A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Cuba on Sunday, following weeks of hurricanes and blackouts that have left the island reeling. The quake’s epicenter was located 25 miles south of Bartolomé Masó and was felt across eastern Cuba, including Santiago de Cuba. No immediate reports of damage or injuries were reported, but residents in Santiago were shaken, with some feeling aftershocks, CBS News has reported. … Continue reading 6.8 magnitude earthquake shakes Cuba after hurricanes and blackouts

Israeli strikes in Lebanon, northern Gaza, and Syria have killed over 80 people since Saturday. In Lebanon, airstrikes hit towns like Almat, Mashghara, and Debaal, killing at least 20 people in Almat, including three children. Meanwhile, Israel’s military claimed to have eliminated dozens of Hezbollah fighters. In Gaza, at least 41 people died in strikes on two homes, with many casualties being children. Additionally, in … Continue reading Lebanon, Gaza and Syria hit by deadly Israeli strikes

Russia and Ukraine launched record drone attacks on each other overnight, with Russia firing 145 drones at Ukraine, the largest such assault in the conflict. Ukrainian President Zelensky urged more Western support for Ukraine’s defense. Meanwhile, Russia claimed to have downed 34 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow. The situation comes as the Kremlin sees “positive signals” from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has suggested he could … Continue reading Russia and Ukraine Launch Biggest Drone Attacks of War Yet

In Amsterdam, five people were hospitalized and 62 detained after attackers targeted Israeli football fans before and after a Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax, prompting a three-day ban on demonstrations in the city. Dutch and European leaders condemned the attacks as antisemitic, with officials like Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen decrying the violence. Netanyahu … Continue reading Amsterdam bans all protests after attacks on Israeli football fans

The bells of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris rang together on Friday for the first time since the 2019 fire, marking a symbolic milestone ahead of the cathedral’s reopening on December 7 after five years of restoration. The chiming of the eight bells signals Notre Dame’s readiness to welcome visitors again, with expected attendance of 14-15 million annually. The ambitious restoration involved 250 companies and … Continue reading Notre Dame Bells Ring Out First Time Since Fire

The Biden administration has lifted a ban on American military contractors in Ukraine, allowing them to help maintain and repair U.S.-provided weapons, like F-16s and Patriot systems, to speed up their return to combat. Contractors will work away from frontlines and avoid direct combat. This shift aims to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities against Russia. Bids for contracts will require risk mitigation plans for contractor safety, … Continue reading American military contractors to deploy to Ukraine for first time

A Russian drone struck the Kyiv apartment building of Estonian Ambassador to Ukraine Annely Kolk on Thursday, according to Estonia’s foreign minister. Kolk and her husband were unharmed, having taken shelter during the attack. The strike caused damage to the building’s upper floor, but no casualties were reported. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal called for stronger air defenses for Ukraine, which has received substantial support … Continue reading Kremlin Drone Strikes Home of NATO State Ambassador in Ukraine

Israeli soccer fans were attacked in Amsterdam following the Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax, leading Dutch authorities to condemn the violence as antisemitic. After Ajax’s victory, assailants on scooters targeted Maccabi fans in “hit-and-run” attacks across the city, injuring dozens. Amsterdam’s mayor and Dutch Prime Minister condemned the violence, calling it “unacceptable,” while police arrested 63 people. Israeli officials, including Prime … Continue reading Attacks on Israeli soccer fans bring shame on Amsterdam, mayor says

Nigeria has dropped treason charges against dozens of protesters, including over 30 children, detained since August’s anti-government demonstrations. President Bola Tinubu had called for the minors’ release after footage of some collapsing in court, allegedly from malnutrition, sparked outrage. The protests, driven by a cost-of-living crisis, saw clashes with security forces, leading to several deaths and hundreds of arrests. Tinubu ordered an investigation into the … Continue reading Nigeria drops treason charges against children after outcry

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 40 people in Lebanon’s Bekaa and Baalbek regions, targeting Hezbollah operatives, according to Lebanese authorities. The strikes also damaged historic sites, including an Ottoman-era building near Baalbek’s Roman ruins. Additional strikes in southern Beirut targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, leading to fire and smoke over the city. Meanwhile, Hezbollah rocket fire into Israel killed one man near Kfar Masaryk, the BBC has … Continue reading Israeli strikes kill at least 40 in east Lebanon – health ministry

Equatorial Guinea has ordered a crackdown on sexual activity in government offices after leaked videos allegedly showed a senior finance official engaging in sexual acts at work, including in his office. The scandal, involving multiple videos reportedly found during a corruption investigation, has embarrassed the government. Vice President Nguema Obiang Mangue mandated new security measures, including cameras in offices, and stated that those involved would … Continue reading Equatorial Guinea orders crackdown on sex in government offices after videos leak

Australian breaker Rachael Gunn announced her retirement from competition after facing ridicule and conspiracy theories following her unconventional performance at the Paris Olympics. Known as “Raygun,” the 37-year-old failed to score in all three rounds with a routine that included unique moves like a kangaroo hop. Although initially planning to continue, Gunn found the public scrutiny overwhelming. Despite defending her qualification and performance, she was … Continue reading Controversial Australian Olympic breaker Rachael Gunn retires from competition

Hurricane Rafael, a Category 3 storm with winds near 115 mph, made landfall in western Cuba on Wednesday, leaving the island without power. This blackout follows a similar outage in October, which led to emergency measures across Cuba. The storm has disrupted power, with Cubans resorting to cooking on improvised wood stoves. The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for Cuba, and Cuban authorities … Continue reading Hurricane Rafael knocks out power in Cuba, weeks after nationwide blackout

Protesters in Novi Sad threw flares and red paint on the City Hall after a concrete canopy collapse at the railway station killed 14 people. Police used tear gas as some protesters threw stones and broke windows. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic condemned the violence, warning of consequences. Protesters demanded justice for the victims, with opposition activists blaming corruption and poor oversight. The incident has sparked … Continue reading Police fire tear gas at protest over deadly canopy collapse in Serbia

Four teenagers were injured, two seriously, during a fight involving an axe on a suburban train near Paris. The incident occurred around 8:00 am as the teens, aged 16 and 17, were heading to school. One suffered a hand amputation, and another had a skull injury; two others sustained lighter injuries. Various weapons, including an axe, knife, and samurai sword, were reportedly used. A 16-year-old … Continue reading Fight on French train involving axe and samurai sword leaves 4 students wounded

For the first time, Ukrainian troops have reportedly engaged with North Korean soldiers deployed to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed “small-scale” combat with North Korean forces, who are stationed in Russia’s Kursk region alongside Russian troops. U.S. and allied intelligence suggests that up to 12,000 North Korean troops may be deployed under a Russia-North Korea pact. This … Continue reading Ukrainian troops have engaged with North Korean units for the 1st time in Russia, an official says

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, introduced in Parliament, aims to prevent today’s British children from ever legally smoking by raising the minimum tobacco purchase age each year for those born after January 1, 2009. The bill would also ban smoking and vaping in some outdoor areas, like playgrounds and school entrances, though a proposed ban on smoking in pub beer gardens was removed due to … Continue reading UK introduces a bill that would eventually make the purchase of cigarettes illegal

Police in Tel Aviv used water cannons to disperse protesters upset over Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The move came amid ongoing tensions between the two, largely over the Gaza conflict. Demonstrators blocked traffic and set fires in Tel Aviv, with similar protests reported in Jerusalem, Haifa, and other cities, Sky News has reported. Gallant, a supporter of a hostage … Continue reading Thousands join street protests after Israeli defense minister sacked by Netanyahu

India and China have pulled most of their frontline troops back from the disputed Himalayan border in Ladakh, marking progress toward ending a four-year standoff, India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said Thursday. The disengagement follows a recent border pact aimed at reducing military tensions. Although troops have withdrawn from several contested areas, disagreements remain over specific zones, and restoring pre-2020 conditions may take time, the … Continue reading India says frontier disengagement with China along their disputed border is ‘almost complete’

A lightning strike at Uganda’s Palabek Refugee Settlement killed 13 children and a 21-year-old adult during a church service on Saturday evening, with 34 others injured, according to police. The incident occurred amid heavy rains with thunder and lightning in northwestern Uganda, where the refugee camp shelters over 80,000 refugees, mainly from neighboring South Sudan. Uganda has seen previous lightning-related tragedies; in 2019, a similar … Continue reading Lightning kills 13 children at Uganda refugee camp

In response to North Korea’s recent test of the Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile, designed to reach the U.S., the United States conducted a joint drill with South Korea and Japan on Sunday, deploying a B-1B bomber near the Korean Peninsula. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the missile launch, calling it a necessary defense move. This missile flew higher and longer than previous launches, … Continue reading U.S flies long-range bomber in drill with South Korea, Japan after North Korea missile test

The death toll from severe flooding in Valencia, Spain, has risen to 217 as rescue efforts continue in mud-covered cities. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the disaster as Europe’s worst flood this century, deploying 10,000 soldiers and police for support. More than 30,000 people have been assisted, and nearly 5,000 rescues carried out, though Sánchez acknowledged the response is still inadequate. Videos show Valencia’s streets … Continue reading Spain flooding death toll climbs to 217 as cleanup efforts in mud-soaked streets continue

Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency reported that six people have died following a series of eruptions at Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki on the remote island of Flores. The eruption early Monday sent thick ash 6,500 feet into the air, burning several homes and a convent, and blanketing nearby villages. The alert level was raised to the highest, expanding the exclusion zone to a 7-kilometer radius … Continue reading Volcanic eruption burns houses in Indonesia, killing at least 6 people

A Russian court sentenced Robert Shonov, a former U.S. Consulate employee in Vladivostok, to nearly five years in prison for alleged cooperation with a foreign state, following his arrest in May 2023. Accused of gathering information on Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and domestic reactions, Shonov’s case highlights Russia’s strict laws against foreign affiliations. The U.S. Embassy condemned the charges as “false and unfounded,” CBS … Continue reading Russia sentences former U.S. Consulate worker convicted of “gathering information” on Ukraine war to prison

U.N. officials have warned of an “apocalyptic” crisis in northern Gaza, with civilians at extreme risk from disease, hunger, and violence as Israel’s military offensive against Hamas continues. Humanitarian access is severely restricted, leaving essential supplies scarce, and aid workers unsafe. U.S. officials are pressing Israel to allow more aid to reach Palestinians, with USAID Administrator Samantha Power voicing urgent concerns over the humanitarian situation, … Continue reading North Gaza ‘apocalyptic,’ everyone at ‘imminent risk’ of death, warns UN