- World News
Ukrainian forces target Zaporizhzhia in counter-offensive, heavy fighting reported
Heavy fighting continues in Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia region, with Ukrainian troops, supported by tanks, artillery, and drones, attempting to advance south of the town of Orikhiv for a second consecutive night. Military experts believe that the focus of Ukraine’s counter-offensive will be on regaining access to the Sea of Azov and dividing the Russian forces in the region to weaken…
- World News
Annecy park stabbing: Four toddlers stable, Syrian knifeman arrested
A horrifying knife attack in a children’s playground in Annecy, southeast France, left four young children between the ages of one and three injured. The children, including a three-year-old British child and a Dutch toddler, are now in stable condition in hospital. Two adults were also injured, one critically. The police arrested a 31-year-old Syrian man with refugee status in…
- World News
US suspends $1.8bn Ethiopia food aid over diversion claims
The US Agency for International Aid (USAid) has halted food aid to Ethiopia after discovering that donations were being misdirected away from those in need. The suspension will affect approximately 20 million Ethiopians, who are currently experiencing severe food shortages due to war and drought. The United States remains the largest humanitarian donor to Ethiopia, having provided over US$1.8 billion…
- World News
297 orphans evacuated amid deadly conflict in Sudan’s capital
In Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, nearly 300 orphans have been rescued from the heart of the conflict in a dangerous evacuation carried out by humanitarian workers. This follows the tragic deaths of 67 children at the Mygoma orphanage due to starvation, dehydration, and infections, as the fighting prevented staff from reaching the facility. Since April 15, the city has experienced daily…
- World News
China targets AirDrop and Bluetooth in censorship crackdown proposal
China is looking to impose restrictions on mobile file-sharing services such as AirDrop and Bluetooth, in an effort to expand its censorship capabilities. The country’s national internet regulator has initiated a month-long public consultation on the proposals, which aim to prevent the spread of illegal and “undesirable” information. Activists are concerned that this move will further limit their ability to…
- World News
Wildfires cause worst air quality in years for US cities
Intense wildfires in Canada have led to the worst air quality in years for cities such as Washington DC and Philadelphia, affecting millions of people across North America. The hazardous conditions have resulted in event cancellations and flight disruptions throughout the United States. Almost 100 million individuals are currently suffering from very poor air quality. US President Joe Biden referred…
- World News
Afghanistan mosque explosion kills Taliban officials during funeral prayers
A mosque in north-east Afghanistan was rocked by an explosion, resulting in multiple casualties. Among those injured or killed were several local Taliban officials. The blast took place during a prayer service held for the deputy governor of Badakhshan province, who lost his life in a car bomb attack earlier this week. The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for…
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Ukraine blamed for ammonia pipeline blast, threatens Russian grain deal
Russia has accused Ukraine of being responsible for an explosion on a crucial ammonia pipeline, stating that it could negatively impact the renewal of a significant grain export agreement. The Togliatti-Odesa pipeline was damaged in a blast on Monday, which Moscow attributes to Ukrainian “sabotage” groups. The Kremlin has declared that it will not renew last year’s grain export deal…
- World News
Myanmar singer’s death sparks fear among pro-military celebrities
The death of Myanmar singer Lily Naing Kyaw, who was shot in the head in Yangon, has shocked both military supporters and celebrities connected to pro-military media. The 58-year-old was close to top junta leaders who seized power in 2021 and was accused of being their informant. Two suspects, allegedly belonging to an urban guerrilla group opposed to the military,…
- World News
Ukraine agriculture crisis looms as dam collapse risks desertification
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has not only resulted in devastating humanitarian consequences but also poses a severe threat to the country’s agriculture. Ukrainian officials have warned that the southern region’s fertile lands could transform into deserts as early as next year due to the destruction of vital irrigation systems that rely on the Kakhovka reservoir. The reservoir is rapidly…
- World News
Dutch museum’s Egypt excavation ban over black musicians exhibition
The National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, Netherlands, has been banned from carrying out archaeological excavations at a significant Egyptian site due to an exhibition exploring ancient Egypt’s influence on black musicians. The Egyptian authorities accused the museum of “falsifying” history through its display featuring artists such as Beyoncé, Nas, and Miles Davis. The museum has labelled the accusations as…
- World News
Pence slams Trump, launches 2024 campaign with constitutional focus
In a recent speech launching his 2024 presidential campaign, former US vice-president Mike Pence delivered his strongest criticism of Donald Trump yet. Pence accused the former president of betraying the US constitution and abandoning conservative values. The speech in Ankeny, Iowa, marked the official start of Pence’s White House campaign, which puts him in direct competition with his former running…
- World News
Pope Francis to undergo abdominal surgery at Rome hospital
Pope Francis is set to undergo abdominal surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Wednesday afternoon. The Vatican stated that the 86-year-old pontiff will remain in the hospital for several days to recover from the hernia operation. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni noted that the hernia has been causing “recurrent, painful and worsening” symptoms for the Pope. “In the early afternoon he…
- World News
Japan debates bill redefining rape to include non-consensual intercourse
Days after being raped, Megumi Okano knew that the attacker would likely escape punishment. Megumi, who uses “they” as a personal pronoun, knew the man and where to find him. However, they also knew that Japanese authorities were unlikely to consider the incident as rape. As a result, Megumi, a university student, decided not to report the incident to the…
- World News
Christie enters 2024 race targeting Trump, hindered by low Republican support
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has entered the 2024 race for the White House with one primary goal: to hinder Donald Trump’s campaign. However, Christie’s low popularity among Republicans could obstruct his efforts to directly challenge Trump. Christie’s unsuccessful bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination saw him endorse Trump early on, but he now seeks to bring the…
- World News
Atlanta council approves £25m Cop City despite protests and environmental concerns
The Atlanta City Council has given the green light for additional funding towards a contentious police training centre, which has been the subject of protests for almost two years. The council members voted to allocate US$31m (£25m) towards the construction of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, commonly referred to as “Cop City” by its detractors. The centre was initially…
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80 unclaimed bodies remain after India’s deadliest train crash this century
A tragic train collision in India’s Odisha state has left 288 people dead, with more than 80 bodies still unclaimed five days after the incident. The accident, which involved two passenger trains and a stationary goods train, is the country’s worst rail disaster this century. Over 1,000 injured individuals were taken to hospitals for treatment, and many families are still…
- World News
Bossa nova legend Astrud Gilberto dies aged 83, granddaughter announces
Brazilian bossa nova singer Astrud Gilberto, famed for her rendition of The Girl from Ipanema, has passed away at the age of 83. A prominent figure in Brazil’s music scene during the 1960s and 70s, Gilberto worked with an array of artists, including Quincy Jones and George Michael, and recorded 16 albums. Her version of The Girl From Ipanema sold…
- World News
Taliban crackdown causes 80% drop in Afghan opium cultivation
Armed with AK-47 assault rifles and large sticks, a Taliban anti-narcotics unit in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province is on a mission to eradicate poppy farming. In April 2022, Taliban supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada issued a decree prohibiting poppy cultivation, with violators facing crop destruction and penalties under Sharia law. The ban was imposed due to the harmful effects of opium…
- World News
Ukrainian forces advance in Bakhmut amid fierce fighting and symbolic importance
Ukrainian forces have made advancements in the area surrounding Bakhmut, according to Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar, who referred to the eastern city as the “epicentre of hostilities.” It remains unclear whether the anticipated counter-offensive has commenced. In a separate development, Russia’s military announced that it had thwarted a new attack in the eastern Donetsk region on Monday. Bakhmut has…
- World News
Pardon granted to Australian mum after 20 years for infant deaths
After spending 20 years in prison, Kathleen Folbigg, once labelled “Australia’s worst female serial killer,” has been pardoned following new evidence suggesting she did not kill her four infant children. In 2003, Folbigg was jailed for 25 years for the murders of three of her children and the manslaughter of her first son. The children died suddenly between 1989 and…
- World News
Russian officer detained by Wagner group after firing on vehicle in Ukraine
Tensions between the Wagner mercenary group and the Russian army have escalated following an incident in which a regular Russian army officer allegedly fired at a Wagner vehicle in Ukraine. The officer claimed in a video that he was intoxicated at the time and acted out of personal animosity towards the group. This comes after Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, accused…
- World News
India’s top agency to probe deadly train crash killing 275
India’s Railway Ministry has called for an investigation by the country’s top detective agency into the devastating train crash that claimed 275 lives. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made the announcement, though further details were not provided. Investigations led by the railways are already underway, with initial reports suggesting a signal fault as the cause of the crash. The collision involving…
- World News
Ukrainian families return to frontline towns despite Russian threat
In the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, the train station continues to operate despite Russia’s ongoing invasion. Millions of people depend on these trains, with many passengers travelling to the last stop before the eastern front line. Among them are soldiers and young families returning to their homes. One such passenger is 20-year-old Viktoria, who is heading back to Pokrovsk…
- World News
Hong Kong police detain activists on Tiananmen Square anniversary
Hong Kong police have arrested multiple pro-democracy activists, including 67-year-old Alexandra Wong, during the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Public commemorations of the tragedy have been banned, although candlelight vigils have taken place in other cities globally. Despite the ban, several individuals were detained in Hong Kong, including the leader of a major opposition party and a former…
- World News
Desperate relatives continue search for loved ones after India train crash
Families of victims of Friday’s tragic train collision in India continue their desperate search for missing loved ones. The accident, which occurred in Odisha, is now believed to have claimed 275 lives, making it the country’s worst rail disaster in decades. A signalling fault is thought to be the cause of the tragedy. The rescue mission was declared over on…
- World News
Deadly India train collision raises fresh concerns over railway safety
A deadly train collision in India on Friday evening has left at least 261 people dead and 1,000 injured. The incident involved two high-speed passenger trains and a stationary freight train in the eastern state of Odisha. The cause of the accident is yet to be determined, but it has raised concerns about railway safety in the country. India’s vast…
- World News
Egyptian officer kills three Israeli soldiers during drug smuggling pursuit
A rare incident on the Israeli side of the border with Egypt resulted in the death of three Israeli soldiers, allegedly killed by an Egyptian security officer. The armed forces of both nations are jointly investigating the unusual occurrence. Egypt claims that the officer crossed into Israel while pursuing drug traffickers. The Israeli military believes the shootings are linked to…
- World News
Egyptian policeman kills three Israeli soldiers near border
A shooting incident near the Egypt-Israel border has resulted in the deaths of three Israeli soldiers and left others injured. Early on Saturday, a male and a female soldier were found dead at an army post after failing to respond to calls. A third Israeli soldier and the alleged attacker, identified as an Egyptian policeman, were killed during a subsequent…
- World News
India’s worst train crash this century leaves dozens dead in Odisha
A devastating train collision occurred in the eastern Odisha state of India on Friday evening, resulting in the worst railway accident the country has experienced this century. The incident involved two passenger trains and a freight train, with several carriages from the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailing in Balasore district and colliding with a stationary goods train. Consequently, a number of…
