After three long years, I raq has announced that its war against the Islamic State (IS) is over. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told a conference in Baghdad that Iraqi troops were now in complete control of the Iraqi-Syrian border. The border zone contained the last few areas IS held, following its loss of the town of Rawa in November.
Meanwhile, the death toll in last month’s earthquake on the Kurdistan Region-Iran border has risen to 579 after more victims have been identified. The bodies of ten people were recently identified, bringing the number of victim from sarpol-e zahab to 518. Many who were affected remain in tents.
Lastly, It’s nice to see star power being used for good. Rock legend and lead singer of the band aerosmith, Steven Tyler, opened a home for abused and neglected girls in the US. Janie’s house is named after the rockstar’s song about a girl abused by her father.
