Gaza authorities have urged donors to prioritize tents and shelters for displaced Palestinians amid cold temperatures. They accuse Israel of obstructing aid, despite a ceasefire deal requiring the entry of 200,000 tents and debris-clearing equipment. Hundreds of thousands returning north found their homes destroyed. Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump has proposed displacing Gaza’s population, a move rejected by Arab states. Concerns remain over the ceasefire’s durability, … Continue reading Gaza authorities plead for tents, accuse Israel of obstructing aid

Rebels in eastern DR Congo have declared a humanitarian ceasefire starting Tuesday, citing “humanitarian reasons” after capturing territory. The alliance, including Rwanda-backed M23, claims it will hold its positions despite prior plans to advance.  Recent fighting around Goma has killed at least 900 and displaced over 400,000 this year. The G7 and EU condemned the offensive as a violation of DR Congo’s sovereignty, while the … Continue reading Rebels declare ceasefire in DR Congo for ‘humanitarian reasons’

A car bomb attack in northern Syria killed at least 15 people, including 14 women, and wounded 15 others near Manbij, according to the White Helmets. The attack, the deadliest since Assad’s ouster in December, comes just days after another bombing killed four people in the city. No group has claimed responsibility, the BBC has reported. Manbij remains a battleground between Turkish-backed Syrian National Army … Continue reading Car bomb blast in northern Syria kills 15 agricultural workers

A bomb blast in a Moscow residential complex killed Armen Sarkisyan, leader of the pro-Kremlin Arbat Battalion, early Monday. The explosion also killed his bodyguard and injured five others. Russian authorities are investigating, with reports suggesting the attack was planned. Sarkisyan, originally from Armenia, led a paramilitary unit fighting for Russia in Ukraine and was wanted by Ukraine for past violence, The Moscow Times has … Continue reading Moscow Bomb Attack Kills Pro-Kremlin Paramilitary Leader Wanted in Ukraine

Record rainfall has triggered deadly floods in North Queensland, with waters rising for a third day on Monday. One woman drowned, and thousands face evacuation as towns like Townsville, Ingham, and Cardwell suffer severe damage. Some areas received a meter of rain in a week, prompting major flood warnings along six rivers. Authorities warn of more heavy storms and even crocodiles in floodwaters, CNN has … Continue reading Australia braces for more destruction as deadly floods devastate northeast

Santorini experienced a fourth day of seismic activity on Monday, with quakes exceeding magnitude 4 occurring every few minutes. Schools remained closed, and extra flights were arranged to help people leave. Authorities advised residents to stay outdoors as disaster response teams were deployed. Experts predict the tremors will continue for weeks but say they are not linked to recent mild volcanic activity. While locals are … Continue reading Dozens of earthquakes shake Greek island of Santorini

A 17-year-old girl died after a shark attack at Woorim Beach, Queensland, on Monday. She was bitten on the arm about 100m from shore while swimming off Bribie Island. Paramedics responded to the incident, but she succumbed to life-threatening injuries shortly after. The area, a popular surfing spot, has shark protection measures, but attacks close to shore remain rare. Authorities have not identified the shark … Continue reading Teenage girl killed in shark attack in Australia

France officially handed over its last military base in Chad to local authorities on Thursday, marking the end of its military presence in the country after Chad broke its defense cooperation agreement with Paris two months ago. This follows similar withdrawals of French forces from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, where countries have shifted closer to Moscow. Chad’s army confirmed the transfer of the Sergent … Continue reading France hands over last military base in Chad

A 74-year-old truck driver has been trapped in a sinkhole in Japan for three days, with rescue efforts complicated by the expanding hole and leaking water and gas pipes. The sinkhole, which formed on Tuesday near Tokyo, swallowed the driver and his two-ton truck. A 30-meter ramp is being constructed to reach him, but the operation is slow due to dangerous conditions and erosion. The … Continue reading Fears grow in Japan for truck driver trapped in sinkhole for third day

Mount Taranaki, an 8,261-foot stratovolcano in New Zealand, has been recognized as a legal person, granting it the rights, duties, and responsibilities of an individual. Known as Taranaki Maunga in Māori, the mountain is now considered a “living and indivisible whole,” including its physical and spiritual elements. This move, following similar legal recognitions of a sacred forest and a river, transfers ownership from the government … Continue reading New Zealand’s Mount Taranaki is now legally a person

India now has the world’s largest tiger population, with over 3,600 tigers, making up 75% of the global total, despite having the highest human density and only 18% of the world’s tiger habitat. The population has doubled in just over a decade, thanks to conservation efforts that include protecting tigers from poaching, securing prey, and reducing human-wildlife conflict. Tigers now inhabit 138,200 sq km of … Continue reading India’s tiger population doubles in a decade

China is constructing a massive military command center near Beijing, 10 times the size of the Pentagon, according to US intelligence. The 1,500-acre site, known as “Beijing Military City,” is designed to house reinforced bunkers for China’s leadership in case of nuclear war. Satellite images suggest that construction began in mid-2024, coinciding with preparations for the People’s Liberation Army’s centenary in 2027. Experts believe the … Continue reading China building world’s largest military command center

Dutch police arrested three men after a four-day hunt for suspects in the explosive robbery of ancient Romanian artifacts from the Drents Museum. The stolen treasures, including the 2,500-year-old golden Helmet of Cotofenesti and three gold bracelets from 50 BC, were on loan from Romania’s National History Museum. The heist has led to the dismissal of the Romanian museum’s director and angered officials. While the … Continue reading Three arrested after ancient Romanian artifacts stolen from Dutch museum

More than 20 Americans are missing in action in Ukraine, with rising casualties among foreign volunteers filling gaps in Ukraine’s defenses, CNN reports. At least five American fighters have been killed in the past six months, with some bodies still unrecovered. Two were repatriated from Russian-held territory after negotiations. Survivors describe intense battles, poor leadership, and devastating losses. Families of the missing struggle with grief, … Continue reading American fighters are dying in Ukraine in growing numbers

Australian police foiled a planned antisemitic attack after discovering a caravan with explosives in Dural, northwest of Sydney, on Jan. 19. Authorities called it a terrorist plot, with arrests made but details undisclosed. Over 100 officers are investigating under a joint counter-terrorism operation. The incident comes amid a rise in antisemitic attacks in Australia since the Israel-Gaza war began in late 2023, NBC News has … Continue reading Police catch caravan laden with explosives outside synagogue in Australia

Salwan Momika, the Iraqi Christian who sparked outrage in 2023 by burning Qurans in Sweden, was shot dead in Sodertalje. His death comes just before a court ruling on whether he was guilty of inciting ethnic hatred, which has now been postponed to February 3. Police confirmed the shooting occurred indoors, and Momika was taken to the hospital but did not survive, NDTV has reported. … Continue reading Man Who Burnt Quran In 2023 Sparking Huge Protests Shot Dead In Sweden

Ukraine launched a massive drone attack on Russian energy infrastructure, including an attempted strike on the Smolensk nuclear power plant, which was intercepted, according to Russian officials. At least 100 drones targeted power and oil facilities across western Russia, causing a fire at an oil refinery. Russia also launched overnight drone strikes on Ukraine, hitting a port in Odesa and causing debris to fall near … Continue reading Russia claims nuclear plant targeted during massive Ukrainian drone attack

Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi urged young people to enlist in the army as M23 rebels, backed by 4,000 Rwandan troops, advanced deeper into eastern Congo, capturing parts of Goma and South Kivu. A regional summit called for an immediate ceasefire and talks, but Tshisekedi was absent. Meanwhile, South African peacekeepers were killed, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to accuse Rwanda, leading Rwandan President Paul Kagame to … Continue reading Congo’s leader calls for massive military mobilization as Rwanda-backed rebels expand their control

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have formally withdrawn from ECOWAS, completing a process that began in January 2024 after the bloc demanded Niger restore democratic rule. The military-led governments accuse ECOWAS of serving French interests and have turned to Russia for support. The three nations have formed their own security alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States, amid ongoing conflicts with armed groups linked to al-Qaeda … Continue reading Military governments lead West African trio out of ECOWAS regional bloc

An Air Busan Airbus A321 caught fire on the runway at Gimhae International Airport while preparing for departure to Hong Kong. All 169 passengers and seven crew were evacuated, with three suffering minor injuries. The fire reportedly started in the tail section, causing visible damage to the fuselage. The incident comes a month after South Korea’s deadliest recent air disaster, The Guardian has reported. Airbus … Continue reading Passengers and crew evacuated as plane catches fire on South Korean runway

A crowd crush at India’s Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj early Wednesday left multiple people dead and at least 20 injured as a barrier near the river broke amid massive crowds. Reports indicate at least 14 bodies were taken to a hospital, though officials have not confirmed the toll. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and is in contact with state authorities. The tragedy … Continue reading Multiple people killed in crowd crush at world’s largest religious festival

French President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to replace six stained-glass windows in Notre Dame with contemporary designs has sparked backlash. Critics, including preservationists and far-right politicians, argue that the 19th-century windows are legally protected and integral to the cathedral’s aesthetic harmony. The move is seen as Macron’s attempt to leave a legacy akin to past presidents who reshaped Paris with glass structures. Despite opposition—including a unanimous … Continue reading France Furious Over Stained-Glass Windows in Notre Dame

French President Emmanuel Macron returned to the Louvre to address concerns after a leaked memo revealed the museum’s deteriorating condition. He announced a major renovation, including a separate space for the “Mona Lisa,” a new entrance near the Seine, and underground rooms. The project, potentially costing hundreds of millions of euros, may be funded by increasing non-EU visitor prices and raising annual attendance to 12 … Continue reading Italy calls for return of Mona Lisa after Louvre’s dire conditions raise alarm

The ancient Cotofenesti helmet, a 2,500-year-old Romanian treasure, was stolen from the Drents Museum in the Netherlands during the final weekend of its exhibition. Thieves also took three golden wristbands, leaving authorities devastated. The helmet, a revered symbol of Romania’s Dacia civilization, is unsellable due to its fame, raising fears it could be melted for its gold, worth far less than its cultural value. Security … Continue reading Theft in Netherlands of ancient golden helmet leaves Romania distraught

Storm Éowyn caused “unprecedented” damage in Ireland, leaving over 150,000 without power and 74,000 without water. Record winds of 183 km/h (114 mph) were recorded in County Galway, the hardest-hit area. Repairs to electricity and water services are ongoing, with power restoration expected for most by Friday, the BBC has reported. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has called for an urgent parliamentary session to … Continue reading More than 150,000 still without power in Ireland after Storm Éowyn