A state of emergency has been declared in Louisiana as a huge tropical storm nears landfall.
Forecasters say Storm Barry has been gathering speed over the Gulf of Mexico.
Wind speeds have reached to 104km/h and it's feared that they may reach hurricane strength by the time it slams in to the state.
They say flooding from the storm poses a major risk especially to the city of New Orleans.
No evidence alleged Bondi gunmen received military training in Philippines
There is no evidence indicating that the two suspects involved in the Bondi Beach attack received any form of military training while in the Philippines, the country's National Security Adviser said on Wednesday.
At least 12 killed in Nigeria mining site attack
At least 12 people were killed and three others abducted when gunmen attacked a mining site in Atoso village in Nigeria's restive Plateau state, a local group leader said on Wednesday.
Russian attack on Ukraine's central Cherkasy injures six, causes blackouts
Russia launched a "massive" drone attack on Ukraine's central Cherkasy region, injuring six people and triggering a blackout in part of Cherkasy city, the local governor said on Thursday.
UN, aid groups warn Gaza operations at risk from Israel impediments
The United Nations and aid groups have warned on Wednesday that humanitarian operations in the Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza, were at risk of collapse if Israel does not lift impediments that include a "vague, arbitrary, and highly politicised" registration process.
Israel approves natural gas deal with Egypt, Netanyahu says
Israel has approved a deal that will supply natural gas to Egypt, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday, describing it as the country's largest-ever gas deal.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) is urging private sector companies in areas most affected by the current weather to implement remote work on Friday, December 19.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Humanitarian Ship has completed loading over 10 million meals at Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi.
Dubai has declared remote working for all government entities on Friday, December 19, due to the unstable weather forecast across the country, with the private sector urged to do the same.
