Author: staff
Israel is facing mounting condemnation for its war on Hamas militants in Gaza, where it has reportedly killed nearly 61,500 people since October 2023. A violent attack by Hamas militants on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 killed some 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and around 250 people were captured by Hamas and other groups and taken into Gaza, triggering retaliation from the Israel Defense Forces. Lahbib has emerged as one of the most outspoken critics among the EU’s College of Commissioners about Israel’s Gaza offensive, previously warning of a “man-made famine,” pressing for a ceasefire and unfettered humanitarian access.…
Published on 12/08/2025 – 16:32 GMT+2 •Updated 16:33 Iranian police detained 21,000 people on suspicion of offences such as spying and illegal filming during the nation’s 12-day conflict with Israel, state media reported on Tuesday. After Israel launched air strikes against its regional rival on 13 June, Iran’s authorities ramped up an internal security crackdown — ranging from mass arrests to executions. More than 1,000 police checkpoints were set up nationwide during the conflict with Israel, according to Iranian police spokesman Saeed Montazeralmahdi. He told state TV that the crackdown relied on citizens reporting suspicious activity to the authorities. “The…
Published on 12/08/2025 – 14:56 GMT+2 Pop icon Madonna is pleading with Pope Leo to travel to Gaza to “bring your light to the children before it’s too late.” She posted a message online saying that her plea was motivated by her son Rocco’s birthday. “I feel the best gift I can give to him as a mother – is to ask everyone to do what they can to help save the innocent children caught in the crossfire in Gaza,” Madonna wrote. The singer, who was raised Roman Catholic, added the pontiff was “the only one of us who…
Regional authorities confirmed the victim was a man who sustained burns over 98% of his body and was taken to the hospital. The fire, which began at 19:45 local time on Monday, threatened new apartment complexes and forced the evacuation of Soto de Viñuelas and Fuente El Fresno. Despite strong winds hampering efforts, officials said the blaze was contained overnight amid extreme heat gripping Spain during Europe’s ongoing seasonal heatwave. 2025 is predicted to be the second or third warmest year on record, according to the UK-based Carbon Brief.
The strategic defense review led by Robertson recommended that Britain move to “warfighting readiness” — but many questioned how the government would find the necessary funding, even before the 5 percent target was agreed. Robertson acknowledged “it won’t be easy” for the U.K. to deliver on its commitment, but said it had to ratchet up spending because at present “we’re underinsured, we’re under-prepared, and therefore we are not safe effectively.” He went on to say: “If you’ve been invaded, like in eastern Ukraine, what you spend on welfare and what you spend on justice and what you spend on education…
Updated: 12/08/2025 – 12:00 GMT+2 Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this August 12th, 2025 – latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel. … More
On Friday, Russian leader Putin will meet American President Donald Trump in Alaska to potentially discuss ending the war between Moscow and Kyiv. Zelenskyy has voiced concerns that the Russians would try to deceive the U.S. about their true intentions. Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has reportedly demanded Ukraine surrender parts of the Donetsk region that Moscow does not fully control as part of a possible ceasefire deal, which Kyiv has rejected. Though the Ukrainian military denied that Russian troops secured new positions in Donetsk after advancing roughly 15 kilometers in the past five…
Looking at the many heatwaves crippling large parts of Europe during the first summer weeks, the findings of July’s climate bulletin published by the European Union’s climate service Copernicus will not come as a surprise. Last month was the fourth-warmest July on record in Europe, with average temperatures reaching 21.12°C, 1.30°C above the 1991-2020 average for July. “There were some regional contrasts, as is often the case in Europe,” Julien Nicolas, Senior Scientist at Copernicus, told Euronews. The month started extremely hot in most of Europe, particularly the western part. “As the month progressed, temperatures cooled and conditions became wetter…
“The sequencing of the steps is important,” she said in a statement. “First, an unconditional ceasefire with a strong monitoring system and ironclad security guarantees.” That sentiment was echoed in the EU leaders’ statement on Tuesday. Kallas further promised to work on a new package of sanctions while pledging to continue to support Kyiv financially and press ahead with its bid to join the EU. Such demands show Europe is growing more comfortable in putting its positions forward on the resolution of Russia’s war against Ukraine, with views that have recently been more pro-Kyiv than Washington’s under Trump. Chief EU…
The injured male tusker, unable to return to the nearby Amchang Reserve forest, has been seen in the village at least twice a day, sometimes blocking traffic and raiding shops for something to eat. Locals have installed steel fencing and concertina wire to protect their homes and kiosks, while also providing the animal with food and water. Wildlife officials say the animal has faced resistance from other elephants when trying to rejoin a herd. Assam, home to over 5,000 wild Asian elephants, has seen rising human-elephant conflict as expanding towns and farms reduce forest habitats. Conservationists are calling for protected…