The United States launched coordinated military strikes on several locations across Venezuela on Saturday, December 3, according to official statements from Venezuelan authorities. The reported attacks targeted strategic defence installations in and around the capital, marking a sharp escalation in tensions b

Tensions between Washington and Tehran intensified on Friday after a senior Iranian official warned that U.S. military installations and personnel across the Middle East could be targeted if the United States intervenes in Iran’s internal unrest. The warning came hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States was prepared to protect protesters in Iran if authorities used force against them. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament,

Amid escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait, the United States State Department has urged China to halt its recent military activities near Taiwan, warning that the drills are unnecessarily heightening regional instability. The call followed a two-day military exercise conducted by China around Taiwan, which included missile launches and the deployment of fighter jets, naval vessels, and coast gua

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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Chinese President Xi Jinping used his annual New Year’s Eve address to reaffirm Beijing’s long-standing position on Taiwan, declaring that reunification with the self-governing island was inevitable. Speaking in Beijing on Wednesday, Xi said that bringing Taiwan under China’s control was “a trend of the times” that could not be stopped, reiterating a pledge that has become a central pillar of his leadership. The speech came just one day after the conclusion of large-scale

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the country is effectively engaged in a full-scale conflict with the United States, Israel and Europe, describing Iran’s current diplomatic and strategic environment as increasingly complex and difficult. His remarks reflect heightened regional tensions following months of military confrontation, economic pressure and stalled diplomacy. In an

Residents across the Chicago metropolitan area awoke Monday morning to snow-covered roads, sharply colder temperatures and powerful winds following the rapid passage of a cold front through northeast Illinois overnight. Wind gusts climbed as high as 60 miles per hour in some locations, creating hazardous travel conditions and significantly reducing visibility during the morning commute. Weather officials issued a wind advisory for the entire Chicago area, while a winter weather advi

Federal regulators have announced a sweeping recall affecting hundreds of commonly purchased consumer products sold in small grocery stores and markets across parts of the Midwest, citing serious sanitation concerns that may pose a risk to public health. The action follows an inspection of a Minneapolis-based distribution facility that supplies food, medication, and household goods to retailers in Minnesota, Indiana, and neighboring states. According to the Food and Drug Administrat

Tensions in Bangladesh have escalated sharply following the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, triggering widespread protests and renewed anti-India sentiment across the country. A radical student outfit linked to Hadi, Inqilab Moncho, has issued a strong ultimatum to the interim Yunus administration, demanding sweeping action within strict deadlines, including the suspension of work permits issued to Indian nationals. The group announced its demands during a protest gathe

India on Monday strongly rejected Pakistan’s allegations of mistreatment of religious minorities, asserting that Islamabad lacks the moral authority to comment on such matters given its own record. Responding to remarks from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, New Delhi said attempts to highlight alleged incidents in India cannot mask Pakistan’s well-documented history of systemic discrimination and persecution of minorities. The response came after Pakistani Foreign Affairs spokespers

Pakistan has, for the first time, publicly acknowledged that Indian drone strikes caused damage at the strategically sensitive Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi during Operation Sindoor, marking a significant shift from its earlier attempts to downplay or deny the impact of the attacks. The admission came during a year-end press briefing on December 27, when Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister

Israel has become the first member of the United Nations to officially recognise Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, marking a significant diplomatic development for the self-declared republic in the Horn of Africa. The announcement ends decades of international non-recognition for Somaliland, which has operated as a separate political entity since breaking away from Somalia in 1991 following a prolonged civil conflict. The recognition was formalised on Friday when Isr

Illinois will see a significant expansion of public safety and criminal justice reforms in 2026, as hundreds of new laws approved by the General Assembly take effect across the state. Among the most consequential measures are new requirements for firearm storage, expanded protections for crime victims, and updated procedures for law enforcement reporting and investigations. Lawmakers said the package of legislation reflects growing concerns about gun safety, violent crime, and gaps in service

Pakistan’s recent diplomatic and military outreach to Bangladesh has triggered fresh speculation about a potential defence agreement that could significantly reshape regional security dynamics in South Asia. Over the past few months, several senior Pakistani military officials, including the chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the Navy chief, and ISI head Lt General Asim Malik, have made repeated visits to Dhaka. These developments come as Bangladesh’s interim leadership u

A tragic aviation accident in Turkey has claimed the lives of Libya’s top military commander and seven others after a private jet crashed shortly after taking off from the capital city, Ankara. The incident occurred soon after the aircraft departed Esenboga Airport, bringing a sudden and devastating end to a diplomatic visit aimed at strengthening defence cooperation between Libya and Turkey. Libyan officials confirmed that the deceased included Gen. Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad,

The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced a new financial incentive aimed at encouraging undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the country, offering cash payments and paid travel as part of a broader effort to accelerate deportations and reduce enforcement costs. The initiative, introduced ahead of the holiday season, is being framed by federal officials as a cost-effective alternative to traditional immigration enforcement measures. According to the Depar

Several new state laws aimed at improving worker pay, expanding health care protections, and strengthening consumer safeguards are set to take effect across Virginia on Jan. 1, marking one of the most wide-ranging policy updates in recent years. The measures touch on issues ranging from minimum wage increases to medical billing practices and digital protections for children, reflecting priorities lawmakers say are rooted in everyday concerns of residents. Political analyst Leslie Ca

Sheikh Hasina has accused the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of losing control of Bangladesh as the country faces growing unrest, rising extremism, and weakening ties with India. The former Prime Minister said that violence has become routine and that the current administration appears unable to stop attacks targeting civilians, minorities, and institutions. Sharif Osman Hadi, a radical student leader, was shot in Dhaka on December 12 and later died from his injuries. His dea

Filmmaker Mira Nair has shared a candid behind-the-scenes revelation about her acclaimed television adaptation of Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy, offering fresh insight into the casting process behind the ambitious BBC series. In a recent interview, Nair disclosed that her son, Zohran Mamdani, was originally her first choice for the central role that was eventually portrayed by actor Ishaan Khatter. According to Nair, Mamdani possessed the essential qualities she believed were requi