Reuters: U.S.-backed Syria force closes in on Islamic State-held city; slow Iraq advance causes rift
U.S.-backed Syrian fighters have surrounded the Islamic State-held city of Manbij from three sides as they press a major new offensive against the jihadists near the Turkish border, a spokesman for the fighters said on Monday.
But in a sign of the difficulty world powers have faced in building a coalition to take on the self-declared caliphate, the slow pace of a separate assault by the Iraqi army on a militant bastion near Baghdad caused a rift between the Shi'ite-led government and powerful Iranian-backed Shi'ite militia.
The simultaneous assaults on Manbij in Syria and Falluja in Iraq, at opposite ends of Islamic State territory, are two of the biggest operations yet against Islamic State in what Washington says is the year it hopes to roll back the caliphate.
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MIDDLE EAST
U.S. fighter jets bomb 16 more IS targets in Syria, Iraq: U.S. admiral.
Advances on IS strongholds underlines US, Russia convergence.
Russia to provide active support for Syrian army to prevent terrorists from seizing Aleppo.
U.S.-backed force in Syria closes in on Islamic State-held city.
Top Syrian Kurdish commander killed in Raqqa campaign.
IS conflict: Falluja detainees 'tortured by Shia militias'.
Turkish military claims to kill Kurdish rebels in border clashes.
Jordan officers killed in attack at Baqaa camp near Amman. Jordan arrests suspect after deadly attack at Palestinian camp.
The U.S. is intensifying its military mission in Yemen.
Khomeini grandson defends decades-old mass political executions.
Turkish president Erdogan to attend Muhammad Ali funeral.
ASIA
'Indications' N. Korea has reactivated plutonium plant: UN watchdog.
Beijing's top Admiral warns on South China Sea.
Maldives jails ex-vice president for 10 years.
Kazakh police kill 12 attackers in Army base shooting. Kazakh 'Counterterror Operation' continues after deadly attacks in Aqtobe.
Taliban claim killing of 7 in Afghan province, including new Attorney General.
US, China bilateral annual summit gets underway in Beijing.
Taiwan 'won't recognize' any Chinese air defense zone over South China Sea.
China rebuffs Taiwan president's offer on democracy.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Switzerland on trail of hidden funds.
Bangladesh home minister suggests Israeli behind spate of killings.
Award-winning journalist and his translator killed while on assignment in Afghanistan.
Laos cracks down on social media critics.
AFRICA
EU considering working with Sudan and Eritrea to stem migration.
US Embassy warns Americans of potential terror attacks in South Africa.
South Africa rejects UK warning of terrorist attack.
Exclusive: U.S. wants sanctions on Congo leaders, Europe not so sure.
British troops arrive in South Sudan for UN peacekeeping mission.
Kenya opposition Cord protests turn deadly in Kisumu. At least one killed in Kenya in protest over vote body.
African Union troops in Somalia arrested for selling military supplies.
Gunmen kill female journalist in Somalia's Mogadishu.
Libya captures ISIL-held military base near Sirte.
Libya dismisses foreign military intervention in fight against IS.
'They can’t live with us': Libyan PM rejects Turkey-style refugee deal with EU.
Number of migrant bodies found on Libyan coast rises to 133: Red Crescent.
EUROPE
Nato countries begin largest war game in eastern Europe since cold war. Poland, NATO states hold major drill amid security fears.
Russia to Finland: We will respond to NATO Baltics activity.
St Petersburg residents reject bridge honouring former Chechen leader.
Macedonian president revokes pardons in wiretap scandal.
Headache for Angela Merkel as German president Joachim Gauck quits.
Death threats amid Germany-Turkey 'genocide' row.
Frenchman 'planned attacks during Euro 2016' - Ukraine's SBU. Ukraine detains Frenchman with 125 kilos of TNT and plan to attack Euro 2016.
Italy's Renzi not happy with vote, but sees no bearing on referendum.
Greece discovers huge quantity of opiates, investigates Islamic State link.
Britain's EU Out campaign takes 4-5 percentage point lead: YouGov and ICM polls.
Tories accused of censoring files on people killed in the Troubles.
Belgium train crash: Three killed, nine hurt near Liege.
Switzerland rejects plan to pay every citizen at least $2,500 a month.
AMERICAS
Peru election: Pedro Pablo Kuczynski holds slight lead as votes counted.
Mexico ruling party routed in regional vote on graft, gang violence.
Report accuses Mexico of crimes against humanity in drug war.
Obama preparing to endorse Clinton.
Sanders: Clinton too willing to use U.S. military.
Trump says US allies should pay in full for military protection.
Cuba will never rejoin OAS over Venezuela row, says Castro.
A war between Mexico's most powerful cartels may be spreading.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Prosecutor seeks 10-year sentence for brother of Paris attacker.
Islamic State kills dozens of its own in hunt for spies.
Obama administration rushing to shrink ranks at Guantanamo.
Iran rejects US charge of being leading terror sponsor.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
US presses China to shrink bloated industries like steel.
Stumbling dollar, Nigeria sabotage push up oil prices.
US warns China on steel overcapacity.
Exclusive: As Iran's oil exports surge, international tankers help ship its fuel.
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