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

Guatemalan and Salvadoran security forces arrived in Haiti to join the US- and UN-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, aimed at combating the country’s escalating gang violence. High-ranking Haitian officials, including Transitional Council leader Leslie Voltaire and Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, welcomed the troops in Port-au-Prince. Despite the MSS mission, led by Kenyan police, ongoing violence persists, with incidents targeting US Embassy vehicles and … Continue reading Guatemalan and Salvadoran forces arrive in Haiti to join fight against violent gangs

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to urge allies to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses at a Ramstein group meeting in Germany this week, attended by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The Biden administration aims to deliver maximum military aid to Ukraine before Trump’s potential return to office, raising concerns about continued U.S. support. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces reportedly inflicted heavy losses on Russian and North Korean troops … Continue reading Ukraine presses attacks in Russia’s Kursk region

A Russian drone attack on Kyiv killed one person and injured four, including a teenager, as debris damaged homes. Ukraine’s air defenses shot down 60 of 93 drones launched across nine regions, with electronic warfare redirecting 26 others. Recent Russian strikes have intensified, including a deadly New Year’s Day attack, Al-Jazeera has reported. Meanwhile, Ukraine reported a precision strike on a Russian command post in … Continue reading One killed, four injured as barrage of Russian drones hits Ukraine’s Kyiv

A massive fire at Accra’s Kantamanto Market, one of the world’s largest secondhand clothing hubs, destroyed numerous businesses and livelihoods. The blaze was fully extinguished with no reported injuries, and an investigation is underway. Traders, like shoe dealer Kwabena Charles, suffered significant losses. Authorities, including the National Disaster Management Organization, have pledged support for those affected, CNN has reported. The market employs around 30,000 people … Continue reading Huge fire at Ghanaian clothing market destroys hundreds of market stalls

A 7-year-old boy, Tinotenda Pudu, survived five days alone in Zimbabwe’s Matusadona Game Park, surrounded by lions and elephants. He relied on his knowledge of the wild, eating fruit and finding water in dry riverbeds. Local villagers searched tirelessly, beating drums daily, while rangers ultimately tracked him down by spotting his footprints, CBS News has reported. The park, spanning 570 square miles and home to … Continue reading Boy survives 5 nights lost in game park full of lions, hippos and elephants

Italy has summoned Iran’s ambassador, demanding the release of journalist Cecilia Sala, who was detained in Tehran on December 19 despite holding a valid visa. Italian authorities expressed concern over her treatment, as reports indicate she’s in solitary confinement in harsh conditions. Iran linked Sala’s case to the arrest of Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini in Milan on a U.S. warrant for allegedly supplying drone parts … Continue reading Italy summons Iranian ambassador, demands release of journalist Cecilia Sala

Residents in rural Ethiopia, 165km northeast of Addis Ababa, are fleeing their homes as Mount Dofan shows signs of a possible eruption. Since Thursday, smoke with a fiery plume has been seen rising from the volcano, accompanied by steam and debris. The area has experienced over a dozen recent seismic events, with tremors felt as far as Addis Ababa, the BBC has reported. Local authorities … Continue reading Ethiopia villagers flee volcanic activity ‘in panic’

A drunken police officer in Zambia, Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, freed 13 suspects from a Lusaka police station on New Year’s Eve, telling them they were “free to cross over into the new year.” The suspects, accused of assault, robbery, and burglary, are now on the run, and a manhunt is underway. Phiri reportedly seized the cell keys from a constable before fleeing the scene … Continue reading Drunken Zambian policeman freed 13 suspects to celebrate New Year

A male infant’s body was found in a baby box at a church in Bari, southern Italy, after an alarm meant to notify the parish priest failed to trigger. The baby, believed to be about a month old, was discovered by a funeral home director who noticed the box’s door was ajar. Authorities are investigating whether the baby was already deceased when placed in the … Continue reading Dead infant found in Italian baby box after alarm fails to notify priest

Over 40 Palestinians were killed in 15 Israeli airstrikes across Gaza, including an attack on a tent camp in the al-Mawasi “humanitarian zone,” where Gaza’s police chief and his deputy died. Israel confirmed targeting the deputy, alleging his involvement in Hamas military operations. Among the casualties were three young brothers hit by shrapnel while sleeping. Strikes also hit Khan Younis, Jabalia, and Gaza City, with … Continue reading Hamas police chief among 40 reported killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza

Fiji police are investigating allegations of theft and sexual assault involving two Virgin Australia crew members in Nadi on New Year’s Day. The incidents occurred in the city’s nightclub area, with a suspect in the sexual assault case already questioned. The crew members are assisting with the investigation before returning home, while Virgin Australia has sent support staff. Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka emphasized that … Continue reading Virgin Australia crewmembers allegedly sexually assaulted and robbed in Fiji

Ukraine has halted Russian natural gas supplies to Europe via its pipeline network after a prewar transit deal expired, citing national security concerns. This move disrupts energy supplies to EU countries, notably Austria, Slovakia, and Moldova, as they brace for winter shortages and potential power cuts. Moldova, heavily reliant on Russian gas through Ukraine, faces an energy crisis, with Transnistria already experiencing heating and hot … Continue reading Ukraine halts transit of Russian gas to Europe after a prewar deal expired

An Ecuadorean judge has ordered the arrest of 16 soldiers over the disappearance and murder of four children in Guayaquil. The children, aged 11 to 15, went missing on December 8 after being detained by a military patrol, allegedly for suspected robbery. The military claimed they were released the same night, but investigators later found four charred bodies near a military base, confirmed through genetic … Continue reading Ecuador orders the detention of 16 soldiers charged with the disappearance of 4 children

Ivory Coast has announced the withdrawal of French troops by January 2025, ending a decades-long military presence. President Alassane Ouattara stated that the 43rd BIMA marine infantry battalion in Abidjan will be handed over to Ivorian forces, highlighting the army’s successful modernization. With nearly 1,000 French soldiers currently stationed in the country, Ivory Coast follows Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal, and Chad in scaling back … Continue reading Ivory Coast says French troops to leave country after decades

Germany’s New Year’s Eve celebrations were marred by chaos, with five people killed in firework-related accidents and over 400 arrests in Berlin amid violent clashes. Fatalities included a 24-year-old in North Rhine-Westphalia and a 20-year-old in Hamburg, both due to homemade fireworks. In Berlin, 30 police officers and one firefighter were injured during attacks involving fireworks and bottles. Authorities in Bavaria described the night as … Continue reading Five killed and hundreds arrested in Germany after New Year’s Eve chaos

An armed man opened fire in a bar in Cetinje, Montenegro, killing at least four people and wounding four others on Wednesday. Identified by local media as Aco Martinovic, a 45-year-old known for erratic behavior, the suspect fled the scene armed. Reports suggest the shooting followed a bar brawl, with victims including the bar owner’s children and a woman. Special police forces were deployed, and … Continue reading At least four killed and four more wounded in Montenegro shooting

Police in London are searching for a burglar who stole over £10.5 million ($13.2 million) worth of jewelry, handbags, and cash from a mansion near Regent’s Park on December 7. The armed intruder entered through a second-floor window while the owners—an Instagram influencer and her developer husband—were away. Surveillance footage shows the burglar narrowly avoiding a housekeeper. Stolen items include a 10.73-carat diamond ring and … Continue reading Thief swipes $13 million in jewels, handbags and cash from a London mansion

Russia launched a large-scale aerial attack on Ukraine, targeting Kyiv and multiple regions with missiles and drones. Ukraine’s air force reported downing six of 21 missiles and 16 of 40 drones, while 24 drones failed to hit their targets. Explosions were heard in Kyiv, and missile debris fell in the Darnytskyi district without causing casualties. In the Sumy region, 12 residential buildings and two schools … Continue reading Russia, Ukraine trade dozens of attacks as sea drone downs Mi-8 helicopter

At least 71 people, including 68 men and three women, died when a truck carrying a wedding party plunged off a bridge in Ethiopia. The accident occurred on a winding road, with authorities suspecting the truck was overloaded. Four survivors remain in critical condition, the Local 12 has reported. Witnesses reported seeing people dancing and hearing loud music before the crash. Written by B.C. Begley Continue reading At least 71 dead after vehicle carrying wedding party misses bridge

Trinidad and Tobago has declared a state of emergency following a surge in gang violence, including a deadly ambush outside a police station in Port of Spain. The emergency grants police expanded powers to arrest suspects, conduct searches, and suspend bail. Authorities anticipate further reprisal killings, driven by the widespread use of high-powered firearms like AK-47s and AR-15s, many illegally imported from the United States, … Continue reading Trinidad and Tobago announces state of emergency to combat gang violence

The Taliban’s supreme leader has ordered a ban on residential windows overlooking areas where Afghan women might be seen, such as courtyards and kitchens, citing concerns about “obscene acts.” Existing windows must be blocked, and authorities will monitor compliance. Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on women, including bans on education, employment, and public spaces, and prohibitions on women singing … Continue reading Taliban leader bans windows overlooking places ‘usually used by women’