ANBAR / AFP Heavy resistance has slowed Iraqi forces as they pushed forward toward the center of a town held by IS militants in western Anbar province, commanders at the scene said. Hundreds of roadside bombs, car bombs and heavy mortar fire slowed advancing Iraqi troops to a near halt Tuesday after entering the small town of Hit the previous …

Ankara/ AFP Turkey’s authorities launched a probe Wednesday into an alleged leak of the personal data of some 50 million citizens which threatens to compromise the information security of much of its population. The massive database—purportedly containing the names, identity numbers and addresses of those listed —was posted online by hackers earlier this week along with sharp jabs at the …

Dhaka/ AFP Some 20 million poor Bangladeshis are still drinking water contaminated with arsenic, two decades after the potentially deadly toxin was discovered in the supply, Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday. A new report from the rights group said Bangladesh had failed to take the basic steps needed to tackle the problem which kills an estimated 43,000 Bangladeshis every …