First chemicals have left Syrian port, U.N. says
Removal of poison gas precursor chemicals marks crucial step in operation to rid Assad of chemical weapons program by mid-year
World
Iraqi troops begin fight against militants in Fallujah
Gains by al Qaeda-linked militants in restive Anbar province spur massive response from Iraqi military
"Devastated" Lindsey Vonn skipping Sochi Games
Hindered by knee injury, American star says "reality has sunk in that my knee is just too unstable to compete at this level"
Money laundering probe snares Spanish princess
Spanish court issues possible first-ever subpoena for a king’s offspring in tax fraud and money laundering probe
Two Goodyear execs held by workers at plant in France
Spend night as captives in tire plant company has long wanted to close; Boss-nappings had fallen from favor there
Biden calls Iraqi leaders amid escalating al Qaeda violence
Vice president expresses U.S. support for Iraqi government's fight against al Qaeda-linked militants
Al Qaeda-backed Sunni militants storm into Iraq cities
The battle between Sunni and Shia in Iraq is reaching levels unsurpassed since the height of fighting in 2004
Colossal waves crash into U.K. after U.S. storm
3 severe flood warnings have been issued and many seafront homes and businesses evacuated
Rules could keep Vonn, Miller, other top skiers out of Sochi races
New rules mean Bode Miller, U.S. world champ Ted Ligety may not qualify for super-combined; Lindsey Vonn would make just 2 events
U.S. boosting missile, drone deliveries to Iraq to fight al Qaeda
White House says U.S. to provide additional shipments of Hellfire missiles, surveillance drones in bid to isolate militants
Feats of Yuletide strength
Contestants in Weidenthal, Germany test distance-throwing skills at the Christmas Tree Throwing World Championships
China destroys six tons of ivory in landmark move
Growing concern for the ivory black market leads Chinese authorities to perform first-ever large-scale destruction
Winter wonderland at ice sculpture festival
Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in northern China celebrates the beauty of winter
Dennis Rodman, ex-NBA All Stars arrive in North Korea
7 ex-NBAers and 4 streetballers will be a “birthday present” to Kim Jong Un; Rodman said he’s gotten death threats for his visits
Ariel Sharon on a steady health decline, hospital says
Former Israeli prime minister has been in a coma for eight years after a stroke incapacitated him at the peak of his political power
Live
Deadly Isaias weakens as it lashes Southeast with rain and flooding
Live
Putin relays Iran's position on deal to President Trump
Pentagon's plan to livestream execution sparks intense backlash
Trump announces Russia will release millions of tons of diesel to help with costs
Blanche, other DOJ appointees can take part in political campaigns, memo says
NYPD body camera footage shows aftermath of ICE agent shooting
Russian strikes kill 15 in Ukraine after Trump gets diesel deal with Moscow
Katie Zacharia is Trump's pick for next White House press secretary
