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Iraq’s military says its troops are partnering with security agencies and Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) “also known as Hashed al-Sha’abi” to clear remnants of the Islamic State terrorist group north of Baghdad and surrounding areas. The operation launched Saturday is the second phase of an operation dubbed “Will to Victory.” …

Europe’s highest volcano, Mount Etna in southern Italy, bursts into life with explosions and lava flows from one of the craters on the deserted area at the top of the Sicilian volcano.

The detained British-flagged tanker Stena Impero must go through a legal process because it violated maritime regulations, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told British Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt in a phone call on Saturday, the Iranian news agency ISNA reported. The Stena Impero was detained because of an accident …

Footage showing the oil tanker Stena Impero, which was detained by the Iranian authorities on Friday, has been published by the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim. The video shows the vessel in the sea and is attributed to the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN). The tanker is now …

Algeria won the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time as a freak early goal secured a 1-0 win against Senegal in the final in Cairo. Baghdad Bounedjah’s shot took a huge deflection off Salif Sane and looped over goalkeeper Alfred Gomes. Senegal, who have never won the competition, …

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi has ordered a probe into an attack by an unmanned aircraft on a base belonging to fighters from pro-government Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), better known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha’abi, in Salahuddin Province. Abdul-Mahdi, also the commander-in-chief of Iraqi forces, issued a directive “to …

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps released footage which it says disproves the US claim of shooting down an Iranian drone over the Strait of Hormuz, showing the video was transmitted after the alleged time it was destroyed. The elite military unit published the footage on Friday and it was aired and …

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has seized the British oil tanker Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian media reported. UK authorities said the tanker had ‘veered off course’ before capture. The Stena Impero was headed to Saudi Arabia but left the international sea lanes and headed north towards …

At least eight people have been killed after a bomb detonated near university premises in Afghanistan’s capital on Friday, officials said. Wahidullah Mayar, the Health Ministry spokesman, wrote on Twitter that another 33 people were wounded in Friday’s explosion. Reports said the blast took place near Kabul University’s southern entrance. …

Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) has said it identified one of the assailants responsible for the killing of a Turkish diplomat in Erbil. Osman Kose was killed on Wednesday when gunmen opened fire in an upscale restaurant where he was dining in Erbil, the local capital of the semi-autonomous region …

Unidentified drones have reportedly attacked a base belonging to Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in the Salahuddin Province. The attack killed one PMF member and injured another four, al-Ahad television network reported on Friday. It is yet unclear who orchestrated the operation. Meanwhile, al-Etejah television network reported that an American …

Tens of thousands of Algerians returned to the streets in the capital Algiers and other cities on Friday to demand radical political reforms and the departure of the ruling elite. Protesters are now seeking more freedoms and the removal of the remaining symbols of the old guard, after they forced …

A strong earthquake has shaken the Greek capital of Athens, knocking out phone networks and power in parts of the city. The 5.1 magnitude earthquake had an epicentre about 22km (14 miles) north-west of Athens. Athenians ran out into the streets and evacuated tall buildings as the tremor shook the …

  Iran on Friday denied President Donald Trump’s assertion that the U.S. Navy has destroyed one of its drones, saying all of its unmanned planes were accounted for, amid growing international concern that both sides could blunder into a war in the Gulf. In the latest episode to test nerves …

The United States said on Thursday that a U.S. Navy ship had “destroyed” an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz after the aircraft threatened the vessel, but Iran said it had no information about losing a drone. In the latest episode to stir tensions in the Gulf, U.S. President …

The United States imposed sanctions on Four Iraqis including two former Iraqi provincial governors it accused of human rights abuses and corruption, the U.S. Treasury Department said on Thursday. The sanctions target Rayan al-Kildani and Waad Qado, and former governors Nawfal Hammadi al-Sultan and Ahmed al-Jubouri, the Treasury said in …

The House voted Wednesday to undo President Trump’s attempt to sidestep Congress and complete several arms sales benefiting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Congress is heading for a showdown with President Donald Trump after the House voted on Wednesday to block his administration from selling billions of dollars …

Six terrorists were killed and havens destroyed in al-Baaj, Iraq-Syria border crossings, Security Media Cell announced on Thursday. The air strike came according to accurate information by the Nineveh Ops Command.

British lawmakers on Thursday backed proposals to make it harder for the next prime minister to force through a no-deal Brexit by suspending parliament, showing again their determination to stop a divorce from the European Union without agreement. Boris Johnson, the clear frontrunner to succeed Prime Minister Theresa May next …

The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo to be a “public health emergency of international concern”, saying the recent risk of its spread in the city of Goma and into Uganda had increased the threat. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday …