Syrian army, allies break Islamic State siege in eastern city
Syrian government forces on Tuesday reached troops besieged for years by Islamic State in the eastern city of Deir al-Zor, the militants’ last major stronghold in Syria, the army said.
War
Trump declares Hurricane Irma emergencies as Florida worries megastorm could be worse than Harvey
As Hurricane Irma barreled toward the Caribbean on Tuesday — on a path that could send the Category 5 megastorm toward Florida — people up and down the state were starting to prepare for the worst.
Nikki Haley: Trump Has Grounds to Declare Iran in Violation of Nuclear Deal
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Tuesday said President Donald Trump would be justified if he denied Iranian compliance to the nuclear accord when it comes up for a quarterly review next month, though she said she does not know what Trump will decide.
Hezbollah reacts to IDF drill: We are ready for any act of Israeli stupidity
Lebanon did not remain silent following the start of a massive IDF drill simulating a war, with a Hezbollah official threatening that ‘the Israelis won’t succeed in surprising us.’
Trump reportedly to meet with Abbas, Netanyahu on sidelines of UN gathering
US President Donald Trump is expected to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York later this month, Haaretz reported Wednesday citing local officials.
Irma becomes strongest Atlantic hurricane outside Gulf and Caribbean ever recorded
Irma spun into a monster storm Tuesday morning with sustained winds topping 180 mph, becoming the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded outside the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, National Hurricane Center forecasters said in their 11 a.m. advisory.
CDC: Drug overdose deaths spiked 21 percent last year, 64,000 deaths
Drug overdose deaths in the United States skyrocketed 21 percent in 2016 from the previous year, accounting for the deaths of approximately 64,000 people, according to numbers from the Centers for Disease Control.
Russia threatened to veto UNIFIL mandate if Hezbollah mentioned
Russia reportedly threatened to use its veto at the United Nations last week if the Lebanon-based terror organization Hezbollah, its ally in the Syrian civil war, was named in a Security Council resolution to renew the mandate of peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon.
Thousands of troops to stage mock war with Hezbollah in largest drill in years
Tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers will stage a mock 10-day war against the Hezbollah terrorist group in northern Israel beginning Tuesday, marking the IDF’s largest exercise in nearly 20 years, the army announced Monday, amid tensions over growing Iranian influence in Syria and Lebanon.
North Korea Nuclear Progress Puts Iran on Renewed Pathway to Bomb
U.S. officials are closely monitoring an ongoing meeting between senior North Korean and Iranian officials that comes on the heels of a nuclear test by Pyongyang, according to senior Trump administration officials and other sources who expressed concern that North Korea is helping to put the Islamic Republic back on the pathway to a functional nuclear weapon.
Conservatives wary of taking up legislation to fix DACA
Conservatives in the House indicated Monday they aren’t thrilled with the idea of considering legislation to salvage former President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, something that could happen under President Trump’s plan to end the program after giving Congress six months to come up with a replacement.
Earthquake Swarm of Nearly 80 Earthquakes Shakes Southeast Idaho
The strongest earthquake to hit the region in years as well as 77 smaller quakes occurred Saturday night to Monday afternoon in Southeast Idaho, startling tens of thousands of residents.
Russian FM Sergei Lavrov Scorns Israeli Concerns Over Iranian Build-Up in Syria
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov went on a PR offensive this week to counter Israeli warnings that a ceasefire imposed by Moscow in Syria is enabling Iran and its terror proxy, Hezbollah, to amass fighters and weapons near the Jewish state’s northern border in preparation for a future war.
Russia blames Obama, Congress for souring relations, not Trump
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday blamed former President Barack Obama and the Congress — but not President Trump — for the downward spiral in U.S.-Russia relations.
Religious liberty battles may take center stage in Supreme Court’s new term
A flurry of religious liberty challenges headed toward the Supreme Court in its upcoming term could leave a lasting mark on American law for years to come.
UN Security Council to meet on North Korea nuclear test
The United States, Britain, France, Japan and South Korea requested the urgent meeting, to be held at 10 a.m., the US mission said in a statement.
Yellowstone Supervolcano Earthquake Swarm Now One of the Biggest on Record, With Over 2,300 Tremors
An ongoing earthquake swarm at Yellowstone volcano is now one of the biggest ever recorded, with over 2,300 tremors since it began in June.
Evacuations ordered in ‘largest ever’ Los Angeles wildfire
A massive brush fire, called the largest ever in terms of acreage to burn within Los Angeles’ city limits, had claimed one home Saturday and was threatening others, authorities said.
Turkey eyes deal for Russian air defense system, irking West
Turkey and Russia are inching toward an accord for the first major Turkish weapons purchase from Moscow, troubling Ankara’s allies in NATO even though the deal may not ultimately materialize.
North Korea conducts 6th nuclear test, says it was H-bomb
North Korea said it set off a hydrogen bomb Sunday in its sixth nuclear test, which judging by the earthquake it set off appeared to be its most powerful explosion yet.