Saturday, 18 Oct, 2025

International

Greta Thunberg abused in Israeli custody after Gaza aid flotilla raid

Several international activists deported from Israel after taking part in a Gaza aid flotilla have accused Israeli forces of mistreating Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg during detention. A total of 137 deportees arrived in Istanbul on Saturday, including 36 Turkish nationals

Israeli army says intercepted missile launched from Yemen

The Israeli army said on Sunday that it had intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, from where Houthi rebels frequently launch attacks they describe as a response to the Israeli offensive in Gaza. “Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a

Indonesia school collapse death toll rises to 36

The number of students confirmed dead after the collapse of an Islamic boarding school building in Indonesia rose to 36, from 16 a day earlier, the country's disaster mitigation agency said on Sunday. Efforts continued for a seventh day to search for the bodies of 27 students still

Sanae Takaichi set to become Japan's first female prime minister

Sanae Takaichi came out top in a male-dominated race to lead Japan's ruling party on Saturday, putting her on course to emulate her hero, former British leader Margaret Thatcher, and become her country's first female prime minister. The fiscal dove's surprise victory may

Lawsuit challenges Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee

A coalition of unions, employers, and religious organisations has filed a lawsuit seeking to block US President Donald Trump’s plan to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for high-skilled foreign workers. The lawsuit, lodged in federal court in San Francisco on Friday, marks

US airstrike destroys boat off Venezuela, killing 4 in anti-drug drive 

The United States carried out a fourth air strike on a small boat in the Caribbean Sea, killing four people, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday — a move the administration says targeted a vessel carrying narcotics and forms part of a broader campaign against

Sarah Mullally named first female Archbishop of Canterbury

The Church of England has appointed Sarah Mullally as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, marking the first time a woman will hold the Church’s highest office. Mullally, 63, currently the Bishop of London, will succeed Justin Welby, who resigned last year following a child abuse

Hamas ready for peace; Trump urges Israel to stop Gaza strikes 

Hamas has announced its agreement to release all remaining Israeli hostages while calling for additional negotiations on several provisions outlined in the United States’ proposed peace plan for Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government was

Saudi Arabia launches pilgrim accommodation license

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced a new licensing system for pilgrim accommodations in Mecca and Medina for the 2026 Hajj season. Licences will now be issued through the temporary hostel licensing service, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of

5 die as vehicle overturns in Japan

Five people died in central Japan on Friday when a minivehicle suspected of carrying too many passengers overturned on a national highway, local media reported. Shortly after midnight Thursday, police received a report that a minivehicle carrying six people had rolled onto its side on

Last aid flotilla heads to Gaza after Israeli blockade

The only remaining boat in a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza sailed towards the war-torn Palestinian territory on Friday, after Israeli navy interceptions of its fellow vessels drew worldwide protests. The Global Sumud Flotilla -- consisting of dozens of ships -- set sail last month,

Indonesia free meals program under fire after thousands sickened

Indonesian families whose children were offered free school meals are joining non-profit groups calling for the flagship government program to be suspended after thousands of students fell ill from the food. Cases of food poisoning spiked last week in West Bandung, a district of Java

134 arrested in London over Palestine support

The Metropolitan Police in London have said 134 people have been charged with allegedly supporting Palestine Action in the UK capital, The Independent reported. It comes after 20 people became the latest to be charged under section 13 of the UK’s Terrorism Act for their part in

Israel intercepts Gaza aid flotilla, detains Greta Thunberg, activists

The Israeli navy has intercepted a flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza and detained activists on board, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said several vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) had been “safely

Boat Morgana evades Israeli interception: Global Sumud Flotilla

The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) has claimed that one of its vessels, the Morgana, has managed to evade capture after Israeli forces intercepted other ships in the fleet attempting to reach Gaza. In a statement posted on X, the group said: “Global Sumud Flotilla boat, Morgana, has

Nigeria boat accident kills 26

A boat accident on the Niger River in southern Nigeria has killed at least 26 people, authorities in Kogi State said on Wednesday. The boat was taking traders to a market in Illushi in Edo State on the other side of the river bank, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Kogi State commissioner for

Not winning Nobel Peace Prize would be an ‘insult’ to US: Trump 

President Donald Trump said Tuesday it would be an “insult” to the United States if he does not receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his self-proclaimed role in solving a number of wars. “Will you get the Nobel Prize? Absolutely not. They’ll give it to some guy

Over 90 feared trapped after Indonesia school collapse

At least 91 people remain trapped beneath rubble following the collapse of a religious school in Indonesia, according to government authorities. Indonesia’s National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) released the updated figures late on Tuesday, raising the number from an

Philippines hit by 6.9-magnitude earthquake, 69 dead in Cebu

At least 69 people have died after a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit the central Philippines, authorities said.  The quake struck Cebu province at around 10:00 p.m. local time (14:00 GMT) on Tuesday, prompting officials to declare a state of calamity. “Bang! It was

US govt shuts down after Senate fails to pass funding bill

The United States government entered a shutdown after the Senate failed to pass a last-minute funding bill, halting some federal operations for the first time since 2018. The shutdown, triggered by a deadlock between Republicans and Democrats, will temporarily suspend certain