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

South Korea experienced its heaviest snowfall in over a century, with more than 40 cm (16 inches) in Seoul, causing over 140 flight cancellations and ferry suspensions. The storm, attributed to warm sea temperatures meeting cold air currents, resulted in four deaths, including two from structural collapses and two in traffic accidents. This marks the third heaviest snow recorded in Seoul since 1907, the DW … Continue reading South Korea: At least 4 dead in heavy snowfall

China has suspended Admiral Miao Hua, a key member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and close ally of Xi Jinping, for corruption, marking the latest development in Xi’s anti-corruption campaign targeting the military. Miao, 69, heads the CMC’s Political Work Department and is under investigation for “serious violations of discipline.” This follows recent purges of senior military leaders, including former defense ministers Li Shangfu … Continue reading China investigates a top military official as Xi broadens purge of PLA generals

Sam Benastick, 20, was found alive after surviving 50 days in British Columbia’s Redfern-Keily Provincial Park. Missing since October 17 during a planned 10-day hike, he endured freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall. Park workers discovered him struggling down a service road, wrapped in a makeshift coat made from a torn sleeping bag. Benastick, who had built camps near a creek and later in a dried-out … Continue reading Missing hiker found alive after 50 days in Canadian wilderness

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to target Ukraine’s “decision-making centers” using the new Oreshnik hypersonic missile, which Russia claims is impossible to intercept. Western officials remain skeptical of this claim. Putin cited Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles as justification for the strikes and stated that his forces are selecting targets, including military and industrial sites in Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the … Continue reading Russia eyes ‘decision-making centers’ as targets for new missile

Israel conducted its first airstrike on Lebanon since a truce with Hezbollah was announced, targeting a rocket storage site in southern Lebanon. Sporadic clashes, including Israeli strikes and gunfire, wounded two people, whom Lebanon described as civilians and Israel as suspects violating the ceasefire. Despite these tensions, the ceasefire mostly held as Lebanese troops deployed in conflict areas, aiming to help 1.2 million displaced civilians … Continue reading Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire sees Israeli airstrike on Lebanon and scattered attacks

A DHL cargo plane traveling from Leipzig, Germany, crashed near Vilnius, Lithuania, early Monday, killing one pilot and critically injuring the other. Two additional crew members survived with minor injuries, and 13 residents were evacuated safely from a nearby building. The Boeing 737-476, operated by Swiftair, crashed just half a mile from Vilnius Airport, causing a fireball but minimal disruption to airport operations. Experts suggest … Continue reading DHL cargo plane crashes in Lithuania, killing 1, local officials say

Egyptian authorities rescued 28 people after a tourist boat, Sea Story, sank off the Red Sea coast during a diving trip. Sixteen people, including 4 Egyptians and 12 foreigners, remain missing, with military aircraft and naval units continuing search efforts. The luxury yacht, carrying 44 people, capsized early Monday despite passing inspection in March. High seas, warned of by the Egyptian Meteorological Authority, may have contributed … Continue reading Egypt tour boat sinks on Red Sea diving trip, leaving 16 people missing

Russian forces are advancing in Ukraine at their fastest pace since early 2022, capturing 600 sq km in November and 235 sq km in the past week, according to analysts and independent reports. The advance has intensified in southeastern Ukraine, with fighting focused around Kurakhove and the key hub of Pokrovsk in Donetsk. Analysts attribute Russia’s gains to exploiting Ukrainian frontline vulnerabilities, while Ukraine faces … Continue reading Russia advances in Ukraine at fastest monthly pace since start of war, analysts say

Pakistani police fired tear gas to block supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan from entering Islamabad during a protest demanding his release. Thousands of marchers defied a lockdown and a ban on rallies, clashing with police, leaving one officer dead and others injured. Protesters removed barricades to continue their march, led by Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi. The government, citing security concerns, suspended mobile … Continue reading Pakistani police fire tear gas as thousands supporting Imran Khan arrive near capital

Two U.S. B-52 Stratofortress bombers conducted a mission near Russian airspace, signaling NATO’s readiness amid escalating tensions. The flights over the Baltic Sea and near Kaliningrad highlighted NATO’s deterrence capabilities. This comes as a NATO chief warns Europe to prepare for potential total war, urging economic resilience alongside military readiness. Germany unveiled a “bunker plan” to expand air raid shelters, while Nordic nations issued survival … Continue reading Stratofortress bombers from UK buzz Russia in show of force as NATO chief warns Europe

A Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 operated by Azimuth Airlines caught fire after landing in Antalya, Turkey, with 95 people onboard. All passengers and crew safely evacuated using emergency slides, with no injuries reported. The fire, which started on the plane’s left side, was quickly extinguished by airport crews. The cause remains unknown, The Hill has reported. The airport briefly suspended arrivals, using a military runway … Continue reading Russian plane catches fire after landing in Turkey, passengers and crew are safely evacuated

Gunmen opened fire at a bar in Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico, early Sunday, killing six and injuring at least five. Authorities say the attackers targeted a specific individual, with nearby patrons caught in the crossfire. No arrests have been made, and the motive remains unclear. This attack adds to escalating violence in Mexico, where over 450,000 murders have occurred since 2006, often linked to drug cartels, … Continue reading Gunmen in southeast Mexico open fire in a bar killing 6 and injuring 5

The UAE arrested three suspects in connection with the death of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, whose body was found after he went missing on November 21, 2024. The UAE Ministry of Interior stated legal procedures are underway and warned of severe action against threats to societal stability. Kogan, 28, a Moldovan-Israeli citizen and Chabad emissary, lived in Abu Dhabi, managing a kosher grocery that had faced … Continue reading UAE arrests 3 in death of missing Abu Dhabi rabbi, Israel decries ‘abhorrent act of antisemitic terrorism’

Pope Francis will visit Corsica on December 15 for a conference on Catholic faith in the Mediterranean, marking the first papal visit to the island. This comes days after declining an invitation to the reopening of Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral on December 7, citing a desire not to overshadow the event. Instead, Francis will remain in the Vatican for a cardinal creation ceremony. The Corsica … Continue reading Pope Skips Notre Dame Reopening

NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks after a Russian Oreshnik missile strike in central Ukraine escalated the war, now 33 months long. Putin claimed the strike responded to Ukraine’s use of Western-provided missiles and warned of more attacks using advanced weaponry. The missile, which hit Dnipro at Mach 11, led to heightened security and calls from President Zelenskyy for global action to deter Russia. … Continue reading NATO and Ukraine hold emergency talks after Russia’s hypersonic missile attack

A Norwegian man in his 20s, employed as a security guard at the US Embassy in Oslo, was arrested for allegedly spying for Russia and Iran. He is accused of collecting and sharing sensitive information with foreign authorities, though he denies being a spy. Norway’s intelligence service confirmed the arrest, citing charges of attempted aggravated intelligence activities involving state secrets. The investigation is ongoing, and … Continue reading Norwegian guard at US Embassy in Oslo arrested over allegations of spying for Russia and Iran

At least 108 suspected gang members were killed over three days in Haiti as violence surged, with residents and police clashing with armed gangs attempting to seize neighborhoods like Pétion-Ville. Many deaths occurred during a single day, with victims killed by police or machete-wielding residents who often burned the bodies. The violence reflects Haiti’s collapsing justice system, weak governance, and rising vigilantism, known as the … Continue reading More than 100 suspected gang members have been killed as vigilantism grows in Haiti