Brutal winter weather is making dire conditions even more unbearable in parts of the Middle East, especially for Syrian refugees who must endure frigid temperatures in tents.

Northern-Ireland-Unrest

The Union flag was raised over Belfast City Hall on Wednesday morning for the first time since a vote last month to stop flying it year round prompted violent protests in Northern Ireland. The flag is flying because it's the birthday of Prince William's wife, Catherine -- one of the designated days when the flag will still be flown. It was taken down again as planned Wednesday evening, a night after pro-flag protesters in East Belfast threw fireworks and petrol bombs at police. However, the disorder was sporadic and on a smaller scale than on previous nights.

India-Pakistan-Kashmir-Clash

India and Pakistan traded bitter accusations Wednesday after New Delhi said Pakistani troops had killed two of its soldiers and mutilated their bodies in the disputed territory of Kashmir, a flash point between the two nations since their creation.

Saudi-Teen-Divorce

A divorce has been granted in the case of a Saudi teenager who was wed to a 70-year-old man, Saudi Arabia's Human Rights Commission told CNN on Wednesday.

Russia-Zorb-Death

An extreme sport went extremely wrong recently when two men riding in a large inflatable ball rolled out of control and fell off a snowy mountain in Russia killing one and seriously injuring the other.

Bahrain-Unrest

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said he "deeply regrets" a recent decision by Bahrain's highest court to uphold the verdicts against 13 activists convicted of plotting to overthrow the government.

Japan-Giant-Squid

The first ever video footage of a giant squid swimming in the ocean depths is "an enormous breakthrough," according to a prominent marine conservationist who wrote a book about the search for the mysterious creatures.

SPORT-Football-FIFA-Korea-Fixing

FIFA has imposed a worldwide lifetime ban from football on 41 players from Korea who became embroiled in match-fixing activities in their domestic league.

SPORT-nba-rudy-fernandez-spain-basketball

It's the dream of millions of basketball fans around the world -- to be an NBA star. But for Rudy Fernandez, who leapt to fame with his "hellacious" dunk in an Olympic final against the U.S. Dream Team, playing in "the best league in the world" was not enough.

SPORT-isner-harrison-australia-tennis

The United States' top male tennis player John Isner is in danger of missing the forthcoming Australian Open with a knee injury.

SPORT-Football-Real-Madrid-Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo may have lost out yet again to Lionel Messi in the race to be crowned the world's best footballer but he responded in the only way he knows how --by finding the net for Real Madrid.

U.S.A.

New-York-Ferry-Accident

As an 8 a.m. ferry made its final maneuvers across the Hudson River, Elizabeth Banta watched in horror as dozens of her fellow commuters were tossed like rag dolls into the air and against the ship's walls and windows. Packed with more than 300 passengers, the high-speed vessel crashed into a Lower Manhattan port near Wall Street on Wednesday, leaving dozens bloodied and in pain.

New-York-crane-collapse

A crane collapse at a construction site in Queens, New York, Wednesday afternoon injured seven, according to city fire officials. All of the injured appear to be construction workers, Department of Buildings spokesman Tony Sclafani said. Three were badly injured.

Colorado-Theater-Shooting

Two weeks before a bloody shooting rampage that killed 12 people at an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater, suspect James Holmes apparently visited the cinema and took photographs of hallways and doors, a police detective testified on Wednesday.

US-Vermont-assault-rifle-ban-resolution

A resolution that has passed in the most populous city in Vermont could lead to a ban on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines. Burlington's City Council members voted 10-3 in favor of the resolution.