrooms to calculate fatal doses. However, she admitted lying to police early in the investigation out of fear. During cross-examination, prosecutors presented photos allegedly showing death cap mushrooms on scales in her home, which Patterson acknowledged taking but denied using to … Continue reading Erin Patterson denies deliberately foraging death cap mushrooms and weighing fatal dose

ran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected a U.S. proposal that would allow limited uranium enrichment in Iran before phasing it out, calling it a violation of Iran’s independence. The move complicates ongoing nuclear talks, with Washington now reassessing its approach. The U.S. offer included dismantling Iran’s underground enrichment sites in exchange for allowing a regional consortium to oversee future enrichment. Iran insists on … Continue reading Iran’s Supreme Leader Rejects Nuclear Deal Offer

The Trump administration has redirected a key antidrone technology—proximity fuzes originally intended for Ukraine—to U.S. Air Force units in the Middle East, signaling a shift in Pentagon priorities away from Kyiv. This decision, justified as an urgent defense need, comes amid growing tensions with Iran and Houthi militants. Critics warn the move weakens Ukraine’s air defenses against Russian drones, while supporters argue it falls within … Continue reading U.S. Is Redirecting Critical Antidrone Technology From Ukraine to U.S. Forces

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”