News Briefs.

The US has disabled an unladen oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz using Hellfire missiles. The tanker was struck in a targeted operation, with no reports of casualties. The incident occurs amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran,…

R Kelly, the R&B singer convicted of racketeering, sex trafficking, and producing child abuse images, has formally appealed to President Donald Trump for a commutation of his 31-year prison sentence. Kelly's lawyer has been lobbying the president for over a…

Hong Kong police have arrested five booksellers in a series of raids, the third such operation this year. The arrests are linked to independent bookstores and are widely seen as part of a crackdown on dissent. Similar operations were carried…

The US House of Representatives has voted on a measure to end military aid to Israel, with over 100 Democrats supporting the proposal. This move is seen as a significant rebuke to a key US ally. The measure ultimately failed,…

US President Trump has announced that Iran has released Dena Karari, a dual US-Iranian citizen detained since 2024. Trump posted the update on Truth Social, stating Karari is "now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition". Karari's detention had…

Heavy rainfall in West Africa has caused severe flooding, displacing thousands of people. The region's flood season typically runs from June to October, but this year's floods have been particularly devastating. Scientists attribute the increased severity of flooding to global…

US Vice-President JD Vance has acknowledged mistakes in the handling of Jeffrey Epstein's case files. Speaking on the Joe Rogan podcast, Vance admitted the administration "screwed up the comms" regarding the release of documents. Epstein, a convicted sex offender, had…

Australia is experiencing a surge in methamphetamine use in the workplace, a recent survey has found. The study revealed a significant increase in positive tests for the drug, sparking concerns about workplace safety and employee well-being. Comedian Josh Thomas has…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a key figure in the country's war effort against Russia. Fedorov, who had been in the post for six months, is credited with transforming the defence ministry and playing a…

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with terrorism offences related to an alleged plot targeting London mosques. The boy, who cannot be named due to his age, was arrested at his home in the capital. Documents of concern were found…

The US Mint is producing a new $1 coin featuring former President Donald Trump. The coin commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence. This milestone marks a significant event in US history, with the country declaring independence from Britain in…

Germany has warned the US against interfering in its elections after the US announced a grants scheme. The US State Department plans to provide funding to address issues including national sovereignty, migration, censorship, and lawfare. The German government views this…

Protests have erupted in Houston following the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 25-year-old immigrant. Community groups are calling for action from Mayor Sylvester Turner and Texas's Republican congressional delegation. Araujo was shot by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement…