Top World Headlines
Cuba's power grid collapses in 7th blackout of 2026
Cuba suffered a total power grid collapse on Friday, its 7th nationwide blackout this year. Only 5% of Havana had electricity. State utility UNE blamed transmission failures and unstable weather. Fuel shortages from US sanctions and aging infrastructure worsen the crisis. A new study estimates 66% of Cubans now live in poverty.
Pak special forces seen standing on ledge as gunman lies down & shoots during militant attack
Several videos have surfaced showing heavy gunfire between Pakistani special forces and militants inside a police compound in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Kohat. One video showed a group of special forces officers standing on the ledge of a roof, preparing to neutralise a militant lying on the roof and firing. Eight militants were killed in the operation which lasted over 20 hours.
Ditching mandatory hijab rule, women seen running without headscarves in Iran
Videos showing Iranian women running without headscarves at a 10-kilometre road race in Tehran were widely shared online. The footage drew attention as wearing a hijab is compulsory for women in Iran. The event comes four years after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in the custody of the morality police after being detained over an alleged improper hijab, sparking nationwide protests.
Ryanair CEO apologizes for calling rivals 'rapists'
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary issued an unreserved apology Friday for calling high-fare airlines 'rapists,' admitting his words caused 'considerable upset' to victims and survivors. O'Leary had initially refused to apologize despite backlash from Ireland's Taoiseach, deputy PM, and UK transport minister. He had made the remarks at Ryanair's Ireland headquarters.
Pakistan suicide bombing kills 31 at Kohat police complex
A suicide car bombing at Kohat's district police headquarters in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province killed at least 31 people, including 16 police personnel, and injured 100+ on Friday. Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan, linked to the TTP, claimed responsibility. Militants remain holed up in the complex as gunfire continues.
GOP Senator calls Trump Jr.'s Russian-funded party 'corruption'
Republican Senator John Curtis condemned Donald Trump Jr. for accepting funding from Russian businessman Umar Kremlev, linked to the Kremlin, for a lavish Bahamas wedding after-party, calling it "corruption". ProPublica reported Kremlev paid for a private island rental, fireworks, and other expenses. President Trump said his son repaid Kremlev and called the arrangement "totally allowed."
Air-raid alert issued in Riyadh amid Saudi-Houthi fighting, 2 explosions heard
As fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis intensified, Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh was placed under an air-raid alert on Saturday morning, with residents warned of a “hostile aerial threat.” Two explosions were heard shortly after the warning. Saudi Arabia had earlier accused the Houthis of targeting Mecca in a “cowardly terrorist attack”, while the Houthis denied it.
Russia downs 344 Ukrainian drones overnight
Russian air defenses intercepted and destroyed 344 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones overnight, according to military officials. The drones were shot down across multiple regions including Leningrad, Moscow, Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Rostov, Krasnodar, and over the Black Sea, spanning a wide geographic area of Russian territory.
Russia downs 344 Ukrainian drones overnight
Russian air defenses intercepted and destroyed 344 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones overnight across multiple regions including Leningrad, Moscow, Kursk, Belgorod, Rostov, Krasnodar, and over the Black Sea, according to Russian military officials.
Multiple blasts hit Bangladesh
Multiple blasts were reported in Bangladesh's Dhaka on Friday, with security forces setting up 200 check points in the capital. The crude bomb explosions were reported in Moghbazar, Babubazar and Rampura on Friday night, following blasts earlier in the day in Jatrabari, Agargaon and Mohakhali. More than 500 people have been arrested as police intensified security measures.