Islamic state is a group and concept tied to Sharia-based governance, with a history of armed conflicts and global influence campaigns.
The US Treasury has designated Palestine Action as a "specially designated global terrorist" group and has blacklisted its assets, following a UK proscription last year. Washington has frozen US-based property and barred Americans from dealing with the group while pointing to break-ins, damage to defence sites and social-media calls for similar actions.
Jessica Bowie has been arrested in Albany after an FBI counterterrorism operation foiled her plan to bomb the New York State Capitol using an inert explosive in a DoorDash bag. She has pledged allegiance to ISIS and is under heavy investigation for radicalization online.
Across US politics, support for Israel is waning amid calls to reassess military aid; Democrats and Republicans are rethinking the framework, with prominent voices urging a recalibration of aid and diplomacy.
A sequence of bombings in central Damascus has killed and wounded civilians, with authorities announcing arrests of suspects and pledging to pursue those behind the attacks as Macron’s visit to Syria unfolds amid security concerns.
Airspace has reopened between Mali and Algeria and ambassadors are to resume duties after a year-long diplomatic rift triggered by a drone incident. Mali says its airspace is open to all civilian and military flights; Algeria confirms the move as ties thaw in a volatile Sahel.
Ann Widdecombe, 78, has been found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon; prosecutors have charged 28‑year‑old Joshua Kerry with her murder after his arrest in Rotherham. Counter‑terrorism teams have taken the lead and police are continuing to investigate whether the attack had a political or terrorist motive.
Iran has executed Mohiyodin Abdollahi and Hossein Palani, members of an Islamic State cell that planned attacks inside the country. The executions were carried out after the Supreme Court upheld their death sentences; reports cite the cell’s activities near the Iraq border and a crackdown that left several militants dead.
Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe, who was found with serious injuries at her Devon home. A 28-year-old man is in custody on terrorism-related suspicion after authorities say new information has come to light. The suspect was re-arrested amid ongoing inquiries.
Following the killing of Ann Widdecombe and a related arrest over a threat to Farage, Reform UK faces renewed security scrutiny. Counter-terrorism police are investigating the death; police report an arrest on suspicion of threatening communications to a MP in London.
The United States plans to end its mission against ISIS in Iraq and withdraw most forces by Sept. 30, reaffirming a 2024 pact with Baghdad. Officials say American troops have largely left and the burden is shifting to Iraqi security forces, while U.S. companies will remain active in the country.
Syria has stepped up border security following seizures of arms, including missiles and drones bound for Lebanon. The latest operation comes after earlier interceptions and signals a broader push to curb cross-border smuggling amid regional tensions and attempts to influence international ties.
A global humanitarian picture shows funding shortfalls and ongoing emergencies across Mozambique and Somalia. OCHA and NGO reports highlight displacement, disease, food insecurity and the need for sustained aid amidst conflict and climate shocks. New funding gaps risk undermining relief efforts and recovery.
Christians in western Idlib are returning to their villages, reopening churches and repairing homes after years of displacement. Residents describe a sense of belonging returning as they reopen Al-Quniyah and nearby areas, while broader reconstruction faces funding and infrastructure challenges.
Multiple U.S. service members have been killed or wounded in Jordan and northern Iraq amid ongoing U.S.-Iran hostilities. The dead include Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton and First Lt. Tyler James Feehan, with others injured or missing as CENTCOM says strikes in Iran are ongoing to degrade its military capabilities.
Mohammad Bashir has been jailed for 17 years for preparing an act of terrorism with Jihad Al-Shamie, who carried out the Heaton Park attack. Investigations show the pair planned a defense academy assault while Al-Shamie was under investigation for a separate crime. Police acknowledge missed opportunities to intervene.
Since late May more than 160,000 foreign nationals have returned or been repatriated from South Africa, with governments reporting 115,000 back to Zimbabwe and 56,000 to Malawi; many returns have followed protests that have targeted migrants, sparked violent attacks and diplomatic rows across Africa. Petitioners have asked the ICC to examine whether the violence and state failures constitute crimes against humanity.
The Defense Casualty Analysis System has reclassified casualties from the Iran conflict, adding an overseas operations category and moving four soldiers and hundreds of injuries into a new tally. The change follows ongoing data disruptions and a shift in how casualties are counted as fighting continues, drawing political and public scrutiny.
Authorities have identified 21-year-old Abdul Ballout as the suspect who has driven a van into a crowd near Berlin’s Christopher Street Day closing party, then stabbed people; one woman has died and about 29–31 people have been injured. Police have shot and killed Ballout after a manhunt, and investigators have found a video and other material referencing Islamic State on devices linked to him.
Five Palestine Action activists convicted of criminal damage at a Barclays branch in Burnley in August 2024 face possible terrorist sentencing after the judge considers a “terrorist connection” to the offence. The development follows Woolwich and Bristol cases where such a connection was recognised.
One person has died and several others are injured after a vehicle rammed into crowds at Berlin's Christopher Street Day celebrations near the Brandenburg Gate. Authorities identify Abdul Ballout, a 21-year-old German citizen of Lebanese heritage, as the suspect with Islamist links. The case has sparked renewed calls for security measures and scrutiny of radicalisation pathways.
A 21-year-old German national, Abdul Ballout, has driven a van into crowds near Berlin's Pride festival, then stabbed others. One woman has died and numerous people are injured as authorities investigate an Islamic State link. Ballout has been killed in a police confrontation; prosecutors say he sought to join IS and had prior convictions. Investigations focus on how he moved freely after prior sentences.
Defence Secretary has condemned a horrific Berlin attack in which one person was killed and at least 29 injured. Police have shot the suspect after a 24-hour manhunt. A week later, Brighton & Hove Pride faces heightened security as authorities deploy uniformed and armed teams to safeguard hundreds of thousands of attendees.
Polls indicate mounting public concern over the Iran conflict in the US, with a majority doubting stability in the region and fearing higher fuel costs. Support for continuing military action is waning ahead of the midterms as Trump’s handling of the war comes under scrutiny.
The Cooley report finds a probation officer failed to share Mohamed Bailor Jalloh’s criminal history with Old Dominion University, which could have led to his removal. Virginia law bars pre-admission inquiries, but allows post-admission checks. The report credits heroic actions by Lt. Col. Brandon Shah and cadets in disarming the gunman and notes swift commitment to implementing recommendations.
Airstrikes by US and Saudi forces hit PMF sites in Iraq after attacks on Saudi facilities, while Iran-backed groups and regional rivalries threaten Iraq’s new prime minister’s plan to disarm militias and anchor the state. The broader Strait of Hormuz dynamics and Yemen’s Houthis add layers to the conflict, risking wider regional instability.
The US has completed a two-hour "heavy wave" of strikes across Iran, hitting Revolutionary Guard command centres, missile and drone facilities and coastal surveillance sites after Tehran fired ballistic missiles at US forces. Iran has launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes on US assets and allied facilities in the region; Jordan reported intercepting missiles with no casualties.
Nazira Haji Zada, a 47-year-old permanent resident, appears in the Alien Terrorist Removal Court after her relatives were convicted in Oklahoma for an ISIS-inspired plot to attack voters on Election Day 2024. The court, created in 1996, has yet to hear a petition. The government argues she pledged loyalty to ISIS and aided the conspiracy, while her counsel argues the case violates due process.
Rescuers have recovered 32 bodies from a coal mine near Quetta, Balochistan, with 2 miners still unaccounted for. Officials say a methane explosion likely sparked the collapse. Compensation has been announced for victims’ families, and investigators will review safety measures across the province.
Human Rights Watch reports a June 15 airstrike in Kyrnia, Mopti region, killed civilians and damaged a cattle market. Mali’s government faces calls for impartial investigation; Africa Corps and Russia-linked forces are under scrutiny amid ongoing conflict with JNIM and other groups.
Federal agencies and state officials have reported coordinated cyberattacks that have targeted internet-connected controllers at water and wastewater utilities in at least a dozen states since late July. Operators have had passwords changed and been locked out, forcing many plants to revert to manual control; officials say drinking water remains broadly safe while investigations continue.
Sri Lanka’s High Court has convicted former Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Ministry secretary Hemasiri Fernando in a fast-tracked trial linked to the 2019 Easter bombings. The verdicts reflect renewed scrutiny of security officials who failed to act on intelligence warnings, with executions moratorium maintained and the possibility of appeals looming.
Amsterdam has hosted World Pride amid heightened security after a Berlin Pride attack last week. Rob Jetten has joined the Pride flotilla as thousands watch 80 vessels move along the canals. The city emphasizes inclusivity while addressing safety concerns.
Drones have targeted civilian sites in Darfur amid ongoing clashes between the Sudanese army and RSF. Emergency Lawyers report casualties at a customary court in Garra al-Zawaya, North Darfur, while authorities warn of mass atrocities and widespread displacement across the region.
Kurdistan Regional Government president Barzani has met Syria's leadership in Damascus to discuss strengthening cooperation and the integration of the SDF into state institutions, with language and cultural rights on the agenda amid ongoing negotiations.
Refs to the UK’s Prevent programme have surged to a record 10,293 referrals involving 9,957 individuals in the year to September 2025, up 39% from the previous year. The rise follows the Southport 2024 attack and is accompanied by concerns over ideology, including 20% linked to extreme right-wing beliefs and 56% with no identified ideology. The data shows young people aged 11-15 are the largest group among referrals.
A blast in Jaramana, a Damascus suburb, has wounded several people as authorities investigate an explosive device planted in a minivan taxi. Initial casualty figures vary by source, with officials updating counts as the investigation continues. A group has claimed responsibility, and sectarian tensions in the area remain high.
Independent Truth Commission hearings have begun to examine extrajudicial killings tied to Duterte’s drug crackdown. Families of victims testify as the panel seeks information, with rights groups citing tens of thousands killed and the government contrasting figures.
The latest reports show North Korea has offered 30,000 more soldiers to Russia, while US officials warn of a potential Russian incursion against a NATO member. European leaders are recalibrating defense plans as Washington pushes for a Europe-ready strategy should US support wane. Analysts emphasize a unity among core allies but warn the alliance could weaken if US backing fades.
Unified Syrian and Lebanese security concerns frame talks on potential cross-border operations. While Washington presses for pressure points, Damascus faces internal and regional costs. A range of options is considered, from border controls to limited troop movements, with Iran’s retaliation potential guiding calculations.
The Hamas-disarmament framework backed by the US is facing renewed testing as Israel rejects the plan’s terms, insisting Hamas must be disarmed before any withdrawal. Hamas has expressed readiness to implement the second phase if Israel approves and begins implementing, while mediators push for a coordinated process amid ongoing clashes in Gaza.
An Ebola outbreak in Congo is spreading faster than responses can keep up. Health workers report dangerous conditions and unpaid salaries as authorities battle transmission amid mounting cases and deaths. Kinshasa remains on alert as international aid actions unfold.
Syria has signed a memorandum with Russia that will hand civilian control of Hmeimim airport and Tartus’ commercial berth to Damascus and convert military areas at both sites into joint Russian–Syrian training centres. The agreement follows 18 months of talks, sets a three‑month transition and preserves Russian access for naval and air transit duties.
Muhammad Sheikhi has been sentenced at Stirling Sheriff Court after being found guilty of two sexual assaults on young women. The 23-year-old, who arrived in the UK by boat, received a four-year sentence backdated to December 2025 and remains on the sex offenders register for 10 years.
A drone attack has hit Libya’s Zawiya refinery, triggering a large fire and prompting the NOC to declare a state of emergency. The incident follows multiple strikes on oil facilities amid a protracted split between rival administrations. Officials warn of potential force majeure if attacks continue.
Ahmed al Ahmed, the Bondi Beach hero, has seen charges linked to an earlier family incident withdrawn after he agrees to a 12-month apprehended domestic violence order. The Australian court process runs parallel to ongoing investigations into the Bondi attack, with prosecutors outlining hundreds of witness statements and electronic devices to review.
Iraq has set Sept. 30 as the fixed date to end the military mission of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and to transfer bases to Iraqi forces, with US-led coalition drawing down in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. Officials say the pullout is on track, though disarmament of non-state groups remains unresolved and militias may resist the deadline.
The Malian Armed Forces have announced that freed soldiers are safe and being cared for by authorities after a series of attacks on April 25 by al-Qaeda-linked groups and Tuareg separatists. The release is framed as humanitarian; at least several soldiers were killed during operations to retake Bamako and surrounding areas.
Kevin Rideout has been released after more than nine months in captivity in Niger and is in the care of U.S. officials. SIM International has said he is in good health and will soon reunite with his wife and children. Details about who held him and where he was freed remain unclear as Sahel violence continues.
The Taliban’s return to power has reached five years as Kabul marks the anniversary with ceremonies and crackdowns. While security has improved and some infrastructure projects advance, women face sweeping restrictions, humanitarian needs rise, and international recognition remains limited. Attacks against officials persist, while aid workers face detentions amid a fragile economy.
The ACT has agreed to participate in a nationwide gun buyback scheme following the Bondi attack, with details still being finalised. NSW and the Commonwealth have outlined phased compensation, while other states weigh participation. The scheme aims to remove high-risk firearms and strengthen safety.