عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
World

Romania Says Drone Fragments Damage Property During Overnight Russian Attack on Ukraine

Romanian army servicemen explain the capabilities of "Vector" surveillance drone during exercise EASTERN PHOENIX 26, a training activity designed to test counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) procedures, at Capu Midia firing range, April 24, 2026. (AFP)
Romanian army servicemen explain the capabilities of "Vector" surveillance drone during exercise EASTERN PHOENIX 26, a training activity designed to test counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) procedures, at Capu Midia firing range, April 24, 2026. (AFP)
TT
TT

Romania Says Drone Fragments Damage Property During Overnight Russian Attack on Ukraine

Romanian army servicemen explain the capabilities of "Vector" surveillance drone during exercise EASTERN PHOENIX 26, a training activity designed to test counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) procedures, at Capu Midia firing range, April 24, 2026. (AFP)
Romanian army servicemen explain the capabilities of "Vector" surveillance drone during exercise EASTERN PHOENIX 26, a training activity designed to test counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) procedures, at Capu Midia firing range, April 24, 2026. (AFP)

Romania recovered drone fragments in the southeastern city of Galati after an overnight Russian attack on neighboring Ukraine, with an electricity pole and a household annex damaged, its defense ministry said in a statement.

There were no casualties, the ministry said.

Romania's emergency response agency later said it was evacuating the area where it had recovered drone fragments as the fragments could contain an explosive charge. The fragments will be disposed of in a secure location.

Romania, a member of both NATO and the European ‌Union, shares a 650-km (400-mile) ‌land border with Ukraine and has ‌seen Russian ⁠drones repeatedly breach ⁠its airspace as Moscow attacks Ukraine ports on the other side of the Danube river.

While drone fragments have routinely fallen on Romania, Saturday marked the first time property had been damaged.

"The defense ministry firmly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasizes that these represent a new challenge to regional ⁠security and stability in the Black Sea area," ‌the ministry's statement said.

"Such incidents ‌demonstrate the Russian Federation's lack of respect for the norms of international ‌law and endanger not only the safety of Romanian citizens, ‌but also the collective security of NATO."

Two Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets - part of a British air-policing mission in Romania - were scrambled to monitor the attack from the air, which is standard procedure. Residents of neighboring ‌Tulcea county were also warned to take cover.

Tensions have mounted along Europe's eastern flank ⁠in recent months ⁠after suspected Russian drones breached the airspace of several NATO states.

Romanian law allows it to shoot down drones during peacetime if lives or property are at risk, but it has not yet done so.

Defense Minister Radu Miruta on Friday said a US-made, AI-powered counter-drone system would be integrated into national air defense systems in a matter of days after final tests.

The Merops system, developed by Project Eagle - a US-based company backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt - would be able to counter drone threats along the Danube river, Miruta said.

Poland is already using the system on NATO's eastern flank.

Most Viewed

 
 
World

Explosive Device Kills and Injures Scores on Bus in Southwestern Colombia

The covered body of a victim lies among vehicles damaged in an attack on the Pan-American Highway in Cajibio, Colombia, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)
The covered body of a victim lies among vehicles damaged in an attack on the Pan-American Highway in Cajibio, Colombia, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)
TT
TT

Explosive Device Kills and Injures Scores on Bus in Southwestern Colombia

The covered body of a victim lies among vehicles damaged in an attack on the Pan-American Highway in Cajibio, Colombia, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)
The covered body of a victim lies among vehicles damaged in an attack on the Pan-American Highway in Cajibio, Colombia, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)

An explosive device killed 13 people traveling on a bus in southwestern Colombia on Saturday, an attack the country's army chief described as a “terrorist act" that also left at least 38 injured as violence linked to drug trafficking in the region escalates.

Octavio Guzmán, the governor of the region of Cauca, said on X that the device was set off while the bus was traveling along the Panamerican Highway in the municipality of Cajibio. Five children were among the injured, Cauca Health Secretary Carolina Camargo told Noticias Caracol, a TV news program.

Gen. Hugo López, commander of Colombia's Armed Forces, told a news conference that it was a “terrorist act" and blamed the network of a man known as “Iván Mordisco” — one of Colombia’s most wanted figures — and the Jaime Martínez faction. Both are dissidents of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia that operate in the region.

Neither Iván Mordisco nor the Jaime Martínez faction abide by the peace agreement signed with the state in 2016.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack on X, The Associated Press reported.

“Those who carried out the attack and killed seven civilians — and wounded 17 others — in Cajibío — many of them Indigenous people — are terrorists, fascists, and drug traffickers,” he wrote.

The attack is the latest in a spate of explosions that have attempted to target public infrastructure. At least 26 incidents have taken place in the past two days in southwestern Colombia, which López said has only affected civilians.

They included a shooting at a police station in the rural area of Jamundi, and an attack on a Civil Aviation radar facility in El Tambo, where authorities took down three explosives-laden drones earlier on Saturday. No one was hurt.

On Friday, two vehicles rigged with explosives were detonated near military units in Cali and Palmira, causing material damage.

The escalation of violence in that region — a territory contested by illegal armed groups linked to drug trafficking — prompted the mobilization of high-ranking officials on Saturday.

Led by Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez, the delegation that includes regional governors and local authorities, was meeting in Palmira when the deadly explosion occurred.

“These criminals seek to instill fear, but we will respond with firmness,” Sánchez said on X.

Meanwhile, Francisca Toro, governor of Valle del Cauca, has called upon the national government to provide “immediate support.” In a message on X, Toro called for a reinforcement of public security forces, enhanced intelligence operations and “decisive actions” against crime in the face of a “terrorist-level escalation.”

According to authorities, Cauca and Valle del Cauca serve as a critical hub for illicit activities of illegal armed groups vying for control over sea and river access routes leading to the port of Buenaventura — a key transit point used to traffic drugs to Central America and Europe.

The government has also offered a reward of more than 1 million dollars for information leading to the capture of “Marlon,” who is identified as the leader of the region's dissident group. On Friday, local authorities offered more than $14,000 for information leading to the identification and location of those behind the attacks in Cali and Palmira.

World

Trump Says Shooting Won't 'Deter' Him from Iran War

President Donald Trump speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House after an unspecified threat at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, Saturday, April 25, 2026, as acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI director Kash Patel listen. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
President Donald Trump speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House after an unspecified threat at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, Saturday, April 25, 2026, as acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI director Kash Patel listen. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
TT
TT

Trump Says Shooting Won't 'Deter' Him from Iran War

President Donald Trump speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House after an unspecified threat at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, Saturday, April 25, 2026, as acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI director Kash Patel listen. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
President Donald Trump speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House after an unspecified threat at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, Saturday, April 25, 2026, as acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI director Kash Patel listen. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

US President Donald Trump said Saturday a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner would not deter him from the Iran war, although he believed the incident was unlikely linked to the conflict.

"It's not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran. I don't know if that had anything to do with it, I really don't think so, based on what we know," Trump told reporters in a briefing at the White House after the shocking security incident.

Trump had earlier said, however, that "you never know" if it could be linked to the Iran war, and said investigators were working on the motive of the shooter whom he described as a "lone wolf."

The US leader earlier Saturday canceled his envoys' trip to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran, after being unimpressed with Tehran's negotiating position following nearly two months of war.
The shooting suspect accused of storming the gala will be arraigned in the US capital on Monday, the federal prosecutor said.

The suspect -- who exchanged gunfire with Secret Service agents but was not shot himself -- will appear before a US district judge on Monday.

According to US Attorney Jeanine Piro, the suspect will be charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.

World

Iran President Calls on People to Save Energy

Iranians shop in the Tajrish bazaar in Tehran, Iran, 25 April 2026. (EPA)
Iranians shop in the Tajrish bazaar in Tehran, Iran, 25 April 2026. (EPA)
TT
TT

Iran President Calls on People to Save Energy

Iranians shop in the Tajrish bazaar in Tehran, Iran, 25 April 2026. (EPA)
Iranians shop in the Tajrish bazaar in Tehran, Iran, 25 April 2026. (EPA)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on his people Saturday to conserve electricity, warning that while there were no shortages at present, the US and Israel aimed to sow "dissatisfaction" among the Iranian people.

"We have asked our dear people, who are now ready and present on the ground, a simple request. And that is to reduce their own electricity and energy consumption," the president said on state TV.

"We do not need people to sacrifice for the time being, but we do need to control consumption. Instead of 10 lights, two lights should be turned on in the house -- what is wrong with that?" he added.

Despite the US-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran, there have been no reported power cuts in Tehran in recent days.

Pezeshkian accused Iran's enemies of hitting infrastructure and imposing a blockade "so that the current satisfaction turns into dissatisfaction".

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to wipe out Iran's power infrastructure, but has so far not followed through.

Even before the current war with the United States and Israel, however, Iran suffered frequent power outages during the winter and summer peaks in demand.

According to the International Energy Agency, Iran generates nearly four-fifths of its electricity from burning natural gas, a resource in which it is self-sufficient thanks to vast gas fields.

It supplements this with low-quality heavy fuel oil, known as mazout, used at older power stations.

Nevertheless, ageing infrastructure, a lack of investment and the impact of fierce international sanctions that cut off access to technology and investment have left the electricity grid unable to cope with demand.

Pezeshkian has previously launched several public awareness campaigns to reduce energy use.