Russia halts gas supplies to Europe while blaming The Ukraine for stealing gas from the pipeline. Putin adds fuel with theatrics during TV interview.

With eastern-European countries increasingly suffering from the gas-payments row between the Ukraine and Russia, Dutch economists are accusing Ukraine of turning their annual row over their unpaid gas bill into an unsavoury political crisis.

The operation started Saturday 8pm accompanied by heavy coverage from Artillery machines, naval gunboats and Air force. A small number of Palestinian militants were killed in the ongoing clashes through the Gaza Strip.

As Israel continues its offensive onto the Gaza Strip, it receives more worldwide condemnation. So far thousands in Lebanon and Turkey have protested.

The Dutch co-ruling Labour Party chair Lilliane Ploumen has just announced a change in its policy of political-correctness. If they want the integration of minorities to succeed, the Dutch must openly criticise all cultures and religions - even islam.

A 15-year-old bride was sent back to her family home after her husband accused her of not being a virgin. The Turkish girl told her family she didn’t have sex with anyone, and later committed suicide.

At the new Dolphinarium in Istanbul, Turkey, Sara the walrus has become a star attraction. There, she plays the saxophone with the help of her trainer, Sergiy. Read on and…name that tune.

The Russia-India connection is not just one-way. With the Russian economy opening up, more and more Russians are traveling to India, with Goa as their favorite haunt.

President-Elect Barack Obama wants to do his part for the city that helped him launch his political career: he is rooting for Chicago Olympics 2016 bid and will post a message to the International Olympic Committee.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the G20 has agreed upon a series of measures which will help ease global economic crisis.