A 29-year-old American tourist from Kansas was killed by a lightning strike while hiking Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy, firefighters said Monday. The man was struck Sunday evening in an exposed area of the volcano at about 4,600 feet and was rescued by helicopter before being pronounced dead by medical personnel. Authorities have closed some areas of Mount Etna to hikers because of the volcano’s … Continue reading U.S. tourist dies after being struck by lightning while hiking Sicily’s Mount Etna

Russia launched an overnight attack on Pechenhy in Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv region, killing 10 people, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy vowed that Ukraine would respond and urged its international partners to increase pressure on Russia and continue supporting Ukraine. Russian officials accused Britain of escalating the conflict by supplying drones that Ukraine has allegedly used in strikes deep inside Russian territory. The U.K. … Continue reading Russia warns U.K. will pay price for supplying attack drones

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has renewed efforts to regain wartime control of the country’s military from the United States and called for faster development of nuclear-powered submarines. His push comes after President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint US-South Korean military exercises, saying North Korea had been respectful and that he had a good relationship with Kim Jong-un. Lee said … Continue reading South Korea president calls for military independence in wake of Trump call to cut joint drills

Australia’s New South Wales state will begin a major gun buyback program on November 2 following a shooting at a Jewish festival in Sydney that killed 15 people. The program will offer up to 1,000 Australian dollars in compensation for each surrendered rifle or handgun. The buyback is part of broader gun-control measures introduced after the attack, including tighter licensing requirements and limits on gun … Continue reading Australia gun buyback to start in November in clampdown after Bondi Beach shooting

A Polish tourist bus crashed into a ditch on a Hungarian highway early Sunday, killing 12 people and injuring 10 others, including five critically. The bus was carrying 57 passengers and two drivers and was reportedly transporting pilgrims from Serbia back to Poland. Eleven people died at the scene, while another died in a hospital, and dozens of others were treated for minor injuries. The … Continue reading At least 12 people killed in Polish tourist bus crash in Hungary

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Indonesia just hours after a stronger magnitude 7.7 quake hit off the country’s eastern coast. At least 53 people were killed, dozens were injured, and more than 300 homes were destroyed or damaged. More than 100 public facilities, including schools, health centers, offices, and places of worship, were also damaged. The earthquakes triggered tsunami warnings, prompting about 2,000 residents to … Continue reading 2nd earthquake hits Indonesia following powerful magnitude 7.7 quake

Two people died and hundreds were evacuated after two fires broke out almost simultaneously on the Greek island of Salamina near Athens. Around 200 firefighters, 50 fire engines, aircraft, and water tankers were deployed as strong winds threatened to merge the fires into one larger blaze. About 500 people were evacuated by sea, while at least 10 others suffered burns or smoke inhalation. Officials said … Continue reading Two dead and hundreds evacuated after twin fires break out on Greek island

A massive Ukrainian drone attack struck targets across Russia, including a major Wildberries logistics hub about 25 miles south of the Kremlin. The strike caused a huge fire at the 2.7-million-square-foot facility, while an 83-year-old man was killed when a drone hit a home in the Moscow region. The attacks disrupted flights at three major Moscow airports and also caused damage and deaths in the … Continue reading Moscow ‘under siege’ as Ukraine onslaught starts inferno at ‘Russia’s Amazon’

A passenger train derailed and flipped onto its side Thursday near Lewes train station in southern England. Photos from the scene showed at least two train cars lying on their sides as emergency crews responded. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to the incident, with other emergency responders also arriving. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed concern and thanked emergency services for … Continue reading Passenger train derails and flips in southern England

South Korean and U.S. forces will begin their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises next week to strengthen readiness against North Korean threats. The 11-day drills will involve about 18,000 South Korean troops and will include training based on lessons from recent conflicts. U.S. officials said the exercises will account for North Korean soldiers’ recent combat experience from supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. The drills … Continue reading South Korea, US to begin exercises next week to bolster readiness against North’s threats

Flights at Catania Airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Saturday because of ash from Mount Etna’s ongoing volcanic activity. Hundreds of flights have been canceled or rerouted over the past week, disrupting thousands of travelers during the busy summer holiday season. The airport operator said arrivals would remain suspended until 2 a.m. local time on August 15 and advised passengers to check with … Continue reading Mount Etna eruption draws crowds as volcanic ash disrupts Sicily flights

Record-breaking rainfall flooded areas east of Tokyo overnight, killing at least five people, injuring more than 30 and stranding thousands across Chiba prefecture. Some areas received nearly four inches of rain in just one hour, causing widespread flooding, landslides, power outages and damage to homes, cars and railway tracks. About 4,000 stranded people were rescued from a train station, while hundreds of others sheltered at … Continue reading Record-breaking rain floods Chiba east of Tokyo, killing at least 5 people

NATO fighters shot down a drone over eastern Latvia on Friday after authorities said it entered the country’s airspace due to Russian electromagnetic warfare. The drone was destroyed in the Balvi region by aircraft participating in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission. Finland also temporarily restricted airspace and a sea area as a precaution, although no drones entered Finnish territory. Latvia has experienced repeated drone incursions … Continue reading NATO aircraft shoot down drone over Latvia

A ferry caught fire in rough seas near Bali early Wednesday while traveling toward the neighboring island of Lombok. Rescuers evacuated 172 people from the vessel and recovered the body of a 19-year-old passenger, while at least two others were hospitalized. Officials initially said 131 people were aboard, but later discovered the ferry was carrying more passengers than listed on its manifest. The vessel was … Continue reading 1 dead, scores rescued from Indonesian ferry that caught fire in rough seas near Bali

North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile toward the sea on Wednesday, according to Japan and South Korea. The missile reportedly landed in waters off North Korea’s east coast, marking the country’s second weapons launch in less than a week. The launch came just days before South Korea and the United States are scheduled to begin their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises. North Korea … Continue reading North Korea launches a suspected ballistic missile, Japan’s says

Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened retaliation after Western countries seized commercial vessels linked to Russia, calling the actions “piracy” and a violation of international law. He warned that Russia could respond anywhere it considers necessary, potentially including the Pacific. Russia’s Pacific Fleet says it is prepared to inspect and detain commercial ships connected to countries Moscow considers unfriendly. The West has targeted hundreds of … Continue reading Putin threatens retaliation for Western seizures of Russian commercial vessels

Germany’s government has approved a controversial draft law that would significantly expand the powers of its intelligence agencies following two recent security incidents. The reforms would give agencies greater authority to conduct cyberattacks, collect and analyze data, use AI, and monitor suspected criminals. Officials say the changes are needed to counter growing threats from Russia, China, terrorism, sabotage, and extremist groups. Critics support stronger intelligence … Continue reading Germany approves lifting curbs on spy agencies in security ‘revolution’

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia killed at least 265 people and left hundreds, or potentially thousands, missing. More than 25,800 families were affected as buildings collapsed, roads buckled, and vehicles were crushed. Regional aid began arriving Wednesday as rescue teams searched devastated cities including Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdo for survivors. Rescuers continued finding signs of life, including a baby and 32-year-old Daniela … Continue reading Colombia earthquake death toll rises as frantic search for survivors continues

Lebanon’s parliament has abolished the death penalty, making it the first Arab country to replace executions with life imprisonment and aggravated hard labor. The country had maintained an unofficial moratorium on executions since 2004, although courts continued issuing death sentences that were later suspended or reduced. The measure was approved by a majority of lawmakers, with Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc voting against it. Justice Minister Adel … Continue reading Lebanon abolishes death penalty in landmark parliament vote

Thailand’s government will immediately stop issuing new gun permits following a school shooting in which a 14-year-old killed eight people before taking his own life. The shooting involved a handgun owned by the boy’s grandfather, and authorities believe social media exposure to violent content and other personal pressures may have influenced his actions. Thailand has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in … Continue reading Thailand suspends new gun permits after mass shooting

A massive fire broke out at Libya’s Zawiya oil refinery after a drone attack targeted a gasoline storage tank, sending thick smoke and flames over the facility. Officials said there were no serious injuries, though several people were treated for smoke inhalation. The National Oil Corporation said the refinery has faced multiple drone attacks in recent days and warned that continued strikes could force it … Continue reading Huge fire breaks out at Libya’s Zawiya refinery after drone attack

Six people were killed Tuesday when Iran-backed Houthi rebels fired missiles at a vessel in Yemen’s Bab el-Mandeb strait, including four crew members and two allied fighters. The attack marks the first known deaths from Houthi attacks on shipping off Yemen during the latest escalation of fighting. The violence comes as the Houthis have increased attacks on Yemeni government forces, Saudi Arabia and shipping in … Continue reading Iranian-backed Houthis kill 6 in attack on vessel

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing at least 254 people and leaving thousands homeless. Rescue crews searched through collapsed buildings in cities including Pereira and Cali, using heavy equipment and their bare hands to find survivors. The disaster caused widespread damage to homes, schools, health centers, farms and rural infrastructure, while some Indigenous communities remained without power or basic services. President Abelardo De … Continue reading Colombia quake death toll tops 250 as rescuers race to find survivors

British Columbia declared a state of emergency after a fast-moving wildfire destroyed homes and forced more than 20,000 people to evacuate communities near Okanagan Lake. More than 100 wildfires were burning across the province, with nearly half considered out of control amid hot, windy weather and prolonged drought. The Bald Range wildfire rapidly expanded to more than 52 square miles, reaching residential areas and forcing … Continue reading Wildfires burning in British Columbia force 20,000 to evacuate

China evacuated more than 1 million people from eastern regions, including Shanghai, as Typhoon Dolphin made landfall. The storm, the strongest to hit China this year, brought torrential rain, flooding and winds reaching 94 mph. Shanghai faces increased vulnerability to coastal storms because of rising sea levels linked to climate change, despite its extensive flood defenses. Extreme weather events are causing greater economic losses worldwide … Continue reading Typhoon Dolphin forces 1M to evacuate in China