Fiji police are investigating allegations of theft and sexual assault involving two Virgin Australia crew members in Nadi on New Year’s Day. The incidents occurred in the city’s nightclub area, with a suspect in the sexual assault case already questioned. The crew members are assisting with the investigation before returning home, while Virgin Australia has sent support staff. Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka emphasized that … Continue reading Virgin Australia crewmembers allegedly sexually assaulted and robbed in Fiji

Ukraine has halted Russian natural gas supplies to Europe via its pipeline network after a prewar transit deal expired, citing national security concerns. This move disrupts energy supplies to EU countries, notably Austria, Slovakia, and Moldova, as they brace for winter shortages and potential power cuts. Moldova, heavily reliant on Russian gas through Ukraine, faces an energy crisis, with Transnistria already experiencing heating and hot … Continue reading Ukraine halts transit of Russian gas to Europe after a prewar deal expired

An Ecuadorean judge has ordered the arrest of 16 soldiers over the disappearance and murder of four children in Guayaquil. The children, aged 11 to 15, went missing on December 8 after being detained by a military patrol, allegedly for suspected robbery. The military claimed they were released the same night, but investigators later found four charred bodies near a military base, confirmed through genetic … Continue reading Ecuador orders the detention of 16 soldiers charged with the disappearance of 4 children

Ivory Coast has announced the withdrawal of French troops by January 2025, ending a decades-long military presence. President Alassane Ouattara stated that the 43rd BIMA marine infantry battalion in Abidjan will be handed over to Ivorian forces, highlighting the army’s successful modernization. With nearly 1,000 French soldiers currently stationed in the country, Ivory Coast follows Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal, and Chad in scaling back … Continue reading Ivory Coast says French troops to leave country after decades

Germany’s New Year’s Eve celebrations were marred by chaos, with five people killed in firework-related accidents and over 400 arrests in Berlin amid violent clashes. Fatalities included a 24-year-old in North Rhine-Westphalia and a 20-year-old in Hamburg, both due to homemade fireworks. In Berlin, 30 police officers and one firefighter were injured during attacks involving fireworks and bottles. Authorities in Bavaria described the night as … Continue reading Five killed and hundreds arrested in Germany after New Year’s Eve chaos

An armed man opened fire in a bar in Cetinje, Montenegro, killing at least four people and wounding four others on Wednesday. Identified by local media as Aco Martinovic, a 45-year-old known for erratic behavior, the suspect fled the scene armed. Reports suggest the shooting followed a bar brawl, with victims including the bar owner’s children and a woman. Special police forces were deployed, and … Continue reading At least four killed and four more wounded in Montenegro shooting

Police in London are searching for a burglar who stole over £10.5 million ($13.2 million) worth of jewelry, handbags, and cash from a mansion near Regent’s Park on December 7. The armed intruder entered through a second-floor window while the owners—an Instagram influencer and her developer husband—were away. Surveillance footage shows the burglar narrowly avoiding a housekeeper. Stolen items include a 10.73-carat diamond ring and … Continue reading Thief swipes $13 million in jewels, handbags and cash from a London mansion

Russia launched a large-scale aerial attack on Ukraine, targeting Kyiv and multiple regions with missiles and drones. Ukraine’s air force reported downing six of 21 missiles and 16 of 40 drones, while 24 drones failed to hit their targets. Explosions were heard in Kyiv, and missile debris fell in the Darnytskyi district without causing casualties. In the Sumy region, 12 residential buildings and two schools … Continue reading Russia, Ukraine trade dozens of attacks as sea drone downs Mi-8 helicopter

At least 71 people, including 68 men and three women, died when a truck carrying a wedding party plunged off a bridge in Ethiopia. The accident occurred on a winding road, with authorities suspecting the truck was overloaded. Four survivors remain in critical condition, the Local 12 has reported. Witnesses reported seeing people dancing and hearing loud music before the crash. Written by B.C. Begley Continue reading At least 71 dead after vehicle carrying wedding party misses bridge

Trinidad and Tobago has declared a state of emergency following a surge in gang violence, including a deadly ambush outside a police station in Port of Spain. The emergency grants police expanded powers to arrest suspects, conduct searches, and suspend bail. Authorities anticipate further reprisal killings, driven by the widespread use of high-powered firearms like AK-47s and AR-15s, many illegally imported from the United States, … Continue reading Trinidad and Tobago announces state of emergency to combat gang violence

The Taliban’s supreme leader has ordered a ban on residential windows overlooking areas where Afghan women might be seen, such as courtyards and kitchens, citing concerns about “obscene acts.” Existing windows must be blocked, and authorities will monitor compliance. Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on women, including bans on education, employment, and public spaces, and prohibitions on women singing … Continue reading Taliban leader bans windows overlooking places ‘usually used by women’

The U.S. military conducted precision airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, targeting facilities used for missile and drone attacks on American and commercial ships. The strikes, carried out by U.S. Navy and Air Force aircraft, hit command centers, weapons storage sites, and a coastal radar system. CENTCOM reported no U.S. casualties or equipment damage. The Houthis, who control much of Yemen, have been … Continue reading U.S. strikes Houthi targets in Yemen after American warships attacked

Afghan Taliban forces targeted multiple locations across the disputed Durand Line in retaliation for recent Pakistani airstrikes that reportedly killed 46 people in Afghanistan. While the Taliban avoided explicitly naming Pakistan, they stated the strikes targeted hideouts of “malicious elements” coordinating attacks in Afghanistan. Cross-border clashes resulted in at least one Pakistani soldier killed and seven wounded. Tensions have escalated following increased attacks by the … Continue reading Afghan Taliban hit ‘several points’ in Pakistan in retaliation for attacks

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that last week’s plane crash in Kazakhstan, which killed 38 people, was caused by Russian air defense fire, though unintentionally. Aliyev criticized Russia for initially trying to cover up the incident and demanded an apology, admission of guilt, punishment of those responsible, and compensation. While Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized, he stopped short of accepting responsibility. Azerbaijan rejected Russia’s proposal … Continue reading Azerbaijan’s president accuses Russia of shooting down crashed jetliner unintentionally

Brazilian authorities are investigating the deaths of three women who died after eating an arsenic-laced Christmas cake at a family gathering in Torres on December 23. The baker, along with a 10-year-old child, remains hospitalized. Tests confirmed high arsenic levels in the victims’ blood, and the cake is undergoing further analysis. Police found expired food items in the baker’s home but have not determined if … Continue reading Brazil police probe deadly, arsenic-laced Christmas cake that killed 3

Thousands of British troops are set to participate in the NATO exercise Steadfast Dart in Romania, near Ukraine’s border, over the next two months. The drills will test the new Allied Reaction Force’s readiness to counter Russian threats and highlight NATO’s defensive capabilities. This follows a UK-Romania defense treaty signed last month and previous joint exercises, including Swift Response in Estonia. The UK has also deployed Typhoon jets for … Continue reading Thousands of soldiers to take part in NATO war games on border

At least 174 people were killed when Jeju Air flight 7C2216 crash-landed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, erupting in flames after veering off the runway. The Boeing 737-800, arriving from Bangkok with 175 passengers and six crew, attempted to land following a reported bird strike that may have caused landing gear failure. Two crew members were rescued from the tail section and are … Continue reading South Korean Plane Crash Kills 179

Finland has seized an oil tanker, the Eagle S, suspected of cutting undersea power and internet cables between Finland and Estonia, with authorities believing the vessel may belong to Russia’s “shadow fleet” used to evade Western sanctions. The incident, which occurred amid heightened tensions from the war in Ukraine, has prompted NATO to bolster its military presence in the Baltic Sea. Finland and Estonia are … Continue reading Finland seizes Russia-linked tanker suspected of cutting vital undersea cables

Mexican authorities discovered 12 bodies in 11 clandestine graves in Chihuahua state, near the U.S. border, during searches conducted from December 18 to 20. The remains were sent to forensic labs in Ciudad Juarez for identification and cause-of-death analysis. Such graves are commonly used by drug cartels and kidnapping gangs to dispose of victims. Chihuahua, plagued by organized crime violence, has recorded nearly 4,000 missing … Continue reading Dozen skeletons found in hidden graves in Mexico near U.S. border

A 51-year-old man went overboard from a Norwegian cruise ship on Thursday while traveling from Jamaica to the Bahamas. Despite an extensive search led by the Bahamas Rescue Coordination Center, he was not found, and the ship continued its journey. The circumstances of the fall remain unclear, and it’s uncertain if the search will resume, NBC News has reported. The man was traveling with relatives, … Continue reading 51-year-old man missing after going overboard during Caribbean cruise

A Chinese court sentenced Fan Weiqiu to death for killing 35 people and injuring 43 by driving into a crowd at a sports center in Zhuhai. Fan, angered by his divorce settlement, pleaded guilty to endangering public safety. The court described his actions as cruel and causing severe social harm. The attack, part of a recent surge in mass killings, prompted Chinese leader Xi Jinping … Continue reading Chinese man sentenced to death for killing 35 people after driving into a crowd

An Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 of 67 passengers. Survivors reported hearing thuds and explosions from outside the aircraft before the crash. The plane, rerouted from Grozny due to heavy fog, showed signs of external damage, with bullet holes observed in the wreckage. Both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are investigating, with early indications suggesting possible Russian air defense involvement. U.S. officials noted … Continue reading Survivors of Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash report hearing bangs, explosions during flight

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that over 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded fighting for Russia in the Kursk region since Ukraine’s cross-border incursion began in August. Ukrainian special forces reported inflicting over 100 casualties on North Korean troops in recent days and claimed Russia is issuing fake identity documents to conceal their presence. U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian officials estimate up … Continue reading Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says 3,000 North Koreans killed or wounded in the war

At least 6,000 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Maputo, Mozambique, on Christmas Day amid ongoing post-election riots. The rebellion, sparked by protests after the ruling Frelimo party’s election victory was confirmed, resulted in 33 prisoner deaths and 15 injuries during clashes with security forces. Inmates seized weapons, freed others—including 29 convicted terrorists—and breached a prison wall. Police Commander Bernardino Rafael urged fugitives to … Continue reading At least 6,000 inmates escape Mozambique jail amid post-election riots

Pope Francis visited Italy’s Rebibbia prison, becoming the first pope to open a “holy door” in a jail as part of the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee. Addressing inmates, he emphasized hope as an anchor and urged them not to lose faith in difficult times. The door, one of five for the “jubilee of hope,” symbolizes forgiveness and reintegration. The pope previously opened the first holy door at St. Peter’s … Continue reading Pope Francis opens sacred portal, ‘holy door’ at one of largest prisons in Italy