Notre Dame Cathedral hosted its first Mass since the 2019 fire, symbolizing Paris’ resilience and the restoration of a global landmark. Archbishop Laurent Ulrich consecrated a new altar during the solemn service attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and 2,500 dignitaries. The event highlighted Notre Dame’s revival after over five years of reconstruction, showcasing gleaming limestone walls, restored stained glass, and renewed craftsmanship. The reopening … Continue reading Notre Dame hosts first Mass since reopening its doors after 2019 fire

Israel entered the Golan Heights’ demilitarized buffer zone to counter potential threats from Syrian insurgents after Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia amid the rebel takeover of Damascus. Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to prevent hostile forces from establishing near Israel’s border. The IDF reportedly struck targets near Damascus, including a chemical weapons depot, to secure the region, though these strikes remain unconfirmed. U.S. forces conducted airstrikes … Continue reading Israeli military enters Golan Heights as Netanyahu warns off Syrian militants

The U.S. launched airstrikes on over 75 ISIS targets in central Syria, employing B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s, according to CENTCOM. The strikes aimed to disrupt ISIS operations and prevent the group from regrouping. No civilian casualties have been reported. Meanwhile, Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has fled to Russia as rebels gain ground, marking a significant shift in the country’s ongoing civil war since 2011, the … Continue reading Pentagon launches 75 strikes targeting ISIS

Syrian rebels seized Damascus unopposed, ending President Bashar al-Assad’s 13-year civil war rule and six decades of family autocracy. Assad fled to Russia, marking a pivotal Middle Eastern shift that weakens Iranian and Russian influence. Rebels, partly backed by Turkey, aim to establish a transitional government, potentially allowing millions of refugees to return home. The sudden regime collapse saw prisoners freed, jubilant crowds in Damascus, … Continue reading Syrian rebels topple Assad who flees to Russia

Russia’s FSB security services arrested suspected members of Colombia’s Cali cartel attempting to smuggle 570 kilograms of cocaine into Europe. The drugs, valued at over $55 million, were transported from Peru and hidden in a vehicle before being loaded for shipment. This marks the fifth seizure of Latin American cocaine in Russia this year, part of increasing efforts to combat drug smuggling into the EU, … Continue reading Russia arrests suspected members of infamous Colombia cartel, seizes $55 million of cocaine

A Melbourne synagogue was set ablaze in a suspected arson attack, with witnesses reporting two masked individuals pouring accelerant before fleeing. The fire caused significant damage but no serious injuries. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack, calling for zero tolerance of antisemitism, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu linked the incident to anti-Israel sentiment, criticizing Australia’s recent policy decisions, Fox News has reported. … Continue reading Melbourne synagogue set on fire in ‘deliberate’ attack, Australian PM vows ‘zero tolerance’

A Chinese-owned fishing vessel with 18 crew members was hijacked off Somalia’s northeastern coast, reportedly involving the ship’s security guards and local armed men, Puntland authorities confirmed. The EU anti-piracy force, Eunavfor Atalanta, classified the incident as armed robbery at sea. The vessel, registered under Taiwan’s flag and licensed to fish in Somali waters, has been moved between coastal locations. Unverified reports claim the hijackers … Continue reading A Chinese vessel has been hijacked off the Somali coast, officials say

Syrian government forces have lost control of Daraa city, a major setback for President Bashar al-Assad, as local armed groups now control over 90% of the province, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Known as the “cradle of the revolution,” Daraa was where Syria’s 2011 uprising began. This loss follows recent rebel victories in Aleppo and Hama, with Islamist-led groups and local factions … Continue reading Syria govt loses control of key city Daraa

The Pentagon has warned of growing military cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic, posing a potential threat to the U.S. from the north. Iris Ferguson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, highlighted joint Russian-Chinese activities, including coastguard cooperation and a bomber patrol near Alaska. She emphasized China’s expanding Arctic presence and strategic interests, prompting the U.S. to increase military drills and bolster its Arctic … Continue reading China and Russia plotting military stranglehold on Arctic, warns Pentagon

Cuba’s national electricity grid has been restored after a nationwide blackout, but power generation remains insufficient to meet demand. The blackout, the third in two months, was triggered by the shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras power plant, overwhelming the country’s aging, oil-fired power system. With half of its facilities offline and reduced oil imports, Cuba faces daily five-hour rolling blackouts. Recent hurricanes and fuel shortages … Continue reading Cuba restores power grid but planned outages to resume amid energy crisis

Researchers in Spain are urgently searching for the nest of southern giant hornets, a species found in Europe for the first time. Known for destroying beehives in hours, these “murder hornets” were spotted twice in Asturias province, with the first sighting in 2022. Likely introduced via cargo ships, their presence threatens native ecosystems and pollination-dependent crops. The hornets, which nest underground, are difficult to locate. … Continue reading Invasive ‘murder hornets’ found in Europe for the first time

Anti-Assad rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), captured the strategic city of Hama, marking a significant turning point in Syria’s 13-year civil war. The U.S., while acknowledging the destabilizing effects, denied involvement and called for de-escalation. HTS, designated a terrorist group, has spearheaded recent advances and warned Iran-backed militias to stay out of the conflict. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are countering an … Continue reading Assad regime under major pressure as Islamist rebels seize more territory

A man in Ontario’s far north leapt onto a polar bear to save his wife from an attack outside their home in Fort Severn First Nation. The bear lunged at the woman, who slipped, prompting her husband to intervene. He suffered serious injuries to his arms and legs but is expected to recover. A neighbor shot the bear, which later died in nearby woods, the … Continue reading Canada man jumps on polar bear to defend wife from attack

Italian police arrested 24 people, including a nun named Sister Anna Donelli, as part of a mafia investigation targeting the ‘Ndrangheta, one of Europe’s most powerful criminal groups. Sister Donelli is accused of acting as a go-between for the mafia and jailed members while volunteering at a prison. The operation, spanning northern and southern Italy, also led to the arrest of two politicians and the … Continue reading Italian police arrest nun over links to mafia

In Georgia, over 40 people were hospitalized after police used tear gas and water cannons against protesters in Tbilisi, following the government’s suspension of its EU membership bid. Pro-Russia Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze defended the crackdown and claimed the move was to avoid foreign interference. The suspension came after the EU condemned Georgia’s recent elections as unfair, sparking criticism from the U.S. and EU over … Continue reading Georgian leader backs harsh crackdown as over 40 people hospitalized amid protests

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that Ukraine will accept no security guarantees other than full NATO membership, calling it the only effective deterrent against Russian aggression. In a letter to NATO counterparts, Sybiha criticized past agreements like the 1994 Budapest Memorandum as ineffective and urged correcting the “strategic mistake” of not providing Ukraine with real security guarantees. The statement comes as NATO foreign ministers … Continue reading Ukraine issues ultimatum on NATO membership

Vietnam’s high court upheld the death sentence for real estate tycoon Truong My Lan, 67, for orchestrating the country’s largest financial fraud, involving $12.5 billion. The court ruled the sentence could be commuted to life imprisonment if she reimburses $11 billion, three-fourths of the losses. Lan, who controlled Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank and approved fraudulent loans, was convicted of embezzlement, bribery, and illegal bond … Continue reading Vietnam court may commute tycoon’s death sentences if she repays $11 billion

Tensions escalate as tit-for-tat strikes strain a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. On Monday, Israeli airstrikes killed nine in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms, citing Israeli truce violations. Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Katz, warned Tuesday that Lebanon could face direct retaliation if the ceasefire collapses, ending the separation between Lebanon and Hezbollah in Israeli responses. Since the truce began, … Continue reading Israel threatens to ‘go deeper’ into Lebanon as strikes strain ceasefire

Martial law in South Korea lasted just six hours, sparking widespread outrage after President Yoon Suk Yeol suspended parliament, banned political gatherings, and ended a doctors’ strike, citing vague threats from North Korea. The National Assembly unanimously voted to lift the order, forcing Yoon to comply. His actions caused political chaos, with mass protests calling for his impeachment and accusations that he targeted domestic opponents … Continue reading South Korean president to lift martial law after own party voted against it

Two men died as Storm Bora brought torrential rains and gale-force winds to Greece, causing severe flooding and damage. Rhodes saw over 30 cm of rain, with roads impassable, bridges collapsing, and a state of emergency requested. On Lemnos, flooding destroyed roads, and residents were evacuated due to fears of a dam overflow. Thessaloniki faced power outages, railway delays, and a cargo ship collision due … Continue reading Two die as Storm Bora sweeps across Greece

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported a week of intense Russian attacks involving 500 bombs, 660 drones, and 120 missiles targeting Ukraine, particularly its energy grid. Recent strikes in Kherson injured seven civilians, while earlier drone attacks killed three. Ukraine’s air force intercepted many drones, with electronic countermeasures causing failures. European leaders visited Kyiv to affirm support, while U.S. President Biden pledged $5.5 billion in aid, … Continue reading Zelenskyy says Ukraine facing Russian ‘aerial terror’ after night of drone strikes

Syrian and Russian airstrikes have intensified in northern Syria following a rebel offensive that seized Aleppo and key military sites, marking the most significant challenge to Assad in years. The offensive, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Turkish-backed factions, has captured vast territories, including Aleppo’s airport. Rebel gains threaten regime stability as Kurdish forces retain control of some areas. The conflict has reignited Syria’s … Continue reading Syrian and Russian jets step up strikes on rebels after opposition seizes much of Aleppo

The IDF intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Yemen early Sunday, preventing it from entering Israeli territory. Sirens sounded across central Israel, and four people were injured while seeking shelter. Police are searching for missile remnants near Beit Shemesh. Yemen’s Houthi spokesperson vowed continued attacks until Israel ends its actions in Gaza and lifts the siege, the Jerusalem Post has reported. This marks the latest … Continue reading Israel intercepts ballistic missile from Yemen

Bethlehem faces another Christmas without celebration as the Gaza war deepens its struggles. The traditionally festive Manger Square is deserted, shops remain closed, and no Christmas tree will be erected. Residents, demoralized by economic hardship and violence, are increasingly emigrating, including local Christians whose numbers have dwindled to just 10% of the population. Ongoing Israeli-Palestinian tensions, West Bank settlement expansion, and the threat of annexation … Continue reading Another Bleak Christmas in Bethlehem as Christian Families Quit West Bank

The Colombian navy intercepted a semi-submersible vessel carrying cocaine in the Pacific Ocean, marking the third such seizure in the region. The vessel, believed to be heading to Australia, had enough fuel for the journey, part of a new smuggling route. Cocaine trafficking to Australia is highly profitable, with a kilogram fetching up to $240,000 there, six times more than in the U.S. The operation, … Continue reading Colombian navy intercepts narco-subs taking new route to Australia