The head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces, Lt. General Igor Kirillov, was killed early Tuesday by an explosive device planted close to a residential apartment block in Moscow, Russia’s Investigative Committee said. Kirillov’s assistant also died in the blast. Kirillov was sentenced in absentia by a Ukrainian court Monday for the use of banned chemical weapons during Russia’s military operation in Ukraine that started in Feb. 2022.

Storm Chido has devastated Mayotte, France, with winds reaching 225 km/h, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Dozens of settlements have been completely destroyed, and it is feared that at least 1,000 people have died, though this figure is yet to be officially confirmed. The storm is being described as the worst to hit Mayotte in the past century, with residents likening the destruction to that of a nuclear bomb. Reports highlight that 48–50% of Mayotte's population are non-natives, many of whom arrived on the island via illegal migration. Located approximately 5,000 miles from Par

Health officials in the Gaza Strip say the death toll from the 14-month war between Israel and Hamas militants has topped 45,000 people. The Gaza Health Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but it has said that more than half of the fatalities are women and children. The Israeli military says it has killed more than 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Health Ministry said 45,028 people have been killed and 106,962 have been wounded since the start of the war in October 2023. It has said the real toll is higher because thousands of bodies ar

The Israeli army is preparing to attack Iran's nuclear sites. Israel believes that Iran has become more isolated following the weakening of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria. In this context, Israel fears Iran may advance its nuclear program, potentially building a nuclear bomb. As a result, Israel is planning to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities when the right opportunity arises. Simultaneously, the Israeli military is carrying out attacks in Syria, targeting Syrian military and weapons sites. To date, more than 85 percent of Syria's air defense system has be

Russia on Friday launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine, involving dozens of cruise missiles and drones. The Russian military targeted Ukrainian power grid, energy minister Herman Halushchenko wrote on his Facebook page. “The enemy continues its terror,” he said. Ukraine’s air force reported multiple strike drones launched at Ukraine overnight followed by swarms of cruise missiles in country’s air space. It said Russia also used air-launched ballistic Kinzhal missiles against Ukraine’s western regions. Friday’s attack is the latest in a series of such raids that heighten

The Israeli army has destroyed 70–80% of the strategic positions of the Syrian army between the Syrian capital, Damascus, and Latakia. According to Israeli officials, its air force and navy have carried out over 350 strikes in Syria since Saturday night. Israel has been consistently targeting military positions in Syria since the ouster of Bashar al-Assad from power in Syria, stating that these actions are to prevent Syrian army weapons from falling into rebel hands. Currently, a rebel government is in control in Syria, with Mohammed al-Bashir serving as the interim prime minister. Meanwhil

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has been named Time magazine's Person of the Year for 2024. This marks his second such honor, having previously received the title in 2016. Last year, the distinction was awarded to pop singer Taylor Swift. Time magazine's Editor-in-Chief, Sam Jacobs, explained that Trump earned the title for his historic comeback and his role in reshaping the American presidency, as well as changing America's position on the global stage. It is notable that Trump triumphed over Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race, despite facing multiple challenges, includi

President Joe Biden is commuting the sentences of roughly 1,500 people who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the coronavirus pandemic and is pardoning 39 Americans convicted of nonviolent crimes. It's the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history. The commutations announced Thursday are for people who have served out Home confinement sentences for at least one year after they were released. Prisons were uniquely bad for spreading the virus and some inmates were released in part to stop the spread. The second largest single-day act of clemency was by Ba

Palestinian medical officials say an Israeli strike on a home where displaced people were sheltering in the northern Gaza Strip has killed at least 19 people. That’s according to the Kamal Adwan Hospital, which received the casualties on Wednesday after the overnight strike in the town of Beit Lahiya. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Israel has been waging a renewed offensive against Hamas militants in northern Gaza since early October. Hospital records show that a family of eight were among those killed, including four children, their parents and two grandparents. T