Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:57am on 31 Dec 2025,Wednesday International
Gelsenkirchen are hunting thieves who drilled into the underground vault of a Sparkasse bank branch and stole about €30 million in cash and valuables. The crime was found early Monday after a fire alarm went off. Officers say the suspects broke into more than 3,000 safe deposit boxes. They likely entered and escaped through a nearby parking garage during the quiet Christmas days. Witnesses saw several men carrying large bags in the garage stairwell. Video shows a black Audi RS6 leaving the area. No arrests have been made. The branch remains closed and customers were told to contact the bank. (PC: BBC)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:24am on 31 Dec 2025,Wednesday International
Israel will revoke the licences of 37 aid groups working in Gaza and the West Bank from January 1, ending their operations within 60 days. The list includes ActionAid, the International Rescue Committee and the Norwegian Refugee Council. Israel said the groups failed to meet new registration rules, including sharing full staff details. Ten foreign ministers, including from the UK and France, said the move would harm access to health care and other basic services. Israel said aid would continue through approved channels and denied that assistance would be disrupted. UN-linked groups warned the rules threaten vital humanitarian work across Gaza. (PC: BBC)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:43am on 31 Dec 2025,Wednesday International
Eurostar disruption entered a second day after a power fault in the Channel Tunnel forced major delays and cancellations. Some passengers were stranded on trains for more than six hours overnight. A traveller on a 19:01 London-Paris service said the train was still waiting near the tunnel at 03:00 GMT. Getlink, the tunnel operator, said engineers worked through the night to fix damaged overhead cables. Only one tunnel line was open for part of Tuesday. Eurostar said it plans to run all services on Wednesday but warned of delays and last-minute cancellations. At least a dozen trains were cancelled on Tuesday. (PC: BBC)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:53am on 31 Dec 2025,Wednesday International
Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir hosted a low-profile wedding for his third daughter, Mahnoor, on December 26 at the Pakistan Army Headquarters in Rawalpindi, marrying her to his nephew, Abdul Rehman, the son of his brother, according to multiple reports. The ceremony was attended by top political and military figures, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, the ISI chief and senior army officials, but no official photos were released due to security. Abdul Rehman is a former army captain now serving as an assistant commissioner through a military quota, and about 400 guests were present at the event, which was kept discreet amid tight security. (PC: Reuters)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:50am on 31 Dec 2025,Wednesday International
Israel has announced it will bar more than two dozen international humanitarian organisations, including Médecins Sans Frontières, ActionAid, and the International Rescue Committee, from operating in Gaza for failing to meet new registration rules demanding detailed staff information — seen by Israel as a security measure. Foreign ministers of 10 countries including the UK, Canada and France warned the move risks worsening an already “catastrophic” humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where winter conditions and damaged infrastructure leave millions in urgent need of shelter, healthcare, and basic supplies. Critics say the bans will hamper aid delivery and deepen civilian suffering. (PC: AP)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:56am on 31 Dec 2025,Wednesday International
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi claimed Beijing helped mediate the May India-Pakistan military standoff, asserting China’s “objective and just stance” in resolving global conflicts, including tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad. He listed several crises China engaged in, framing Beijing as a peace builder. India firmly rejected any third-party role, saying the four-day confrontation ended through direct military-to-military talks and that it opposes external intervention. The remarks echo similar U.S. claims by former President Donald Trump that Washington mediated a ceasefire, which India also denies. (PC: AP)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:48am on 31 Dec 2025,Wednesday International
The Saudi-led coalition conducted a limited airstrike on Yemen’s Mukalla port after two vessels from the UAE’s Fujairah port entered without approval and unloaded unauthorised weapons and combat vehicles, allegedly for the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council separatists. Saudi and Yemeni authorities said the operation targeted the military cargo and posed no collateral damage, insisting it defended security and de-escalation efforts. Yemen’s presidential council declared a state of emergency, canceled its defense pact with the UAE, and ordered Emirati forces to leave within 24 hours, deepening the rift between long-time Gulf allies. (PC: Reuters)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:51pm on 30 Dec 2025,Tuesday International
The funeral of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia will be held in Dhaka on Wednesday after Zohr prayers, officials said. Zia died on Tuesday morning at the age of 80 after a long illness. Her body will be taken from Evercare Hospital to her Gulshan home, Feroza, on Wednesday morning, and then to the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad. Funeral prayers are set for 2 pm at the South Plaza and Manik Mia Avenue. She will be buried beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan. India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar will attend. Bangladesh has announced three days of state mourning. ( PC: HT)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:39pm on 30 Dec 2025,Tuesday International
India has become the world’s fourth largest economy after overtaking Japan, the government said on Tuesday. The country’s GDP now stands at about USD 4.18 trillion. It is expected to surpass Germany to become the third largest economy within the next two to three years. A Press Information Bureau release said India is the fastest growing major economy. Real GDP grew 8.2 per cent in the second quarter of FY26, up from 7.8 per cent in the first quarter. Growth was driven mainly by strong local demand. The Reserve Bank of India has raised its full-year growth forecast to 7.3 per cent. (PC: HT)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:40pm on 30 Dec 2025,Tuesday International
An IndiGo flight travelling from Kolkata to Hyderabad reported a bird strike on Monday and landed safely at Shamshabad airport, officials said. The pilot followed safety steps and all 118 passengers on board were unharmed. The airline said the aircraft will be checked before it returns to service. No damage details were shared. A similar case was reported in October when an Air India flight from Colombo to Chennai faced a bird hit that was noticed after landing. That plane was grounded for checks and passengers exited safely. Airport teams said bird strikes are handled through standard checks to ensure aircraft safety before further flights. (PC: India Today)