Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan, who documented the early Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan, was sentenced to an additional four years in prison on charges of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” following her initial 2020 imprisonment. Zhang, known for posting firsthand accounts from hospitals and streets, went on hunger strike during her detention and was forcibly fed. Rights groups condemned the sentence as persecution for her journalism … Continue reading Chinese Covid whistleblower is sentenced to 4 more years in jail, group says

Qatar is seeking an apology from Israel for a recent airstrike in Doha before resuming its mediation on a Gaza peace deal. The strike, which killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer, marked Israel’s first attack in a Gulf state and worsened its regional isolation. Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has raised the request with U.S. officials, who are pressing Israel to … Continue reading Qatar requests Israeli apology to resume Gaza mediation efforts

Russia launched over 600 drones and missiles at nine regions across Ukraine, killing at least three people and wounding dozens more. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said the attacks targeted infrastructure, residential areas, and civilian sites, including a cluster-munition strike on a building in Dnipro. In Chernihiv, one person was killed and eight injured, including medics hit by a follow-up strike, while Dnipropetrovsk saw at least 30 … Continue reading Russia launches large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine, killing three

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City and the Bureij refugee camp killed more than 40 people, including 19 women and children, according to health officials. In Gaza City, 14 people died when a strike hit a residential block, including a hospital nurse and his wife and three children. Another strike at Bureij refugee camp killed at least eight Palestinians, including four children and two women, and … Continue reading Israeli strikes kill more than 40 people in Gaza

Tens of thousands protested in Manila over a corruption scandal involving costly “ghost” flood-control projects, leading to scattered clashes with police and the arrest of at least 17 people. Demonstrators demanded prosecution of officials and contractors accused of siphoning billions of pesos, while some police were injured. The protest coincided with the anniversary of martial law under Ferdinand Marcos Sr., with organizers calling for lasting … Continue reading Clashes, arrests as tens of thousands protest corruption in Philippines

Five people, including three children, were killed in southern Lebanon on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a Hezbollah operative, though claims that US citizens were among the dead are disputed. Israel expressed regret over civilian casualties, while Lebanese officials condemned the strike as a “massacre” and a violation of international law. UNICEF called the deaths of children “unconscionable,” and Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun urged … Continue reading Five killed in Israeli strike on Lebanon

Thousands have been evacuated in the Philippines ahead of super typhoon Ragasa, with winds of 230 km/h (143 mph) and life-threatening storm surges forecast. The typhoon is expected to hit northern islands before moving toward southern China, bringing heavy rain, flooding, and landslides. Schools, government offices, and transport services have been suspended in affected areas, including Manila and parts of Taiwan, the BBC has reported. … Continue reading Super typhoon nears Philippines as thousands evacuate

The UK has officially recognized a Palestinian state, with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper warning Israel not to annex parts of the West Bank in response. The move, also followed by Canada, Australia, Portugal, and soon France and Belgium, aims to revive the two-state solution while ensuring Hamas has no role in governance. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the recognition as rewarding terrorism, while Palestinian Authority … Continue reading UK warns Israel not to retaliate against Palestinian statehood push

German and Swedish fighter jets intercepted a Russian IL-20M reconnaissance plane that entered neutral airspace over the Baltic Sea on Sunday, after it flew without a flight plan or radio contact. NATO ordered Germany’s quick reaction force to respond before handing the escort over to Swedish jets. The incident follows a series of recent Russian airspace violations, including three Russian MiG-31s entering Estonia on Friday … Continue reading German and Swedish jets intercept Russian military plane over Baltic Sea

Authorities in the Dominican Republic said they recovered 377 packages of cocaine from a speedboat destroyed by the U.S. Navy, in what they called the first joint anti-narcoterrorism operation in the Caribbean. The boat, allegedly carrying over 2,200 pounds of cocaine, was struck about 80 nautical miles south of Isla Beata before Dominican forces secured the drugs. U.S. officials say the naval mission, launched in … Continue reading Speedboat destroyed by U.S. Navy held 1,000 kilos of cocaine, Dominican Republic says

Violence erupted in The Hague as a demonstration over immigration turned chaotic, with rioters clashing with police, torching a police car, and vandalizing the D66 party office. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd, while a group of 1,500 protesters blocked the A12 highway. Dutch media reported rioters carrying nationalist and symbols, which party leader Rob Jetten condemned as intimidation. Caretaker … Continue reading Violence erupts at protests in the Netherlands ahead of election

Australia has formally recognized Palestine as a sovereign state, joining the UK and Canada in a coordinated move announced at the UN by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The decision, intended to build momentum for a two-state solution and a Gaza ceasefire, drew fierce condemnation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who warned of possible military responses. Albanese stressed that Hamas must have no role in … Continue reading UK, Canada, Australia formally recognize Palestinian state