NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has reiterated that Europe remains fundamentally dependent on the United States for its collective defense, pushing back against any notion that the continent could independently guarantee its security. Speaking to lawmakers at the European Parliament on Monday, Rutte emphasized that the transatlantic alliance remains indispensable at a time of rising geopolitical uncertainty and renewed debate over Europe’s military capabilities. Rutte’s remark

At least seven people were killed and several others injured after a powerful explosion struck Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw district on Monday, an area widely regarded as one of the Afghan capital’s most secure neighborhoods. The blast hit a hotel on Gulfaroshi Street, close to a restaurant popular with foreign visitors, triggering panic in a locality known for hosting diplomats, business travelers, and international residents. Emergency teams rushed to the scene as smoke and debris filled the street

Iran remained largely cut off from the global internet on Friday as authorities enforced a nationwide digital blackout while protests continued to spread across the country, intensifying an already volatile political and economic crisis. Internet monitoring data showed that connectivity across Iran had dropped to almost zero for more than 12 hours, severely limiting access to online communication platforms as demonstrators gathered in cities nationwide. According to internet trackin

Violent clashes broke out at Tehran Bazar on Tuesday as Iranian security forces confronted demonstrators in one of the most significant flashpoints of a protest movement that has spread across the country over the past 10 days. The unrest, driven largely by public anger over worsening economic conditions, has left at least 27 people dead, according to estimates released by a human rights organization monitoring developments inside the country. The confrontation in the capital came a

Gunfire was reported late Monday night in the vicinity of Venezuela’s presidential palace, unsettling residents in central Caracas just days after former leader Nicolas Maduro was captured in a dramatic United States military operation. Witness accounts indicated that the shots were fired around 8:00 pm local time near the Miraflores Palace, a location that has long served as the symbolic center of political authority in the country. According to sources cited by AFP, the incident

US President Donald Trump on Saturday described a US military mission in Venezuela as a “brilliant operation” after announcing that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been captured and removed from the country. In brief remarks during a telephone interview, Trump credited detailed planning and the performance of US personnel for what he portrayed as a decisive and successful action. According to Trump, the operation was the result of months of preparation and coordination involvi

Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday that it had transferred what it described as evidence showing that Ukrainian forces targeted a Russian presidential residence earlier this week, an allegation that Kyiv and Western governments have firmly rejected. The announcement adds to rising diplomatic tensions as Moscow and Washington continue discussions related to the broader war in Ukraine. According to the ministry, fragments of a Ukrainian drone recovered after an alleged attem

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Thailand has defended its military’s decision to remove a Hindu statue located along its border with Cambodia, stating that the action was necessary to establish control over a disputed frontier area. The move, which took place on December 25, has sparked criticism and renewed debate over border management and cultural sensitivity in the region. According to Thai authorities, the statue was situated in an area that remains contested between Thailand and Cambodia. Officials said th

Apple is still more than a year away from unveiling the iPhone 18 series, but early leaks and supply-chain reports are already offering a clearer picture of what to expect from the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in 2026. While Apple is also rumoured to be working on its first foldable iPhone around the same time, the Pro models are expected to remain the company’s flagship crowd-pullers. Instead of a minor refresh, the iPhone 18 Pro is shaping up to deliver meaningful improvements acro

A fresh political controversy has erupted in South Asia after a leader from Pakistan’s ruling party issued a direct warning to India over Bangladesh. Pakistan Muslim League youth wing leader Kamran Saeed Usmani released a video statement on Tuesday, threatening a strong military respo

A massive protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi turned violent on Tuesday as members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad and other Hindu groups, including the Bajrang Dal, gathered to protest the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh. Despite heavy security arrangements, demonstrators t

Tension in Bangladesh has sharply escalated after India closed its visa centres in Rajshahi and Khulna, prompting violent protests and warnings of further unrest. Demonstrators clashed with security personnel near the Assistant High Commission of India in Rajshahi after attempting to march toward the compound. Protesters accused India of injustice and went so far as to threaten bloodshed, saying they would use swords or other weapons if necessary. The situation has alarmed authorities on both

A migratory seagull carrying a Chinese-made GPS tracking device was found along Karnataka’s Karwar coast, raising questions due to the location’s proximity to the strategic INS Kadamba naval base. Locals first spotted the bird near Timmakka Garden in Uttara Kannada district and alerted the marine division of the forest department. The discovery drew attention because INS Kadamba hosts key Indian Navy assets and is undergoing expansion that will make it one of the largest naval bases in th

India has closed the Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka following growing security concerns and escalating diplomatic tensions with Bangladesh. The decision was taken after intelligence inputs warned of threats from extremist elements and provocative statements made by certain Bangladeshi political leaders. The closure reflects India’s increasing concern over the safety of its diplomatic missions and personnel in the neighbouring country. The Indian Visa Application Centre lo

US President Donald Trump said on Monday, December 15, that efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine were making unprecedented progress, describing the possibility of a peace deal as “closer than ever.” His remarks came amid a series of high-level diplomatic engagements in Europe, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with key European leaders in Berlin as part of renewed international efforts to bring an end to the nearly three-year-long conflict. Speaking t

Bay Area cities moved quickly to strengthen security measures after reports of a deadly shooting during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, where two gunmen opened fire and killed 15 people. The incident sent shockwaves through Jewish communities worldwide and prompted heightened vigilance in cities across the United States as the Festival of Lights began. The tragedy weighed heavily on members of the Bay Area Jewish community as families and congregations gathered to mark