South Korea and the U.S. launched their 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise Monday, involving 21,000 troops in command simulations and field training. The allies say the drills are defensive, but North Korea condemned them as invasion rehearsals and warned of retaliation. The exercise comes as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung prepares for an Aug. 25 summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, amid concerns Trump may … Continue reading South Korean and US militaries begin annual summertime drills

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced tougher measures against anti-government protesters after days of violent clashes across the country. Despite his threats, thousands demonstrated Sunday in Belgrade and other towns, demanding the release of detained protesters. Vucic denounced the unrest as “terrorism” allegedly orchestrated by the West, though without evidence, and warned of harsher state action within a week. The unrest, which has seen offices of … Continue reading Serbia’s populist leader vows tough response to protesters following riots

A 63-year-old American tourist was seriously injured in a shark attack while spearfishing near Big Grand Cay in the Bahamas on Sunday, authorities said. He was first treated at a local clinic before being airlifted to the U.S. The Bahamas, which has one of the world’s highest rates of shark attacks, has recorded 34 confirmed incidents in the past 400 years, CBS News has reported. … Continue reading U.S. tourist attacked by a shark while spearfishing in the Bahamas

Iraqi authorities have begun excavating a suspected Islamic State mass grave at Khasfa, near Mosul, believed to contain thousands of victims, including Iraqi security forces, Yazidis, and Shiites. The effort, launched August 9 by Iraq’s Martyrs’ Foundation, is in its early phase—collecting visible remains and surface evidence while preparing for full exhumation, which requires international support due to site hazards like sulfur water and unexploded … Continue reading Iraq starts excavation of large mass grave left by Islamic State

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis joined nationwide protests and a strike on Sunday, with organizers estimating over one million participants throughout the day. The demonstrations, centered at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, demanded the government secure the release of 50 hostages still held in Gaza. The protests coincided with the release of a video of captive Matan Zangauker, intensifying public pressure on leaders. Families of hostages, … Continue reading Protesters in Israel demand hostage deal in one of the largest demonstrations since war

A hiker in his 20s was killed by a brown bear on Mount Rausu in Hokkaido, northern Japan, after being dragged into the forest on Thursday. Authorities found his body and personal items near the scene on Friday, and hunters killed a bear nearby; DNA tests will confirm if it was responsible. Hokkaido’s brown bear population has slightly declined, but human-bear encounters are rising, with … Continue reading Hiker’s body found after bear drags him from trail into forest in Japan

Australia has launched its largest-ever military exercises with the Philippines, involving over 3,600 personnel in live-fire drills, maneuvers, and a beach assault near the disputed South China Sea. The drills, called Alon, feature fighter jets, a guided-missile destroyer, troop aircraft, anti-tank weapons, and special forces, and will run until August 29. Observers from the U.S., Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, and Indonesia are participating. … Continue reading Australian and Philippine forces launch largest military exercises near disputed South China Sea