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

Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the 2022 invasion, firing 537 aerial weapons overnight, including 477 drones and 60 missiles, according to Ukraine’s air force. About 249 were shot down and 226 were lost to electronic jamming. The attacks targeted several regions, including western Ukraine. At least two people were killed and several injured. Poland scrambled jets to protect its airspace. Ukraine … Continue reading Russia launched its largest aerial attack of the war, Ukraine says

After its recent conflict with Israel, Iran has launched a wave of arrests and executions targeting alleged Israeli spies, claiming to fight unprecedented infiltration of its security services. Authorities say leaked information enabled high-profile assassinations of IRGC commanders and nuclear scientists. Six people accused of spying for Israel have been executed in recent weeks, and hundreds more have been arrested. Human rights groups warn of … Continue reading Iran carries out wave of arrests and executions in wake of Israel conflict

A black bear on the runway forced Japan’s Yamagata Airport to cancel 12 flights and close to passengers on Thursday. First spotted in the morning, the bear reappeared at noon, prompting further closures as staff and police failed to capture it. The incident comes amid a rise in bear encounters in Japan, linked to climate change and rural depopulation, CBS News has reported. Authorities have … Continue reading Bear on runway forces airport in Japan to cancel flights

Spain’s Constitutional Court has upheld key parts of an amnesty law pardoning over 300 Catalan separatists involved in the failed 2017 independence bid. The ruling, by a 6–4 vote, rejects most of a conservative challenge claiming the law was unconstitutional. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez welcomed the decision, saying it promotes national unity and coexistence. The amnesty deal was crucial to securing separatist party support for … Continue reading Top court backs amnesty for Catalan separatists

Vietnam has abolished the death penalty for eight crimes, including embezzlement and bribery, under legal reforms passed Wednesday. The changes may spare real estate tycoon Truong My Lan, sentenced to death for a $12.5 billion fraud case, making her eligible for life imprisonment instead. Anyone sentenced to death for the removed crimes but not yet executed by July 1 will have their sentence commuted to life in … Continue reading Vietnam ends death penalty for 8 crimes, may spare real estate tycoon

Congolese negotiators have dropped their demand for an immediate Rwandan troop withdrawal from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, clearing the way for a U.S.-brokered peace deal expected to be signed in Washington on Friday. Rwanda has at least 7,000 troops in eastern Congo backing M23 rebels, though it denies direct involvement and says it’s acting in self-defense against Congo-based groups like the FDLR. The revised … Continue reading Congo drops demand for immediate Rwandan troop pullout

At least 29 students died in a stampede during baccalaureate exams at a high school in Bangui, Central African Republic, after an electrical transformer exploded and caused panic. Sixteen of the victims were girls. Over 260 others were injured. President Faustin Archange Touadera declared three days of national mourning and promised support for victims’ families, the DW has reported. Authorities are investigating the incident, and … Continue reading Dozens killed in Central African Republic school stampede

A large wildfire near Athens swept through the coastal towns of Palaia Fokaia and Thymari, destroying at least 20 homes and forcing over 1,000 evacuations as Greece faced its first summer heatwave with temperatures reaching 40 °C. Strong winds spread flames quickly from low vegetation into residential areas. Firefighters, residents, and aircraft battled the blaze, while coast guard teams rescued trapped beachgoers, the BBC has reported. … Continue reading Homes burn in Greece as wildfire sweeps through coastal towns

North Korea is opening its long-delayed Wonsan Kalma beach resort to domestic tourists on 1 July, hoping to boost tourism despite sanctions and economic struggles. Built on the east coast, the resort can reportedly host 20,000 visitors along a 4 km beach, though its features remain unverified. Leader Kim Jong Un, who grew up in Wonsan, wants to transform the area. Foreign tourism remains limited, mainly … Continue reading North Korea to open beach resort as Kim bets on tourism

At least 16 people have died in Kenya after nationwide protests on Wednesday against police brutality and poor governance, according to the human rights commission. Demonstrations spread to 23 of 47 counties, with protesters calling for President William Ruto’s resignation. Property was destroyed, police stations were burned, and shops in Nairobi were looted. The unrest was fueled by anger over the death of a blogger … Continue reading Death toll from Kenya’s anti-government protests rises to 16

Japan has executed Takahiro Shiraishi, known as the “Twitter killer,” for murdering and dismembering nine people, mostly women, after luring them via social media by promising to help them die. The 34-year-old was hanged in Tokyo in the country’s first execution since 2022. Arrested in 2017, Shiraishi pleaded guilty in 2020, admitting he killed to satisfy sexual desires. His crimes shocked Japan and raised concerns … Continue reading Japan executes ‘Twitter killer’ who murdered and dismembered nine people

Czech authorities have detained five teenagers, most under 18, for being radicalized online by the Islamic State and promoting hate against minorities, Jews, and the LGBTQ+ community. Two have been charged with terror-related crimes after attempting to set fire to a synagogue in Brno in January 2024. The group was also involved in online efforts to recruit fighters for ISIS. Weapons were seized during raids … Continue reading Czech authorities detain 5 teens over online radicalization by IS and charge 2 with terror plot

Seven Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Gaza when a Palestinian militant detonated a bomb on their armored vehicle, one of the deadliest incidents for Israel in Gaza in months. The attack in Khan Younis came just after a ceasefire ended Israel’s brief war with Iran. Fighting in Gaza has continued since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and … Continue reading Bomb attached to their armored vehicle kills 7 Israeli soldiers in Gaza

Families of inmates at Tehran’s Evin Prison are sharing accounts of damage and casualties after an Israeli airstrike hit the facility on Monday. The strike, part of Israel’s broader offensive against Iran, was confirmed by the IDF, which called the prison a “symbol of oppression.” Iranian media reported damage to the prison and the death of a doctor, though full casualty details remain unclear. Evin, … Continue reading Israeli strike damages Tehran’s Evin Prison, families report chaos

The UK will purchase 12 U.S.-made F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons, strengthening its nuclear posture and joining NATO’s dual-capable aircraft mission. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will announce the move at the NATO summit, urging allies to boost support for the alliance. The decision also reinforces the UK’s commitment to NATO and is expected to support 20,000 UK jobs, with Britain contributing 15% … Continue reading UK to buy 12 nuclear-carrying F-35A jets from the United States and join NATO nuclear mission

NATO leaders met in The Hague to discuss increasing defence spending to 5% of GDP, amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. Secretary General Mark Rutte praised Trump’s leadership, saying the U.S. would no longer shoulder the burden alone. Most members support the new targets, though Spain and Slovakia voiced concerns. Spain is aiming for just 2.1%, calling the percentage debate “misguided.” The summit also … Continue reading Nato set to agree big spike in defence spending at ‘historic summit’

Brazilian tourist Juliana Marins, 26, was found dead after falling from a cliff near the crater of Mount Rinjani, an active volcano in Indonesia. She survived the initial fall during a group hike but could not be reached for days due to dangerous terrain and poor weather. Despite being spotted alive on Saturday, rescuers lost track of her amid thick fog and were only able … Continue reading Brazilian tourist who fell off Indonesian volcano found dead

Two young bears, Mish and Lucy, escaped their enclosure at Wildwood Devon wildlife park in the UK and devoured a week’s supply of honey and snacks before falling asleep. The incident, which lasted about an hour, posed no threat to the public, though visitors were briefly moved to a secure area. Keepers safely returned the bears using recall training. The park blamed the escape on … Continue reading 2 bears escape wildlife park enclosure, eat a 7-day supply of honey, then fall asleep

In one of the deadliest 48-hour periods in months, Russian attacks killed dozens of Ukrainian civilians, including a 5-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl, just as NATO allies gathered for a key meeting. On Tuesday, a missile strike on Dnipro killed 15 people and injured over 170, causing unprecedented destruction to homes, schools, and hospitals. A day earlier, nine were killed in a Kyiv apartment … Continue reading Russian attacks kill dozens of Ukrainians as Kyiv’s allies gather for a key NATO summit