World News
Wild history of jailed Kazakh ex-Premier’s $3 mn mansion makes it a tough sell in a soft market
In the heart of Astana, a once-coveted luxurious villa now stands as a symbol of controversy. Previously owned by Karim Massimov, a former prime minister now imprisoned for treason, the property has faced multiple auction setbacks. The city's stagnant real estate market, combined with the villa's notorious history, leaves potential buyers hesitant.
Earthquake of magnitude 4.5 strikes Tibet
Tibet experienced a 4.5 magnitude earthquake on Sunday, following two other quakes earlier in the week. The shallow depth of these earthquakes raises concerns about potential aftershocks and increased damage. The region's seismic activity is attributed to the collision of tectonic plates.
No passports, no study abroad: China limits public employees' travel
In a move to tighten oversight, China has intensified its regulations surrounding state employees. New travel curbs have been introduced, requiring officials to hand over their passports. Authorisation is now mandatory for any international travel. Furthermore, certain roles are now off-limits to those with overseas education.
Earthquake of magnitude 6.7 strikes Russia's Kuril Islands, no tsunami threat
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake hit the Kuril Islands in Russia on Sunday. The German Research Center for Geosciences initially reported a magnitude of 6.35. The United States Geological Survey measured it at magnitude 7. The Pacific Tsunami Warning System, also reporting a magnitude of 7.0, confirmed that a tsunami warning was not issued following the earthquake. No casualties were reported.
‘It’s those lips…’: Trump’s flirty praise for Karoline Leavitt goes viral, internet explodes
Donald Trump praised press secretary Karoline Leavitt in an unusual way, calling out her ‘face,’ ‘brain,’ and notably ‘those lips, the way they move.’ The internet exploded, calling the comment creepy and inappropriate. Meanwhile, Trump promised to release full Epstein files, claiming the FBI redacted his name and alleging new revelations involving Ghislaine Maxwell. Watch the full package as controversy swirls again around Trump’s words and actions.
Nine arrested as anti-migrant protest erupts outside London hotel housing asylum seekers
Tensions flared in London as nine people were arrested during anti-migrant protests and counter-demonstrations outside the Barbican Thistle Hotel on Saturday, August 2. The hotel, currently housing asylum seekers, became a flashpoint for heated exchanges between opposing groups. Police intervened to restore order. Watch the full report on the protests, arrests, and the growing debate over the UK’s immigration policy.
Dormant Russia volcano erupts for first time in 450 years
In Russia's Kamchatka, the Krasheninnikov volcano erupted for the first time in 450 years, spewing ash 6,000 meters high. This event followed the eruption of Klyuchevskoy and a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake that triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific. The recent earthquake caused significant damage in Russia, with a tsunami hitting Severo-Kurilsk.
Pope Leo unites 100,000 youth in Rome’s largest Holy Year event since succeeding Pope Francis
Pope Leo greeted over 100,000 youth from 146 nations in Rome’s biggest Catholic event since his election. At Tor Vergata, amid 30°C heat, Leo urged young people to seek justice and serve the poor. Water cannons cooled the crowd, many of whom camped overnight to attend Sunday mass. The gathering, part of the Vatican’s Holy Year, has attracted 17 million pilgrims since 2024. Leo is the first American pope, elected on May 8 to succeed Francis.
Trump’s nuclear sub threat to Russia: A look inside America’s deadliest Ohio-class submarines
As Trump warns Russia of ‘nuclear subs’ in Cold War style, global tensions rise. Explore the power of America’s Ohio-class submarines, massive 560-feet giants armed with Trident II D5 nuclear missiles. With 14 SSBNs and 4 SSGNs, the US fleet is a formidable deterrent. Trump’s post followed a fiery exchange with ex-Russian president Medvedev. Are we heading toward another Cold War? Dive deep into the US submarine arsenal and what it means for Russia.
‘A living skeleton…’: Hamas releases chilling footage of Israeli hostage digging his own grave
In a heartbreaking propaganda video, Hamas shows Israeli hostage Evyatar David, skeletally thin, digging what he fears is his own grave. Kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival on Oct 7, 2023, David appears gaunt and weak in a Gaza tunnel. His family says he's being deliberately starved for psychological warfare. With 20 hostages still held, Trump's envoy promises an ‘all or nothing’ deal.
Must Watch
US envoy Steve Witkoff meets Israeli hostage families in Tel Aviv
US envoy Steve Witkoff met with families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, facing mounting fears for their survival nearly two years after the Hamas attack. Families pleaded for assistance, urging for the hostages' return. Amidst ceasefire talks and international pressure, Hamas released a video of a hostage, intensifying concerns as the conflict continues with dire humanitarian consequences in Gaza.
PoK funeral for Pahalgam attacker Tahir Habib exposes Pakistan’s role in April terror strike
The funeral in absentia of Tahir Habib, one of the terrorists killed in Operation Mahadev, has triggered tensions in his native village of Khai Gala in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Habib’s family barred Lashkar-e-Taiba members from attending, but a confrontation broke out when a local LeT commander tried to force his way in. This incident has highlighted a growing shift among residents in PoK, many of whom now appear unwilling to tolerate the presence or influence of armed militant groups in their communities.
Hegseth erupts in fury at Dem Sen. in fiery clash: 'I'm the decision maker'
Tensions erupted during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing as Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) clashed with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over alleged antisemitic posts by Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson. Hegseth hit back forcefully, defending Wilson and accusing Rosen of misrepresenting his team's actions.
US steps in! Envoy Witkoff meets hostage families in Tel Aviv amid growing pressure on Hamas
U.S. envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff met the families of Israeli hostages in Tel Aviv on Saturday (August 2). During the meeting which lasted over two hours Witkoff listened "to every personal story and heard each individual request, and he answered the last question and didn't go until then", Ruby Cohen, father of hostage Itay Cohen, said. Earlier Israelis gathered at Hostages Square chant slogans calling for the release of hostages and end of the war. On Thursday, Wikoff met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a bid to salvage Gaza truce talks and tackle a humanitarian crisis in the enclave, where a global hunger monitor has warned that famine is unfolding.
Russia burns! Ukraine claims drone attacks on two oil refineries
Ukraine's military said on Saturday that it had struck oil facilities inside Russia, including a major refinery as well as a military airfield for drones and an electronics factory. In a statement on Telegram, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces said they had hit the oil refinery in Ryazan, about 180 km (110 miles) southeast of Moscow, causing a fire on its premises. Also hit, the USF said, was the Annanefteprodukt oil storage facility in the Voronezh region that borders on northeastern Ukraine. The statement did not specify how the facilities were hit, but the USF specialises in drone warfare, including long-range strikes. There was no immediate comment from Russia on the reported attacks on its infrastructure sites. Separately, Ukraine's SBU intelligence agency said its drones had hit Russia's Primorsko-Akhtarsk military airfield, which has been used to launch waves of long-range drones at targets in Ukraine. The SBU said it also hit a factory in Penza that it said supplies Russia's military-industrial complex with electronics.
'You can believe what you want…': Kennedy blasts Murray over ‘Qatari jet bribe’ claim against Trump
After Republicans voted no on an amendment to ensure a gifted Qatari jet doesn't transfer to Trump after his presidency for his personal use, Patty Murray called this the "most corrupt administration in history." Senator John Kennedy pushed back during a Senate Committee on Appropriations hearing, saying "I don't think it's productive. It's up to you, this is America, you can say and believe what you want. But if you're going to say somebody has been bribed, you need to say specifically by whom? For what?"
