The Taliban rejected the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) request to arrest two top officials, including leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, over persecution of women. The ICC’s move, hailed by Afghan women’s groups as a step toward justice, drew condemnation from the Taliban, who accused the court of baseless accusations and ignoring foreign forces’ past crimes. Critics fear the Taliban may exploit the decision for propaganda, the Associated … Continue reading Taliban reject court move to arrest top officials for persecuting Afghan women and girls

Axel Rudakubana, 18, was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in prison for fatally stabbing three young girls—Bebe King (6), Elsie Dot Stancombe (7), and Alice Da Silva Aguiar (9)—at a Taylor Swift-themed event in Southport, UK, in July. Rudakubana pleaded guilty to 16 charges, including murder, attempted murder, and possession of a jihadi training manual and ricin. Judge Julian Goose called the attack … Continue reading UK Teen sentenced to 52 years in prison for deadly stabbing at Taylor Swift-themed event

The UN has suspended movement in Houthi-held areas of Yemen after the detention of its personnel in Sanaa, actively negotiating their release. This is not the first instance of Houthi detentions, as they have previously held UN workers and US embassy staff. The Iranian-backed Houthis, controlling large parts of Yemen, have faced accusations of human rights abuses and obstructing aid delivery. While the conflict with … Continue reading UN suspends movement in Houthi-held areas after staff detained

Rebels from the Rwanda-backed M23 killed North Kivu’s military governor, Maj Gen Peter Cirimwami, during fighting in eastern DR Congo, the army confirmed. Gen Cirimwami, shot while visiting the frontline, died after being airlifted to Kinshasa. The M23 has seized key towns, displaced over 400,000 people, and killed more than 200 civilians this year, as they advance toward Goma, a major city near the Rwandan … Continue reading Rebels kill DR Congo governor as fighting intensifies

Canadian authorities seized $83 million worth of cocaine linked to Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation cartel, marking Toronto’s largest cocaine bust. Over 835 kilograms were found in a truck and stash houses during “Project Castillo,” an investigation into a transnational drug operation from Mexico. Six suspects, including two Mexican nationals, were arrested, with warrants issued for three others. Police said the cocaine was intended for distribution … Continue reading Record haul of cocaine linked to notorious cartel seized in Toronto

During a surprise offensive in northwest Syria late last year, insurgents overran key areas, forcing Syrian leader Bashar Assad to flee. Despite a Dec. 7 meeting in Qatar where officials from Turkey, Russia, Iran, and Arab countries agreed on halting advances and pursuing talks with Assad, insurgents from the south pushed into Damascus. Hayyat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) emerged as Syria’s de facto rulers after coordinating … Continue reading Southern rebels loom large as Syria’s new rulers try to form a national army

Osama Najim, head of Libya’s judicial police and director of Tripoli’s Mitiga detention center, was arrested in Turin, Italy, on Sunday following an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for war crimes. Former detainees have reported widespread torture and abuse in Libyan detention centers, with the UN citing “serious rights violations” in 2022. Najim’s arrest, aided by Interpol, followed years of ICC investigations and victim testimonies. … Continue reading Libyan police chief arrested in Italy for alleged war crimes

The Colombian border village of Tres Bocas has emptied as residents flee escalating violence in the Catatumbo region, leaving at least 80 dead and displacing over 18,000 people, with 1,000 seeking refuge in Venezuela. Fighting has intensified between the ELN and FARC-EMC, rival groups vying for control of the region’s drug routes. Recent ELN attacks on civilians led Colombian President Gustavo Petro to suspend peace … Continue reading Colombians flee to Venezuela as clashes between rebel groups escalate in coca-rich border region

At least 12 passengers were killed and six injured in western India after jumping from a stopped train to escape a rumored fire and being hit by another train on an adjacent track, PTI reported. The incident occurred near Pardhade station in Maharashtra, 255 miles from Mumbai. Passengers on the Pushpak Express panicked due to sparks caused by a mechanical issue, pulled the emergency chain, … Continue reading At least 12 passengers dead after jumping onto tracks over train fire alert in India

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck southern Taiwan near Chiayi, causing minor damage and power outages in some villages. TSMC evacuated staff from its factories, reporting no injuries. Buildings in Taipei shook, and a few people were trapped in damaged structures in Tainan, though most were rescued. No major casualties were reported, NBC News has reported. Taiwan, located on a tectonic plate junction, frequently experiences earthquakes, … Continue reading Southern Taiwan is hit by 6.4 magnitude quake; no reports of major casualties

Researchers in Vietnam have discovered a new “supergiant” sea bug species, Bathynomus vaderi, named after Darth Vader due to its helmet-like head. Found in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands, this deep-sea crustacean measures about 30 cm, much larger than typical isopods. It is only the second supergiant species identified in the region, CBS News has reported. The discovery, published in ZooKeys, highlights the species’ … Continue reading “Supergiant” sea bug named after Darth Vader found in South China Sea

Israeli forces killed eight Palestinians and injured 35 in a major operation in Jenin, West Bank, involving airstrikes, drones, and armored bulldozers, according to Palestinian health officials. The operation, dubbed “Iron Wall,” aimed to dismantle armed groups, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasizing efforts to bolster security. The raid follows heightened tensions in the region, including attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in Qalqilya villages. … Continue reading Eight Palestinians killed as Israeli forces launch major operation in Jenin

A predawn fire at the Grand Kartal hotel in Turkey’s Kartalkaya Ski Resort killed at least 76 people and injured 51, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. The fire, which began around 3:27 a.m., likely caused most fatalities due to suffocation, including children. The 12-story hotel housed 238 registered guests at the time, ABC News has reported. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced administrative and … Continue reading At least 76 dead in Turkish ski resort hotel fire

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi announced he would resign on March 6, cutting his term short by 10 months. He cited accountability for the October 7, 2023, failure when Hamas invaded southern Israel. Halevi called for a state inquiry into national security issues beyond IDF control and highlighted IDF achievements during his tenure, including significant operations against Hamas, Hezbollah, and other threats. He … Continue reading IDF Chief resigns; Cites military failure on Oct 7

A gasoline tanker explosion near Suleja, Nigeria, killed at least 86 people and injured 55 others, officials said Sunday. The blast occurred during a fuel transfer using a generator, igniting the crowd gathered to scoop gasoline or take pictures. Emergency responders warn the death toll could rise. The incident highlights ongoing hardships caused by high fuel prices after subsidy removals under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, … Continue reading At least 86 dead, 55 injured in Nigerian gasoline tanker explosion

At least 30 people were injured, including nine seriously, in a chairlift accident at Spain’s Astún ski resort in the Pyrenees. Around 80 people remained trapped on the lift as helicopters conducted rescue operations and transported the injured to hospitals. The cause of the accident is unknown. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed shock and support for the victims and their families, CBS News has reported. … Continue reading Dozens injured in chairlift accident at Spanish ski resort

Supporters of South Korea’s arrested president, Yoon Suk Yeol, stormed a court building after his detention was extended, smashing windows and clashing with police. Yoon, the first sitting president to be arrested, faces insurrection charges following a brief December martial law declaration. Police restored order, arresting 46 protesters, while nine officers and dozens of others were injured. Acting President Choi Sang-mok condemned the violence, calling … Continue reading Protesters storm South Korean court after it extends President Yoon’s detention

More than 80 people have been killed and 20 injured in Colombia’s northeast after failed peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN). The violence in the Catatumbo region, near Venezuela’s border, has forced thousands to flee, with many seeking refuge in shelters or nearby mountains. Community leader Carmelo Guerrero and seven peace deal advocates were among the victims, while three involved in the talks … Continue reading At least 80 dead, several kidnapped in Colombia after failed peace talks

Hamas released three hostages—Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31—on Sunday under a ceasefire deal, marking the first such release since the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The women, taken from the Supernova music festival and Kibbutz Kfar Aza, were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City amid large crowds and propaganda efforts by Hamas. After 471 days in … Continue reading Hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher return to Israel after 471 days

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, 54, was stabbed multiple times by an intruder at his Mumbai home but is now recovering after surgery, doctors confirmed. Khan sustained injuries to his spine, neck, and hand, with surgeons removing a knife lodged in his spinal cord and repairing other wounds. The attack occurred during an attempted robbery, and police are searching for the suspect, CBS News has … Continue reading Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan recovering after knife pulled from spine following burglary stabbing attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty,” strengthening ties in trade, military, science, and culture amid Western sanctions. Putin hailed the deal as a breakthrough for regional stability, while Pezeshkian emphasized increased trade and security cooperation. The treaty follows closer Russia-Iran relations after Moscow’s Ukraine invasion, with allegations of Tehran supplying drones, which both deny. The agreement … Continue reading Russia and Iran sign a partnership treaty to deepen their ties in the face of Western sanctions

Former CIA analyst Asif Rahman, 34, pleaded guilty to leaking classified records on Israel’s plans for a retaliatory strike on Iran. Rahman admitted to printing the documents in October, sharing them with unauthorized individuals, and attempting to conceal his actions. Arrested in Cambodia and later extradited, he faces up to 13 years in prison, with sentencing set for May 15. Prosecutors revealed he deleted 1.5GB … Continue reading Former CIA analyst pleads guilty to leaking Israeli retaliation plans

Russia sentenced three lawyers who defended late opposition leader Alexei Navalny to prison terms of 3.5 to 5.5 years for transmitting his messages from prison, labeling them as participants in an “extremist organization.” This move is part of a broader crackdown on dissent during the Ukraine conflict, alarming rights groups and drawing international criticism. Navalny’s widow and Western nations, including the US, UK, France, and … Continue reading Russia gives Navalny lawyers multi-year sentences for relaying his messages

Israel’s government has approved a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal with Hamas, set to begin Sunday. The agreement includes releasing 33 Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners over six weeks. Israeli forces will withdraw from densely populated areas, allow displaced Palestinians to return, and permit hundreds of daily aid deliveries into Gaza. Negotiations will continue for a full Israeli … Continue reading Israel’s cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited Kyiv, signing a 100-year pact to support Ukraine with military, economic, and healthcare aid amid its ongoing war with Russia. Starmer pledged continued UK assistance, including a new mobile air defense system, troop training, and £3 billion annually. The visit coincided with air raid sirens following a Russian drone attack, highlighting Ukraine’s daily struggles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky … Continue reading UK pledges support for Ukraine with 100-year pact