Islamic State's media network on Monday published a threatening video message purporting to come from its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in what would be his first appearance since declaring the jihadists' now-defunct "caliphate" five years ago.

Islamic State airs video purporting to be leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

Islamic State group chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who purportedly appeared for the first time in five years in an Islamic State propaganda video released on Monday, remains the world's most wanted man, despite the jihadists' "caliphate" imploding weeks ago.

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Islamic State's elusive leader

The elusive chief of the Islamic State group Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has purportedly appeared for the first time in five years in a propaganda video released Monday by the jihadist organisation.

IS chief Baghdadi appears for first time in five years in propaganda video

Barring three areas, Sri Lanka on Sunday lifted the nationwide night curfew which was imposed after the island nation was rocked with eight blasts targeting churches and hotels that killed 253 people, including Indians.

Sri Lanka lifts nationwide night curfew

A week ago, Sri Lankan tourist guide Ricky Costa was preparing for a typically easy Sunday ferrying backpackers between Colombo's tea shops and beach bars in his canary-yellow rickshaw.

How 'laid back' Sri Lanka became a soft target for Islamist strike

Children born to Yazidi women as a result of rape by Islamic State group fighters will not be permitted to join the community in northern Iraq, the faith's Supreme Spiritual Council said.

Children born to IS fathers not considered Yazidi: Council

Sri Lankan forces have killed or arrested most of the radical Islamists linked to the Easter suicide bombings and the country is ready to return to normality, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Sunday.

Most Sri Lanka Islamist radicals killed or arrested: PM Ranil Wickremesinghe

Sri Lanka troops kill two suspected IS gunmen; explosives found during raid Sri Lankan security forces raided a safe house of Islamic State affiliated militants in the east of the country and killed at least two men in an exchange of fire, news agency AFP reported quoting military spokesman.

News brief: Big stories of the day

A gun battle erupted during a search and cordon operation in Sri Lanka's eastern province. Lankan soldiers opened fire on suspected terrorists, reports said. Sri Lanka's military spokesman said gun battle with suspects was still underway.

Gun battle erupts between soldiers, suspected terrorists in eastern Sri Lanka

For years, Sri Lanka's Muslim community warned authorities about a firebrand cleric. Now it seems Zahran Hashim may have played a key role in one of the worst attacks in the country's history.

Zahran Hashim: Radical Islamist linked to Sri Lanka blasts

By Greg Barton In the wake of any tragedy, it should be enough to grieve and stand in solidarity with those who mourn. With a massive toll – about 250 dead, according to revised government figures – it feels disrespectful to the people of Sri Lanka to be dissecting what went wrong even as the dead are being buried.

Sri Lanka attacks serve as a reminder that Islamic State is very far from being a spent force

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a television interview on Wednesday there was “every indication” that Sunday’s bomb attacks in Sri Lanka that killed 359 people were inspired by Islamic State.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says 'every indication' Islamic State-inspired Sri Lanka attacks: CBS

The Palm Sunday serial suicide attacks are the worst in Sri Lanka’s history, shattering its ten-year long tryst with freedom from terrorism following a 30-year civil war which ended in May 2009.

ISIS-linked attacks in Sri Lanka will have a long term impact on politics and society

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for coordinated bombings in Sri Lanka which killed 321 people and injured about 500 others, the group's AMAQ news agency said on Tuesday.

Islamic State claims responsibility for Sri Lanka bombings

Afghan Taliban insurgents are battling fighters loyal to Islamic State over control of territory in eastern Afghanistan in some of the heaviest clashes over the past year between the rival militants, officials said on Wednesday.

Heavy fighting flares between Taliban, Islamic State in Afghanistan

The devastating bomb attacks in Sri Lanka, claimed by Islamic State jihadists, show that the influence of the group's extremist ideology remains dangerously intact even after the collapse of its so-called caliphate in Iraq and Syria, experts say.

Sri Lanka attacks show Islamic State influence outlives caliphate

The death toll from series of deadly attacks in Sri Lanka has risen to 359 after several people died overnight due to injuries, police said on Wednesday. One of the nine bombers that detonated explosives was a woman, deputy defence minister Ruwan Wijewardene told reporters on Wednesday.

Woman among nine suicide bombers, says Sri Lanka minister as death toll rises to 359

Sri Lanka's president on Tuesday vowed a major shake-up of the military's top brass in the wake of the deadly Easter suicide bombings, after the government admitted warnings were ignored.

I hope to make major changes in leadership of security forces in next 24 hours: President Sirisena

Two days after the terror attacks, Sri Lanka PM Ranil Wickremesinghe today addressed the media asserting that the bombings could have been prevented if intelligence was avaliable.

I have sought report on why intelligence wasn't shared: Sri Lanka PM Wickremesinghe

At least 50 Syrian soldiers have been killed in attacks carried out by Islamic State and al Qaeda in the last few days, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Saturday.

50 Syrian soldiers killed in Islamic State attacks

Islamic State (IS) has recorded 69 casualties from the Nigerian Army and troops from an African anti-militant force in attacks over the past week, the Jihadist group said in its weekly paper on Thursday.

Islamic State cites 69 casualties from Nigerian army and African troops

President Emmanuel Macron on Friday hosted representatives of the Kurdish-led force that defeated Islamic State (IS) extremists in Syria, assuring them of France's support in the fight against remaining jihadists.

Macron meets Syrian Kurds, vows French support in fight against Islamic State

Notre-Dame cathedral fire was probably caused by accident: French prosecutors The fire that tore through Notre-Dame cathedral was probably caused by accident, French prosecutors said on Tuesday after firefighters doused the last flames in the ruins overnight.

The US military has confirmed that it had killed the second-ranking Islamic State leader in Somalia in an air strike. US Africa Command said that Abdulhakim Dhuqub was killed on Sunday in the strike vicinity of Xiriiro in the Bari region.

Islamic State No 2 Abdulhakim killed in Somalia air strike: US military

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Islamic State airs video purporting to be leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Islamic State's elusive leader

IS chief Baghdadi appears for first time in five years in propaganda video

Sri Lanka lifts nationwide night curfew

How 'laid back' Sri Lanka became a soft target for Islamist strike

Children born to IS fathers not considered Yazidi: Council

Most Sri Lanka Islamist radicals killed or arrested: PM Ranil Wickremesinghe

News brief: Big stories of the day

Gun battle erupts between soldiers, suspected terrorists in eastern Sri Lanka

Zahran Hashim: Radical Islamist linked to Sri Lanka blasts

Sri Lanka attacks serve as a reminder that Islamic State is very far from being a spent force

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says 'every indication' Islamic State-inspired Sri Lanka attacks: CBS

ISIS-linked attacks in Sri Lanka will have a long term impact on politics and society

Islamic State claims responsibility for Sri Lanka bombings

Heavy fighting flares between Taliban, Islamic State in Afghanistan

Sri Lanka attacks show Islamic State influence outlives caliphate

Woman among nine suicide bombers, says Sri Lanka minister as death toll rises to 359

I hope to make major changes in leadership of security forces in next 24 hours: President Sirisena

I have sought report on why intelligence wasn't shared: Sri Lanka PM Wickremesinghe

50 Syrian soldiers killed in Islamic State attacks

Islamic State cites 69 casualties from Nigerian army and African troops

Macron meets Syrian Kurds, vows French support in fight against Islamic State

News brief: Big stories of the day

Islamic State No 2 Abdulhakim killed in Somalia air strike: US military