26 Dec 15
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.
25 Dec 15
UK condemns Muslim Brotherhood in break from Obama administration
A powerful report by the U.K. government accuses the Muslim Brotherhood of being sympathetic to terrorists and a risk to British national security, striking a contrast with the Obama administration’s more conciliatory approach – and fueling criticism that the U.S. government should wake up to the threat.
A powerful report by the U.K. government accuses the Muslim Brotherhood of being sympathetic to terrorists and a risk to British national security, striking a contrast with the Obama administration’s more conciliatory approach – and fueling criticism that the U.S. government should wake up to the threat.
When Obama leaves the White House
Many Israelis tend to see the source of all our troubles, the root of all evil, in Barack Hussein Obama. They tend to stress his middle name, Hussein, so that whoever has yet to understand will finally understand where the American president draws his outlook from. His middle name is enough to free the demons from their crypts.
Many Israelis tend to see the source of all our troubles, the root of all evil, in Barack Hussein Obama. They tend to stress his middle name, Hussein, so that whoever has yet to understand will finally understand where the American president draws his outlook from. His middle name is enough to free the demons from their crypts.
Pope calls in Christmas message for unity against militant atrocities
Pope Francis urged the world in his Christmas message on Friday to unite to end atrocities by Islamist militants that he said were causing immense suffering in many countries.
Pope Francis urged the world in his Christmas message on Friday to unite to end atrocities by Islamist militants that he said were causing immense suffering in many countries.
Hezbollah TV: Buses arrive to take 2,000 Syrian Islamist fighters out of south Damascus
Two thousand Syrian Islamist fighters, including Islamic State and Nusra Front militants, were expected to be evacuated soon from besieged, rebel-held areas of southern Damascus in a deal brokered by the UN, Hezbollah TV station said on Friday.
Two thousand Syrian Islamist fighters, including Islamic State and Nusra Front militants, were expected to be evacuated soon from besieged, rebel-held areas of southern Damascus in a deal brokered by the UN, Hezbollah TV station said on Friday.
ISIS sanctions organ harvesting from living ‘apostates’… even if it kills them
Islamic State’s human organ harvesting is sanctioned by a fatwa issued last January, when the group’s Islamic scholars explained that internals of ‘apostates’ could be extracted from their bodies for the needs of Muslims, even if the ‘donors’ die. A document obtained by Reuters reveals that organs harvesting is charitable deed by codes of Islamic State (IS, former ISIS/ISIL), maintains IS’ Research and Fatwa Committee.
Islamic State’s human organ harvesting is sanctioned by a fatwa issued last January, when the group’s Islamic scholars explained that internals of ‘apostates’ could be extracted from their bodies for the needs of Muslims, even if the ‘donors’ die. A document obtained by Reuters reveals that organs harvesting is charitable deed by codes of Islamic State (IS, former ISIS/ISIL), maintains IS’ Research and Fatwa Committee.
Moderate earthquake, 5.1 mag was detected near Port-Olry in Vanuatu
A moderate earthquake with magnitude 5.1 (ml/mb) was reported 56 kilometers (35 miles) from Port-Olry in Vanuatu on Friday. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 121.41 km (75 miles). A tsunami warning has not been issued (Does not indicate if a tsunami actually did or will exist).
A moderate earthquake with magnitude 5.1 (ml/mb) was reported 56 kilometers (35 miles) from Port-Olry in Vanuatu on Friday. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 121.41 km (75 miles). A tsunami warning has not been issued (Does not indicate if a tsunami actually did or will exist).
Earthquake swarm rattles Reno
A series of more than 30 earthquakes that rattled the Reno area over the past two days occurred on the most significant fault structure in the area, and scientists are monitoring for potentially bigger shock waves to follow, experts said Wednesday. No significant damage was reported.
A series of more than 30 earthquakes that rattled the Reno area over the past two days occurred on the most significant fault structure in the area, and scientists are monitoring for potentially bigger shock waves to follow, experts said Wednesday. No significant damage was reported.
Central Vietnamese province hit by quake series, with cause unknown
Five earthquakes have been recorded this month in a district of the central Vietnamese province of Thua Thien-Hue, whose cause has yet to be clearly identified by experts.
Five earthquakes have been recorded this month in a district of the central Vietnamese province of Thua Thien-Hue, whose cause has yet to be clearly identified by experts.
Series of earthquakes hits Indonesia’s Maluku Islands
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said a magnitude-5.1 earthquake hit West Halmahera regency, North Maluku province, followed by magnitude-5.9 tremors in West Southeast Maluku regency to the south.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said a magnitude-5.1 earthquake hit West Halmahera regency, North Maluku province, followed by magnitude-5.9 tremors in West Southeast Maluku regency to the south.
Archbishop gives warning over IS threat to Christianity
Christianity faces "elimination" in the Middle East, the region where it began, the Archbishop of Canterbury is warning in his Christmas Day sermon. The Most Reverend Justin Welby says so-called Islamic State is "igniting a trail of fear, violence, hatred and determined oppression". He also brands IS as "a Herod of today" - a reference to the Biblical king at the time of Jesus's birth.
Christianity faces "elimination" in the Middle East, the region where it began, the Archbishop of Canterbury is warning in his Christmas Day sermon. The Most Reverend Justin Welby says so-called Islamic State is "igniting a trail of fear, violence, hatred and determined oppression". He also brands IS as "a Herod of today" - a reference to the Biblical king at the time of Jesus's birth.
Argentina floods force thousands to evacuate
At least 7,000 people have been evacuated in north-eastern Argentina as heavy rains cause rivers to swell. Those living close to the Uruguay River in Entre Rios province are reported to be among the worst affected. The mayor of the town of Concordia, on the border with Uruguay, was quoted as saying a quarter of the town was underwater.
At least 7,000 people have been evacuated in north-eastern Argentina as heavy rains cause rivers to swell. Those living close to the Uruguay River in Entre Rios province are reported to be among the worst affected. The mayor of the town of Concordia, on the border with Uruguay, was quoted as saying a quarter of the town was underwater.
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