World News

Kurdish fighters move into position in Kobani, Syria on the border with Turkey Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014.

U.S. Airdrops Weapons, Ammo, Medical Supplies To Kurds In Kobani

2:38am October 20, 2014

by Lauren Hodges

In an effort assist Kurdish forces in the Syrian border town, the U.S. military said Sunday the dropped supplies were meant to help resistance to Islamic State efforts to control Kobani.

An artist's rendering of the flyby with Mars orbiters taking cover. Note that the image says "spacecraft not to scale."

Mars Probes Give Scientists Box Seats For Rare Comet Flyby

12:41am October 20, 2014

by Scott Neuman

A "mountain-sized" comet known as Siding Spring will pass very close to the red planet, where orbiters from the U.S., Europe and India, hope to get close — but not too close — to the action.

Free Syrian Army fighters sit in a house on the outskirts of Aleppo, Syria, in June 2012. The U.S. is planning to train and arm the rebels, who have been outgunned on the battlefield.

Syria's 'Moderate Rebels' Say They Are Willing, But Need Weapons

10:26pm October 19, 2014

by Peter Kenyon

The Free Syrian Army has been outgunned in the country's multi-sided civil war. But they say they have fighting experience, and if the U.S. provides arms and training they could play a key role.

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Saudi Cleric's Death Sentence Focuses Shia Anger On Ruling Family

9:23am October 19, 2014

by Leila Fadel

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr spoke out on behalf of Saudi Shia demonstrating against government discrimination in 2011 and 2012. Protesters promise more unrest if Nimr is killed.

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Thomas Eric Duncan, the first Ebola patient diagnosed in the U.S., at a wedding in Ghana. Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, where Duncan was being treated for the disease, on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014 said Duncan has died.

Liberians Wonder If Duncan's Death Was A Result Of Racism

7:03am October 19, 2014

by Rebecca Hersher

Thomas Eric Duncan, a Liberian national, died of Ebola in an American hospital. But white American patients have survived. Some Liberians believe racism is the reason for Duncan's demise.

People stand on the island's south shore to feel the winds from approaching Hurricane Gonzalo, in Astwood Park, Bermuda, on Friday. The storm has knocked out power to half of the residents of the British island territory.

Hurricane Gonzalo Hits Bermuda; Ana To Skirt Past Hawaii

4:07pm October 18, 2014

by Scott Neuman

In the British island territory, Gonzalo has wiped out power to roughly half of the island's 70,000 inhabitants.

Pope Francis opens the morning session of a two-week synod on family issues at the Vatican, on Saturday.

Vatican Bishops Scrap Opening To Gays, Divorced Members

3:49pm October 18, 2014

by Scott Neuman

Earlier this week an interim summary of the synod on family issues included conciliatory language on gays and on the taking of holy communion for divorced church members.

Pro-democracy protesters set up new barricades after riot police retreated from a main road at Mong Kok shopping district in Hong Kong early Saturday.

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Hong Kong Activists Clash With Police, Retake Protest Site

1:26pm October 18, 2014

by Scott Neuman

Pro-democracy protesters have replaced barricades in the congested Mong Kong district of the city hours after authorities dismantled the obstacles.

Workers drill for oil in the Bakken shale formation outside Watford City, N.D., an area experiencing an oil boom.

Predictions Of 'Peak Oil' Production Prove Slippery

12:52pm October 18, 2014

by Marilyn Geewax

Just a few years ago, authors were predicting production would soon hit a peak and then decline. But since then, supplies have surged. So are the forecasters now slapping themselves in the head?

Senegalese fencer Abdoulaye Thiam (left) competed against Jason Rogers of the U.S. during the 2008 Olympics. Due to Ebola fears, a World Cup fencing event set for Senegal this month has been canceled.

Universities To Speakers Who've Visited West Africa: En Garde!

5:37am October 18, 2014

by Eleanor Klibanoff

Fears of Ebola — not always justified — have caused organizers in Africa and the United States to cancel or reschedule events they worry may lead to spread of the disease.