Yemen's Houthis claim fresh missile strike on Israel in retaliation
Yemen’s Houthi group fired a hypersonic missile at Israel’s Jaffa area on Saturday. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sarea claimed it “achieved its objectives,” prompting residents to flee to shelters, Xinhua reported.
The Israel Defense Forces intercepted the missile, and authorities reported no casualties. Air raid sirens alerted millions across central Israel, including Tel Aviv.
Sarea vowed continued strikes in support of Palestinians in Gaza and condemned Israeli attacks on Yemen, which recently killed at least 46 civilians and injured 165 in Sanaa and al-Jawf.
Tens of thousands join pro-Palestinian march in New Zealand's biggest city
Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, saw tens of thousands join a pro-Palestinian rally on Saturday, making it the largest demonstration of its kind in the country since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023, Reuters reported.
Organizers estimated around 50,000 participants, while police put the figure at 20,000. Marchers carried Palestinian flags and banners with slogans like “Don’t normalize genocide” and “Stand with Palestine,” calling on the government to impose sanctions on Israel.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon previously condemned Israeli actions in Gaza as “utterly appalling” and indicated New Zealand was considering recognition of a Palestinian state. According to Reuters, the protest ended peacefully, with no arrests reported.
Twelve Pakistan soldiers killed in militants' ambush, officials say
Twelve Pakistani soldiers were killed on Saturday when militants ambushed a military convoy in South Waziristan near the Afghan border, Reuters reported.
The army said 13 militants were also killed in the ensuing clash, while four others were injured. Helicopters were later deployed to evacuate the wounded.
The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility, saying its fighters seized weapons and drones. Islamabad accused the Afghan Taliban of sheltering the group, an allegation Kabul denies.
Militant violence in Pakistan has surged since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, according to Reuters.
Turkey orders detention of Istanbul district mayor, others in corruption probe, state media says
Turkish authorities have detained 48 people, including Hasan Mutlu, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) mayor of Istanbul’s Bayrampaşa district, as part of a wide-ranging corruption investigation. Early morning raids were conducted at 72 locations, targeting embezzlement, bribery, and tender-rigging, Reuters reported.
Mutlu denied the allegations, describing the probe as politically motivated. This action is part of a broader, year-long crackdown on the CHP, which has already seen hundreds of party members arrested.
A court ruling expected on Monday could further impact the party’s leadership, raising concerns about the balance between democratic institutions and centralized power in Turkey, according to Reuters.
