NATO will deploy 10 ships to protect critical underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea by week’s end, guarding energy and data cables until April to prevent sabotage. This move follows recent disruptions, including damaged power and telecommunications cables between Finland, Estonia, Sweden, and Germany. Finland is investigating Russia-linked oil tanker Eagle S for suspected anchor damage to a power cable. Estonia launched its own naval … Continue reading NATO sends fleet to guard Baltic Sea cables

The first international commercial flight since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime landed at Damascus International Airport on Tuesday, with a Qatar Airways flight marking the occasion. Many passengers were returning Syrians, some for the first time in over a decade. The airport, rehabilitated with Qatar’s help after years of neglect and damage from Israeli airstrikes, welcomed its first flight amid Syria’s recovery. Additionally, a … Continue reading First international flight since al-Assad’s removal lands in Syria

Indonesia has officially joined BRICS, becoming the tenth full member of the bloc of developing economies. The announcement was made by Brazil, the 2025 rotating president of BRICS. Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy and most populous nation, shares the group’s goals of reforming global governance and enhancing South-South cooperation. Initially endorsed in 2023, Indonesia delayed its accession until after its new government was formed, the … Continue reading Indonesia officially becomes full member of BRICS bloc

Executions in Iran rose to 901 in 2024, the highest since 2015, including 31 women, some convicted for defending themselves against domestic violence or forced marriage, according to the U.N. Most executions were for drug-related offenses, but political dissidents and protesters linked to the 2022 unrest over Mahsa Amini’s death were also among the victims. U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called the rise “deeply … Continue reading UN says Iran executed over 900 people in 2024

The Biden administration will announce a final major weapons aid package for Ukraine during Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to Germany on Thursday. While the exact amount remains unspecified, it is expected to be substantial, leaving some funds for the incoming Trump administration. The aid aims to bolster Ukraine amid ongoing missile attacks and military offensives. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion, the U.S. has contributed $66 … Continue reading U.S, set to announce ‘substantial’ final weapons package for Ukraine

A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Tibet’s Shigatse City on Tuesday, killing at least 126 people and injuring over 188, according to Chinese state media. The quake, with a depth of 10 km, caused over 3,600 homes to collapse. The U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake at 7.1, citing the region’s history of significant seismic activity. Multiple aftershocks, the largest at 4.4, followed. The Dalai Lama … Continue reading At least 126 dead, scores injured in 6.8 magnitude earthquake near Tibet

Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, has been hit by severe flooding due to heavy rainfall, submerging neighborhoods and causing widespread disruption. Footage shows residents forming human chains to rescue trapped children and aiding those swept away by floodwaters. Cars, buses, and debris were left abandoned as water surged through the streets, Metro has reported. The extreme weather has also impacted other regions, including Madinah and Riyadh, … Continue reading Mecca flooded after extreme rain

Three Israelis, including two women in their 70s and a 35-year-old police officer, were killed, and eight others wounded in a Palestinian shooting attack on a bus and two cars in the occupied West Bank. The attack occurred near the village of al-Funduq on Highway 55, with at least two gunmen fleeing the scene. Security forces launched a manhunt, setting up roadblocks and surrounding nearby … Continue reading Three Israelis killed in Palestinian shooting attack in West Bank

An Israeli soldier fled Brazil after a judge ordered an investigation into allegations of war crimes committed during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The case, brought by the Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation, accuses the soldier of participating in the destruction of civilian homes. Israel’s Foreign Ministry assisted in the soldier’s swift departure and warned soldiers against sharing military service details online. The incident has sparked … Continue reading Israeli soldiers face risk of arrest abroad for alleged war crimes after serving in Gaza

North Korea fired a suspected medium-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea, coinciding with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to South Korea. The missile, launched from Pyongyang, traveled about 684 miles before landing outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Blinken condemned the launch as a violation of U.N. resolutions and emphasized the importance of U.S.-South Korea-Japan cooperation in deterrence. Japan also strongly protested, calling … Continue reading North Korea tests ballistic missile as Blinken visits South Korea

Brazilian police arrested a woman accused of poisoning a Christmas cake with arsenic, resulting in the deaths of three family members and the hospitalization of three others during a December 23 gathering in Torres. Authorities suspect the arrested woman, reportedly the daughter-in-law of the cake’s baker, researched arsenic online before the incident. Toxicology tests revealed extremely high arsenic levels in the victims’ blood and the … Continue reading Woman arrested after arsenic-laced Christmas cake kills 3 family members in Brazil

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