Search and rescue teams were deployed Monday after a passenger boat sank in rough seas off eastern Indonesia, leaving 27 people missing, according to local authorities. Muhammad Rizal, head of the search and rescue office in Palu, Central Sulawesi, said the vessel, identified as Nazila 05, was travelling from Taliabu Island in North Maluku province to the coastal village of Kema when it encountered severe weather late Sunday. According to Rizal, the boat’s captain contacted the owner early Monday to report that the bow had broken after being struck by high waves. Roughly 30 minutes later, th

Spain has barred U.S. military aircraft from using its airspace and bases in connection with ongoing operations involving Iran, according to a statement by the country’s defence ministry. Defence Minister Margarita Robles said Spain will not allow its territory or infrastructure to be used for military actions linked to Iran. The restriction applies to U.S. military flights, while commercial and emergency aircraft are exempt. The decision means U.S. aircraft will need to reroute operations that would typically pass through Spanish-controlled airspace or rely on Spanish military facilities. P

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has been released from hospital in Brasília and will continue serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest, following a ruling by the country’s top court. According to a decision by the Supreme Federal Court earlier this week, Bolsonaro was granted permission to serve his sentence at home due to declining health. The court said the arrangement is subject to review within 90 days. Bolsonaro was discharged Friday morning from DF Star hospital in the capital. He then travelled to his residence in the Jardim Botânico neighbourhood, where he lives wit

Nepal’s youngest prime minister was sworn in Friday following a decisive election victory earlier this month and months after a youth-led uprising that led to the fall of the previous government. Balendra Shah, 35, took the oath of office after being appointed by President Ram Chandra Paudel. According to official election results, Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party secured nearly two-thirds of the seats in the House of Representatives in the March 5 vote. The election followed political upheaval in September, when protests led largely by young people forced the resignation of the former gove

At least 28 civilians were killed in two separate drone attacks in Sudan on Wednesday, according to local authorities, as fighting continues in the country’s ongoing civil war that began in 2023. In North Darfur, an attack struck a market in the city of Saraf Omra, killing 22 people and injuring 17 others. Officials said the drone targeted an oil tanker, triggering a fire that spread through a large section of the market. A second strike occurred on a highway in North Kordofan, where a drone hit a truck carrying civilians. Six people were killed and 10 others were injured in that incident, a

U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit China on May 14 and 15, according to a statement released Wednesday by the White House. The visit had originally been planned for later this month but was postponed due to rising tensions involving Iran and what officials described as a potential conflict situation. The White House did not provide further details on the security considerations behind the delay. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the trip is among the most anticipated international visits of Trump’s current term. She said the president will travel with First Lad

Two people were killed and three others injured after debris from an intercepted ballistic missile fell in Abu Dhabi amid ongoing regional tensions, according to authorities in the United Arab Emirates. Officials said the missile was launched from Iran and was destroyed mid-air by air defence systems. However, falling fragments struck areas in the UAE capital, resulting in civilian casualties. Authorities identified the two people killed as one Pakistani national and one Indian national. Three others injured include a UAE citizen, a Jordanian national and an Indian national, officials said. Ac

South African anti-corruption investigators have arrested 12 senior police officers on allegations of corruption and fraud, according to a statement released Wednesday by the National Prosecuting Authority’s investigative directorate. The officers appeared in court in Pretoria following their arrests. Authorities allege the case is linked to a contract involving the provision of health and wellbeing services to police personnel. A 13th individual, identified as a company director connected to the contract, was also taken into custody, the agency said. According to the prosecuting authority,

Australia’s federal government says it will temporarily bar Iranian nationals from entering the country on tourist visas, citing concerns about visa overstays. According to a government announcement, the measure takes effect Thursday and is expected to remain in place for about six months. Home Affairs officials say the restriction applies specifically to new arrivals on short-term visitor visas. The federal home affairs minister said the decision was made due to concerns that some travellers may remain in Australia after their visas expire. Authorities estimate about 7,000 Iranian nationals