At least 35 children were killed and six critically injured in a crowd crush at a funfair in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria. Police arrested eight people, including the event’s sponsor, over the tragedy, which occurred at an Islamic school’s event organized by Women in Need of Guidance and Support (WING). The event aimed to host 5,000 children with prizes like scholarships. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and … Continue reading Crowd crush kills 35 children at funfair in Nigeria, police say

The death toll from Cyclone Chido in Mozambique has risen to 73, with 66 deaths in Cabo Delgado province, according to the National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management. The cyclone, which brought winds of 260 km/h (161 mph) and heavy rainfall, injured over 540 people, destroyed more than 39,100 homes, and affected over 329,500 people. UNICEF described the situation as “devastation,” emphasizing the precarious … Continue reading Cyclone Chido death toll in Mozambique rises to 73

Israel launched airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen early Thursday, killing nine and injuring three, in response to recent Houthi missile and drone attacks, which were largely intercepted. The strikes targeted facilities near Yemen’s capital Sanaa and the Hodeidah port. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Houthi leaders against further aggression, linking the attacks to escalating tensions amid Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza. Earlier, … Continue reading Israeli military strikes Yemen hours after Houthi attack targets Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to remain at Syria’s Mount Hermon until at least the end of 2025, according to a CNN source. Israel seized the strategic peak, overlooking Lebanon, Syria, and Israel, after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime earlier this month. While initially described as a temporary move, Netanyahu cited security concerns and the need for stability in Syria … Continue reading Netanyahu tells Israeli troops to stay in area of Syria’s Mount Hermon until end of 2025

Syria’s rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), pledged to disband rebel factions and integrate fighters into a defense ministry to reassure minorities and promote unity. Sharaa emphasized protecting all Syrians and restoring relations with foreign nations while urging the lifting of international sanctions to enable refugee returns. Assad’s recent fall has led the EU to reopen its delegation in Damascus and … Continue reading Syrian HTS leader says rebel factions that overthrew Assad will be ‘disbanded’

A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off Vanuatu, killing at least 14 people, injuring over 200, and causing widespread destruction. Centered near Port Vila, the quake damaged hospitals, infrastructure, and diplomatic buildings, leaving many trapped under rubble. Rescue efforts continue, with some survivors pulled from collapsed buildings. The government declared a state of emergency, imposing curfews and prioritizing restoring water and communication services, ABC News has … Continue reading 14 dead and hundreds injured in magnitude 7.3 quake in Vanuatu

The Vatican faces a severe financial crisis, with a 2023 deficit of $87 million, exacerbated by declining donations, reduced tourism, and falling gold investments. Critics partly blame Pope Francis, citing his progressive policies on issues like climate change and family values, which have alienated conservative Catholics. The crisis threatens pensions for retired clergy and staff, the Irish Star has reported. Hopes rest on the 2025 … Continue reading Vatican ‘on the brink of Bankruptcy’ due to decline in global donations

Pope Francis narrowly escaped two assassination attempts during his historic trip to Iraq in March 2021, as revealed in excerpts from his upcoming autobiography, Hope. British intelligence warned of a young suicide bomber and a van packed with explosives targeting the pope in Mosul. Both threats were neutralized by Iraqi police. Despite intense security concerns and the Covid-19 pandemic, the 88-year-old pontiff insisted on the trip, … Continue reading Pope Says Escaped Two Attempts On His Life In Iraq

Ukraine carried out a daring operation in Moscow, killing Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of Russia’s Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense Troops, by detonating a scooter bomb. The attack, claimed by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), marked the most senior Russian commander killed in the capital since the war began. Kirillov, accused by Kyiv of war crimes involving chemical weapons, was under U.K. sanctions for deploying … Continue reading Ukraine Says It Killed Senior Russian General in Moscow Scooter Bombing

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger will officially exit ECOWAS on January 29 but have been granted a six-month grace period until July 29 to reconsider their decision. Despite efforts by ECOWAS to dissuade them, the three Sahel nations, now part of their Alliance of Sahel States (AES), have deemed their departure irreversible. They pledged to maintain visa-free access for ECOWAS citizens, easing concerns over regional … Continue reading Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger agree to grace period in ECOWAS withdrawal

Seven tourists, including four Australians and three other foreign nationals, are being treated for suspected poisoning after drinking cocktails at a bar in the upscale Warwick Fiji resort. The group experienced nausea, vomiting, and neurological symptoms after consuming piña coladas. Fiji’s Health Ministry is investigating the cause, with methanol poisoning not yet confirmed, CNN has reported. The tourists are in stable condition, and the incident … Continue reading Seven hotel guests hospitalized with suspected poisoning after drinking cocktails at 5-star Fiji resort

The US has made its first direct contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebel group now controlling Syria after the fall of the Assad regime, to discuss the case of missing American journalist Austin Tice, Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed. Speaking in Jordan, Blinken joined talks with regional and international officials on Syria’s future, emphasizing the need for peaceful transition and inclusive governance. … Continue reading US officials in ‘direct contact’ with victorious Syria rebels

Cyclone Chido, the worst storm to hit Mayotte in 90 years, has caused widespread devastation in the French Indian Ocean territory. Officials confirmed at least 11 deaths and 250 injuries, but Prefect François-Xavier Bieuville fears the death toll could rise to hundreds or even thousands. The cyclone, with 140 mph winds, devastated neighborhoods, leaving many residents homeless, Axios has reported. Mayotte, the EU’s poorest territory, … Continue reading Hundreds feared dead after worst cyclone in 90 years slams French territory

Two Russian oil tankers were severely damaged in the Kerch Strait, causing an oil spill, with one crew member killed and others stranded due to bad weather. Rescue operations saved 13 crew members, while 14 remain aboard the second tanker. Footage showed significant damage, including a broken-off bow. President Putin has launched an investigation into potential criminal negligence. The tankers, owned by Volgatanker, were carrying … Continue reading Two Russian oil tankers wrecked in Black Sea 

Taliban refugee minister Khalil Haqqani, a senior member of the Haqqani network and a US-designated global terrorist, was killed in a suicide bombing at his ministry in Kabul. Six others also died in the attack, which Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for, stating an operative detonated explosives outside Haqqani’s office. This marks the highest-profile Taliban casualty since their 2021 return to power, the BBC has … Continue reading Suicide bomb kills Taliban minister in Kabul

An 11-year-old girl from Sierra Leone survived three days adrift in stormy Mediterranean seas by clinging to two tire inner tubes after her migrant boat sank near Lampedusa, Italy. She was rescued by chance at night by the German charity Compass Collective’s Trotamar III vessel, likely the sole survivor among 45 people on board. The girl had no food or water and suffered from hypothermia … Continue reading 11-year-old girl survives three days in the sea after shipwreck

An Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp killed at least 25 Palestinians and wounded dozens on Thursday, as U.S. officials pushed for a ceasefire. The strike was part of ongoing attacks that have killed at least 54 Palestinians since Wednesday night, according to health officials. Most casualties were civilians, including children. Amid the devastation, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Israeli … Continue reading Israeli strike in Gaza kills 25 people as US makes new push for a ceasefire

A Canadian government report reveals that euthanasia deaths have steadily risen since the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) law was enacted in 2016, with over 60,000 cases to date. In 2023, euthanasia accounted for 4.7% of all deaths (15,343 cases), though the growth rate is slowing. Most recipients were elderly (median age 77) with terminal illnesses like cancer, while 4% had chronic conditions without imminent … Continue reading Euthanasia now responsible for 1 in 20 deaths in Canada

Haitian gang leader Micanor Altès, accused of killing over 100 people in Cité Soleil, continues to target residents after a violent two-day spree sparked by his son’s death. Altès allegedly blamed Vodou practitioners and elderly community members for his son’s illness. Victims, many aged 60 to 80, were stabbed or burned, with no police intervention due to gang control. Human rights groups estimate over 100 … Continue reading Haitians demand protection after gang leader massacres dozens of people to avenge son’s death

France began withdrawing its military forces from Chad by flying out two Mirage fighter jets stationed in the capital, N’Djamena. This follows Chad’s decision to end its defense cooperation agreement with France, a move seen as a shift in its strategic partnerships. France, which once maintained a large military presence in the region to combat Islamic extremism, has faced growing anti-French sentiment and has been … Continue reading France flies out 2 Mirage fighter jets from Chad to signal beginning of military withdrawal

Mexican congressman Benito Aguas, a member of the ruling coalition, was assassinated in Veracruz, alongside another victim. Aguas was shot in Zongolica and later succumbed to his injuries. The killing highlights ongoing political violence in Mexico, where over half a dozen elected officials have been murdered since last year’s election. Attacks are more frequent at the municipal level, with 80% of political violence targeting local … Continue reading Mexico federal congressman shot dead in Veracruz state

Pope Francis is set to open five ‘sacred portals,’ symbolizing salvation, for the first time since 2000. The doors, bricked up inside basilicas, will be unsealed to mark the 2025 Jubilee Year, a tradition dating back to 1300. For the first time, a prison door will also be opened as a symbol of hope for prisoners. The doors will stay open for pilgrims until January … Continue reading Vatican to open five ‘sacred portals’ for first time in quarter of a century

Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria collapsed over the weekend without resistance, leading to widespread looting in Damascus until organized rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), restored order. HTS quickly moved to secure the capital and appointed Mohammed al-Bashir to head a transitional government. The group pledged to maintain state institutions, protect minorities, and ensure personal freedoms while addressing Syria’s economic and social challenges. … Continue reading After Ousting Assad, Syrian Rebels Rush to Impose Order in Damascus

At least five people died in an explosion at a three-story apartment building in The Hague, Netherlands, early Saturday, causing a partial collapse and fire. Rescue efforts shifted to recovery as hopes of finding survivors diminished, with officials warning of slim survival chances for those under the rubble. The blast affected five apartments, and 40 nearby homes were evacuated. Authorities are investigating the cause, with … Continue reading At least five killed after blast causes Dutch apartment building to partially collapse