The battles between government forces and the Free Syrian Army are gaining intensity as neighborhoods in the city exchange control multiple times in the same day.
The Salah al-Din part of the city, considered a strategic district by both sides, was reported to be captured by government forces but a later report said the FSA recaptured the area. Continue reading
Two brothers in Telford, England have been convicted of multiple charges related to trafficking of young girls. Ahdel and Mubarek Ali were convicted of 25 of 26 charges including controlling child prostitution and trafficking girls.
The crimes happened from March 2008 to December 2009. Four teenagers from Telford were kept by the brothers and forced to work as prostitutes or be abused by friends of the brothers. One teenager was sold by Mubarek Ali when she was four months pregnant. Continue reading
At least 19 Christians have been killed when gunmen stormed a church in Okene, Nigeria and opened fire during the middle of worship. The pastor was among those killed.
The terrorists used Kalashnikov assault rifles leading to government officials suspecting the militant Islamist group Boko Haram which has been responsible for the murders of other Christians inside Nigerian churches. Continue reading
Heavy rain caused in part by Tropical Storm Haikui has resulted in half of the Philippine capital to be covered in water. The flooding, neck-deep in some places, has virtually paralyzed the city.
Tens of thousands have been evacuated because of the flooding which is expected to get worse due to 24 straight hours of rain. At least nine people are reported dead from the flooding in Manila with reports of dozens of others in surrounding villages. Nine members of one family in Quezon City died when a landslide buried his face. Continue reading
New Zealand’s Mount Tongariro erupted late Sunday night sending rocks and ash into the sky. Witnesses reported seeing “flame like explosions” and at least one witness reported seeing a new hole in the side of the mountain.
Mount Tongariro is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire. The volcano is made up of 12 separate cones. The current eruption happened at the Te Mari craters which had been dormant since 1897.
Residents of the area were ordered to stay inside and keep their doors and windows closed until given an all clear by government officials. Continue reading
Yemeni government officials announced that al-Qaeda is responsible for a homicide bombing this weekend that killed 45 people and injured dozens.
The homicide bomber walked into a funeral in the city of Jaar and detonated his explosive belt. The service was conducted by a group of tribal militiamen who have supported the Yemeni military in their attempts to eliminate al-Qaeda in the nation. Continue reading
The drought in the Midwest is taking a toll on more than just farmers as rivers are drying up & water temperatures have risen to levels as high as 100 degrees.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported that about 40,000 shovelnose sturgeon were killed last week in water as hot at 97 degrees. Illinois biologists are reporting tens of thousands largemouth and smallmouth bass died due to the torrid conditions. Continue reading
The UN General Assembly is taking the rare step of condemning the UN Security Council for not taking action in the Syrian civil war. The Assembly is trying to pressure the Security Council to intervene in the war which has left over 20,000 dead.
The action follows yesterday’s resignation of Kofi Annan as special envoy for the UN and the Arab League. Analysts believe the resignation shows that the diplomatic and political process has failed in the nation. Continue reading
Europe’s manufacturing saw the 11th consecutive month of contraction in July. Despite an increase of .1 in the index from 46.4 to 46.5, the overall amount is still below the 50 level that indicates no growth.
The services sector rose to 47.9 in July, an .8 increase from June but all sectors reported lower levels of output in the month. Continue reading
Shabir Ahmed, one of nine men charged with human trafficking and slavery of children in Liverpool, England, has been given an additional 22 year prison term after being convicted of additional charges.
Ahmed had previously been sentenced to 19 years on charges kept under seal due to continuing investigations. The sentences will run concurrently. Continue reading
