Iraq troops ‘seize Baiji oil refinery town centre’ from IS

U.S. Navy F-18E Super Hornet jets leave to support military operations against ISIL after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over Iraq 11 August 2014

Iraqi government forces have seized large areas of the town of Baiji – home to Iraq’s biggest oil refinery – from Islamic State fighters, officials say

Iraq conflict: UN warns of possible Amerli ‘massacre’

Iraqi security forces and Turkmen Shia fighters hold a position in Amerli (4 August 2014)

The UN has called for action to prevent what it says may be a possible massacre in the northern Iraqi town of Amerli.

Mudslides shut down Southern California town; 500 children may be cut off

Photo credit: mtncare.com

Growing wildfire empties Washington town

Smoke and flames rise from the Chiwaukum Creek Fire near Leavenworth, Wash., Thursday, July 17, 2014, in this aerial photo. The blaze closed a section of U.S. Highway 2, and resulted in the evacuation of nearly 900 homes.         (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Tornado in South Dakota rips ‘through heart of town’

Damaged vehicles at Springs Auto after a tornado tore through the area on Wednesday in Wessington Springs, S.D.(Photo: Joe Ahlquist, The (Sioux Falls, S.D.) Argus Leader via AP)