Trump deploys more troops to Mideast after embassy attack

The 750 soldiers deploying immediately were in addition to 14,000 U.S. troops who had deployed to the Gulf region since May in response to concerns about Iranian aggression, including its alleged sabotage of commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf.

Iraqi supporters of Iran-backed militia attack US Embassy compound in Baghdad

Angered by deadly airstrikes targeting an Iran-backed militia, dozens of Iraqi Shiite militiamen and their supporters broke into the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad on Tuesday, smashing a main door and setting fire to a reception area in one of the worst attacks on the embassy in recent memory.

Iran-backed Iraqi militia vows revenge to deadly US airstrikes

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the military airstrikes send the message that the U.S. will not tolerate actions by Iran that jeopardize American lives.

China convicts 3 researchers involved in gene-edited babies

The lead researcher shocked the scientific world when he announced in 2018 that he had altered the embryos of twin girls who had been born the same month.

Massive red star Betelgeuse is unusually dim, astronomers say it might be about to explode

A massive red star called Betelgeuse that is most well-known as the bright upper shoulder in the constellation Orion has been acting strangely recently, and astronomers say there's potential for the star to explode as a supernova at any moment.

12 killed, dozens hurt after jetliner crashes in Kazakhstan

Officials said 54 people were reported hospitalized with injuries, at least 10 of them in critical condition.

Christmas typhoon leaves 20 dead in Philippines

A typhoon struck the Philippines on Christmas, killing at least 20 and forcing thousands to flee their homes.

Trump says North Korea may be planning nice 'Christmas gift'

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may be planning to give him “a nice present" such as a “beautiful vase” for Christmas rather than a missile launch.

Operation Holiday Express brings gifts to US troops in Syria

Coalition forces donned jolly red caps and delivered Christmas gifts to five U.S. military bases in eastern Syria as part of Operation Holiday Express.