World Echo

The death toll from Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip has risen to 73,449 after nine Palestinians were killed over the past 48 hours, Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Saturday. In its daily statistical report, the ministry said hospitals received nine bodies as well as the body of another Palestinian that was recovered, while 18 people were injured during the same period. The ministry said a number of victims remain under the rubble and on roads, with ambulance and civil defence crews unable to reach them. It did not provide details on the circumstances in which the Palestinians were killed or injured, while the Israeli army continues violations of the ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since October 10, 2025. Read: New Israeli strikes kill three in Gaza, authorities say The ministry said the toll from Israeli violations since the ceasefire took effect has risen to 1,313 killed and 4,361 injured. The overall toll from Israel’s genocidal war on ...

At least 27 people were killed in an overnight Russian air attack on the Kyiv region, governor Tymur Tkachenko said on Saturday. Writing on the Telegram messaging app, he added that 42 people were also injured and that more than 380 were being evacuated from the strike area in the Bucha district. “Unfortunately, as of now, 27 people are known to have died. And this figure may not be final. I offer my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims,” he said, according to CNN. Read: Russia hits steel plant in new strikes on Ukraine Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian drones hit a warehouse, triggering a blast that caused widespread damage across the area. He did not give specifics on the site, but said an investigation would be opened as “ammunition cannot be stored near homes or other residential areas.” Russia’s defence ministry said its forces struck an arms depot storing drone-making equipment. Russia s...

Two suspects stole a diamond necklace linked to Egypt's former royal family from the Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna on Thursday, Austrian media reported Friday. The suspects entered the museum as ordinary visitors at around 2 pm local time (1200GMT) before smashing a glass display case and taking the necklace, public broadcaster ORF reported, citing police. Several witnesses were present during the theft, according to the report. Authorities believe the suspects knew which item they intended to steal. The platinum necklace is set with 673 diamonds weighing more than 200 carats in total, according to information published by the museum. The piece was commissioned for Egypt's royal family and worn by Queen Nazli in 1939 at the wedding of her daughter, Princess Fawzia, to then-Iranian Crown Prince Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who later became shah. The necklace fetched nearly $4.3 million at an auction in New York in 2015, according to auction house Sotheby's. Vienna p...

British intelligence and military officials have voiced concerns that a Chinese-owned luxury hotel in the Greek Cypriot Administration could potentially be used to monitor activity at the nearby RAF Akrotiri military base, according to a report published Friday. The 16-story City of Dreams Mediterranean resort near Limassol overlooks parts of one of Britain’s most important overseas military installations, the Telegraph reported, citing several intelligence and military sources. The resort, which opened in 2023, borders the UK’s Sovereign Base Areas on two sides and is significantly taller than surrounding buildings. Sources said an observer with binoculars and a suitable vantage point could monitor aircraft taking off and landing, as well as the movements of troops and officials around the base. Access to the hotel’s top floor, which provides the clearest view of the area, is restricted to guests staying in its two presidential suites, according to the newspa...

The Indian Army has signed an agreement with the United States to purchase Javelin anti-tank missile systems, the US Embassy in India said on Friday, without disclosing the value of the deal. The medium-range guided missile system, jointly produced by Lockheed Martin and RTX, is designed for use against a range of targets, including armoured vehicles, the embassy said. The missile system is already in service with the US Army and Marine Corps, as well as several international customers, the embassy added. The agreement creates new opportunities for the defence industries of both countries to work together, US Ambassador Sergio Gor said. Read: US says interim trade deal with India 'almost complete' "We see tremendous potential for future cooperation that strengthens the defence industrial bases of both countries," he said. New Delhi was not immediately available for comment on the agreement. India is the world's fifth-largest military...

A huge piece of ice that fell thousands of metres from a glacier into a river below may have unleashed the disaster in Nepal and Tibet that killed at least 180 people. Here is what experts believe happened so far: Glacier collapse A glacier collapse in Nepal's mountains near Tibet appears to have triggered the disaster. "A large chunk of glacier fell from about 5,200 metres (about 17,600 feet)... into a valley," said Simon Cox, principal scientist at New Zealand's GNS Science. It "transformed into this raging mass of debris... where it picks up rocks and sediment and trees and anything in the way and fires it on down through the canyon," he told AFP. The wall of water first impacted a border post, as documented in terrifying CCTV footage showing mud and debris engulfing the area as people fled before it. It then travelled downstream into Nepal, flooding villages and bringing down bridges and buildings. Seismic activity The glacier collapse was l...