Germany’s defense minister, Boris Pistorius, has announced a plan to overhaul military command to improve the country’s war capabilities.Pistorius voiced the necessity for the German military to become “war-capable” in light of potential Russian threats.Chancellor Olaf Scholz initiated a significant increase in military spending after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in…

A ferry carrying nearly 100 tourists caught fire in Thailand early Thursday, forcing some of them to jump overboard in fear while others were saved by a rescue boat.The boat was on its way to the island of Koh Tao, a tourist hot spot known as “Death Island,” when the…

A cruise ship stuck in Barcelona has resumed its route after Bolivian passengers with visa problems were removed.The Spanish government and MSC Cruises reached an agreement to remove 69 Bolivian passengers.The Bolivian passengers were taken to a transit zone in the port but were not allowed to enter Spanish territory.A…

Najib Mikati, Lebanon’s prime minister, has denied allegations of money laundering after a complaint was filed in France by anti-corruption groups.Mikati, 68, is one of the wealthiest people in Lebanon and has served as prime minister since 2021.French prosecutors have yet to decide whether to initiate an investigation.Lebanon’s billionaire caretaker…

Raymond Greene, the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in Tokyo, will become the director of the American Institute in Taiwan this summer.Greene’s appointment coincides with the inauguration of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te.The United States remains Taiwan’s crucial supporter and arms supplier, drawing criticism from Beijing.A staunch…

Plans are underway to airlift a stranded killer whale calf from a remote tidal lagoon off northern Vancouver Island.Canadian Fisheries Department and First Nations officials are coordinating the rescue effort.The rescue could happen within days or within the next two weeks, according to Paul Cottrell from the Fisheries Department.Plans are…

Uganda’s Constitutional Court has upheld an anti-gay law allowing the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality.”The law, supported by many in Uganda but condemned abroad, was challenged by activists in court.Homosexuality is criminalized in more than 30 of Africa’s 54 countries.Uganda’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday upheld an anti-gay law that allows…

Björn Höcke, a prominent figure in Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party, faces a second charge for using a Nazi slogan.Already scheduled for trial, prosecutors aim to add this new charge to the proceedings.Höcke is influential on the party’s hard right and set to lead its state election campaign.Prosecutors said…

One of the U.S.’s closest Mideast allies, Jordan, has been hit by demonstrations that, according to some analysts, have spilled over into a serious threat to the Hashemite Kingdom with open declarations of support for the Hamas terrorist organization.Jordan’s government has been one of the most vocal opponents of Israel’s…

Russia said on Wednesday it had seen a significant jump in the number of men signing contracts to join the military since last month’s deadly attack on a concert hall near Moscow where gunman killed at least 144 people.Russia has repeatedly sought to blame the attack on Ukraine, its opponent…