Seven Buddhist monks, including nationals from India, Russia, and Romania, died when a cable-operated rail cart overturned at the Na Uyana Aranya Senasanaya monastery in northwestern Sri Lanka. Six others were injured, with four remaining in critical condition, police said. The accident occurred Wednesday night at the forest monastery in Nikaweratiya, about 125 kilometers from Colombo. Preliminary reports suggest the cable-driven cart lost control while … Continue reading 7 Buddhist monks killed in Sri Lanka monastery cable cart accident

Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, long considered the country’s most notorious fugitive, has been extradited from Greece to face trial in Chisinau. The 59-year-old is accused of masterminding the 2014 “theft of the century,” when $1 billion vanished from Moldovan banks—equivalent to 12% of the country’s GDP. Plahotniuc was arrested at Athens airport in July on an Interpol red notice while attempting to fly to Dubai, … Continue reading Greece extradites oligarch to Moldova in $1bn fraud case

Rio de Janeiro’s parliament has approved a controversial “wild west bonus” scheme to reward police officers for “neutralizing criminals,” sparking outrage from human rights groups. Lawmakers voted 47 to 15 in favor of reviving a 1990s-era policy that previously triggered a surge in extrajudicial killings in the city’s favelas before it was scrapped in 1998. The new measure, backed by allies of former president Jair … Continue reading Rio lawmakers approve ‘wild west bonus’ for police who kill ‘criminals’

The French navy has seized 9.6 tons of cocaine worth more than $600 million from a fishing vessel off the coast of West Africa, officials announced Thursday. The bust, carried out Monday by two naval ships and a helicopter, followed a joint tip-off from French, British and maritime intelligence services. Authorities said the vessel, which carried no national registration, was intercepted as part of France’s … Continue reading French navy seizes 9.6 tons of cocaine from fishing boat off coast of West Africa

A new tropical storm battered the Philippines on Friday, leaving at least four people dead and forcing more than 433,000 residents to evacuate flood- and landslide-prone villages. Storm Bualoi, locally called Opong, struck Eastern Samar late Thursday with winds of 110 kph, cutting power and triggering flooding and minor landslides. Officials said three people were killed by falling debris and one by lightning in Masbate … Continue reading Another tropical storm hits the Philippines, causing 4 deaths and new evacuations

South Korea’s military said it fired warning shots Friday after a North Korean merchant ship briefly crossed the disputed western sea boundary. The vessel entered South Korean waters near Baengnyeong Island around 5 a.m. before retreating following audio warnings and gunfire, according to Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. No North Korean forces returned fire. Officials said the response followed standard procedures and that South Korea … Continue reading South Korea fires warning shots to repel North Korean vessel breaching sea boundary

World leaders at the U.N. General Assembly are pushing for an end to Sudan’s war, which has created the world’s worst displacement and humanitarian crisis. Alan Boswell of the International Crisis Group said this year’s meeting could be “make-or-break” for peace, as key powers have finally agreed on a roadmap. The conflict erupted in April 2023 between Sudan’s army and paramilitary forces, spreading from Khartoum … Continue reading World leaders step up efforts behind the scenes at the UN to end the war in Sudan

At least 10 inmates were killed in clashes between rival drug gangs inside a prison in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, police said Thursday. The riot is the second deadly prison outbreak this week, after 13 inmates and a guard were killed Monday in another facility. Authorities identified the victims as members of Los Choneros and Los Lobos, two powerful gangs recently designated as foreign terrorist organizations by … Continue reading 10 killed, at least 2 decapitated, in Ecuador prison riot just days after deadly jailbreak

Over 500,000 people have signed a petition opposing UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s plan to introduce mandatory digital ID cards, or “Brit-Cards,” for all adults. Starmer argues the cards will make it harder to work illegally and improve border security, while critics warn they risk mass surveillance and cyber attacks on personal data. The digital ID would also integrate driving licences, passports, NHS services, … Continue reading UK’s Keir Starmer unveils plans for digital ID cards for all UK citizens

An eighth U.S. Navy warship, the USS Stockdale, has arrived in the Caribbean to strengthen counter-cartel operations near Venezuela. The growing naval presence, including air support from F-35 jets and MQ-9 Reaper drones, aims to detect, monitor, and interdict illicit trafficking while supporting homeland security. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments are conducting boardings and seizures where authorized, while the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and … Continue reading F-35s and Reaper drones join huge US Naval fleet patrolling the Caribbean