Andriy Portnov, a former top Ukrainian official, was shot dead outside an American school in Madrid after dropping off his children. The gunman fled into a nearby park, and no arrests have been made. Portnov, once allied with pro-Russian ex-president Yanukovych, had faced U.S. sanctions and was accused of undermining judicial reforms. The motive for the attack remains unknown, though the shooting occurred in broad … Continue reading Ukrainian ex-top official shot dead outside Madrid school

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is considering making chemical castration mandatory for paedophiles and rapists in the UK. The plan aims to reduce reoffending by up to 60% using drugs that suppress sexual urges. A current small pilot program will be expanded to 20 prisons, with a potential nationwide rollout. Mahmood is also exploring its use on offenders with suspended sentences, The Sun has reported. The … Continue reading UK to castrate pedophiles, sex criminals

WHO member countries have approved a new agreement to improve global prevention, preparedness, and response to future pandemics, following the impact of COVID-19. The deal ensures countries sharing virus samples will receive tests, vaccines, and medicines, with up to 20% allocated to the WHO for equitable access in poorer nations. WHO chief Tedros called it a “historic” move for global cooperation, ABC News has reported. … Continue reading WHO adopts ‘pandemic agreement’

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada’s personal secretary and adviser were shot dead in a daylight attack by gunmen on a motorcycle in the Moderna neighborhood. Brugada called it a “direct attack” and vowed justice. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage as the investigation continues. President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the killings and pledged full support, The Guardian has reported. While political violence is common in parts of … Continue reading Personal secretary and adviser to Mexico City’s mayor killed in brazen attack

British police have arrested a third man in connection with a series of arson attacks in north London, including a fire at Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s former home. A 34-year-old was detained on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson, joining two others already in custody, including 21-year-old Roman Lavrynovych, who faces multiple charges. The fires targeted properties and a car linked to Starmer, prompting a … Continue reading UK police arrest third man over fire at PM Starmer’s house

At least 38 Palestinians were killed in a series of intense Israeli airstrikes across Gaza overnight, targeting locations including a school in Gaza City and a fuel station sheltering displaced families in Nuseirat. Rescue efforts were hampered by equipment shortages and heavy bombardment. The strikes followed Israel’s mass evacuation order ahead of what it called an “unprecedented attack,” the BBC has reported. The assault coincided … Continue reading At least 38 killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza in half-hour period, medics say

The U.K. has suspended free trade talks with Israel and imposed sanctions on West Bank settlers in response to Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza and the blockade of humanitarian aid. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy criticized Israel’s actions as “indefensible,” citing famine warnings and the spread of illegal settlements. Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined leaders from France and Canada in condemning Israel’s conduct and … Continue reading UK suspends free trade talks with Israel and announces sanctions over West Bank

At least 10 people were killed and 30 injured on Sunday when a suicide bomber targeted a line of young recruits outside the Damanyo military base in Mogadishu, Somalia. Witnesses said the attacker arrived in a tuk-tuk and detonated explosives among the crowd. Al Shabaab claimed responsibility, alleging higher casualties, NBC News has reported. The attack follows the recent assassination of a Somali army colonel … Continue reading Mogadishu suicide bomber kills at least 10 at army recruitment drive

At least 17 people died and several were injured after a fire broke out in a building near Hyderabad’s historic Charminar monument on Sunday. The blaze, caused by a short circuit, began in a jewelry store on the ground floor of the three-story building, which also housed residents. A narrow staircase and a single exit blocked by fire made escape difficult. Prime Minister Modi expressed … Continue reading Building fire kills 17, injures others in southern India

Russia detained a Greek-owned, Liberia-flagged oil tanker, the Green Admire, on Sunday after it left Estonia’s Sillamae port and crossed a navigation channel through Russian waters. Estonia said the detention may be retaliation for its actions against Russia’s shadow oil fleet and has alerted NATO. The tanker, carrying Estonian shale oil to Rotterdam, was reportedly moved by Russia to impose a fine. The incident comes amid … Continue reading Estonia says Russia detained a tanker in Baltic Sea

Israel has launched a major ground offensive in Gaza, with five military divisions now active and 670 airstrikes targeting Hamas infrastructure. The operation aims to demilitarize Hamas and secure the release of 57 remaining hostages. A senior Israeli official said top Hamas figure Mohammed Sinwar was likely killed in a strike near Khan Younis, though confirmation is pending. Amid rising domestic pressure, Israel is now … Continue reading Israel Expands Ground Operation in Gaza, Says Hamas Leader Is Likely Dead

Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war, striking multiple regions including Kyiv, where one woman died and several others were injured. Ukraine’s air force reported 273 drones were launched, with many intercepted or going off course. The attack came ahead of a scheduled call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, amid stalled peace talks and calls for … Continue reading Russia unleashes war’s biggest drone attack

A 21-year-old Ukrainian man, Roman Lavrynovych, has been remanded in custody after being charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life following fires at two properties and a car linked to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Arrested in Sydenham, Lavrynovych appeared in court but entered no plea. The incidents, investigated by the Counter Terror Command, include a fire at a home … Continue reading Man in court over fires at homes and car linked to Starmer

Israel launched dozens of airstrikes across Gaza on Friday, killing 108 people—mostly women and children—according to Gaza health officials, as part of an intensified effort to pressure Hamas to release hostages. Strikes also targeted Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen, killing at least one person. The attacks coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s regional visit, during which he expressed concern over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, the Associated Press … Continue reading Israel expands attacks in Gaza and Yemen as Trump wraps up trip to region

The first direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks since early in the war ended in under two hours, resulting in a major prisoner swap agreement but little progress on key issues. Ukraine and its allies pushed for a ceasefire, but Russia did not agree. Both sides pledged to exchange 1,000 prisoners and share detailed ceasefire proposals, the Associated Press has reported. Ukrainian leaders urged continued pressure on … Continue reading Russia-Ukraine peace talks end after less than 2 hours with deal to swap POWs but no ceasefire

A bronze statue of Melania Trump has been stolen from a field near her hometown of Sevnica, Slovenia, after being cut off at the ankles. The life-size sculpture, created by American artist Brad Downey, replaced a wooden version that was burned in 2020. Police have launched an investigation, and Downey speculated the theft might be linked to Donald Trump’s election campaign, the New York Post … Continue reading Melania Trump statue cut off at feet, stolen from her native Slovenia

A high-ranking Swedish diplomat under suspicion of espionage has been found dead, days after being arrested and released by Sweden’s Säpo intelligence agency. Authorities say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. The diplomat had denied any wrongdoing and had filed a complaint of excessive force during his arrest. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard expressed sorrow, while prosecutors confirmed the espionage investigation remains ongoing, … Continue reading Shock in Sweden at death of diplomat questioned for spying

Iraq has released over 19,000 prisoners under a new amnesty law aimed at easing overcrowding in its prisons, including some convicted of terrorism-related offenses. The law, passed in January, halts executions and allows retrials for those who claim confessions were obtained under torture. While excluding those convicted of extremist killings, it has been supported by Sunni lawmakers who argue anti-terror laws disproportionately targeted their communities. … Continue reading Iraq frees over 19,000 prisoners under new amnesty

German authorities have banned the extremist “Kingdom of Germany” group and arrested its self-declared monarch, Peter Fitzek, along with three top members. Linked to the far-right Reichsbürger movement, the group rejected the legitimacy of the German state and operated illegal financial schemes while claiming to be a sovereign monarchy. Raids involving 800 officers targeted properties across the country. Officials say the group’s activities were criminal … Continue reading Germany arrests ‘King Peter’

American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, held hostage in Gaza for over 19 months, was released by Hamas on Monday and returned to Israel via the Red Cross. His release, which Israeli PM Netanyahu credited to military and political pressure from President Trump, comes amid ongoing negotiations and calls for a ceasefire. Alexander, 21, was captured during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, NBC News has … Continue reading Hamas releases American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

Several relatives of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán have entered the U.S. as part of negotiations linked to a plea deal involving his son, Ovidio Guzmán López, according to Mexico’s Security Secretary. Ovidio, extradited to the U.S. in September 2023 on drug trafficking charges, initially pleaded not guilty but recently agreed to change his plea. Reports say 17 of his relatives crossed the border, though none … Continue reading Relatives of El Chapo enter US as part of ‘negotiation,’ Mexico’s security secretary says

At least 48 Palestinians, including 22 children and 15 women, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on northern Gaza overnight, according to a local hospital. The strikes hit homes in Jabalia town and refugee camp following rocket fire into Israel. Meanwhile, a separate Israeli strike on the European Hospital in southern Gaza killed 28 people, allegedly targeting Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar. The UN’s humanitarian chief accused … Continue reading Israeli strikes in northern Gaza kill at least 48, hospital says

A passenger bus in Sri Lanka’s central hill country skidded off a cliff near Kotmale early Sunday, killing 21 people and injuring 35 others, according to police. The bus, carrying around 50 passengers, was operated by a state-run company. Authorities are investigating whether driver error or a mechanical fault caused the crash, NBC News has reported. Deadly bus accidents are common in the region due … Continue reading Passenger bus skids off a cliff in Sri Lanka, killing 21 people and injuring 35

Polish officials announced that the massive fire that destroyed Warsaw’s Marywilska 44 shopping center in May 2024 was an act of arson ordered by Russian intelligence. The blaze, which devastated 1,400 shops—many run by Vietnamese vendors—was part of a broader sabotage campaign, authorities said. Some suspects are in custody, others are being pursued, and Poland is cooperating with Lithuania in the investigation, CNN has reported. … Continue reading Poland blames Russia for arson attack on Warsaw shopping center last year

Israel launched airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Tuesday, disabling the main international airport and hitting power plants in response to a Houthi missile strike near Israel’s main airport a day earlier. The strikes followed a warning urging civilians to evacuate. Additional Israeli attacks Monday night hit Yemen’s Hodeida province, killing at least four and injuring dozens. The Houthis have regularly targeted Israel in support … Continue reading Yemen’s main airport in Sanaa disabled in airstrikes, Israel’s military says