Associated Press

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants at Iraq?s ancient city of Hatra destroyed the archaeological site by smashing sledgehammers into its walls and shooting Kalashnikov assault rifles at priceless statues, a new militant video purportedly from the group shows.
                   

Sean Penn strikes back, after the tumult created following his immigration comment about his friend Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s Oscar win: “Who gave this bastard a green card?”.

Penn had cooperated with the Mexican director in 2003 for “21 Grams”. His joke made many a social medialite go up in arms, calling it “insulting and racist”, “horrible and disgusting”.

According to US media, authorities arrested three men from New York associated with terrorism.

Initial information refers to three men aiming to become ISIS Jihadists.

They managed to travel from Iraq and Syria and they were determined to launch attacks against the US.

The sudden death of former Bulgarian President Zhelyu Zhelev, who died at the age of 79 on Friday, was widely reported in international media.

Bloomberg notes that under Zhelev's presidency, Bulgaria, described as ''the former Soviet Union's staunchest ally'', began its transition from communism to market economy and democracy.

Poland sees "unprecedented" Russian activity

WARSAW -- Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak says there has been "unprecedented" activity by Russia's navy and air force in the Baltic Sea region in recent days.

This is according to an Associated Press report.

Erdogan wins Turkish presidential election

ANKARA -- Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday won the Turkish presidential elections with about 52 percent of the vote, ahead of Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu with 38 percent.

“...and once the TAR (Target Acquisition Radar) has lock-on, this light will go green. Then just push this button here, and the rest’s automatic. Good luck!  Oh, and make sure nobody’s standing behind the missile when you launch.”

Sobbing and shaking, Ismail Abu Musallam leaned against the wall of a hospital Friday, waiting for three of his children to be prepared for burial. They were killed as they slept when an Israeli tank shell hit their home, burying 11-year-old Ahmed, 14-year-old Walaa and 16-year-old Mohammed under debris in their beds.

Sobbing and shaking, Ismail Abu Musallam leaned against the wall of a hospital Friday, waiting for three of his children to be prepared for burial. They were killed as they slept when an Israeli tank shell hit their home, burying 11-year-old Ahmed, 14-year-old Walaa and 16-year-old Mohammed under debris in their beds.

Greek authorities say there has been an exchange of gunfire in the Athens tourist district of Monastiraki, during what appeared to be a robbery attempt on a jewelry shop. At least three people have been wounded.

Police say one of the wounded in Wednesday's shootout has been arrested and his identity is being checked.