World News Highlights, 10 August 2025: Greek police seize over 270 kilograms of cocaine from banana shipment

Greek police have seized over 270 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated value exceeding 5.5 million euros and arrested three men in Thessaloniki, according to a report in AP. The drugs were discovered hidden inside a container of bananas that had been imported from Ecuador. The operation was launched after authorities received a tip from the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency about the illicit shipment heading to the northern Greek port.

Violence from Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank is escalating amid the ongoing Gaza war, according to a report in BBC. The report indicates that radical settlers are intensifying a campaign to seize land and drive out Palestinian residents. These actions are allegedly occurring with support from the Israeli government, a claim substantiated by context pointing to new settlement approvals and perceived impunity for attacks. Humanitarian organizations have previously noted a significant rise in settler violence and Palestinian displacement since late 2023, prompting international sanctions against some individuals accused of abuses.

A severe 'triple crisis' of record-breaking heat, widespread power outages, and critical water shortages is profoundly disrupting daily life across Iran, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The interconnected issues create a vicious cycle, where extreme temperatures drive up electricity demand for cooling, straining an aging power grid already hampered by underinvestment and international sanctions. In turn, electricity cuts disrupt essential water pumping and treatment services, worsening the water scarcity caused by drought and long-term mismanagement. This convergence of crises is leading to significant public frustration and impacting various sectors of the economy, including agriculture and manufacturing.

Security footage from a hospital in the southern Syrian city of Sweida, published Sunday, shows what appears to be the killing of a medical worker by men in military garb, AP says in a report. The video, released by activist media collective Suwayda 24 and dated July 16, was filmed during a period of intense fighting. The footage shows a group of people in medical scrubs kneeling on the floor in front of armed men.

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Turkey’s northwestern province of Balikesir on Sunday, killing at least one person and injuring 29 others, according to a report in AP. Officials stated that the quake, which had its epicenter in the town of Sindirgi, caused more than a dozen buildings to collapse. The tremors were felt as far as Istanbul, approximately 200 kilometers away. The single fatality was an elderly woman who died after being rescued from the debris of a collapsed building.

Broadcaster Al Jazeera announced its correspondent, Anas al-Sharif, was killed in Gaza City, and the Israeli military has confirmed his death, as per a report in AP. The network stated that al-Sharif and other journalists with his crew were killed in their tent, citing information from the director of Shifa hospital. The report also noted other developments, including a call between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, reports of more Palestinians being killed while seeking aid, and a rising child death toll from hunger in the region.

Mohamed Salah has publicly questioned a tribute from UEFA for former Palestinian soccer player Suleiman Obeid, according to a report in AP. Obeid, known as the "Palestinian Pele," was reportedly shot and killed by Israeli forces on Wednesday while awaiting humanitarian aid in Gaza. In response to UEFA's tribute, which said, “Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the ‘Palestinian Pele.’ A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times,” Salah posted an inquiry asking, “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”

Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a key far-right partner in the governing coalition, has publicly warned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strategy for the war in Gaza is destined to fail, the Financial Times said in a report. Smotrich expressed that he has "lost faith" in the prime minister's capacity to secure the stated war goal of a "decisive victory" over Hamas. The public criticism from a senior cabinet member highlights significant internal divisions within Israel's emergency government over the conflict's objectives and the perceived lack of progress.

A shooting at a nightclub in Ecuador on Sunday left eight people dead and three others injured, AP said in a report. The incident occurred in the rural area of Santa Lucía within the coastal province of Guayas, which is considered one of the country's most violent regions. According to a police statement, seven of the victims, aged between 20 and 40, died at the scene, while an eighth victim died after being taken to a hospital.

China is highlighting its significant push for innovation in the robotics sector by hosting several major events in Beijing, including the World Robot Conference and the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, according to a report in France 24. The events serve to showcase the country's advancements and ambitions in areas like humanoid robots and automation. This effort is part of a broader national strategy aimed at establishing China as a global leader in high-tech industries, leveraging state support and investment to accelerate development in robotics and artificial intelligence.

Russian official Sergei V. Kiriyenko has emerged as a key manager of Russia's war in Ukraine, handling the political and administrative aspects of the conflict, as per a report in The New York Times. His responsibilities have expanded to include direct oversight of the social and economic integration of the occupied Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia into the Russian Federation. Kiriyenko was also reportedly instrumental in organizing illegitimate elections in these annexed territories in September 2023 as part of a long-term strategy to solidify Russian control.

Hundreds of members of Nepal's LGBTQ+ community and their supporters rallied in Kathmandu on Sunday for the annual pride parade, the first to be held since facing a major cut in funding after the U.S. government ceased certain financial aid programs, according to a report in AP. Participants marched through the capital with music and dancing during the Gai Jatra festival, a Hindu celebration to remember deceased family members which has traditionally also been a day for public expression by marginalized communities.

The sport of ski jumping is facing a renewed controversy over equipment rules after numerous athletes were disqualified for ill-fitting suits at a major competition just six months before the Winter Olympics, AP says in a report. The disqualifications at the first high-level event of the new season have raised concerns about fairness and rule enforcement leading up to the Games. The International Ski Federation (FIS), the sport's governing body, has stated the situation is "perfectly normal," suggesting its inspection procedures are functioning as intended. This recent wave of disqualifications follows a significant incident in March when the Norwegian team was found to have used illegally altered suits during the world championships, prompting heightened scrutiny on equipment regulations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that the goal of the ongoing military operations is not to occupy Gaza but rather to 'free Gaza' from the control of Hamas, as per a report in AP. The statement comes amid continued Israeli military action aimed at dismantling Hamas's governing and military capabilities. This declaration addresses international concerns about a potential long-term Israeli re-occupation of the territory, although discussions continue globally regarding the future governance of Gaza and the nature of any post-conflict security arrangements.

Ukraine has claimed responsibility for a drone attack targeting the Rosneft-operated Saratov Oil Refinery, located over 600 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, while Russian authorities have reported one fatality from the strike, Al Jazeera says in a report. The attack is part of a continuing Ukrainian campaign that targets Russian energy infrastructure deep within the country in an effort to disrupt its war economy and military fuel supplies.

A new Chinese blockbuster film, 'Dead to Rights,' depicts the 1937 Nanking massacre, with its director describing it as an effort to gain international recognition for China's suffering during World War II, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. The movie is based on the true story of a photo studio apprentice who secretly found and developed photographic evidence of the atrocities. This evidence was later used at a post-war tribunal for war crimes committed against civilians in the city, now known as Nanjing.

The United Nations has reported that its female staff members in Afghanistan have been subjected to death threats, according to a report in Al Jazeera. The Taliban administration, which has previously banned women from working for NGOs and UN agencies, has denied responsibility for these threats. According to the UN, Taliban officials have stated they are investigating the incidents. These threats add to the significant security concerns and operational challenges faced by humanitarian organizations in the country.

TikTok workers in Germany are striking over the company's decision to lay off its entire 150-person trust and safety team in Berlin, according to a report in The Guardian. The social media company plans to replace the human moderators, who are responsible for removing harmful content, with a combination of artificial intelligence and outsourced contract workers. The trade union ver.di, which represents the employees, is demanding severance packages and a one-year extension of the layoff notice period but says TikTok has so far refused to negotiate.

A meteorite that recently struck a home in Georgia, US, is composed of material older than the Earth itself, scientists have concluded after analyzing its fragments, according to a report in BBC. The analysis indicates the space rock likely formed more than four billion years ago, preserving a pristine sample of the early solar nebula from which our solar system was created. Such fresh falls are considered scientifically valuable because they are less contaminated by terrestrial weathering, offering a clearer window into the chemical building blocks, including water and organic molecules, that may have been delivered to early Earth.

China has inaugurated a new robot-themed mall in Shenzhen where humanoid robots are utilized as both staff and products for sale, according to a report in The Times of India. Within the mall, AI-powered machines are responsible for operating cafes, managing retail shops, and providing entertainment. Visitors can interact with the robots, which handle tasks such as processing payments, preparing food, and performing demonstrations, highlighting the country's advancements in applying robotics to the retail and hospitality industries.

Tens of thousands of people have demonstrated in cities across the globe, demanding an end to Israel's military operations in Gaza and calling for the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid, Al Jazeera says in a report. These recent rallies are a continuation of sustained global protests that have occurred since late 2023. The demonstrators' calls for aid highlight the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where UN agencies have repeatedly warned of famine conditions. Protesters used language accusing Israel of genocide, an allegation that is the subject of an ongoing case brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice.

Three postal workers have embarked on a nearly 3,000-kilometer (1,860-mile) bicycle journey from St. Nikolaus, Germany, to Finland, according to a report in AP. The cyclists, dressed as elves, set off on Saturday to transport children's letters and Christmas wish lists to the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland. Their destination is located on the edge of the Arctic Circle and is widely recognized as the home of Santa Claus.

Hundreds from Nepal's LGBTQ+ community and their supporters held the annual Pride rally in Kathmandu on Sunday, the first since a major cut in funding from the U.S. government, AP said in a report. Participants marched through the capital, playing music and dancing as part of the Gai Jatra festival, a traditional event to remember deceased family members that has become a platform for the community's parade. The rally proceeded despite the cessation of specific financial aid programs from the U.S. that had previously supported such advocacy groups.

The Taliban are investigating explicit death threats made against dozens of Afghan women who work for the United Nations, AP said in a report. According to a UN human rights update published Sunday, numerous female national staff received these threats in May from unidentified individuals. The threats were reportedly linked to their employment with the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and other UN agencies.

The UK government has announced new plans to immediately deport foreign criminals following their sentencing, which would also bar them from re-entering the country, according to a report in the Financial Times. This policy proposal is designed to remove non-UK nationals before the typical, often lengthy, appeals process can be completed from within the UK. The plan, which is not yet law, is expected to face legal challenges concerning human rights and due process. Its success also depends on securing cooperation from offenders' home countries to accept their immediate return, placing a significant operational burden on the UK Home Office.

South Korea's military has decreased in size by 20% over the past six years, a decline largely attributed to the nation's record-low birthrate impacting the number of men available for mandatory service, according to a report in The Guardian. A defense ministry report warns that this demographic trend has left the military 50,000 troops short of the number required to maintain full defense readiness. The shrinking pool of recruits is also causing a shortfall in officers and could lead to operational difficulties.

Dmitri Kozak, a key aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has lost significant power after privately expressing that the invasion of Ukraine was a mistake, according to a report in The New York Times. His influence has been supplanted by another senior ally, Sergei V. Kiriyenko, who has embraced the military action and is reportedly overseeing the integration of occupied Ukrainian territories. Kozak's sidelining is indicative of a broader power shift within the Kremlin, where officials perceived as less enthusiastic about the war have seen their influence diminish in favor of hardline figures. Historically, Kozak served as Russia's chief negotiator for Ukraine-related issues.

Sanctioned oil trader Niels Troost has filed a lawsuit in New York against corporate investigators over an alleged smear campaign, according to a report in the Financial Times. The legal filings include recordings that reportedly support Troost's claim that his former partner pretended to be a CIA operative. Troost, the founder of Paramount Energy & Commodities, was sanctioned by the U.S. in September 2023 for his alleged role in a network facilitating the sale of Russian oil above the G7 price cap. The lawsuit highlights the aggressive tactics allegedly used within the private intelligence industry and the legal battles emerging from international sanctions enforcement.

Two Japanese boxers have died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts during the same event at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall, according to a report in AP. Shigetoshi Kotari died on Friday from a subdural hematoma after collapsing following his 12-round fight on August 2. He had undergone emergency brain surgery but did not survive. The death of a second, unnamed boxer from the same fight card was also reported.

Four astronauts, including NASA's Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, have safely returned to Earth after a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station, as per a report in Times of India. Their SpaceX Dragon capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off Southern California on August 9. This event marks the first time a crewed SpaceX mission has landed in the Pacific, a significant operational expansion that provides greater flexibility for crew returns. It is also NASA's first crewed splashdown in the Pacific in about 50 years, highlighting the agency's reliance on SpaceX amid ongoing technical delays with Boeing's Starliner program.

A severe humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Gaza, where extreme food shortages are compounded by a collapsed formal banking system, creating a desperate situation for residents, according to a report in The New York Times. With UN agencies warning of imminent famine and the local food production capacity destroyed, the limited aid that enters is difficult and dangerous to access, with documented deaths occurring during chaotic distributions. The lack of a functioning banking system has led to a severe cash shortage, forcing people to rely on informal money exchangers who charge fees as high as 20-30% to withdraw funds. This leaves many Palestinians unable to buy what little food is available, exacerbating widespread malnutrition and desperation.

Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA), are increasingly alarmed by the growing threat of online sextortion targeting children, according to a report in The Guardian. In the UK, tech companies like Snapchat and Facebook reported over 9,600 cases of adults grooming children online within a six-month period last year. Globally, Snapchat reported about 20,000 such cases last year, a figure noted as being more than other social media platforms combined.

Saudi Arabia's Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) successfully intercepted a shipment of 406,400 Captagon pills at the Haditha border crossing, The Times of India said in a report. The illicit drugs, an amphetamine-type stimulant, were discovered hidden within a cargo of sheep wool. This seizure is the latest in a series of significant drug busts at Saudi ports and airports, highlighting the ongoing efforts by ZATCA to combat sophisticated smuggling methods using advanced screening technology and regional cooperation to address the widespread illegal drug trade.

A humanitarian initiative by five German cities to accept and provide medical treatment for sick and traumatized children from the Gaza Strip is facing opposition from within the federal government, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. While the cities have formally offered their support, conservative-led ministries are reportedly obstructing the plan, creating a conflict between local humanitarian willingness and national policy. The situation highlights internal German government divisions on how to handle humanitarian aid from active conflict zones, weighing it against security and logistical concerns.

Beijing has condemned a statement from the G7 nations, accusing the group of slandering Hong Kong police for issuing bounties and arrest warrants for overseas activists, according to a report in South China Morning Post. In a strongly worded statement on Saturday, the Chinese foreign ministry's office in Hong Kong voiced its firm opposition to the G7's remarks. The G7 had previously condemned the recent round of bounties and warrants issued by Hong Kong authorities against activists living abroad under the city's National Security Law.

Iran is considering signing up for China's BeiDou satellite navigation system, a move analysts suggest would expand Beijing's technological and geopolitical footprint in the Middle East, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. The plan follows Iran's stated need for an alternative to the US-controlled GPS, with Iranian deputy communications minister Ehsan Chitsaz confirming that Tehran has deliberately jammed GPS signals in the past for security reasons. This potential partnership aligns with Iran's broader strategy of strengthening ties with non-Western powers and aims to reduce its vulnerability to foreign interference in its critical military and civilian infrastructure.