Afghan official: Massive US bomb death toll rises to 94
KABUL, Afghanistan — The number of militants killed in an attack by the largest non-nuclear weapon ever used in combat by the U.S. military has risen to 94, an Afghan official said Saturday.Ataullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor in Nangarhar, said the number of Islamic State group dead was up from the 36 reported a day earlier.
KABUL, Afghanistan — The number of militants killed in an attack by the largest non-nuclear weapon ever used in combat by the U.S. military has risen to 94, an Afghan official said Saturday.Ataullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor in Nangarhar, said the number of Islamic State group dead was up from the 36 reported a day earlier.
Video released of 'mother of all bombs' blast in Afghanistan that killed 36 ISIS fighters
WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has released video of its most powerful non-nuclear bomb being dropped on ISIS positions in a remote part of Afghanistan.Afghan officials said 36 militants were killed in the strike in Nangarhar province, near the Pakistan border, where the US military previously estimated ISIS had 600 to 800 active fighters.The GBU-43/B Massive Ordinance Air Blast bomb (MOAB) was dropped Thursday night on a network of fortified underground tunnels that ISIS had been using to stage attacks on government forces.The GPS-guided munition is known as the "mother of all bombs" and is capable of destroying an area equivalent to nine city blocks.The blast destroyed three underground tunnels as well as weapons and ammunition, but no civilians were hurt, Afghan and US officials have said.Residents in nearby villages said the blast shattered their windows and that it created a boom so loud that they feared their own homes had been bombed.Scrutiny over US strikesThe commander for US forces in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, defended the use of the bomb and confirmed the target of the strike was the network of tunnels that ISIS fighters use to move around and protect themselves from Afghan and US forces."This was the right weapon against the right target," he said.Nicholson gave a vague response to a question by reporters on who exactly ordered or greenlighted the strike, saying only that he enjoyed a certain amount of "latitude" to make decisions in his chain of command.He confirmed that the strike was carried out in coordination with Afghan officials and said that the mission had conducted rigorous surveillance before, during and after the operation to prevent civilian deaths."Let me be clear -- we will not relent in our mission to fight alongside our Afghan comrades to destroy ISIS-K in 2017," he said, referring to ISIS' regional branch.The US bomb was dropped as Washington comes under increased scrutiny over its military actions in the Middle East -- three US-led airstrikes in the past month that have killed civilians or allies.On Tuesday, the US-led coalition in Syria killed 18 of its own allies from the Syrian Democratic Forces, in what it described as a misdirected airstrike.
WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has released video of its most powerful non-nuclear bomb being dropped on ISIS positions in a remote part of Afghanistan.Afghan officials said 36 militants were killed in the strike in Nangarhar province, near the Pakistan border, where the US military previously estimated ISIS had 600 to 800 active fighters.The GBU-43/B Massive Ordinance Air Blast bomb (MOAB) was dropped Thursday night on a network of fortified underground tunnels that ISIS had been using to stage attacks on government forces.The GPS-guided munition is known as the "mother of all bombs" and is capable of destroying an area equivalent to nine city blocks.The blast destroyed three underground tunnels as well as weapons and ammunition, but no civilians were hurt, Afghan and US officials have said.Residents in nearby villages said the blast shattered their windows and that it created a boom so loud that they feared their own homes had been bombed.Scrutiny over US strikesThe commander for US forces in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, defended the use of the bomb and confirmed the target of the strike was the network of tunnels that ISIS fighters use to move around and protect themselves from Afghan and US forces."This was the right weapon against the right target," he said.Nicholson gave a vague response to a question by reporters on who exactly ordered or greenlighted the strike, saying only that he enjoyed a certain amount of "latitude" to make decisions in his chain of command.He confirmed that the strike was carried out in coordination with Afghan officials and said that the mission had conducted rigorous surveillance before, during and after the operation to prevent civilian deaths."Let me be clear -- we will not relent in our mission to fight alongside our Afghan comrades to destroy ISIS-K in 2017," he said, referring to ISIS' regional branch.The US bomb was dropped as Washington comes under increased scrutiny over its military actions in the Middle East -- three US-led airstrikes in the past month that have killed civilians or allies.On Tuesday, the US-led coalition in Syria killed 18 of its own allies from the Syrian Democratic Forces, in what it described as a misdirected airstrike.
"It's overwhelming right now:" Home at last for 120+ members of the 32nd Military Police Company
MILWAUKEE -- They were deployed for 11 months to the U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
MILWAUKEE -- They were deployed for 11 months to the U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Russia accuses US of unlawful Syria raid as Tillerson visits
MOSCOW — Russia's top diplomat accused the United States on Wednesday of carrying out an unlawful attack against Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces as he opened a fraught meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.Giving Tillerson a chilly reception, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia was trying to understand the "real intentions" of the Trump administration.
MOSCOW — Russia's top diplomat accused the United States on Wednesday of carrying out an unlawful attack against Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces as he opened a fraught meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.Giving Tillerson a chilly reception, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia was trying to understand the "real intentions" of the Trump administration.
Tillerson: Russia must choose between Assad and the US
LUCCA, Italy — U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson issued an ultimatum to Russia on Tuesday: Side with the U.S. and likeminded countries on Syria, or embrace Iran, militant group Hezbollah and embattled Syrian leader Bashar Assad.As he embarked on a trip to Moscow following urgent meetings in Italy with top diplomats, Tillerson said it was unclear whether Russia had failed to take seriously its obligation to rid Syria of chemical weapons, or had merely been incompetent.
LUCCA, Italy — U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson issued an ultimatum to Russia on Tuesday: Side with the U.S. and likeminded countries on Syria, or embrace Iran, militant group Hezbollah and embattled Syrian leader Bashar Assad.As he embarked on a trip to Moscow following urgent meetings in Italy with top diplomats, Tillerson said it was unclear whether Russia had failed to take seriously its obligation to rid Syria of chemical weapons, or had merely been incompetent.
Protest in Milwaukee against missile strike on Syria: "You don't get justice by killing people"
MILWAUKEE -- Demonstrators gathered in downtown Milwaukee Sunday, April 9th to protest President Donald Trump's missile strike on Syria.The Milwaukee Coalition Against Trump was joined by some anti-war groups for the demonstration.
MILWAUKEE -- Demonstrators gathered in downtown Milwaukee Sunday, April 9th to protest President Donald Trump's missile strike on Syria.The Milwaukee Coalition Against Trump was joined by some anti-war groups for the demonstration.
Airstrike on Syrian town hit by chemical weapons kills 1
BEIRUT — Warplanes struck a northern Syrian town Saturday where a chemical attack killed scores of people earlier this week, killing one person and wounding another as Turkey described the U.S. missile attack on an air base as a "cosmetic intervention" unless it removes President Bashar Assad from power.The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the airstrike on the eastern side of Khan Sheikhoun killed a woman, marking the first death in the town since Tuesday's chemical attack that killed 87.The Local Coordination Committees, another monitoring group, said the airstrike was carried out by Russian warplane.
BEIRUT — Warplanes struck a northern Syrian town Saturday where a chemical attack killed scores of people earlier this week, killing one person and wounding another as Turkey described the U.S. missile attack on an air base as a "cosmetic intervention" unless it removes President Bashar Assad from power.The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the airstrike on the eastern side of Khan Sheikhoun killed a woman, marking the first death in the town since Tuesday's chemical attack that killed 87.The Local Coordination Committees, another monitoring group, said the airstrike was carried out by Russian warplane.
Syrian native living in Milwaukee speaks out in wake of US airstrike: "Very happy it happened"
MILWAUKEE -- Murder, destruction and a loss of hope.
MILWAUKEE -- Murder, destruction and a loss of hope.
Wisconsin Republicans praise US missile strike on Syria
MADISON — Wisconsin Republicans are praising President Donald Trump's missile strike against Syria.House Speaker Paul Ryan calls the action "appropriate and just." He calls them tactical strikes that "make clear that the Assad regime can no longer count on American inaction as it carries out atrocities against the Syrian people."Sen.
MADISON — Wisconsin Republicans are praising President Donald Trump's missile strike against Syria.House Speaker Paul Ryan calls the action "appropriate and just." He calls them tactical strikes that "make clear that the Assad regime can no longer count on American inaction as it carries out atrocities against the Syrian people."Sen.
Seoul: North Korea fires ballistic missile off east coast
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea says North Korea has fired a ballistic missile into the waters off its east coast.Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff says in a statement that the missile fired from the North's eastern coastal town of Sinpo on Wednesday morning flew about 60 kilometers (37 miles.) It gave no further details.The firing was made as South Korean and U.S. troops were conducting annual military drills that the North views as an invasion rehearsal.North Korea often responds to the drills with its own military training and harsh rhetoric.Two weeks ago, the South Korean and U.S. militaries said they detected what they called a failed North Korean ballistic missile launch.
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea says North Korea has fired a ballistic missile into the waters off its east coast.Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff says in a statement that the missile fired from the North's eastern coastal town of Sinpo on Wednesday morning flew about 60 kilometers (37 miles.) It gave no further details.The firing was made as South Korean and U.S. troops were conducting annual military drills that the North views as an invasion rehearsal.North Korea often responds to the drills with its own military training and harsh rhetoric.Two weeks ago, the South Korean and U.S. militaries said they detected what they called a failed North Korean ballistic missile launch.
Immigration arrests at Mexican border continue to plummet
WASHINGTON — Arrests of people caught trying to sneak into the United States across the Mexican border plummeted in March to the lowest monthly figure in more than 17 years, the head of the Department of Homeland Security reported.That's a likely sign that fewer immigrants are trying to make the trek into the United States.Secretary John Kelly said the steep decline in arrests is "no accident" and credited President Donald Trump's approach to illegal immigration.Kelly reported the figures in written testimony submitted to a Senate committee ahead of an appearance Wednesday.
WASHINGTON — Arrests of people caught trying to sneak into the United States across the Mexican border plummeted in March to the lowest monthly figure in more than 17 years, the head of the Department of Homeland Security reported.That's a likely sign that fewer immigrants are trying to make the trek into the United States.Secretary John Kelly said the steep decline in arrests is "no accident" and credited President Donald Trump's approach to illegal immigration.Kelly reported the figures in written testimony submitted to a Senate committee ahead of an appearance Wednesday.
Ship carrying 16 Filipinos, 8 S.Koreans missing near Uruguay
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea's government said Saturday that a cargo ship being used by a South Korean shipping company has gone missing in seas near Uruguay with 24 crew members.The ship went out of contact late Friday, South Korea time, shortly after one of the crew members sent a text message to the shipping company saying the ship was taking on water, according to an official from Seoul's Foreign Ministry.The official said the Uruguayan maritime police and a commercial vessel that had been in neighboring waters were searching for the Stella Daisy, which had departed from a port in Brazil on March 26.The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing office rules, said 16 Filipinos and eight South Koreans were on the ship.
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea's government said Saturday that a cargo ship being used by a South Korean shipping company has gone missing in seas near Uruguay with 24 crew members.The ship went out of contact late Friday, South Korea time, shortly after one of the crew members sent a text message to the shipping company saying the ship was taking on water, according to an official from Seoul's Foreign Ministry.The official said the Uruguayan maritime police and a commercial vessel that had been in neighboring waters were searching for the Stella Daisy, which had departed from a port in Brazil on March 26.The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing office rules, said 16 Filipinos and eight South Koreans were on the ship.
Iraq: Airstrikes kill dozens of militants near Syria border
BAGHDAD — A government statement says Iraqi fighter jets have carried out airstrikes against the Islamic State group outside Mosul, killing more than 100 militants.Saturday's statement says the strikes hit three IS targets in Baaj, a remote northwestern town near the Syrian border, and killed between 150-200 militants.
BAGHDAD — A government statement says Iraqi fighter jets have carried out airstrikes against the Islamic State group outside Mosul, killing more than 100 militants.Saturday's statement says the strikes hit three IS targets in Baaj, a remote northwestern town near the Syrian border, and killed between 150-200 militants.
Russia draws senators' focus in hearing on election meddling
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Experts on national security painted a sinister picture for senators examining Russian meddling in the 2016 election, detailing the worldwide impact of fake news, smear campaigns and even killings they say could have ties to the Kremlin.Clint Watts, a former FBI agent now with the Foreign Policy Research Institute Program on National Security, said the Senate intelligence committee should "follow the dead bodies."He said several Russians tied to the investigation into Kremlin disinformation activities have been killed in the past three months — not only in Russia, but in western countries as well.Earlier Thursday, March 30th, Russian President Vladimir Putin again dismissed what he called "endless and groundless" accusations of Russian meddling in the U.S. election, describing them as part of the U.S. domestic political struggle.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Experts on national security painted a sinister picture for senators examining Russian meddling in the 2016 election, detailing the worldwide impact of fake news, smear campaigns and even killings they say could have ties to the Kremlin.Clint Watts, a former FBI agent now with the Foreign Policy Research Institute Program on National Security, said the Senate intelligence committee should "follow the dead bodies."He said several Russians tied to the investigation into Kremlin disinformation activities have been killed in the past three months — not only in Russia, but in western countries as well.Earlier Thursday, March 30th, Russian President Vladimir Putin again dismissed what he called "endless and groundless" accusations of Russian meddling in the U.S. election, describing them as part of the U.S. domestic political struggle.
White House invites lawmakers to see intelligence material on Russia's role in election
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The White House refused to say on Thursday, March 30th whether it gave the top Republican on the House intelligence committee access to highly classified materials.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The White House refused to say on Thursday, March 30th whether it gave the top Republican on the House intelligence committee access to highly classified materials.
Top Dem on House Intel committee calls on chairman to recuse himself from Russia investigation
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The top Democrat on the House intelligence committee says Chairman Devin Nunes should recuse himself from heading the lawmakers' investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election and ties between the President Donald Trump campaign and the Kremlin.Rep.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The top Democrat on the House intelligence committee says Chairman Devin Nunes should recuse himself from heading the lawmakers' investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election and ties between the President Donald Trump campaign and the Kremlin.Rep.