Researchers in Vietnam have discovered a new “supergiant” sea bug species, Bathynomus vaderi, named after Darth Vader due to its helmet-like head. Found in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands, this deep-sea crustacean measures about 30 cm, much larger than typical isopods. It is only the second supergiant species identified in the region, CBS News has reported. The discovery, published in ZooKeys, highlights the species’ … Continue reading “Supergiant” sea bug named after Darth Vader found in South China Sea

Israeli forces killed eight Palestinians and injured 35 in a major operation in Jenin, West Bank, involving airstrikes, drones, and armored bulldozers, according to Palestinian health officials. The operation, dubbed “Iron Wall,” aimed to dismantle armed groups, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasizing efforts to bolster security. The raid follows heightened tensions in the region, including attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in Qalqilya villages. … Continue reading Eight Palestinians killed as Israeli forces launch major operation in Jenin

A predawn fire at the Grand Kartal hotel in Turkey’s Kartalkaya Ski Resort killed at least 76 people and injured 51, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. The fire, which began around 3:27 a.m., likely caused most fatalities due to suffocation, including children. The 12-story hotel housed 238 registered guests at the time, ABC News has reported. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced administrative and … Continue reading At least 76 dead in Turkish ski resort hotel fire

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi announced he would resign on March 6, cutting his term short by 10 months. He cited accountability for the October 7, 2023, failure when Hamas invaded southern Israel. Halevi called for a state inquiry into national security issues beyond IDF control and highlighted IDF achievements during his tenure, including significant operations against Hamas, Hezbollah, and other threats. He … Continue reading IDF Chief resigns; Cites military failure on Oct 7

A gasoline tanker explosion near Suleja, Nigeria, killed at least 86 people and injured 55 others, officials said Sunday. The blast occurred during a fuel transfer using a generator, igniting the crowd gathered to scoop gasoline or take pictures. Emergency responders warn the death toll could rise. The incident highlights ongoing hardships caused by high fuel prices after subsidy removals under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, … Continue reading At least 86 dead, 55 injured in Nigerian gasoline tanker explosion

At least 30 people were injured, including nine seriously, in a chairlift accident at Spain’s Astún ski resort in the Pyrenees. Around 80 people remained trapped on the lift as helicopters conducted rescue operations and transported the injured to hospitals. The cause of the accident is unknown. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed shock and support for the victims and their families, CBS News has reported. … Continue reading Dozens injured in chairlift accident at Spanish ski resort

Supporters of South Korea’s arrested president, Yoon Suk Yeol, stormed a court building after his detention was extended, smashing windows and clashing with police. Yoon, the first sitting president to be arrested, faces insurrection charges following a brief December martial law declaration. Police restored order, arresting 46 protesters, while nine officers and dozens of others were injured. Acting President Choi Sang-mok condemned the violence, calling … Continue reading Protesters storm South Korean court after it extends President Yoon’s detention

More than 80 people have been killed and 20 injured in Colombia’s northeast after failed peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN). The violence in the Catatumbo region, near Venezuela’s border, has forced thousands to flee, with many seeking refuge in shelters or nearby mountains. Community leader Carmelo Guerrero and seven peace deal advocates were among the victims, while three involved in the talks … Continue reading At least 80 dead, several kidnapped in Colombia after failed peace talks

Hamas released three hostages—Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31—on Sunday under a ceasefire deal, marking the first such release since the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The women, taken from the Supernova music festival and Kibbutz Kfar Aza, were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City amid large crowds and propaganda efforts by Hamas. After 471 days in … Continue reading Hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher return to Israel after 471 days

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, 54, was stabbed multiple times by an intruder at his Mumbai home but is now recovering after surgery, doctors confirmed. Khan sustained injuries to his spine, neck, and hand, with surgeons removing a knife lodged in his spinal cord and repairing other wounds. The attack occurred during an attempted robbery, and police are searching for the suspect, CBS News has … Continue reading Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan recovering after knife pulled from spine following burglary stabbing attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty,” strengthening ties in trade, military, science, and culture amid Western sanctions. Putin hailed the deal as a breakthrough for regional stability, while Pezeshkian emphasized increased trade and security cooperation. The treaty follows closer Russia-Iran relations after Moscow’s Ukraine invasion, with allegations of Tehran supplying drones, which both deny. The agreement … Continue reading Russia and Iran sign a partnership treaty to deepen their ties in the face of Western sanctions

Former CIA analyst Asif Rahman, 34, pleaded guilty to leaking classified records on Israel’s plans for a retaliatory strike on Iran. Rahman admitted to printing the documents in October, sharing them with unauthorized individuals, and attempting to conceal his actions. Arrested in Cambodia and later extradited, he faces up to 13 years in prison, with sentencing set for May 15. Prosecutors revealed he deleted 1.5GB … Continue reading Former CIA analyst pleads guilty to leaking Israeli retaliation plans

Russia sentenced three lawyers who defended late opposition leader Alexei Navalny to prison terms of 3.5 to 5.5 years for transmitting his messages from prison, labeling them as participants in an “extremist organization.” This move is part of a broader crackdown on dissent during the Ukraine conflict, alarming rights groups and drawing international criticism. Navalny’s widow and Western nations, including the US, UK, France, and … Continue reading Russia gives Navalny lawyers multi-year sentences for relaying his messages

Israel’s government has approved a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal with Hamas, set to begin Sunday. The agreement includes releasing 33 Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners over six weeks. Israeli forces will withdraw from densely populated areas, allow displaced Palestinians to return, and permit hundreds of daily aid deliveries into Gaza. Negotiations will continue for a full Israeli … Continue reading Israel’s cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited Kyiv, signing a 100-year pact to support Ukraine with military, economic, and healthcare aid amid its ongoing war with Russia. Starmer pledged continued UK assistance, including a new mobile air defense system, troop training, and £3 billion annually. The visit coincided with air raid sirens following a Russian drone attack, highlighting Ukraine’s daily struggles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky … Continue reading UK pledges support for Ukraine with 100-year pact

The UK government will support local inquiries into organized child sexual abuse and conduct a rapid audit on gang-based exploitation, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced. This follows public pressure, partly driven by Elon Musk, who criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not supporting a national inquiry and for alleged failures during his tenure as England’s chief prosecutor. The issue, involving “grooming gangs” linked to cases … Continue reading UK backs local inquiries into child sexual abuse gangs after Musk stoked controversy

A 34-year-old woman from Australia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with poisoning a one-year-old girl, filming the infant’s suffering, and posting the videos online to gain donations and followers, police said. Authorities allege she administered unauthorized medicines from August to October 2024, ignoring medical advice and using old prescriptions. Hospital staff reported suspicions, and tests confirmed the poisoning. The woman faces charges including administering poison, … Continue reading Woman allegedly poisoned baby and posted videos online for donations, police say

Pope Francis suffered a minor fall at his Vatican residence, injuring his right forearm, which was placed in a sling as a precaution, the Vatican reported. Despite the incident, he continued his duties, offering his left hand for handshakes. At 88, Francis has faced ongoing health challenges, including bronchitis and mobility issues requiring a wheelchair, walker, or cane, the Associated Press has reported. Speculation about … Continue reading Pope hurts arm after falling for second time in month

Israel delayed a cabinet vote on a Gaza cease-fire deal after Prime Minister Netanyahu accused Hamas of breaking parts of the agreement. The deal, mediated in Qatar, involves phased hostages and prisoner exchanges alongside humanitarian aid. Disputes over military withdrawal and prisoner releases remain unresolved. Right-wing Israeli politicians and protests oppose the truce, threatening Netanyahu’s coalition. Despite continued Israeli airstrikes and Hamas attacks, U.S. officials … Continue reading Israel Delays Cease-Fire Deal; Blames Hamas for Reneging

With Donald Trump set to re-enter the White House, Ukraine faces mounting challenges. Its troops are struggling against Russia’s advances, with limited resources and dwindling military aid prospects. Russia continues its offensive, gaining territory in Donetsk while Ukrainian forces defend key positions. Ukraine’s defense priorities include stabilizing frontlines and bolstering capabilities, with allies pledging further aid. Talks of ending the conflict remain unlikely, as Moscow … Continue reading Ukraine losing ground on the battlefield as Trump team pushes ceasefire

Taiwan will enhance surveillance and inspection of foreign-flagged ships after a Chinese-linked cargo vessel allegedly damaged an undersea communication cable. Authorities plan to board suspicious vessels near sensitive areas and strengthen monitoring of undersea cables and landing points. Taiwan’s National Security Bureau emphasized international cooperation with the U.S. and Europe to address cable sabotage risks. The incident adds to concerns over China’s “gray zone” tactics, … Continue reading After cable damage, Taiwan to step up surveillance of ‘flag of convenience’ ships

Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure across multiple regions, including Lviv and Kharkiv. Ukrainian forces shot down 30 of 43 missiles and 47 of 74 drones, but emergency power outages were imposed in six regions. The assault aims to cripple Ukraine’s power grid during winter, exacerbating energy shortages. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urged Western allies to expedite air defense … Continue reading Russian missile attack forces Ukraine to shut down power grid

South Africa’s government faces criticism after cutting off food and water to illegal miners underground, leading to at least 78 deaths and over 100 others presumed dead from starvation at the Stilfontein mine. Rescuers have saved 166 people following a court-ordered operation, with survivors described as severely emaciated. Unions and opposition parties have condemned the government’s handling, calling it a display of negligence. The government … Continue reading South Africa criticized for ‘horrific’ mining crackdown after 78 bodies pulled from underground

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal ending 15 months of conflict, confirmed by U.S. President Joe Biden. The agreement includes a complete ceasefire, Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of hostages held by Hamas. UN Secretary General António Guterres emphasized prioritizing aid to alleviate suffering. However, the ceasefire, set to begin on January 19, follows continued violence, with Israeli airstrikes reportedly … Continue reading Israel and Hamas reach Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal

Spain plans to introduce a tax of up to 100% on properties bought by non-EU residents, including those from the UK, to address the housing crisis. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the measure to prioritize housing for residents and combat property speculation. In 2023, non-EU residents purchased 27,000 homes in Spain, often for profit rather than personal use. Sánchez also unveiled other housing initiatives, including … Continue reading Spain plans 100% tax for homes bought by non-EU residents