U.S. backed Syrian rebels launch attack on IS-held town near Iraqi border
BEIRUT/AMMAN (Reuters) – Syrian rebels launched an attack on a town held by Islamic State near the Iraqi border on Tuesday, senior commanders said, opening a new front against militants also facing an offensive from U.S.-backed forces in the north.
Cracks show inside Islamic State’s shrinking caliphate
ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – It was barely more than a squiggle, but the mark of a single letter sprayed overnight on a wall in the heart of Islamic State’s self-proclaimed caliphate was a daring act of dissent.
Russia, United States blame each other for maritime incident
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia and the United States gave contradictory accounts on Tuesday of an incident involving the two countries’ navies in the Mediterranean Sea on June 17, each blaming the other for what they said were unsafe maneuvers.
Canada, Mexico move to improve ties as U.S. election looms
OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada and Mexico agreed to settle a pair of protracted bilateral disputes on Tuesday in the run-up to a U.S. presidential election in November that could shake ties between the three North American nations.
NATO, EU leaders pledge strong alliance to counter Brexit fallout
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – NATO and the European Union promised closer defense ties at a summit on Tuesday to deter Russia and counter Islamic militants on Europe’s borders, seeking a show of unity days after Britain voted to leave the EU.
Zimbabwe restores electricity after losing half of its daily supply
HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwe restored electricity on Tuesday after earlier losing half of its daily supply following a technical hitch that disrupted business in an economy struggling to overcome a commodities downturn and severe drought.
Iraq’s top court invalidates Abadi’s partial cabinet reshuffle
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – A top Iraqi court on Tuesday declared unconstitutional a parliament session in which deputies had approved a partial cabinet reshuffle, scrapping Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s clearest gain in a months-long political crisis.
U.S. official sees progress against Islamic State, war continuing
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama’s special envoy for the fight against Islamic State said on Tuesday that coalition forces were making progress and planning assaults on key cities in Iraq and Syria, but U.S. lawmakers criticized the progre…
Germany girds for potential spike in Islamic State attacks in Europe
BERLIN (Reuters) – The German government voiced concern on Tuesday that Islamic State could step up attacks in Europe as it loses territory in Iraq and Syria, and said its domestic intelligence agency is training to respond to a large-scale assault.
Italy PM Renzi wins confidence vote on bank loan recovery decree
ROME (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi won a confidence vote on Tuesday over a decree to speed up the recovery of unpaid debt, clearing the last parliamentary hurdle for legislation aimed at helping the country’s stricken financial system…
