Reuters: Iraqi forces battle towards heart of Mosul's Old City
Iraqi forces battled their way along two streets that meet in the heart of Mosul's Old City on Friday, and said they aimed to open routes for civilians to flee Islamic State's last stand there.
U.S.-trained urban warfare units are leading the fight in the maze of narrow alleyways of the Old City, the last district in the hands of the Sunni Islamist insurgents.
Iraqi authorities are hoping to declare victory in the northern Iraqi city in the Muslim Eid holiday, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, during the next few days.
Military analysts say government troops' advance will gather pace after Islamic State fighters blew up the 850-year-old al-Nuri mosque and its famous leaning minaret on Wednesday.
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MIDDLE EAST
Iraq PM: Mosul liberation to be announced in few days.
Bomber sows death among civilians fleeing Mosul.
Raqqa: The desperate fight for Islamic State group's 'capital'.
Russian warships fire Kalibr cruise missiles, destroy IS arms depots in Syria. Russian warships & sub launch cruise missile attack on ISIS targets in Syria (VIDEO).
Gulf crisis: Qatar's neighbors issue ultimatum, call for Al-Jazeera shutdown.
Turkey dismisses demand to close Qatar military base.
Iran nuclear chief urges West to save historic deal.
Yemen cholera cases could jump to 300,000 by September: UN.
ASIA
Afghanistan: Taliban leader wants US and NATO troops out.
40 people killed in bomb, gun attacks in 3 Pakistani cities. Twin blasts kill dozens in Parachinar market. Pakistan bombings kill several in Quetta and Parachinar.
Philippine army struggles to dislodge Maute fighters from Marawi.
Moon: South Korea must be able to 'dominate' Pyongyang.
Poll: Most South Koreans support inter-Korean dialogue.
North Korea to discuss co-hosting 2018 Olympic Games.
Japan politician: North Koreans should be 'starved to death' for threats.
Key lawmaker wants US to defriend Pakistan.
Otto Warmbier: North Korea denies mistreating US student.
Former Khmer Rouge leader denies role in Cambodian genocide.
AFRICA
EU states slammed for lack of support to Africa fund.
EU leaders boost support for Libya to halt migrant exodus.
South Sudan forces purged villages in oil region, group says.
Somali pirates target ships in the Indian Ocean.
Congo peacekeepers exit CAR mission after sex abuse charges.
Chagos legal status sent to international court by UN.
Zimbabwe VP pledges 'free and fair' election in 2018.
Food aid dwindling in world’s fastest-growing refugee crisis.
EUROPE
Brexit: EU leaders says UK offer could 'worsen situation'. Skepticism in Brussels over Britain's post-Brexit promise for EU citizens.
EU moves to boost military cooperation.
Alexei Navalny barred from Russia presidential poll.
Ukrainian president leaves Washington buoyed by Trump's support.
France's Macron puts national security at heart of foreign policy.
London police consider manslaughter over Grenfell Tower fire.
Sicily's cornered Mafia primed for reversal of fortune.
AMERICAS
Trump casts doubt on Russia investigator Mueller.
Trump suggests he was trying to keep FBI director honest.
US Senate healthcare bill suffers swift blow as four GOP senators voice opposition.
Supreme Court could reveal action on travel ban at any time.
One killed as Venezuelan troops fire on protesters.
May was Mexico's deadliest month on record with 2,186 homicides.
Mexican president denies spying on journalists, lawyers and activists.
Peru's president eyes pardon for Fujimori after political blow.
United States suspends all Brazilian meat imports.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Islamic State: Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia pledge to thwart penetration of South-East Asia.
If Baghdadi death confirmed, next IS leader likely to be Saddam-era officer.
Hamza bin Laden, Osama's son, is helping Al-Qaeda stage a deadly comeback.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Airbus sells 73 planes to two Iranian carriers.
Troubled Toshiba flags deeper losses.
EU promises tough line on U.S., China while pushing for free trade.
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