Islamic State conflict: Iraqi forces push deeper into Ramadi
Iraqi forces have moved deeper into Ramadi, pressing an offensive to drive Islamic State militants from the city. Bombs and booby traps have been slowing their advance, army officials say. Troops and Sunni tribal fighters were about 500m (550 yards) from the main local government office.
Iraqi forces have moved deeper into Ramadi, pressing an offensive to drive Islamic State militants from the city. Bombs and booby traps have been slowing their advance, army officials say. Troops and Sunni tribal fighters were about 500m (550 yards) from the main local government office.
Syria war: Yarmouk camp evacuation 'on hold'
The expected evacuation of thousands of rebels from in and around Yarmouk refugee camp in southern Damascus has been put on hold, reports say. Safety issues and the killing of a top rebel have been blamed for the delay. Militants and their families were due to be bussed to areas under the control of their respective groups, under a deal between rebels and the government.
The expected evacuation of thousands of rebels from in and around Yarmouk refugee camp in southern Damascus has been put on hold, reports say. Safety issues and the killing of a top rebel have been blamed for the delay. Militants and their families were due to be bussed to areas under the control of their respective groups, under a deal between rebels and the government.
Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay flooding displaces 150,000
More than 150,000 people in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil have been driven from their homes by some of the worst flooding in years. Heavy summer rains have caused rivers to swell across a vast area. In Paraguay, the most affected country, President Horacio Cartes declared a state of emergency, freeing up $3.5m (£2.3m) in relief funds.
More than 150,000 people in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil have been driven from their homes by some of the worst flooding in years. Heavy summer rains have caused rivers to swell across a vast area. In Paraguay, the most affected country, President Horacio Cartes declared a state of emergency, freeing up $3.5m (£2.3m) in relief funds.
'Many missing' in Myanmar landslide
Dozens of people are reportedly missing and feared dead after a landslide hit a jade mining region in Myanmar's northern Kachin state. Officials say a search for survivors and bodies is continuing after Friday's accident in the area around Hpakant. Last month, more than 100 people were killed in the same area after a massive landslide.
Dozens of people are reportedly missing and feared dead after a landslide hit a jade mining region in Myanmar's northern Kachin state. Officials say a search for survivors and bodies is continuing after Friday's accident in the area around Hpakant. Last month, more than 100 people were killed in the same area after a massive landslide.
Christmas Day blaze guts Australia homes
A Christmas Day bushfire has destroyed more than 100 homes in Australia's Victoria state, officials say. Officials said 98 homes had been razed in Wye River and 18 at Separation Creek. No injuries are reported. Hundreds of firefighters have been battling the blaze along the famous Great Ocean Road in Victoria's south-west, popular with holidaymakers.
A Christmas Day bushfire has destroyed more than 100 homes in Australia's Victoria state, officials say. Officials said 98 homes had been razed in Wye River and 18 at Separation Creek. No injuries are reported. Hundreds of firefighters have been battling the blaze along the famous Great Ocean Road in Victoria's south-west, popular with holidaymakers.
Diplomats trying to talk Hezbollah out of taking revenge on Israel for Kuntar killing
International diplomats are working feverishly with Lebanese officials in an effort to prevent a revenge attack against Israel by Hezbollah following the killing of one of its top commanders in Damascus, Samir Kuntar, earlier this week... The report cites European sources as saying that “Lebanese officials are aware that the threats made by the Netanyahu government are very serious.”
International diplomats are working feverishly with Lebanese officials in an effort to prevent a revenge attack against Israel by Hezbollah following the killing of one of its top commanders in Damascus, Samir Kuntar, earlier this week... The report cites European sources as saying that “Lebanese officials are aware that the threats made by the Netanyahu government are very serious.”
Turkey to Israel: No renewal of ties without unlimited access to Gaza
Turkey is demanding that Israel permit unfettered access to the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip as one of the conditions before a formal renewal of diplomatic ties between Jerusalem and Ankara, according to a report in Saturday editions of the Hurriyet Daily News. The report states that the government headed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will not accept any Israeli restrictions on the flow of Turkish aid to the Palestinian coastal enclave.
Turkey is demanding that Israel permit unfettered access to the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip as one of the conditions before a formal renewal of diplomatic ties between Jerusalem and Ankara, according to a report in Saturday editions of the Hurriyet Daily News. The report states that the government headed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will not accept any Israeli restrictions on the flow of Turkish aid to the Palestinian coastal enclave.
Christmas tornado pounds Birmingham, Alabama, weather havoc rages on
The funnel was spotted by witnesses outside the state's biggest city, Birmingham, at about 5pm Central time, (2300 GMT) on Friday, and whipped through some of its neighborhoods.
The funnel was spotted by witnesses outside the state's biggest city, Birmingham, at about 5pm Central time, (2300 GMT) on Friday, and whipped through some of its neighborhoods.
Pro-Assad forces declare victory as Islamists surrender position in Damascus
The besieged militants include fighters of Islamic State and the Nusra Front, al-Qaida's offshoot in Syria. Hezbollah's Manar TV said 18 buses had arrived to start taking them and 1,500 family members to areas under the control of IS and other rebel groups.
The besieged militants include fighters of Islamic State and the Nusra Front, al-Qaida's offshoot in Syria. Hezbollah's Manar TV said 18 buses had arrived to start taking them and 1,500 family members to areas under the control of IS and other rebel groups.
Flood warnings as Britain is braced for torrential Boxing Day rain
More than 110 flood alerts and warnings have been issued across England and Wales as Britain is braced for a Boxing Day marred by torrential rain and flooding. Up to 120mm of rain is expected to fall in parts of the North West between now and Saturday, feeding already-swollen rivers in Cumbria that now threaten to burst for the fourth time this month.
More than 110 flood alerts and warnings have been issued across England and Wales as Britain is braced for a Boxing Day marred by torrential rain and flooding. Up to 120mm of rain is expected to fall in parts of the North West between now and Saturday, feeding already-swollen rivers in Cumbria that now threaten to burst for the fourth time this month.
89 people injured as 6.9 magnitude earthquake hits Pakistan
At least 89 people were injured in Pakistan today when a powerful earthquake measuring 6.9-magnitude on Richter Scale jolted several parts of the country including areas bordering Afghanistan. The centre of the quake with 196-km depth was Afghanistan and it was also felt in parts of Tajikistan and India, said Ghulam Rasool, Meteorological Department Director General.
At least 89 people were injured in Pakistan today when a powerful earthquake measuring 6.9-magnitude on Richter Scale jolted several parts of the country including areas bordering Afghanistan. The centre of the quake with 196-km depth was Afghanistan and it was also felt in parts of Tajikistan and India, said Ghulam Rasool, Meteorological Department Director General.
Afghanistan says 12 people injured in late-night earthquake that jolted country
The magnitude 6.2 quake struck at around 11:45 p.m. on Friday and lasted about a minute. It was also felt in the capital, Kabul, sending residents rushing into the street for safety.
The magnitude 6.2 quake struck at around 11:45 p.m. on Friday and lasted about a minute. It was also felt in the capital, Kabul, sending residents rushing into the street for safety.
There’s a theory going around that Donald Trump might be in an even better position than you think
In 1982, California voters were supposed to elect former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley as the state's next governor. Bradley went into the election with a sizable lead over George Deukmejian. Exit polls projected a Bradley win. But when the ballots were counted, Deukmejian came out the winner. Thus, the "Bradley effect" was born — named as such because many white voters, who told pollsters they were voting for an African-American (Bradley), ended up breaking for the white candidate (Deukmejian). Could Donald Trump be the 2016 version of a reverse "Bradley effect?"
In 1982, California voters were supposed to elect former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley as the state's next governor. Bradley went into the election with a sizable lead over George Deukmejian. Exit polls projected a Bradley win. But when the ballots were counted, Deukmejian came out the winner. Thus, the "Bradley effect" was born — named as such because many white voters, who told pollsters they were voting for an African-American (Bradley), ended up breaking for the white candidate (Deukmejian). Could Donald Trump be the 2016 version of a reverse "Bradley effect?"
Welby: Christians Face Middle East Elimination
hristianity is facing "elimination" in the Middle East at the hands of an Islamic State "apocalypse", the Archbishop of Cantebury has warned. The Most Reverend Justin Welby used his Christmas Day sermon at Canterbury Cathedral to say IS is "igniting a trail of fear, violence, hatred and determined oppression".
hristianity is facing "elimination" in the Middle East at the hands of an Islamic State "apocalypse", the Archbishop of Cantebury has warned. The Most Reverend Justin Welby used his Christmas Day sermon at Canterbury Cathedral to say IS is "igniting a trail of fear, violence, hatred and determined oppression".
Top Syrian Rebel Killed in Airstrike Near Damascus
An airstrike near the Syrian capital on Friday killed top rebel commander Zahran Allouch, the head of one of the most powerful Saudi-backed insurgent groups fighting against President Bashar Assad's government near the seat of his power Damascus, opposition activists said.
An airstrike near the Syrian capital on Friday killed top rebel commander Zahran Allouch, the head of one of the most powerful Saudi-backed insurgent groups fighting against President Bashar Assad's government near the seat of his power Damascus, opposition activists said.
Prominent Putin foe Khodorkovsky may seek asylum in UK after 'arrest in absentia' in Russia
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and once Russia's richest man, may seek asylum in Britain following the declaration in Moscow that he had been arrested in absentia for possible involvement in a 1998 murder. The former chief of the now-closed Yukos oil firm told the BBC on Thursday it's now clear that Putin sees him as "a serious threat." He said he feels safe in London and is interested in seeking asylum.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and once Russia's richest man, may seek asylum in Britain following the declaration in Moscow that he had been arrested in absentia for possible involvement in a 1998 murder. The former chief of the now-closed Yukos oil firm told the BBC on Thursday it's now clear that Putin sees him as "a serious threat." He said he feels safe in London and is interested in seeking asylum.
Iran delusional about its oil potential
After 37 miserable years of the so-called Islamic Republic (IR) and more than $1.6 trillion of oil income, Iran's oil and gas infrastructure has become ineffective and is suffering from poor management and chronic corruption. As a result, the well-respected healthy national oil company, with a 6.3 million b/d crude production prior to the revolution, plunged to a near bankrupt industry with at best a little above 3 million b/d production.
After 37 miserable years of the so-called Islamic Republic (IR) and more than $1.6 trillion of oil income, Iran's oil and gas infrastructure has become ineffective and is suffering from poor management and chronic corruption. As a result, the well-respected healthy national oil company, with a 6.3 million b/d crude production prior to the revolution, plunged to a near bankrupt industry with at best a little above 3 million b/d production.
Here's what the next big Middle Eastern crisis could look like
A host of Middle East nightmare scenarios have unfolded in recent years, from chemical warfare to attempted genocide to state collapse to the takeover of significant territory by an unprecedentedly brutal jihadist group. One of the region's most dangerous frontlines has remained quiet through it all.
A host of Middle East nightmare scenarios have unfolded in recent years, from chemical warfare to attempted genocide to state collapse to the takeover of significant territory by an unprecedentedly brutal jihadist group. One of the region's most dangerous frontlines has remained quiet through it all.
Israelis are calling attacks a ‘new kind of Palestinian terrorism’
Young Palestinians with kitchen knives are waging a ceaseless campaign of near-suicidal violence that Israeli leaders are calling “a new kind of terrorism.” Four attacks occurred in the past 48 hours alone — two stabbings and two vehicular assaults.
Young Palestinians with kitchen knives are waging a ceaseless campaign of near-suicidal violence that Israeli leaders are calling “a new kind of terrorism.” Four attacks occurred in the past 48 hours alone — two stabbings and two vehicular assaults.