Japan launches disaster management agency to coordinate preparedness and recovery
The agency, with 352 authorized positions, will coordinate preparations for major earthquakes and assistance to affected communities.
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Yotova leads Bulgaria’s presidential runoff, according to estimates
Parallel counts put the acting president ahead of Andrey Gurov, who said he accepted the results he had seen. The official count is still pending.
Iran and US resume indirect contacts over Hormuz, but no deal is in place
Tehran welcomes a letter from JD Vance and proposes a two-day timeline for a partial reopening of the strait. Iran says no direct meeting with US officials is scheduled.
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U.S. approves possible sale of 500 Patriot interceptors to Ukraine, but delivery may take years
The $2.1 billion package would be financed with allied contributions. Zelenskyy says Kyiv needs existing missiles now, while the new order has no public delivery timetable.
China confirms sweeping party expulsions and elevates a general to the Politburo
The Communist Party adopted a new resolution on internal discipline, confirmed more than 30 expulsions and scheduled its next national congress for 2027.
U.S. and Japan agree to establish AMRAAM final assembly facility in Japan
The two allies announced plans in the Philippines for a facility in Japan to assemble and test air-to-air missiles. They also agreed to share information to expand production of SM-3 interceptors, but gave no …
Eaton Fire smoke carried lead and arsenic far beyond the flames, study finds
Continuous air monitoring during the 2025 Los Angeles fires found that smoke from burning buildings had a different chemical makeup from wildfire smoke. Caltech estimates that nearly 7 million people experienc…
Spain's most serious train collisions of the 21st century: from Chinchilla to Urda
Seven train-to-train crashes, their casualties, documented causes and the questions still open after Adamuz and Urda.
King Charles III puts slavery debate on Commonwealth summit agenda, makes no reparations pledge
The king acknowledged historical suffering in the Bahamas, while Caribbean groups called for a formal apology and concrete action before the meeting in Antigua and Barbuda.
Toledo high-speed train crash kills at least 60; Madrid–Andalusia services halted
A Renfe AVE train struck a stationary Iryo train near Urda. The death toll is provisional, rescue work continues and no official cause has been established.
U.S. bars BYD vehicles from Kadena Air Base in Japan over security concerns
The restriction covers private cars, taxis and deliveries. U.S. military officials cited security risks without publicly identifying a specific espionage incident.
California keeps counting mail ballots after Trump administration’s procedural setback
The Ninth Circuit dismissed an emergency appeal to set aside ballots linked to about 20,000 people. A district judge has yet to rule on the underlying request.
Israel votes as Netanyahu and Eisenkot compete for the next Knesset
More than 7.3 million people are eligible to vote. Turnout exceeded 31% by noon, but no official results or governing coalition had emerged at the 3 p.m. cutoff.
Former Osaka chief prosecutor denies sexual assault charge as trial resumes
Kentaro Kitagawa, who admitted the allegations in 2024, now maintains his innocence. Prosecutors and defense lawyers dispute his subordinate’s condition and what he knew about it.
Serbia’s Student List leads official partial count as Vučić concedes defeat
Official partial results from 8,135 of 8,392 polling stations put the Student List at 52.65%. Vučić has conceded; the final seat count is pending.