In a significant development, Ukrainian troops have captured two wounded North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The soldiers, who are receiving medical assistance, are currently in the custody of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in Kyiv. Zelensky expressed gratitude to Ukrainian paratroopers and soldiers from the Special Operation Forces for capturing the North Koreans, describing the task as “not easy.” He claimed that…

A devastating series of wildfires continues to ravage Los Angeles, with over 144,000 people under evacuation orders. The blazes, which have destroyed homes, businesses, and landmarks, have left a trail of destruction in their wake. The West Los Angeles V.A. Medical Center has relocated residents from its community living facility on the North Campus “out of an abundance of caution” due to the proximity of the Palisades Fire. The medical…

Labour opens door to scrapping free prescriptions for over-60s The government has left the door open to ending free prescriptions for people over 60, as part of efforts to raise additional funds for the NHS. Ministers have not ruled out a future change that could see the qualifying age increased to align with the state pension age of 66. Critics have accused the government of targeting older people through cuts…

Donald Trump has been given an unconditional discharge following his conviction in the Stormy Daniels hush money case. The decision means the incoming US president will not face jail time, probation, or a fine. Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan, who had the authority to sentence Trump to up to four years in prison, announced the verdict. This sentencing occurs just days before the 78-year-old is set to be inaugurated for…

Donald Trump will be sentenced on Friday in the high-profile New York “hush money” case, following a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 5-4 ruling, the justices rejected the president-elect’s last-minute request to delay the proceedings, ensuring sentencing will occur just over a week before his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. The narrow decision saw Amy Coney Barrett, who was appointed by Mr. Trump…

Home Office says it has returned more than 16,400 illegal migrants and foreign criminals since election Sir Keir Starmer has claimed Labour has deported a record number of foreign criminals and illegal migrants by scrapping the Rwanda scheme. On Thursday, the Home Office said it had returned more than 16,400 illegal migrants and foreign criminals since the election – the highest six-month total since 2018. Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, set the target…

Andy Burnham has defied Sir Keir Starmer to call for a national inquiry into grooming gangs. The Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester said he believed there was a case for a “limited national inquiry” drawing on local reviews into historical child sexual exploitation. Sir Keir ordered Labour MPs to vote to block a national inquiry into grooming gangs on Wednesday evening. The Prime Minister did not take part in the vote and his spokesman…

The US will send half a billion dollars in military aid to Ukraine ahead of US president-elect, Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the country’s top diplomat has announced. Speaking during the 25th and possibly final meeting of Ukraine’s western backers at the Ramstein air base in Germany, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Washington would supply one more trove of military support. The $500m (£406m) package includes…

China’s Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)said on Thursday that it has detected the new mutated pox, mpox, strain clade Ib as the viral infection spreads to more countries. This is coming after the World Health Organization, WHO, declared pox a global public health emergency last year. WHO maintains that Mpox spreads through close contact and causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. Although usually mild, it can be…

Lebanon’s parliament has elected the US-backed army chief to be the country’s new president, ending a years-long political stalemate and presidential vacuum. Army chief, Joseph Aoun was voted president after two rounds of voting. This came after a robust efforts by Saudi Arabia and the United States to rally support for Aoun, who is close to Washington and Riyadh. After he was declared president, Aoun effectively stepped from his military…

An attack on Chad’s presidential palace left 18 assailants dead and six in custody, with one soldier killed and three wounded, state media reported Thursday. The attack on Wednesday night occurred while Chadian President Mahamat Deby itno was inside the palace, but authorities said the situation was quickly brought under control. “The situation is completely under control. There is no fear,” Foreign Affairs Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said while surrounded by…

An Italian journalist detained in Iran for three weeks was released Wednesday and is returning home, Italian officials said. Cecilia Sala was released following “intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels,” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said. The journalist, who contributes to the daily newspaper Il Foglio and hosts the “Stories” podcast for media outlet Chora Media, had been in Iran on assignment and with a journalist visa when she…