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The French Ministry of Culture has officially confirmed the details of the brazen daylight robbery that took place this Sunday at the Louvre Museum, calling it an act of high-level cultural vandalism.  Image Source: Pop Crave The heist — now being investigated as part of an organised criminal conspiracy — has stunned global observers, as thieves made off with some of France’s most historically significant jewels in under four minutes. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the robbery in strong terms, calling it “an attack on a heritage that we cherish because it is our History.”  He vowed that “everything is being done, everywhere” to track down the perpetrators and recover the stolen artifacts. The museum, home to over 35,000 artworks including the Mona Lisa, was forced to shut its doors for the day after three to four masked intruders used a mechanical basket lift to gain access to the Apollo Gallery — a heavily secured wing that houses the Crown Jewels of France.  Usin...

In an audacious daylight heist that unfolded like a scene from a Hollywood thriller, masked thieves stormed the iconic Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday morning, escaping with priceless crown jewels in under seven minutes. The robbery, which has sent shockwaves across the world, took place in the heart of one of the world’s most secure cultural institutions. Image Source: New York Post French President Emmanuel Macron called the act an “attack on a heritage that we cherish,” vowing swift justice and the full might of the state in recovering the stolen artifacts.  Le vol commis au Louvre est une atteinte à un patrimoine que nous chérissons car il est notre Histoire. Nous retrouverons les œuvres et les auteurs seront traduits en justice. Tout est mis en œuvre, partout, pour y arriver, sous la conduite du parquet de Paris.… — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 19, 2025 “We will recover the works, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice. Everything is being done, ...

In a major security breach at one of the world’s most closely guarded cultural institutions, masked thieves reportedly broke into the Louvre Museum in Paris early Sunday morning, making off with nine valuable items of jewellery from the museum’s famed Apollo Gallery -- home to the remnants of France’s historic crown jewels. Value of the stolen jewels has not yet been assessed. Image Source: BPI News French Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the robbery on social media, stating that there were “no injuries to report” and that an official investigation was now underway.  Dati said she was on site “alongside the museum teams and the police” as security forces sealed off the area. Le vol commis au Louvre est une atteinte à un patrimoine que nous chérissons car il est notre Histoire. Nous retrouverons les œuvres et les auteurs seront traduits en justice. Tout est mis en œuvre, partout, pour y arriver, sous la conduite du parquet de Paris.… — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) Octo...

Pakistan and the Taliban-led government of Afghanistan have agreed to a fresh immediate ceasefire, Qatar’s foreign ministry announced early Sunday, October 19, 2025. The breakthrough came during high-stakes talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, following over a week of deadly confrontations along the porous and disputed 1,600-mile border shared by the two nations. Image Source: Rafiullah Nizkad The agreement comes amid a surge in violence that had persisted despite previous temporary truces. According to the terms laid out in a statement from Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid, both sides have committed to halting hostilities, refraining from targeting each other’s forces, civilians, and critical infrastructure. Crucially, Kabul has pledged not to allow Afghan territory to be used as a base for groups launching attacks against Pakistan -- a longstanding point of contention between the two neighbours. Fighting had erupted on October 10, when Afghanistan accused Pakistan of ca...

Millions of Americans took to the streets across all 50 states in one of the largest protest mobilizations in recent U.S. history, under the banner of the “No Kings” movement. With over 2,700 demonstrations recorded nationwide, organizers said the turnout surpassed seven million participants--an escalation from June’s initial wave of protests that drew around five million.  Image Source: Alex Cole Saturday’s action was largely peaceful, but undeniably potent, as it unfolded against a backdrop of mounting national tension: a protracted government shutdown, sweeping immigration raids, and growing alarm over the erosion of democratic norms. The demonstrations, spread from urban centers like New York City and Chicago to small-town squares in rural America, were a defiant stand against what many view as President Donald Trump’s consolidation of unchecked executive power.  Protesters--diverse in background and motive--voiced concern over perceived threats to the country’s founding ...

Taliban border forces on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday (October 11 and 12) confirmed that "heavy clashes" had erupted with Pakistani troops along multiple points of the Afghanistan–Pakistan border.  The fighting, reportedly spread across Kunar, Dangam, Birkot, and Paktia provinces, came just after the Taliban government accused Pakistan of conducting cross-border airstrikes, which they claimed targeted a civilian market in Paktika and breached Afghan airspace. Image Source: Visegrad24 “In retaliation for the air strikes by Pakistani forces, Taliban forces engaged in heavy clashes against Pakistani posts in various border areas,” the Taliban’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement quoted by AFP.  Though no specific casualty figures were officially confirmed by either side at the time of reporting, multiple unverified reports suggested casualties on both sides.  Pakistan’s military has yet to issue a statement, though its officials had earlier denied report...

The newly appointed U.S. Ambassador-designate to India, Sergio Gor, began his diplomatic innings with a whirlwind tour of New Delhi’s power corridors, marking his arrival with high-profile meetings and a strong show of bilateral optimism.  His engagements included Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and a closely watched sit-down with Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself.  External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar with newly appointed U.S. Ambassador-designate to India. “We just finished an incredible meeting with Prime Minister Modi, where we discussed bilateral issues, including defence, trade, and technology,” Gor said. He underlined the alignment of strategic priorities between the world’s two largest democracies. His message, though carefully diplomatic, reflected the unmistakable imprimatur of the Trump administration.  “The U.S. values its relationship with India, and under the strong le...

In what could mark a turning point in one of the most intractable conflicts in modern history, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that both Israel and Hamas have formally signed off on the first phase of his Middle East peace plan.  “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump posted on his social media platform, calling it a “Historic and Unprecedented Event.” Israel and Hamas have formally signed off on the first phase of his Middle East peace plan. According to Trump, the deal ensures that “ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon,” referencing the hundreds of Israeli civilians and soldiers held captive by Hamas since the October 7 attacks.  In return, “Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.” . @SecRubio at today's vigil for hostage families and survivors of Hamas’s heinous October 7 attacks: "Th...

The war in Ukraine entered a new and alarming phase this week as Russian drone and missile strikes targeted railway infrastructure and passenger trains in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region , leaving dozens wounded , at least one civilian dead , and entire towns without power . Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, visiting the region on President Zelensky’s instructions, confirmed that electricity remains cut off across much of the area following repeated Russian strikes.  Image Source: Mahmood Khan on X Meanwhile, the Ukrainian railway company Ukrzaliznytsia is scrambling to reroute trains, deploy generators , and protect civilian routes from further attacks. The most devastating attack struck Shostka railway station, where two trains—a local commuter and a Kyiv-bound service—were hit in a coordinated drone assault, according to official statements.  The second strike came during evacuation efforts, leading Ukrainian officials to accuse Russia of deliberately targeting ...

Europe’s escalating drone crisis entered a new and potentially dangerous phase on Friday after Czech authorities confirmed the deployment of anti-drone units and armed snipers at Václav Havel International Airport in Prague, in response to an anonymous tip-off about an incoming drone swarm . Czech Armed Forces have deployed anti-drone systems around Václav Havel International Airport; via: Molo44 The threat--described as “ unverified ” but serious-- came from an English-speaking caller , prompting a full-scale security mobilization at one of Central Europe’s busiest airports.  The Czech Police announced it was prepared to shut down the airspace and access roads around the capital’s airport if necessary. The incident comes less than 24 hours after Munich Airport in Germany was paralyzed by a drone wave that forced the cancellation or diversion of dozens of flights, stranding nearly 3,000 passengers overnight during a national holiday.  Bavarian Premier Markus Söder has call...

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has issued his most forceful warning yet over the ongoing war in Gaza, demanding that Hamas accept a sweeping ceasefire deal by Sunday 6 PM (Washington D.C. time) or face what he described as “all HELL, like no one has ever seen before.” Trump, Netanyahu Pitch Ceasefire Plan to End Gaza Conflict; Via: Netanyahu Trump said more than 25,000 Hamas fighters have already been killed , and claimed the remaining militants are “surrounded and militarily trapped,” warning that they will be “hunted down and killed” if the proposed peace deal is rejected. Inside Trump’s ultimatum is the ambitious Trump-Netanyahu ceasefire plan--a sweeping diplomatic framework unveiled earlier this week that aims to end two years of relentless violence with a hostage exchange, disarmament of Hamas, and the complete reconstruction of Gaza under international supervision. The Plan: High Stakes, Deep Fault Lines The Trump-Netanyahu proposal is the most detailed peace framework s...

An alarming breach of NATO airspace has reportedly unfolded as 15 unidentified drones were spotted flying over Belgium’s Elsenborn military base before crossing into German territory , according to Belgian broadcaster VRT NWS .  The drones—whose origin and operators remain unknown —were detected around 1:45 a.m. local time , and the incident has triggered urgent investigations by Belgian and German defense agencies. Drones were spotted flying over Elsenborn military area in Belgium. via: OSINT Global This latest incident marks a new escalation in hybrid threats facing Europe , with both military installations and civilian infrastructure increasingly targeted by mysterious drone incursions , often suspected to be Russian-linked intelligence probes or intimidation tactics , though no direct evidence has emerged yet . Dual Incidents in Belgian and German Airspace According to VRT NWS, a Belgian test aircraft operating in the area confirmed the presence of the drones, which flew ...