IRAQ

As Iraqi troops come close to reclaiming Ramadi, the Baghdad government announces Mosul is next on its Islamic State group hit list.

The Roman Catholic Church leader counseled the world in his Christmas message Friday to stand together against extremists who he described as causing immense suffering in many countries.

The criticism from the 22-member body comes less than a week after Ankara announced it would withdraw troops from northern Iraq.

India and Russia have enjoyed strong ties in recent years, with New Delhi buying billions of dollars in weapons from Moscow.

"China can significantly help the regional peace and stability by becoming more active in the fight against the Islamic State," an Iranian official says.

However, the backchannel between the White House and Assad’s government was largely limited and failed to gain momentum, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The nation's prime minister said Canadians should make the new arrivals feel at home, as a compassionate holiday gesture.

As government forces make gains in the city against the Islamic State group, it’s yet to be seen if they can maintain control there.

Russia is arming Kyrgyzstan's military, to the northeast of Afghanistan, to counter threats from the Islamic State group.

ISIS likely is able to make fake Syrian passports, and security officials say it's difficult to pick them out.

Government forces expect to dislodge Islamic State militants from the western Iraqi city of Ramadi within days, state television said Wednesday.

Australia also deported a suspected French extremist who arrived in the country two days after last month's attacks in Paris.

Nearly 90 percent of Arabs disagree with the Islamic State group, a poll suggests, indicating that its backing has weakened further since last year.

"It's so heartwarming to see the courage and resilience they can show in the face of persecution," said Lisa Daftari, a journalist who started the page.

The announcement comes as Iran prepares to see sanctions lifted — and the two countries move to improve their trade relations.

The operation to recapture Ramadi from the Islamic State group — backed by U.S. air support — began in early November after a long effort to cut off supply lines to the strategic city.

ISIS fighters have reportedly been preventing civilians from leaving the city and have launched spoiling attacks across the war-torn country.

Never having attracted significant support, the Republican senator from South Carolina announced his withdrawal Monday on CNN.

In targeting oil, coalition jets and ground force allies made up of Kurdish and Syrian rebel groups, have stopped the terror group from bringing in $50 million a month in profit. 

Lisa Akbari, who worked as a research manager for the U.S. military for four years, was shot in her apartment Sunday night.

The 90-minute broadcast, which includes interviews, messages and songs about ISIS, encourages young people to find a sense of direction in the radical movement.