Yemen’s internationally recognized government and Iran-backed Houthi rebels have agreed to release 2,900 detainees in the largest prisoner swap of the 11-year civil war. The deal, brokered in Muscat with the UN Special Envoy and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), includes Yemenis as well as seven Saudi and 23 Sudanese nationals. Saudi Ambassador Mohamed AlJabir and Houthi officials praised the agreement for … Continue reading Yemen’s sides agree to release 2,900 detainees in war’s largest exchange

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was released on bail after being arrested in London during a pro-Palestinian protest. She was detained under the UK’s Terrorism Act for holding a sign supporting Palestine Action prisoners, a group proscribed as terrorist by the British government. Thunberg was bailed until March, while two others were also arrested for throwing red paint at a building linked to an insurance firm … Continue reading Greta Thunberg arrested for pro-Palestinian protest under UK terrorism law

Russell Brand has been charged by the U.K. Crown Prosecution Service with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to incidents in 2009, adding to five previous charges of rape and sexual assault from 1999 to 2005. The allegations arose from a joint investigation by Channel 4 and The Sunday Times, which reported anonymous complaints of sexual and emotional abuse. Brand … Continue reading Russell Brand faces two additional rape and sexual assault charges from UK prosecutors in court case

A private jet carrying Libya’s top military commander, Gen. Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad, four other officers, and three crew members crashed near Ankara, Turkey, killing all on board. The delegation had been in Turkey for defense talks to strengthen military cooperation, and Turkish officials said the crash was caused by a technical malfunction. The aircraft, a Falcon 50 business jet, lost contact with air traffic … Continue reading Libya’s military chief and 7 others are killed in a plane crash

The U.S. has deployed a large number of special-operations aircraft, troops, and equipment to the Caribbean, increasing military options against Venezuela. President Trump has escalated pressure on Nicolás Maduro, imposing a blockade on Venezuelan oil tankers and leaving airstrikes on the table. Elite units, including CV-22 Ospreys, Army Rangers, and special-operations forces, have been prepositioned, signaling Washington may already have a course of action planned. … Continue reading U.S. Moves Troops, Additional Special-Operations Aircraft Into Caribbean

Russia launched a massive overnight assault on Ukraine, firing more than 650 drones and dozens of missiles that struck residential areas and energy infrastructure across 13 regions. At least three civilians were killed, including a 4-year-old child, just days before Christmas, as the attacks caused widespread power outages during freezing weather. Ukrainian officials said air defenses intercepted most of the drones and missiles, but significant … Continue reading Russia launches 650 kamikaze drones at Ukraine in pre-Christmas blitz

Clashes erupted in Aleppo between the Syrian army and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), killing at least two civilians and injuring 11 others ahead of a deadline to integrate the SDF into state institutions. Heavy gunfire and mortar shelling forced dozens of families to flee, and two Syrian Civil Defence rescuers were injured during the violence. Syria’s Interior Ministry reported injuries to two security personnel … Continue reading At least two killed in Aleppo clashes between Syrian army, Kurdish-led SDF

New South Wales (NSW) is fast-tracking laws to restrict guns, protests, and hate speech following the Bondi shootings, which killed 15 people. The reforms cap firearm ownership, increase licence renewal frequency, and allow police to limit demonstrations at religious sites while removing face coverings during protests. Critics, including civil liberties groups and pro-gun advocates, argue the measures unfairly target law-abiding gun owners and restrict democratic … Continue reading Australian move to fast-track new gun and protest laws

Thailand and Cambodia will hold a meeting of defense officials on Wednesday to address ongoing violence along their shared border, announced Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow. The talks follow a failed ceasefire brokered earlier this year by ASEAN and U.S. President Donald Trump after cross-border fighting erupted in July. Despite the planned meeting, clashes have continued, with Cambodia reporting Thai airstrikes and Thailand citing Cambodian … Continue reading Thailand and Cambodia agree to meet amid renewed cross-border fighting

A car bomb killed Russian Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov on Monday, marking the third high-ranking military assassination in just over a year, with investigators suggesting Ukraine may be behind the attack. Sarvarov, 56, led the Operational Training Directorate of Russia’s General Staff and had fought in Chechnya and Syria. Previous killings include Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, killed by a bomb on an electric scooter, and … Continue reading Car bomb kills Russian general in Moscow

Ukrainian forces carried out a series of strikes on Russian soil, hitting an oil terminal, a pipeline, two ships, an ammunition depot, and a drone launch site, officials said Monday. Ukrainian military intelligence also said partisans set fire to two Russian jet fighters at an air base near Lipetsk. The attacks are part of Ukraine’s broader effort to disrupt Russia’s war capabilities and counter Moscow’s … Continue reading Ukraine strikes oil terminal, planes and ships in an array of strikes inside Russia

Investigators allege a father and son accused of killing 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach threw four homemade explosive devices at the crowd before opening fire. Court documents say the suspects trained in advance, recorded a video citing extremist motivations, and were inspired by the Islamic State group. Police are examining whether they received outside support, including during a recent trip to … Continue reading Bondi gunmen threw homemade bombs before shooting and conducted training