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Plans Take Shape for Iraqi Assault on Mosul

PENTAGON — Iraqi troops are gearing up to retake the city of Mosul from Islamic State, in an assault expected to begin later this month. Officials of the U.S.-led coalition assisting Iraq say up to 45,000 troops will be needed to keep Mosul secure after […]

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UN Security Council formally nominates Guterres

NITED NATIONS (AP) — Portugal’s former prime minister Antonio Guterres, who was formally nominated on Thursday to be the next U.N. secretary-general, said he faces “huge challenges” and hopes to see unity and consensus during his term. Security Council President Vitaly Churkin, Russia’s U.N. ambassador, […]

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Bassil, Gentiloni hold talks

NNA – Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Gebran Bassil met on Friday afternoon at his ministerial office with his Italian Counterpart, Paolo Gentiloni, the accompanying delegation and in the presence of Italian Ambassador to Lebanon, Massimo Marotti. Following the meeting Bassil and Gentiloni held a press […]

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US Condemns New Israeli Plan on Settlements

WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM — The United States sharply criticized Israel on Wednesday over plans to build a new Jewish settlement in the West Bank that it said would damage prospects for peace with the Palestinians and contradicted assurances made to Washington. The White House and State Department […]

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Russia warns US on airstrikes; Pentagon preps for hurricane help; B-2s test-drop fake nukes; Army seeks pocket-sized drones; and just a bit more…

Russia’s defense ministry has warned the U.S. against striking Assad’s forces in Syria—in particular, launching “any missile or air strikes on the territory controlled by the Syrian government,” adding Russia’s air defense systems will respond immediately despite not knowing where airstrikes come from. That word […]