Top ISIS fundraiser killed in rare US raid in Syria
The United States upped the ante in its war on the Islamic State in Syria, killing a dozen militants and a major fundraiser Saturday in a rare ground operation by special forces, the White House said.
US commandos have entered Syria before, including last year on a failed bid to rescue Western hostages, but this week's operation appeared to mark a departure in missions targeting the militants.
The decision to send commandos to strike the inner circle of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group was an unexpected move by the Americans, who have so far fought the extremists almost entirely from the air.
The raid is the first publicly confirmed American ground operation targeting militants in Syria.
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Bangladeshi, 14, kidnapped, forced onto Asian migrant boat
Snatched by people traffickers in his native Bangladesh and forced onto a migrant boat, 14-year-old Absaruddin endured a weeks-long nightmare in which he almost starved to death, saw his relatives killed and was forced to jump overboard after being attacked.
He lived to tell the tale after he and several hundred other Bangladeshis and Rohingya from Myanmar were plucked to safety Friday from their sinking boat and the waters by Indonesian fishermen.
The emaciated teenager, who comes from a poor farming family, wept as he talked on a mobile phone to his mother (above) for the first time since he left southern Bangladesh, an AFP reporter said. His mother could be heard weeping on the other end of the line.
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Football: Gerrard 'devastated' after last Anfield game
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard told supporters he was "devastated" about leaving the club during a heartfelt on-pitch address after his final game at Anfield on Saturday.
Gerrard, 34, will join the Los Angeles Galaxy in July after almost 17 years at his home-town club, and following a 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace, he paid an emotional tribute to Liverpool's fans.
"Before I go, before the tears come, I've played in front of most supporters around the world, but let me tell you, you're the best," he said.
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Football: United into Champions League after Liverpool defeat
Manchester United will feature in next season's Champions League after arch-rivals Liverpool's 3-1 defeat by Crystal Palace on Saturday assured them of a top-four finish in the Premier League.
The pain for Liverpool fans at Reds great Steven Gerrard's final match at Anfield, before the 34-year-old midfielder joins the LA Galaxy next season, ending in a loss was intensified by the fact this result ended their club's slim hopes of Champions League qualification.
It also left fourth-placed United six points clear of Liverpool, who can only take a maximum of three from their final league match of the season away to Stoke next week.
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Janet Jackson announces album after absence
Janet Jackson on Saturday announced that she would release a new album this year in a first since the death of her brother Michael.
Jackson released a video that showed a sound system, with her voice speaking gently over background chatter and urban music.
"I promised you'd hear it from my lips, and now you will. This year - new music, new world tour, a new movement," she said.
She was apparently referring to her message on Twitter last year that played down speculation of a new album, with Jackson saying at the time that "you'll hear it from my lips" if new music is coming.
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