Iraq expels Islamic State families from local communities
TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) – Iraqi authorities are expelling the families of suspected Islamic State members from their homes as the jihadist group loses ground, raising fears of communal violence if people seek to settle old scores.
EU seeks to soothe Turkey ties, but no breakthrough on visa deal
ANKARA (Reuters) – Two of the European Union’s top officials sought to smooth fractious relations with Turkey on Friday, vowing deeper trade ties and continued cooperation on migration, but there was no immediate end to a deadlock over visa-free travel…
Mosul battle plans ready, could be concluded by year-end – Kurdish leader
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Military plans to retake Mosul from Islamic State are ready and the northern Iraqi city might be recaptured before the end of the year, the president of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said on Friday.
Afghan forces encircled by Taliban in provincial capital, officials say
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) – U.S. warplanes unleashed three strikes on Friday in Afghanistan’s province of Uruzgan, where Afghan security forces remained surrounded by Taliban fighters a day after having fought back a concerted push by the militan…
China marks Mao anniversary, but President Xi makes no mention
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese state media on Friday marked the 40th anniversary of the death of the founder of modern China, Mao Zedong, with articles praising him, but President Xi Jinping visited a school and did not mention the day.
Outside Havana, Cubans are still waiting for American visitors
HOLGUIN/SANTA CLARA, Cuba (Reuters) – U.S. visitors and their dollars are flooding into Havana as airlines and hotels take advantage of the thaw in relations between the Cold War antagonists, but in the provinces outside the Cuban capital, the promised…
Timing of solution on visa liberalisation up to Turkey: EU’s Hahn
ANKARA (Reuters) – European Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said on Friday he believed a solution to a dispute with Turkey over the pace of visa liberalisation was possible and the timing up to Ankara.
Scotland will not hold an independence vote for five years, says former leader
EDINBURGH (Reuters) – Scotland will not hold another vote on independence in the next five years because there is no sign it can be won, but the risk of secession from the United Kingdom is growing, a former Scottish first minister predicts.
Turkish air strikes destroy four targets in northern Syria: military
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish air strikes destroyed four stationary targets in northern Syria on Friday, the military said in a statement, as it continues attacks against militants in the region.
Russia bolsters military force in Crimea: Ifax
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia has formed a “self-sufficient military group” in Crimea capable of repelling attempts to seize the peninsula, Interfax news agency quoted the Defence Ministry as saying on Friday.
