All Latest News Wires
Twenty hostages escape from Islamic militants in Algeria, reportsTwenty foreign hostages 鈥� including some Americans and Europeans 鈥� have escaped from Islamic militants holding them at an Algerian natural gas facility, says an Algerian source. The militants said they had captured 41 foreigners, including seven Americans, yesterday.
Algeria: Identities of hostages still unclearForty-one foreigners were taken hostage by an Islamist militant group at a BP gas field in the desert of Algeria on Wednesday.聽U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta deemed Wednesday's hostage taking a 'terrorist attack'. Seven Americans are among those being held. 聽
Algerian militants take hostages, 41 foreignersAs the French military continues its build up in the West African former French colony of Mali, an Islamist group holds hostages at a BP plant in Algeria. The hostages include local people as well as dozens of foreigners, reportedly including seven Americans.聽- Some 100,000 flee Darfur, many villages burned, 100 dead: UNWeeks of clashes around a gold mine dispute in northern Sudan ends with dozens of villages burned, and human toll worse than estimated.
Algerian militants: We hold 41 foreigners, including 7 AmericansTheir claims have not been confirmed, but local authorities say over 20 captives are inside the natural gas complex that the militants seized near the Libyan border.
Obama makes Page 1 in Israel ahead of elections, after US columnist quotesComments by Obama on Netanyahu published by Bloomberg columnist track ongoing disagreements between the two leaders over settlements and military action on Iran. But contretemps unlikely to cut into Netanyahu's large poll margins ahead of Jan. 22 elections.- Islamic militants attack Algerian gas field, kidnap at least nineIt is not clear whether the dawn raid, which left two dead and at least nine foreigners kidnapped, was tied to France's military intervention against Islamist rebels in neighboring Mali.
French troops set to engage Mali militants 'in coming hours'The head of France's armed forces confirmed that the campaign had begun against the Islamist rebels who control northern Mali. Fighting has been reported in the rebel-held town of Diabaly.
Helicopter crashes into construction crane in London, killing twoA聽helicopter聽crashed into a crane in central London which was packed with thousands of commuters at the time聽on Wednesday, killing two people as it burst into flames and threw plumes of smoke into the foggy air above.
US demands Morsi repudiate 'deeply offensive' commentsEgyptian President Morsi must reject his past statements calling Zionists "apes and pigs" and urging supporters to "nurse our children and our grandchildren on hatred," say White House officials.
Horse meat found in burgers 鈥� traces of pig, tooHorse meat and pig meat were found in burgers and ground beef sold at Ireland's biggest supermarkets. Traces of pig DNA appear in 85 percent of the tested meat, and one burger was roughly 30 percent horse meat.
French will triple troops in Mali, prepare for ground fightFrench military officials say they will up forces from 800 to 2500 and in Mali a huge logistical operation to support ground forces grinds into place.
France beefs up security in wake of Mali interventionFrench soldiers are patrolling at some of the country's most recognizable tourist destinations and institutions, following weekend air strikes against Islamist rebels in the former French colony of Mali.
Rapes, bombings drive half a million refugees out of SyriaThe flood of refugees from Syria, driven by rampant bombings and the widespread use of rape as an instrument of terror, threatens to destabilize the Middle East.
Djokovic, Sharapova, Williams win matches at Australian OpenOn an opening day when Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams also easily won their first-round matches, Djokovic took his first step to becoming the first man to win three consecutive Australian Open titles in the Open era.
Indian Army chief warns Pakistan not to tempt retaliation in KashmirIndia's Army chief said today that his troops would honor a cease-fire in Kashmir, but that they would 'be aggressive and offensive in the face of provocation and fire' from Pakistan.
Heavy smog in Beijing prompts uncharacteristic government transparencyWhile welcomed by residents and environmentalists, Beijing's new openness about smog also put more pressure on the government to address underlying causes.
Wildfires uncover drug lab in Australia, but miss big telescopesWildfires uncover drug lab in New South Wales, Australia. The illegal drug lab was revealed, and 28 homes were destroyed, by more than 140 wildfires burning across Australia.
Report: Rape a 'major reason' refugees flee SyriaThe International Rescue Committee said in a report released today that Syria is facing a 'staggering humanitarian crisis.' More than 600,000 Syrians have fled the country.
Egypt orders retrial for Mubarak, bringing on further uncertaintyThe reopening of a trial against former leader Hosni Mubarak will likely only exacerbate Egypt's instability.
