India launched Operation Sindoor, firing missiles into Pakistan, targeting “terrorist infrastructure” without hitting military facilities, according to India. Pakistan reported six locations were struck, resulting in eight deaths and 35 injuries, claiming civilian areas were targeted. Pakistan’s Prime Minister vowed a forceful response, with military actions from “air and ground.” India cited a prior militant attack in Kashmir as justification. President Trump called the situation “a shame,” acknowledging the long-standing conflict. Penelope Kingsley 07/05/2025 1:30 am
Friedrich Merz was elected as German chancellor in the second round of voting in the Bundestag, avoiding a constitutional crisis. His initial failure to secure a majority marked a first in Germany’s postwar history. The far-right AfD had called for his withdrawal and fresh elections. Merz plans to discuss with Trump after U.S. criticism of Germany’s classification of AfD as extremist. DW’s Rosalia Romaniec noted the respectful transition from Olaf Scholz and suggested Merz’s initial setback could teach humility. Penelope Kingsley 07/05/2025 1:30 am
Israel launched airstrikes against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, targeting Sanaa’s international airport and power plants, following a Houthi missile strike on Israel’s airport. The strikes, the second in two days, disabled Sanaa’s airport. Israel warned civilians to evacuate the area. Footage showed smoke over Sanaa, with no immediate casualty reports. Earlier, Israel targeted Hodeida, killing at least one and wounding 35. The Houthis had launched a missile near Tel Aviv’s airport, injuring four and briefly halting flights. Ava Sinclair 06/05/2025 10:00 pm
Malnutrition is rising in Gaza as the Israeli blockade enters its third month, severely impacting food supplies. In Nasser hospital, five-month-old Siwar Ashour struggles due to a lack of proper nutrition. Her mother, Najwa, highlights the scarcity of food since Siwar’s birth, affecting her ability to breastfeed. Siwar, weighing just over 2kg, relies on scarce formula milk. The blockade has restricted international journalists from independently reporting in Gaza. Ava Sinclair 06/05/2025 10:00 pm
The UK and India have finalized a significant post-Brexit trade deal, boosting UK exports like whisky and cars by reducing tariffs. While 99% of tariffs on India’s exports to the UK will be removed, 85% of British exports to India will be tariff-free. This agreement is expected to add £15bn to UK exports and £10bn to India by 2040. The UK government views this as a win-win, enhancing trade, creating jobs, and lowering consumer prices. This deal strengthens ties between the world’s fifth and sixth largest economies amid global trade tensions. Penelope Kingsley 06/05/2025 10:00 pm
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared that Gaza will be “entirely destroyed” and its Palestinian population will “leave in great numbers to third countries,” raising concerns of ethnic cleansing. This follows Israel’s approval of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, aiming to conquer and hold Gaza. Global outrage ensued, with the UK opposing any annexation. Hamas rejected truce talks, urging international intervention against Israel’s blockade. Israel plans to relocate Gaza’s population for “protection,” but Egypt and Jordan refuse to accept refugees, fearing complicity in ethnic cleansing. Ava Sinclair 06/05/2025 10:00 pm
Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s CDU, faced an unprecedented setback as he failed to secure enough votes to become chancellor in the first round. This marks the first time in postwar Germany that a chancellor candidate has not succeeded initially. A second vote is underway, requiring Merz to gain a majority of 316 out of 630 Bundestag members. The far-right AfD has called for him to step aside and for fresh elections. Voting continues as German lawmakers seek to resolve the leadership impasse. Noah Prescott 06/05/2025 10:00 pm
Nawaf Nasr, 78, from Sweida, Syria, believes he was reincarnated from a university student who died in the 1940s. The Druze faith, prevalent in Sweida, holds reincarnation as a core belief, especially for those who die suddenly. Despite never attending school, Nasr, a devout elder, claims to have retained knowledge from his past life, including advanced reading and writing skills. His home is filled with books, and he often assisted others with classical Arabic, reflecting his inexplicable educational proficiency. Ava Sinclair 06/05/2025 10:00 pm
Ukrainian drones attacked Moscow for the second night, disrupting flights at four airports as the city prepares for a major military parade with leaders like China’s Xi Jinping attending. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported 19 drones destroyed overnight, with no serious damage or casualties. Russian authorities intercepted 105 drones across the country. Victory Day celebrations, crucial for President Putin, face cancellations in parts of Russia due to security concerns, including in Sevastopol and Krasnodar. The parade marks the Soviet victory in WWII, with thousands expected in Moscow. Noah Prescott 06/05/2025 6:30 pm
President Trump announced the U.S. will cease bombing Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, who agreed to stop disrupting Middle Eastern shipping lanes. The U.S. had intensified strikes to protect Red Sea shipping, raising civilian casualty concerns. In a meeting with Canadian PM Mark Carney, Trump stated the Houthis expressed a desire to cease hostilities. Despite no immediate Houthi response, Trump trusts their commitment to halt attacks. The Houthis had targeted Israel and Red Sea shipping following Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza. Ava Sinclair 06/05/2025 6:30 pm
