The leader of the Islamic State militant group that controls tracts of Syria and Iraq has accepted a pledge of allegiance from Nigerian Islamists Boko Haram, his spokesman Abu Mohammad al-Adnani said, calling on supporters to fight in Africa. Boko Haram, which has killed thousands and kidnapped hundreds during a six-year campaign to carve out an Islamist state in northern Nigeria, pledged its allegiance last week, highlighting increased coordination between jihadi movements across north Africa and […]
International
Terry Pratchett, author of fantasy “Discworld” novels, dies at 66
Terry Pratchett, the British author of the popular “Discworld” series of fantasy novels, has died of a form of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 66, his publishing house said on Thursday. Pratchett died at home surrounded by his family with his cat sleeping on his bed, Transworld Publishers said. “In over 70 books, Terry enriched the planet like few before him,” said Larry Finlay, managing director at Transworld, a division of Penguin Random House. […]
UNICEF: 14 million children impacted by conflict in Syria and Iraq
NEW YORK/AMMAN, 12 March 2015 – Some 14 million children across the region are now suffering from the escalating conflict sweeping Syria and much of Iraq, said UNICEF today. With the conflict in Syria now entering its fifth year, the situation of more than 5.6 million children inside the country remains the most desperate. That includes up to 2 million children who are living in areas of the country largely cut off from humanitarian assistance […]
FBI chief warns of Islamic State recruits, lone wolf attacks
The radicalization of Americans by Islamic State and other groups, particularly through sophisticated use of social media, is a top concern for the FBI as it grapples with evolving terrorism threats, Director James Comey said on Thursday (March 12). Like other militant groups, Islamic State, also known as ISIL, has called for lone wolf attacks in Western countries and has specifically encouraged attacks on soldiers, law enforcement and the intelligence community, Comey said at an […]
British girls helped by spy from country fighting Islamic State, says Turkish minister
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday (March 12) that a spy working for a country in the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State helped three British girls who are believed to have crossed into Syria via Turkey. “Do you know who the person was who helped these girls? This person was caught. It turned out to be someone who worked in the intelligence services of a country in the coalition,” said Cavusoglu in an […]
China continues construction in West Philippine Sea
A six-floor building, believed to be a military command post, was built by China in the contested territory in West Philippine Sea.
A double faced cow in Australia, sold in an auction
A double-faced cow was found in North Queensland, Australia, where it sold for 270 Australian dollars in an auction.
IMF seeks ‘immediate’ stabilization in latest Ukraine bailout
(Reuters) – The International Monetary Fund has agreed to pump $10 billion into Ukraine’s troubled economy over the next year, providing swift assistance for the country’s struggling finances as part of a larger four-year bailout. The IMF board on Wednesday approved a loan of $17.5 billion, with the bulk of the money heading out the door fast: $5 billion likely by the end of this week and another $5 billion in coming months, IMF officials […]
Islamic State ransacks Assyrian capital as Iraq appeals for help
By Dominic Evans BAGHDAD Wed Mar 11, 2015 4:51pm EDT (Reuters) – Islamic State militants have desecrated another ancient Iraqi capital, the government said on Wednesday, razing parts of the 2,700-year-old city of Khorsabad famed for its colossal statues of human-headed winged bulls. Officials have said for several days they were checking reports of damage at Khorsabad following attacks on the cities of Nineveh, Nimrud and Hatra by the Islamist radicals who control much of […]
UK needs additional nurses
According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the United Kingdom (UK) needs an additional 270 nurses from the Philippines.
Libya blames ISIS regarding OFW abduction
According to the Libyan government, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was the group behind the abduction of several foreigners in an oilfield in the said country, which includes four overseas Filipino workers.
Chinese Coast Guard chases PH Navy vessels in West Philippine Sea
The Chinese Coast Guard attempted to chase away the supply vessel of the Philippine Navy in the West Philippine Sea.
