The United States is expected to lift its ban on the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks, according to a report by the Financial Times. Washington has indicated its readiness to lift the ban, as per a source familiar with the matter. President Biden had imposed the ban shortly after taking office in 2021, due to Saudi Arabia’s human rights … Continue reading US expected to lift ban on sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia

A US missionary couple, Natalie Lloyd, 21, and her husband David, 23, were among three people killed in Haiti amid ongoing gang violence. They, along with 20-year-old Jude Montis, a Haitian, were ambushed by gunmen after leaving a church. The deaths were confirmed by Natalie’s father, Missouri State Senator Ben Baker, on Facebook. The couple, married in 2022, were part of Missions in Haiti, which … Continue reading US missionaries killed in Haiti gang violence

Five people were killed and one wounded in an armed attack at a grocery store in Acapulco on Thursday, just days after 10 bodies were discovered in the city, which is troubled by cartel violence. The attack took place near the main tourist avenue in a handicrafts market. The Guerrero state prosecutor’s office is investigating the incident, which left four men and a woman dead. … Continue reading 5 killed in attack at Acapulco store days after 10 bodies found in resort city

Carlo Acutis, a London-born teenager known as “God’s influencer” for his online promotion of Catholic teachings, is set to become a saint. He will be the first millennial, born between the early 1980s and late 1990s, to be canonized. Pope Francis attributed a second miracle to Acutis, involving the healing of a university student in Florence who had brain bleeding from head trauma. Acutis was … Continue reading Pope clears way for ‘God’s influencer’ to become saint

Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine that acknowledges the current battle lines, according to four Russian sources. However, if Kyiv and the West do not respond, he is prepared to continue fighting. Three sources familiar with discussions among Putin’s advisors indicated that Putin is frustrated with Western efforts to hinder negotiations and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy’s refusal to engage in … Continue reading Putin wants Ukraine ceasefire on current frontlines

China’s military drills around Taiwan, aimed at testing its ability to “seize power” over the island, entered their second day on Friday, according to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). These exercises, the largest in over a year, follow the inauguration of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, who advocates for Taiwan’s sovereignty, angering Beijing. Labeling Lai as a “dangerous separatist,” Beijing condemned his call for China … Continue reading China says military drills encircling Taiwan designed to test its ability to ‘seize power’

Congo’s army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge, revealed the third American involved in the foiled coup plot in Kinshasa as Taylor Thomson, though it was unclear if he was arrested or killed during the weekend attack on the presidential palace. Family in Utah mourned Christian Malanga, the eccentric leader of the failed coup, who was killed after resisting arrest. The State Department could not confirm … Continue reading Congo names third American in a foiled coup plot as mourners gather in Utah to remember plot leader

Russian troops have commenced major exercises to prepare for the potential deployment of tactical nuclear weapons, citing threats from Western allies. The Russian Ministry of Defense shared a video showing troops affixing missiles and warheads onto fighter jets and armored trucks. This marks the first stage of “practical testing” of these weapons in Russia’s southern military district, which includes regions bordering Ukraine. The training involves … Continue reading Russia begins exercises for battlefield nuclear weapons

Israel’s Ambassador to Berlin, Ron Prosor, was rebuffed by the German government after appealing on social media for Germany to reject the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) legitimacy. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit, confirmed that Germany would comply with an ICC arrest warrant against Prime Minister Netanyahu for alleged war crimes. Prosor criticized this stance on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that it challenges Germany’s … Continue reading Germany says it will arrest Netanyahu

On Wednesday, Norway, Ireland, and Spain announced their recognition of a Palestinian state, a historic move that was celebrated by Palestinians and condemned by Israel. In response, Israel recalled its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland and was considering doing the same with its ambassador to Spain. The recognition will officially take effect on May 28, as confirmed by Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, CBS … Continue reading Palestinian state is recognized by several European countries

China launched two days of military drills around Taiwan on Thursday, claiming it was a “strong punishment” for the island’s “separatist acts” following the inauguration of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, who made a speech China condemned as a “confession of independence.” Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory and has vowed to reclaim it by force if necessary, announced that the exercises involve … Continue reading China begins military drills around Taiwan as ‘punishment’

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will issue an apology today to victims of the infected-blood scandal, following a report that condemns successive governments and the NHS. The scandal, which has resulted in over 3,000 deaths and continues to affect many lives, will also lead to the announcement of a compensation scheme expected to cost over £10 billion. NHS chief Amanda Pritchard is anticipated to apologize as … Continue reading Infected blood scandal roils UK

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators in London chanted slogans such as “Intifada revolution” and “UK government watch your back, Palestine is coming back” amid heightened tensions over the Middle East conflict. The Metropolitan Police arrested a man for leading a chant after climbing a traffic light, citing a racially aggravated public order offence and criminal damage. The protesters, showing solidarity with Gaza, marched through the city centre with … Continue reading Chants of ‘intifada revolution’ at London protest

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is seeking arrest warrants for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the October 7 attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, according to ICC prosecutor Karim Khan in an interview with CNN. The prosecution is also pursuing warrants for Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav … Continue reading Arrest warrants sought for Netanyahu, Hamas leader for war crimes

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country’s foreign minister died Monday after their helicopter crashed in foggy conditions, leaving Iran without two key leaders amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei quickly appointed a little-known vice president as caretaker, asserting the government’s control despite the significant loss. Iran has not provided a cause for the crash, which occurred in mountainous … Continue reading Iran president dead in helicopter crash

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province, where gunmen targeted Spanish tourists. The Taliban’s interior ministry spokesperson reported that four individuals have been apprehended in connection with the attack, which also resulted in the death of an Afghan citizen and injuries to several others, both foreign and Afghan. Bamiyan, known for its UNESCO World Heritage site and the remnants … Continue reading Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly tourist attack in Afghanistan

Israeli troops and tanks advanced into northern Gaza on Saturday, targeting areas previously avoided in the ongoing seven-month conflict, resulting in numerous Palestinian casualties, according to medics and residents. In addition, Israeli forces seized ground in Rafah, near the Egyptian border, raising concerns in Cairo and Washington due to the high number of displaced people there. Benny Gantz, a centrist war cabinet member, threatened to … Continue reading Israel pushes further into parts of north Gaza

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the foreign minister, and other officials reportedly crashed in the mountainous northwest of Iran, prompting a significant rescue operation in a foggy forest and calls for public prayers. The incident follows recent tensions with Israel due to Iran’s drone-and-missile attack and near-weapons-grade uranium enrichment. Additionally, Iran faces ongoing protests over economic and women’s rights issues, heightening the situation’s … Continue reading Helicopter carrying Iran’s hard-line president crashes in foggy, mountainous region

France has implemented a state of emergency in New Caledonia, a territory in the Pacific Islands, amid ongoing unrest following Paris’s proposed changes to provincial election rules. The violence, which erupted earlier in the week resulting in three Indigenous Kanak individuals and a police officer killed, persists despite a curfew. With the state of emergency now in effect, authorities possess broad search and arrest powers. … Continue reading State of emergency in New Caledonia as unrest spreads

NATO allies are moving closer to sending troops into Ukraine to train Ukrainian forces, potentially involving the United States and Europe more directly in the conflict. Facing a manpower crisis, Ukraine has requested NATO assistance to train 150,000 new recruits closer to the front lines. While the U.S. has so far declined, Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, indicated … Continue reading NATO Considers Sending Trainers Into Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping reaffirmed their “no-limits” partnership during a summit in Beijing, criticizing U.S. military alliances in Asia and the Pacific. Putin expressed gratitude for China’s proposals to end the Ukraine war, though these have been rejected by Ukraine and Western nations as favoring the Kremlin. The visit, amid Russia’s ongoing offensive in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, highlighted the deepening … Continue reading China and Russia reaffirm their close ties as Moscow presses its offensive in Ukraine

The Peruvian government has stirred controversy by officially labeling trans and intersex individuals as “mentally ill.” According to the health ministry, this classification is necessary to ensure comprehensive mental health care coverage. However, this decision has sparked outrage in a society where gender and LGBT rights have been increasingly under attack, leading to high levels of homophobia, transphobia, and gender-based violence. Recent legislative actions, such … Continue reading Peru officially classifies trans as ‘mentally ill’

Ukrainian generals have issued a dire warning, expressing their depletion of reserves to counter Russia’s sudden assault on Kharkiv. With Vladimir Putin amassing over half a million troops at the frontline, Ukraine’s military struggles to contain the northeastern advance. General Kyrylo Budanov of Kyiv’s military intelligence lamented the depletion of resources, acknowledging the absence of reserves. Putin’s forces swiftly seized territory in what appears to … Continue reading Ukraine warns it has no more reserves as Putin masses half a million fighters on frontline

A massive manhunt is underway in northern France following a daring prison escape during a deadly ambush. Mohamed Amra, dubbed “The Fly”, broke free while being transported back to jail from a court in Normandy. The escape occurred when armed assailants rammed his prison van at a toll booth and opened fire, killing two officers and injuring three. This marks the country’s first fatal attack … Continue reading France prison van attack: ‘Unprecedented’ manhunt for escaped prisoner

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed the reopening of a mosque in Istanbul, formerly an ancient Byzantine Orthodox church, despite objections from Greece. Erdogan made the announcement during a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis aimed at improving bilateral relations. The converted church, known as the Kariye mosque, underwent extensive restoration and will be open to all visitors. Mitsotakis expressed dissatisfaction with the conversion, … Continue reading Erdogan confirms ancient Istanbul church converted to mosque