Hightlights
Afghan avalanches kill at least 124 people
Avalanches caused by a heavy winter snow killed at least 124 people in northeastern Afghanistan, an emergency official said Wednesday, as rescuers ...Jamaican parliament clears way for marijuana reforms
Jamaica\'s parliament cleared the way for decriminalizing marijuana by approving amendments to its Dangerous Drugs Act late Tuesday night.Gunman kills eight in Czech Republic
Eight people were shot dead in a restaurant in an eastern Czech town on Tuesday, the town\'s mayor said on Czech Television.FIFA group calls for November-December World Cup in Qatar
A FIFA World Cup task force on Tuesday called for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to be shortened and held in ...UK security committee head steps down over cash-for-access scandal
Malcolm Rifkind, the chairman of an influential parliamentary committee which oversees the work of Britain\'s intelligence services, said on Tuesday he was ...IS jihadists kidnap 90 Christians in Syria
Jihadists from the Islamic State group have kidnapped at least 90 Assyrian Christians in northeast Syria, a monitor said on Wednesday.US jury orders Palestinians to pay $218 million over Jerusalem attacks
A U.S. jury on Monday found the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority liable for supporting terrorist attacks in Israel more ...France deploys aircraft carrier in Gulf for IS fight
France deployed an aircraft carrier in the Gulf on Monday as part of the US-led military campaign against the Islamic State jihadist ...Australia announces citizenship crackdown to fight terrorism
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Monday announced a national security crackdown that could deny welfare payments to people seen as potential ...Thailand jails two on royal insult charge over play
Thailand on Monday sentenced two people to jail terms of 2-1/2 years for insulting royalty in a university play, amid a campaign ...