World News

Islamic State affiliate claims suicide bombing at Islamabad Shia mosque, killing at least 31

A suicide bomber struck a Shia mosque in Islamabad during Friday prayers, killing at least 31 and wounding about 170 as IS-linked militants claim responsibility.

#pakistan, #islamicstate, #islamabad, #sectarianviolence, #terrorism

Takaichi’s Landslide Hands Japan a Postwar Supermajority—and a Mandate to Rearm

Japan’s first female prime minister wins a record LDP supermajority, fueling stimulus plans, defense buildup and a renewed push to revise Article 9.

#japan, #elections, #defense, #constitution, #markets

Magnitude 6.2 quake off Pacitan rattles Java, exposes lingering risks on megathrust

A 6.2 offshore quake jolted Java, killing one and injuring 47. No tsunami followed, but damage and evacuations highlight readiness gaps.

#indonesia, #earthquake, #java, #tsunami, #disasterresponse

UN Security Council Votes to Shut Down Hudaydah Mission, Ending Key Yemen Presence

The Security Council extended UNMHA to March 31, then ordered it liquidated, ending the UN’s only dedicated presence at Yemen’s vital Red Sea ports.

#yemen, #unsecuritycouncil, #houthi, #redsea, #humanitarianaid

Senior Russian Military Intelligence Officer Shot in Moscow Stairwell, Officials Say

Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseyev, deputy head of Russia’s GRU, was shot in his Moscow apartment building and is in critical condition as investigators hunt a suspect.

#russia, #ukrainewar, #gru, #moscowattack, #intelligence

Thailand’s Feb. 8 Vote Puts Post-Coup Order on Trial With Election and Constitution Referendum

Thai voters will choose a new parliament and decide whether to draft a new constitution, testing the legacy of the 2014 coup and the power of unelected institutions.

#thailand, #election, #referendum, #constitution, #southeastasia

Strike on Sudan hospital kills 22 as famine-level malnutrition spreads in North Darfur, aid groups warn

At least 22 die in a hospital strike in South Kordofan as new IPC data show famine-level child malnutrition in North Darfur and aid access tightens.

#sudan, #famine, #humanitariancrisis, #darfur, #warcrimes

Storm Leonardo Triggers Mass Evacuations and Flooding Across Spain, Portugal and Morocco

Days of torrential rain from Storm Leonardo flood Iberia and northern Morocco, forcing 150,000+ evacuations, disrupting rail and elections, and raising dam fears.

#stormleonardo, #flooding, #spain, #portugal, #morocco

Chile ‘megafire’ razes coastal communities in Biobío and Ñuble, testing government transition

Fast-moving wildfires killed at least 21, forced 50,000 to flee and destroyed thousands of homes in south-central Chile, as leaders clash over causes.

#chile, #wildfires, #biobio, #reconstruction, #climate

Zelensky Says POW Swap With Russia Near After U.S.-Brokered Talks in Abu Dhabi

Zelensky says negotiators in Abu Dhabi set the groundwork for a near-term POW exchange with Russia, a rare humanitarian step amid stalled peace talks.

#ukraine, #russia, #pow, #diplomacy, #uae

Syria Moves to End Kurdish Self-Rule in Northeast Under Damascus Integration Deal

A Jan. 30 accord folds the Kurdish-led SDF and its civil administration into Syria’s state, reshaping U.S. policy and raising rights concerns.

#syria, #kurds, #sdf, #damascus, #middleeast

WHO seeks $1.015 billion for 2026 emergencies as funding gaps leave 53 million without basic care

WHO warns aid shortfalls shut 6,600 clinics in 2025, cutting off 53 million people, and seeks $1.015B to sustain 2026 emergency health care.

#who, #humanitarianaid, #globalhealth, #sudan, #gaza

U.S. Navy F-35C shoots down Iranian drone as IRGC boats threaten U.S.-flagged tanker near Hormuz

Pentagon says an F-35C downed an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln, hours before IRGC boats tried to stop a U.S.-flagged tanker near Hormuz.

#iran, #usnavy, #straitofhormuz, #drones, #shipping

U.S. Opens Door to Venezuelan Oil—But Routes Payments Into Treasury-Controlled Accounts

A new OFAC license lets U.S. firms buy and refine Venezuelan crude, while a paired executive order funnels payments into U.S.-held funds, not Caracas.

#venezuela, #oilsanctions, #ofac, #usforeignpolicy, #energy