Washington Post: Iraqi forces clash with Kurdish troops near strategic border with Syria
BAGHDAD — Iraqi forces backed by Iranian-allied militias began an assault Thursday to reclaim more Kurdish-held territory, advancing toward a crossing in the western border region that provides the only access for U.S. military operations in northern Syria.
A protracted fight over border crossings could severely disrupt American military activity in neighboring Syria. It could also strain the ability of aid organizations to provide desperately needed supplies to the nearly 300,000 civilians who fled fighting in the Syrian city of Raqqa, which U.S.-backed forces reclaimed from the Islamic State militant group earlier this month.
The fresh assault in northern Iraq came as Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi dismissed a Kurdish offer for a cease-fire amid tensions over the Kurds’ referendum last month in favor of independence from Baghdad.
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MIDDLE EAST
Peshmerga respond to, push back Iraqi militia attack near Zummar.
Iraqi PM Abadi demands Kurds cancel secession bid as price for talks. Iraq rejects Kurdish offer to 'freeze' independence.
ISIS under fresh assault in its last bastion in Iraq. Iraqi forces launch assault on last IS bastion of al-Qaim.
Abadi: Iraq is not the place for U.S. and Iran to fight out their rivalry.
Rex Tillerson reaffirms US commitment to Syrian peace, rules out Assad in future government.
Israel willing to resort to military action to stop Iran acquiring nuclear weapons: minister.
UN urges Iran to stop harassing BBC Persian staff.
ASIA
Chinese President Xi Jinping takes absolute control of armed forces in military shake-up.
Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un congratulate Xi Jinping on second five-year term.
North Korea ramps up threat to test hydrogen bomb over Pacific.
Malaysia footage shows second North Korean man behind assassination.
Australia uses monthly faxes to communicate with Kim Jong-un's regime.
Alphabet soup as Kazakh leader orders switch from Cyrillic to Latin letters.
Thailand ends year of mourning King Bhumibol with cremation.
Dozens die in explosions at Indonesia fireworks factory.
Scott Brown: more complaints surface over behaviour of US ambassador to New Zealand.
AFRICA
Polls close as violence mars Kenya election rerun. Kenya election: Police clash with opposition supporters, 1 killed. Kenya election: Voting marred by boycott.
French army kills 15 Mali jihadists.
Eight feared killed as Boko Haram attacks military base.
Number of homeless tops record in CAR: UN.
African anti-jihad force makes first steps in troubled Sahel.
Nikki Haley in Congo after protest at South Sudan refugee camp.
Italy is paying Libya to intercept migrants on the Mediterranean.
EUROPE
Confusion as Catalan president cancels, reschedules address.
Catalonia's Carles Puigdemont: No snap regional election to be held.
Catalan crisis: Regional MPs to debate Spain takeover bid.
Spain looks to seize Catalonia radio and TV as crisis mounts.
Ukraine MP injured in 'assassination attempt'.
Netherlands: Dutch PM Mark Rutte and government sworn in after record coalition talks.
Italy passes controversial electoral law against populist objections.
AMERICAS
House narrowly passes 2018 budget bill, moves to speed up tax reform.
White House: Trump to declare opioid crisis a public health emergency. Trump to declare opioid crisis a 'public health emergency'.
More than 73,000 Puerto Ricans flee for Florida after Hurricane Maria.
Venezuela opposition wins EU's top human rights prize.
Three Canadians tortured in Syria receive $31-million settlement from Ottawa.
Brazil's President Temer avoids corruption trial.
One in five Canadians is immigrant, highest in 95 years.
More than 50 years of theories: JFK file release imminent.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
GCC, US slap sanctions on Yemen 'terror' financiers.
Islamist militants 'taken out of action' in Mali - French military.
Virtually no 'dangerous' German Islamists wearing electronic ankle bracelets.
New US flight security measures take effect.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Twitter is banning all ads from Russian news agencies RT and Sputnik effective immediately.
WhatsApp and Facebook to face EU data taskforce.
Twitter says it could turn first-ever profit, shares surge.
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