Hong Kong shut down on Tuesday as Super Typhoon Ragasa, the world’s strongest storm this year with winds up to 220 km/h, approached the coast of Guangdong. Authorities issued Typhoon Signal 8, suspending most transport and flights, while residents rushed to stock up on supplies and taped windows against potential damage. Over 370,000 people were evacuated in Guangdong, with officials warning of storm surges up … Continue reading Hong Kong shuts down ahead of world’s biggest typhoon this year

Hurricane Gabrielle has rapidly strengthened into a Category 4 storm east of Bermuda, packing 140 mph winds but expected to remain mostly offshore. Bermuda could still see rain, gusty winds, and large swells, while dangerous rip currents will affect much of the U.S. East Coast through midweek. Two additional disturbances in the Atlantic are being monitored, with one east of the Lesser Antilles showing medium … Continue reading Hurricane Gabrielle isn’t alone. Two more Atlantic systems could develop this week

Two major European airports, Copenhagen and Oslo, were forced to close due to drones spotted nearby, causing flight disruptions. Copenhagen Airport shut down Monday evening after two to three UAVs were detected, halting takeoffs and landings. Police were deployed to investigate, and Danish fighter aircraft and helicopters responded to the situation. Over 35 flights bound for Copenhagen were diverted to nearby airports, including Malmö, Billund, … Continue reading Copenhagen airport shut after ‘large’ drone incident

Germany has warned that up to 1,000 of its soldiers could be wounded daily if Russia launches a war on NATO. The Kremlin denies planning any conflict, but recent Russian incursions into Poland, Romania, and Estonia have heightened fears. Germany’s surgeon general, Ralf Hoffmann, emphasized that casualty numbers would depend on battle intensity and military units involved. Drawing lessons from Ukraine, European nations are enhancing … Continue reading Germany prepares to treat ‘1,000 injured soldiers a day’ in war with Russia

Russia and Iran are set to sign agreements this week to build new nuclear power units in Iran, according to Iran’s nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami. Eslami, also Iran’s vice president, made the announcement during a visit to Moscow. Western governments accuse Iran of violating the 2015 nuclear deal aimed at preventing a weapons program, while Iran denies any such intention. Russia supports Iran’s right to … Continue reading Tehran, Moscow to sign docs on building new nuke reactors in Iran

European NATO allies have vowed to shoot down any Russian aircraft violating their airspace after recent incursions. Poland’s leaders, including Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and Prime Minister Donald Tusk, warned that any unauthorized aircraft would be destroyed without debate. Estonia reported a brief incursion by three Russian MiG-31 jets, following earlier drone breaches in Poland and Romania. NATO countries fear these violations signal Moscow testing … Continue reading UK, Poland vow to ‘confront’ Russian fighter jets

Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan, who documented the early Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan, was sentenced to an additional four years in prison on charges of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” following her initial 2020 imprisonment. Zhang, known for posting firsthand accounts from hospitals and streets, went on hunger strike during her detention and was forcibly fed. Rights groups condemned the sentence as persecution for her journalism … Continue reading Chinese Covid whistleblower is sentenced to 4 more years in jail, group says

Qatar is seeking an apology from Israel for a recent airstrike in Doha before resuming its mediation on a Gaza peace deal. The strike, which killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer, marked Israel’s first attack in a Gulf state and worsened its regional isolation. Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has raised the request with U.S. officials, who are pressing Israel to … Continue reading Qatar requests Israeli apology to resume Gaza mediation efforts

Russia launched over 600 drones and missiles at nine regions across Ukraine, killing at least three people and wounding dozens more. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said the attacks targeted infrastructure, residential areas, and civilian sites, including a cluster-munition strike on a building in Dnipro. In Chernihiv, one person was killed and eight injured, including medics hit by a follow-up strike, while Dnipropetrovsk saw at least 30 … Continue reading Russia launches large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine, killing three

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City and the Bureij refugee camp killed more than 40 people, including 19 women and children, according to health officials. In Gaza City, 14 people died when a strike hit a residential block, including a hospital nurse and his wife and three children. Another strike at Bureij refugee camp killed at least eight Palestinians, including four children and two women, and … Continue reading Israeli strikes kill more than 40 people in Gaza

Tens of thousands protested in Manila over a corruption scandal involving costly “ghost” flood-control projects, leading to scattered clashes with police and the arrest of at least 17 people. Demonstrators demanded prosecution of officials and contractors accused of siphoning billions of pesos, while some police were injured. The protest coincided with the anniversary of martial law under Ferdinand Marcos Sr., with organizers calling for lasting … Continue reading Clashes, arrests as tens of thousands protest corruption in Philippines

Five people, including three children, were killed in southern Lebanon on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a Hezbollah operative, though claims that US citizens were among the dead are disputed. Israel expressed regret over civilian casualties, while Lebanese officials condemned the strike as a “massacre” and a violation of international law. UNICEF called the deaths of children “unconscionable,” and Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun urged … Continue reading Five killed in Israeli strike on Lebanon

Thousands have been evacuated in the Philippines ahead of super typhoon Ragasa, with winds of 230 km/h (143 mph) and life-threatening storm surges forecast. The typhoon is expected to hit northern islands before moving toward southern China, bringing heavy rain, flooding, and landslides. Schools, government offices, and transport services have been suspended in affected areas, including Manila and parts of Taiwan, the BBC has reported. … Continue reading Super typhoon nears Philippines as thousands evacuate

The UK has officially recognized a Palestinian state, with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper warning Israel not to annex parts of the West Bank in response. The move, also followed by Canada, Australia, Portugal, and soon France and Belgium, aims to revive the two-state solution while ensuring Hamas has no role in governance. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the recognition as rewarding terrorism, while Palestinian Authority … Continue reading UK warns Israel not to retaliate against Palestinian statehood push

German and Swedish fighter jets intercepted a Russian IL-20M reconnaissance plane that entered neutral airspace over the Baltic Sea on Sunday, after it flew without a flight plan or radio contact. NATO ordered Germany’s quick reaction force to respond before handing the escort over to Swedish jets. The incident follows a series of recent Russian airspace violations, including three Russian MiG-31s entering Estonia on Friday … Continue reading German and Swedish jets intercept Russian military plane over Baltic Sea

Authorities in the Dominican Republic said they recovered 377 packages of cocaine from a speedboat destroyed by the U.S. Navy, in what they called the first joint anti-narcoterrorism operation in the Caribbean. The boat, allegedly carrying over 2,200 pounds of cocaine, was struck about 80 nautical miles south of Isla Beata before Dominican forces secured the drugs. U.S. officials say the naval mission, launched in … Continue reading Speedboat destroyed by U.S. Navy held 1,000 kilos of cocaine, Dominican Republic says

Violence erupted in The Hague as a demonstration over immigration turned chaotic, with rioters clashing with police, torching a police car, and vandalizing the D66 party office. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd, while a group of 1,500 protesters blocked the A12 highway. Dutch media reported rioters carrying nationalist and symbols, which party leader Rob Jetten condemned as intimidation. Caretaker … Continue reading Violence erupts at protests in the Netherlands ahead of election

Australia has formally recognized Palestine as a sovereign state, joining the UK and Canada in a coordinated move announced at the UN by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The decision, intended to build momentum for a two-state solution and a Gaza ceasefire, drew fierce condemnation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who warned of possible military responses. Albanese stressed that Hamas must have no role in … Continue reading UK, Canada, Australia formally recognize Palestinian state

Israel launched a major wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah infrastructure and weapons sites after issuing evacuation warnings in several villages. Footage showed heavy smoke in Mais al-Jabal, one of the affected areas, though casualties have not been reported. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the attacks as violations of the US- and France-brokered ceasefire and urged international pressure on Israel … Continue reading Israeli air strikes hit southern Lebanon

The Taliban has imposed a nationwide ban on fiber-optic internet in Afghanistan, cutting Wi-Fi access for homes, businesses, and government offices for the first time since taking power in 2021. Authorities say the move is part of a crackdown to “prevent immorality,” though mobile internet remains available. Provinces including Balkh, Baghlan, Badakhshan, Kunduz, Nangarhar, and Takhar have already confirmed shutdowns. Media groups condemned the ban, … Continue reading Taliban’s internet ban spreads across Afghanistan as more provinces are shut down

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Thursday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake initially prompted tsunami advisories for Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, though they were later canceled. Russian officials issued warnings along the east coast of Kamchatka, urging residents to stay alert, but reported no damage. The U.S. National Weather Service confirmed there was no tsunami threat to Hawaii, while … Continue reading Magnitude 7.8 earthquake strikes off Russia’s coast

Outgoing MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore said there is “absolutely no evidence” that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants peace in Ukraine, accusing him of “stringing us along.” Speaking in Istanbul, Moore argued that Putin underestimated Ukraine, has weakened Russia’s future, and is lying to his people and the world. He noted the war has strengthened Ukrainian identity, pushed Sweden and Finland into NATO, and accelerated … Continue reading U.K.’s MI6 spy chief says Putin has no interest in peace in Ukraine

An elderly British couple, Peter (80) and Barbie Reynolds (76), have been freed by the Taliban after nearly eight months in detention and reunited with their daughter in Qatar. The couple, who lived in Afghanistan for almost two decades running a training charity, were detained on 1 February and released through Qatari mediation. Their family, who had raised alarms over their deteriorating health in prison, … Continue reading British couple freed by Taliban hug daughter in emotional reunion

Protesters across France launched strikes and demonstrations Thursday, crippling Paris Metro services and blocking roads in opposition to President Emmanuel Macron’s proposed cuts to public services. Clashes with police and teargas erupted early in Paris, with unions warning that the austerity measures would worsen poverty and inequality for low- and middle-income workers. Opponents argue the government should tax the wealthy and businesses instead of reducing … Continue reading Strikes and protests roil France

Two people were shot dead Thursday at an Israeli-run crossing between the West Bank and Jordan, Israeli medics said, with the attacker reported “neutralized.” Jordan acknowledged a security incident but gave no details. The attack follows a similar shooting at the crossing in September 2024, when a retired Jordanian soldier killed three Israelis, the Associated Press has reported. Violence in the West Bank has sharply … Continue reading Shooting at Israeli-run border crossing with Jordan kills 2, medics say