Firefighters were Thursday battling several blazes ringing Sydney, leaving Australia's most populous city blanketed by smoke that is expected to linger for days. Bushfires have killed at least four people and destroyed more than 400 homes since the start of November. Fires are still burning...

The United States has completed its military pullback in northeastern Syria, settling into a more stable posture of about 600 troops in the rest of the country after repositioning and reducing forces, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said. Esper's remarks in an interview with Reuters could...

Liverpool's bandwagon rolled on as they crushed Merseyside rivals Everton 5-2 at Anfield but Leicester City's pursuit continued with a seventh successive Premier League victory to stay eight points behind on Wednesday. Even with strikers Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino warming the bench,...

The death toll from anti-government protests in Iraq rose to 460 and at least 17,000 others injured during the last two months, according to Iraq's Independent High Commission for Human Rights. "At least 460 protesters were killed in October and November in various central and southern...

Practice makes perfect, and the Russian air force has gotten a lot of practice striking Syrian rebels. The Russian Air Force has learned valuable lessons during the recent campaign in Syria, according to a former senior Russian air commander. In fact, Russian air operations in support...

(Zaman Al Wasl)- A car bomb rocked the border town of Ras al-Ayn in northeastern Syria, leaving two civilians dead, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said Wednesday, accusing the Kurdish YPG militias of carrying such attack.   The ministry said on Twitter. "The enemy of...

The French -- and particularly Parisians -- are face to face with what may be the largest strike in the country's history. On the heals of the Yellow Vest protests, employees of various sectors are preparing to go on indefinite strike beginning Thursday to protest pension reforms by the...

Israeli police said Wednesday they had arrested two Palestinians from east Jerusalem suspected of plotting with the Islamic State group to attack Israelis in the Holy City. A police statement said "concrete intelligence" directed undercover officers disguised as Arabs to homes in the Jabel...

The US negotiator on Afghanistan will shortly resume talks with the Taliban and seek efforts toward a ceasefire, officials said Wednesday, three months after President Donald Trump abruptly halted diplomatic efforts that could end America's longest war. Zalmay Khalilzad has arrived in Kabul...

A December 1 New York Times investigation found that Russian aircraft were responsible for an August strike in the last anti-government held area in Syria. Two months ago, my colleague and I investigated the same attack, finding that it amounted to an apparent war crime. On the evening...

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Clashes between Turkish-backed Syrian National Army and Kurdish-led forces were renewed in northern Hasaka province, local activists said Wednesday. The clashes between both sides in a zone between the towns of Tal Tamr and Ras al-Ayn left dozens dead in both sides over...

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Chinese telecommunication firm Huawei was a security risk after NATO said it needed secure next-generation 5G technology. In what some have compared to the Cold War arms race, the United States is worried that 5G dominance would give any...

Lebanese President Michel Aoun called for formal consultations on Monday with lawmakers to designate a new prime minister, a statement from the presidency said on Wednesday. Aoun is required to designate the candidate with the greatest support among Lebanon’s 128 lawmakers. The prime...

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on Wednesday for the release of any unarmed and innocent people detained during two weeks of sometimes violent protests against gasoline price hikes. The unrest, which began on Nov. 15 after the government abruptly raised fuel prices by as much as...

U.S. President Donald Trump canceled his scheduled news conference at the end of the NATO summit in Britain on Wednesday, saying he had briefed the media many times during his two-day trip. “When today’s meetings are over, I will be heading back to Washington,” Trump said in a tweet. “We...

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday praised Turkey’s commitment to a deal with the U.S. on northern Syria, and praised Ankara’s efforts for security and refugees in the region. Speaking to reporters ahead of his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in London, Trump said that...

 Saudi Aramco's bookrunners have recommended the oil giant should price its initial public offering at 32 riyals ($8.5) per share, the top of an indicative price range, three sources familiar with the deal said, potentially making it the world's biggest IPO. A final pricing decision...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to Portugal Wednesday to meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and call for increased pressure on the "tottering" Iranian government. The two men will meet on Wednesday night in Lisbon, the US State Department announced. Speaking...

The next phase of impeachment begins Wednesday in the US Congress as lawmakers weigh charges against Donald Trump, after the high-stakes inquiry into the president detailed "overwhelming" evidence of abuse of power and obstruction. Four constitutional scholars will testify before the House...

Russia has accused Washington of deliberately delaying the issuing of visas for Russian officials traveling to the United States, something it said could further damage already strained relations. The U.S. embassy in Moscow failed to issue visas to a Russian delegation of treasury officials...