Iran-backed militia in Syria says it’s ‘fully prepared’ to battle Israel
The head of a large Iranian-backed Iraqi militia that has been fighting in Syria said his group was ‘fully prepared’ to fight Israel if Damascus asked it to.
War
Russia seeks two-day ceasefire in Damascus suburb; dozens killed by air strikes
Russia proposed a two-day ceasefire on Monday in the last major rebel stronghold near the Syrian capital Damascus, where warplanes killed at least 41 people in two days of air strikes as Russian-backed government forces tried to capture the area.
Iran army chief vows next war will see ‘eradication’ of Israel
Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, the chief commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), issued new threats against Israel on Thursday, vowing that any future conflict will be the Jewish state’s last.
Iran warns it would increase missile range if threatened by Europe
The deputy head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned Europe that if it threatens Tehran, the Guards will increase the range of missiles to above 2,000 kilometers, the Fars news agency reported on Saturday.
FBI failed to warn US targets of Russian hackers
The FBI failed to notify scores of US officials that Russian hackers were trying to break into their personal Gmail accounts despite having evidence for at least a year that the targets were in the Kremlin’s crosshairs, The Associated Press has found.
Indonesia raises alert to highest level 4 on Bali volcano
Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency said on Monday it had raised the alert to the highest level four on Bali’s Mount Agung volcano and warned residents in a 8-10 km (5-6 miles) radius around the volcano to evacuate immediately.
Iran promises to send warships to Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean
Iran’s new naval commander has vowed to send warships to America’s backyard.
Israel thwarts attempt to smuggle tons of explosive material into Gaza
An attempt to smuggle tons of explosive material into the Gaza Strip has been thwarted by the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s Crossing Authority, it was announced on Wednesday.
Sanctuary cities cooperate after Sessions threatens to withhold grant funding
The Justice Department is battling in the courts to preserve President Trump’s anti-sanctuary city agenda, but it’s already notched some successes just by raising the issue.
Putin holds summit with Turkey, Iran to discuss Syria peace deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin is in talks with leaders of Turkey and Iran to end the civil war in Syria that has been raging since 2011.
Putin’s plan to end Syrian war strengthens Russian influence in Middle East
Russian President Vladimir Putin briefed President Trump by phone Tuesday on Moscow’s plans for ending Syria’s 6-year-old civil war, a development that likely will keep U.S. foe Bashar Assad in power in Damascus and underscores Russia’s growing influence in the Middle East.
Single U.S. airstrike wipes out 100 terrorists in Somalia
A single American military airstrike killed at least 100 fighters allied with the Somali-based terror group al-Shabab, the Pentagon revealed Tuesday, adding to an escalating body count as the Trump administration ramps up its counterterrorism campaign in the West African nation.
On surprise Russia trip, Assad and Putin talk post-war Syria
On a surprise trip to Russia, Syria’s Bashar Assad discussed potential new peace initiatives for post-war Syria with Russian President Vladimir Putin who declared that Russia’s two-year military campaign in Syria is wrapping up, the Kremlin said Tuesday.
Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump discuss Syria, Ukraine, North Korea in hour-plus call
US President Donald Trump described the conversation with the Kremlin chief as a ‘great call’ and said the two leaders spoke ‘very strongly about bringing peace to Syria.’
Netanyahu presses Putin on keeping Iran out of Syria
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone about a ceasefire deal in the Syrian civil war and Iranian presence near Israel’s borders with the war-torn country, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
FBI investigating Democrat US Rep. Brady over payment to challenger
The FBI has reason to believe U.S. Rep. Bob Brady unlawfully concealed a $90,000 payment made by his campaign to get an opponent to quit a 2012 primary race, according to court documents that confirm the Philadelphia Democrat is under investigation in a widening campaign finance probe.
ISIS Recruitment Posters Show Pope Francis Beheading, Threats Against Christmas
The pro-ISIS Wafa’ Media Foundation is distributing a propaganda poster showing a beheaded Pope Francis poster just days after releasing a video showing a masked man driving towards Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Basilica.
Lebanon under ‘total control’ of Hezbollah, Bahrain says
Saudi Arabia warned Sunday that it would not stand idly by in the face of Iranian ‘aggression,’ as Bahrain said the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah was “in total control” of Lebanon.
Earthquakes Expected To Double In Number In 2018 As Earth’s Rotation Slows
A team of scientists presented a research paper to the Geological Society of America, revealing some ground shaking information. The paper has warned that there could be a big increase in numbers of devastating earthquakes around the world next year caused by the slowing down of the Earth’s rotation.
7.0 earthquake triggers tsunami warnings for New Caledonia and Vanuatu
An undersea earthquake of magnitude 7.0 struck in the South Pacific on Monday, sending small tsunami waves towards New Caledonia and Vanuatu.