World

An explosion at a fireworks factory in Thailand has killed at least 23 people, officials in the country say. Rescue workers at the scene – some 60 miles north-west of the capital, Bangkok – said no survivors had been found. The cause of the blast in Suphan Buri province is under investigation, but police confirmed

Pakistan has said two “innocent children” were killed and three others wounded in strikes by neighbouring Iran in an “unprovoked violation of its airspace”. Pakistan’s foreign ministry issued a strongly worded statement confirming and condemning Tuesday’s attack on its Baluchistan province – which according to Iranian media reports (that were later withdrawn) were aimed at

Another cargo vessel has been targeted and hit by a missile off the coast of Yemen, according to reports. The Greek-owned bulk carrier MT Zografia with 24 crew on board was sailing empty of cargo from Vietnam to Israel, a Greek shipping ministry source told Reuters news agency. The vessel was hit by a missile

An inquest will reveal what happened to two British aid workers who died in Ukraine – as the family of one say they were executed, possibly by Wagner Group mercenaries. Chris Parry, 28, and Andrew Bagshaw, 47, went missing in January last year while trying to evacuate civilians from Soledar on the eastern frontline, amid

At least 14 people have been injured in an attack near Tel Aviv in Israel, according to emergency services. According to local media, they were injured in a suspected car-ramming and stabbing attack, in Raanana. Police say the incident is “increasingly likely” to be terror-related. A 70-year-old woman is said to be in a critical

Khalid Abo Middain used his hands, a hammer and a small shovel to build his own shelter on the outskirts of a fast-growing refugee camp near Rafah City in southern Gaza. The father-of-three arrived there with his family after fleeing four times from Israel’s war against Hamas over the course of three months. They originally left

Denmark has a new king following the historic abdication of the country’s longest-reigning monarch Queen Margrethe II. Thousands of people converged on central Copenhagen for the succession where the 83-year-old passed on the throne to her eldest son with the signing of a declaration in parliament. King Frederik X is now the head of Europe’s

Zambia is dealing with one of its worst cholera outbreaks in recent years as nearly 10,000 active cases have been registered. Climate change has fuelled heavy rains which have contaminated drinking water in overpopulated and impoverished urban areas, mostly in the capital Lusaka. Health workers are scrambling to contain a crisis that has the potential

Despite an international coalition providing a protective umbrella over the Red Sea – Op Prosperity Guardian – the Houthi attacks against merchant shipping continued. Shortly before midnight on Thursday, the US and UK launched a wave of attacks on 60 Houthi military targets using over 100 guided munitions, predominantly Tomahawk cruise missiles. The UK contribution

The candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which champions autonomy from China, has won Taiwan’s presidential election. Lai Ching-te, who is the current vice president, is set to replace Tsai Ing-wen, who has served the limit of two terms. With 95% of polling stations declaring, Mr Lai appeared to have an unassailable lead.

The airstrikes in Yemen expand the war in the Middle East, draw Britain and America in deeper and risk an even wider conflagration. Both countries have chosen a risky option that may not work and could make matters worse. And in the minds of millions across the region, the UK and US will be seen

A barrage of British and American air and naval strikes against Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen is a calculated escalation to deter threats – but it could yet trigger a regional war. The key test will be how the militants and their arch sponsor, Tehran, respond. The Houthis were quick to claim they would retaliate against

South Africa has formally accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in a hearing at the United Nations’ International Court of Justice. During opening arguments, a lawyer for South Africa said the latest war is part of decades of Israeli oppression. Adila Hassim told a packed room at the Peace Palace in The Hague that

An oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman was boarded by “unauthorized” people in military uniforms on Thursday morning, an advisory group run by the British military and a private intelligence firm warned. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKTMO), which provides warnings to sailors in the Middle East, said the incident began early in

British and US forces appear to be gearing up to strike an Iranian-backed militant group in Yemen after the Houthi rebels defied a warning to stop attacking ships in the Red Sea. Grant Shapps, the UK defence secretary, accused Iran of meddling and declared “enough is enough” in an escalating crisis that could ignite a

A British warship and US forces have destroyed “multiple drones” launched by Iranian-backed Houthi fighters in the Red Sea, the British defence secretary has said. Grant Shapps said it had been the largest attack in the region by the militants to date, with drones heading towards HMS Diamond, a Type 45 destroyer that was deployed

Israel is defending itself at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) today against claims it is committing genocide in Gaza. South Africa filed the case, arguing that Israel is breaching the UN convention on genocide by “killing Palestinians in Gaza, causing them serious bodily and mental harm, and inflicting on them conditions of life calculated

Last year was the hottest on record, new data has confirmed, as scientists warn 2024 could be worse. The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service today confirmed 2023 was indeed the warmest year since 1850 – a trend scientists were confident about before the year was out because it had been so exceptionally hot. The global

A state of emergency has been declared in Ecuador after one of the country’s most-notorious drug gang bosses escaped from prison. Adolfo Macias – also known as Fito – was first reported missing from his cell on Sunday. Ecuador‘s prosecutors then filed charges against two prison guards as part of their investigation into the alleged

German and World Cup football legend Franz Beckenbauer has died aged 78. The German defender – nicknamed “Der Kaiser” because of his sublime talent – was regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. He was also famed for carving out his own role as a sweeper – now often known as a