Iraqis launch offensive near Anbar base as blasts kill 32
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi security forces and Sunni tribal fighters launched an offensive on Tuesday to dislodge Islamic State militants and secure a supply route in Anbar province, police and tribal sources said.
Two killed as blasts, gunfire rock Burundi presidential vote
BUJUMBURA (Reuters) – A policeman and an opposition official died in violence at the start of Burundi’s presidential election on Tuesday, held amid protests over President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to run for a third term and an opposition boycott.
Obama pitches Iran deal to vets, Daily Show’s Stewart
NEW YORK (Reuters) – President Barack Obama’s campaign to convince Congress to support the Iran nuclear deal led him on Tuesday to a veterans’ convention and The Daily Show, where he took jabs at those opposing the agreement.
Al-Qaeda operative Muhsin al-Fadhli killed in air strike: Pentagon
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A longtime al Qaeda operative and key figure in the so-called Khorasan Group, Muhsin al-Fadhli, was killed in a U.S. air strike while traveling in a vehicle in northwestern Syria two weeks ago, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.
After Israel talks, Pentagon chief says: ‘Friends can disagree’
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter never expected to win over Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the merits of the nuclear agreement with Iran but tried to put a brave face on their sometimes blunt, closed-door exchan…
Boko Haram militants attack Nigerian army chief’s home
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Suspected Boko Haram militants burned down houses, including the family home of Nigeria’s new army chief, in a village in the northeast of the country on Tuesday, a policeman, military source and witnesses said.
Greek PM Tsipras rallies Syriza backing before bailout vote
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras tried to rally his Syriza party on Tuesday before a vote in parliament on the second package of measures demanded by international creditors to open talks on a new bailout deal.
U.S. imposes sanctions on Hezbollah officials for Syria support
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. government on Tuesday imposed sanctions on three leaders of the militant group Hezbollah and a businessman in Lebanon, saying they were key players in the group’s military operations in Syria.
Ukraine, rebels reach preliminary deal to broaden weapons withdrawal
MINSK (Reuters) – Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists have reached a preliminary agreement to extend a pull-back of weapons in east Ukraine to include tanks and smaller weapons systems, the chairman of the OSCE security watchdog, Ivica Dacic, said on T…
World Bank to spend up to $2.1 billion to rebuild Nigeria’s northeast
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria’s presidency said on Tuesday that the World Bank had pledged to spend up to $2.1 billion to rebuild the northeast of the country that has been devastated by Boko Haram militants.
