Iraq launches offensive to drive Islamic State from biggest province
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi troops and Shi’ite Muslim militia forces attacked Islamic State fighters on several fronts on Monday in Anbar, the country’s largest province, at the start of what is likely to be a long and fiercely contested offensive.
Two Islamic State leaders killed in Syria air strike: Observatory
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Two senior Islamic State leaders were killed in an air strike in northeastern Syria on Monday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.
U.S. steps up air strikes on Islamic State targets in Iraq: statement
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S.-led forces stepped up air operations in Iraq against Islamic State positions, with 29 of 39 air strikes in the country on Sunday coming near the Anbar provincial capital Ramadi, the Combined Joint Task Force leading the air …
Canadian-Israeli woman sought ‘redemption’ by helping Kurds fight IS
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – A Canadian-Israeli who was the first foreign woman to help the Kurds in their fight against Islamic State said on Monday that she had volunteered in an effort to “turn her life around” after being jailed in the United States for a…
U.N. chief disappointed Yemen humanitarian pause in fighting didn’t take hold
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is “very much disappointed” that a humanitarian pause in fighting in Yemen didn’t take hold, his spokesman said on Monday, after Saudi Arabia did not recognize the truce and contin…
Shattering stereotypes, U.S. transgender man hopes to land Men’s Health cover
NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Aydian Dowling could help redefine masculinity this year if he becomes the first transgender man to appear on the cover of a leading men’s health and fitness magazine.
Pope offers rare ‘mea culpa’ about neglect of middle class
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (Reuters) – Pope Francis acknowledged on Monday he had neglected problems of the middle class and said he was willing to have a dialogue with Americans who disagree with his criticism of capitalism.
At least three killed in bomb attack on Kenyan police vehicle
MOMBASA, Kenya (Reuters) – At least two police officers and a civilian died on Monday when a bomb blew up their vehicle in Kenya’s coastal county of Lamu, police said, and al Shabaab militants said they carried out the attack.
Nigeria’s president purges defense top brass to take on Boko Haram
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari sacked his army, navy, air force and defense chiefs on Monday in a widely expected move to boost the fight against Boko Haram militants who have killed hundreds of people in the past few weeks.
Ukraine’s Poroshenko says ‘illegal groups’ must disarm after standoff
KIEV (Reuters) – President Petro Poroshenko ordered Ukraine’s security services and police on Monday to disarm “illegal groups”, saying they threatened to further destabilize a country fighting separatists in its east.
