Authorities in Kano, Nigeria, have started evacuating over 5,000 street children, viewed as a security threat amid the region’s economic crisis. The Hisbah police force has conducted midnight raids to remove these children from motor parks and markets. Many of the children are from broken homes and have no access to education or parental care, with many begging or selling items to survive. Kano has … Continue reading Nigeria round up children living on streets to put them in camp “for their rehabilitation”

The U.S. must maintain troops in Syria to prevent the resurgence of ISIS following Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said. He emphasized securing detention camps holding thousands of ISIS fighters, including 2,000 deemed highly dangerous. U.S. forces, currently numbering around 2,000, work with the Kurdish-led SDF against ISIS, despite Turkey’s opposition to the SDF’s PKK ties. Austin highlighted the risk of ISIS fighters … Continue reading US troops need to stay in Syria to counter the Islamic State group, Austin says

Iran unveiled an underground missile storage facility and announced the development of “new special missiles,” according to IRGC-affiliated media. The facility, described as a “dormant volcano,” reportedly supported operations against Israel earlier this year. Iran plans to reveal additional “missile and drone cities” during upcoming military drills. Meanwhile, Iranian volunteer forces held a large-scale exercise in Tehran. Despite regional setbacks, Iranian leaders assert their deterrence … Continue reading Iran unveils underground storage facility, claims development of ‘new special missiles’

A stampede near India’s Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh killed six and injured 35 as thousands gathered for free visit passes during an auspicious period. The rush occurred when a gate opened, leading to a surge in the crowd. Authorities are investigating the cause, and the temple operator apologized, promising accountability. Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister visited the site, while the opposition blamed the … Continue reading Six dead in Indian temple stampede as free passes draw crowd of thousands

Israel launched airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, targeting ports and a power plant used for military purposes, following continued drone and missile attacks by the Iran-backed group. Coordinated with the US, over 20 Israeli aircraft dropped 50 munitions on key locations, including the Hodeidah and Ras Isa ports. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz warned Houthi leaders of further consequences if aggression continues, … Continue reading 20 Israeli jets attack two ports and a power plant used by Houthis in Yemen

Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed over 600 people in early 2025, with total deaths surpassing 46,000 since the war began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel. A Lancet study suggests Gaza’s death toll may be underreported by up to 40%, possibly exceeding 64,000 by mid-2024. Israel blames Hamas for civilian deaths, citing their use of human shields. Negotiations for a … Continue reading Gaza deaths top 46,000 as one study suggests it could be much higher

At least 19 people were killed in Chad after armed fighters attempted to storm the presidential complex in N’Djamena. Security forces killed 18 of the 24 attackers, and one soldier died in the clashes. Chad’s government described the situation as under control, dismissing claims the attackers were rebels and suggesting they were likely intoxicated. The incident occurred during a visit by China’s Foreign Minister Wang … Continue reading Chad say military foiled armed assault on presidential complex, 19 killed

Iran’s military is conducting extensive drills, believed to prepare for potential U.S. or Israeli attacks on its nuclear facilities. The exercises, involving air, ground, and sea forces, showcase new weapons like the Dezful missile system and simulate a strike on the Natanz nuclear site. The drills also test the Basij paramilitary forces for domestic security readiness amid rising regional tensions. Iranian analysts see the drills … Continue reading Iran puts on show of force with war games ahead of Trump’s second term

A 23-year-old Melbourne medical student, Hadi Nazari, missing for two weeks in Australia’s Kosciuszko National Park, has been found alive. Nazari, who got separated from his group on Dec. 26, survived on two muesli bars, berries, and creek water. He approached hikers for help after trekking over six miles of rugged terrain. Rescuers praised his resilience, noting he was in good spirits and needed only … Continue reading Hiker found after surviving for 2 weeks in Australian mountain range

NATO will deploy 10 ships to protect critical underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea by week’s end, guarding energy and data cables until April to prevent sabotage. This move follows recent disruptions, including damaged power and telecommunications cables between Finland, Estonia, Sweden, and Germany. Finland is investigating Russia-linked oil tanker Eagle S for suspected anchor damage to a power cable. Estonia launched its own naval … Continue reading NATO sends fleet to guard Baltic Sea cables

The first international commercial flight since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime landed at Damascus International Airport on Tuesday, with a Qatar Airways flight marking the occasion. Many passengers were returning Syrians, some for the first time in over a decade. The airport, rehabilitated with Qatar’s help after years of neglect and damage from Israeli airstrikes, welcomed its first flight amid Syria’s recovery. Additionally, a … Continue reading First international flight since al-Assad’s removal lands in Syria

Indonesia has officially joined BRICS, becoming the tenth full member of the bloc of developing economies. The announcement was made by Brazil, the 2025 rotating president of BRICS. Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy and most populous nation, shares the group’s goals of reforming global governance and enhancing South-South cooperation. Initially endorsed in 2023, Indonesia delayed its accession until after its new government was formed, the … Continue reading Indonesia officially becomes full member of BRICS bloc

Executions in Iran rose to 901 in 2024, the highest since 2015, including 31 women, some convicted for defending themselves against domestic violence or forced marriage, according to the U.N. Most executions were for drug-related offenses, but political dissidents and protesters linked to the 2022 unrest over Mahsa Amini’s death were also among the victims. U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called the rise “deeply … Continue reading UN says Iran executed over 900 people in 2024

The Biden administration will announce a final major weapons aid package for Ukraine during Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to Germany on Thursday. While the exact amount remains unspecified, it is expected to be substantial, leaving some funds for the incoming Trump administration. The aid aims to bolster Ukraine amid ongoing missile attacks and military offensives. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion, the U.S. has contributed $66 … Continue reading U.S, set to announce ‘substantial’ final weapons package for Ukraine

A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Tibet’s Shigatse City on Tuesday, killing at least 126 people and injuring over 188, according to Chinese state media. The quake, with a depth of 10 km, caused over 3,600 homes to collapse. The U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake at 7.1, citing the region’s history of significant seismic activity. Multiple aftershocks, the largest at 4.4, followed. The Dalai Lama … Continue reading At least 126 dead, scores injured in 6.8 magnitude earthquake near Tibet

Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, has been hit by severe flooding due to heavy rainfall, submerging neighborhoods and causing widespread disruption. Footage shows residents forming human chains to rescue trapped children and aiding those swept away by floodwaters. Cars, buses, and debris were left abandoned as water surged through the streets, Metro has reported. The extreme weather has also impacted other regions, including Madinah and Riyadh, … Continue reading Mecca flooded after extreme rain

Three Israelis, including two women in their 70s and a 35-year-old police officer, were killed, and eight others wounded in a Palestinian shooting attack on a bus and two cars in the occupied West Bank. The attack occurred near the village of al-Funduq on Highway 55, with at least two gunmen fleeing the scene. Security forces launched a manhunt, setting up roadblocks and surrounding nearby … Continue reading Three Israelis killed in Palestinian shooting attack in West Bank

An Israeli soldier fled Brazil after a judge ordered an investigation into allegations of war crimes committed during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The case, brought by the Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation, accuses the soldier of participating in the destruction of civilian homes. Israel’s Foreign Ministry assisted in the soldier’s swift departure and warned soldiers against sharing military service details online. The incident has sparked … Continue reading Israeli soldiers face risk of arrest abroad for alleged war crimes after serving in Gaza

North Korea fired a suspected medium-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea, coinciding with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to South Korea. The missile, launched from Pyongyang, traveled about 684 miles before landing outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Blinken condemned the launch as a violation of U.N. resolutions and emphasized the importance of U.S.-South Korea-Japan cooperation in deterrence. Japan also strongly protested, calling … Continue reading North Korea tests ballistic missile as Blinken visits South Korea

Brazilian police arrested a woman accused of poisoning a Christmas cake with arsenic, resulting in the deaths of three family members and the hospitalization of three others during a December 23 gathering in Torres. Authorities suspect the arrested woman, reportedly the daughter-in-law of the cake’s baker, researched arsenic online before the incident. Toxicology tests revealed extremely high arsenic levels in the victims’ blood and the … Continue reading Woman arrested after arsenic-laced Christmas cake kills 3 family members in Brazil

The Pentagon announced the transfer of 11 Yemeni men from Guantanamo Bay to Oman after over two decades of detention without charge. This marks the Biden administration’s largest effort to reduce the prison’s population before leaving office, bringing the number of detainees to 15—the lowest since 2002. Among those released was Shaqawi al Hajj, who endured years of hunger strikes and hospitalizations. Rights groups have … Continue reading US transfers 11 Guantanamo detainees to Yemen after more than two decades without charge

Hamas has reportedly approved an Israeli list of 34 hostages for a potential ceasefire deal, contingent on Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire, according to a Hamas official cited by Reuters. Israel denied receiving such a list but did not directly refute the report’s details. Indirect ceasefire negotiations are ongoing in Doha, involving US and Israeli officials. Meanwhile, Hamas has increased pressure by releasing … Continue reading Hamas approves Israeli list of hostages for potential exchange

Taiwan suspects China was behind the cutting of an undersea telecom cable early Friday. The cargo ship Shunxin-39, flagged in Cameroon but linked to a Chinese-owned Hong Kong company, was intercepted by Taiwan’s coast guard but escaped due to rough seas. Despite the damage, Chunghwa Telecom rerouted traffic, ensuring uninterrupted service on the $500 million Trans-Pacific Express cable. Taiwan has faced repeated cable disruptions in recent … Continue reading Taiwan suspects China of latest attack on undersea cables

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have captured Masisi, their second town in two days, in DR Congo’s North Kivu province, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis. The group, active since 2021, controls large areas in the mineral-rich east, displacing hundreds of thousands. Mediation efforts by Angola between DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame collapsed last month. While the Congolese government remains silent on the … Continue reading Rwanda-backed rebels seize key town in DR Congo