Explainer: Does Islamic State still pose a threat?
Islamic State looks about to lose its last foothold – on the banks of the Euphrates near the Iraq border – but while its era of territorial rule may be over for now, there is near universal agreement that IS remains a threat.
Venezuela enters fourth day of blackout as Maduro blames U.S. cyberattack
Venezuelans woke up to a fourth day of an unprecedented nationwide blackout on Sunday, leaving residents concerned about the impacts of the lack of electricity on the South American country’s health, communications and transport systems.
Governor election counting halted in southern Nigeria oil state
Counting in the vote to elect the governor of the oil-rich southern Nigerian state of Rivers was suspended on Sunday, the electoral commission said, following violence at polling stations and collation centers.
Air strikes target Islamic State enclave in Syria: SDF
Air strikes targeted Islamic State weapons stores on Sunday as the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched an attack against the jihadists’ enclave at Baghouz near the Iraqi border, SDF official Mustafa Bali said.
Timeline: The rise and fall of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria
Islamic State faces territorial defeat as U.S.-backed Syrian forces attack its final, besieged enclave near the Iraqi border. This timeline chronicles the lightning rise, cruel reign and gradual fall of Islamic State.
Rouhani seeks to shore up Iran’s influence on Baghdad trip
President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to Iraq this week is a strong message to the United States and its regional allies that Iran still dominates Baghdad, a key arena for rising tension between Washington and Tehran.
President Bouteflika arrives in Algeria amid mass protests
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika returned home on Sunday after spending two weeks in a Swiss hospital, state television said, while protesters have massed at home in the biggest threat to his 20-year rule.
U.S.-backed Syrian force attacks Islamic State enclave
U.S.-backed Syrian forces launched an assault against the final Islamic State enclave in eastern Syria on Sunday, aiming to wipe out the last vestige of its self-declared “caliphate” that once spanned a third of Iraq and Syria.
Kazakh China rights activist detained on hate speech charges
Kazakh police have detained a Chinese-born activist who has campaigned on behalf of ethnic Kazakhs in China, fellow activists said on Sunday.
Bouteflika’s plane lands at military airport in Algeria: TV
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s plane landed on Sunday at Boufarik military airport, southwest of the capital Algiers, Ennahar TV said.
