The Guardian: Iraqi troops enter Mosul for first time since 2014
Battle for Isis’s last major urban stronghold will be toughest test yet, with coalition forces facing prospect of street fighting and heavily mined terrain
Iraqi forces have entered Mosul for the first time since 2014, a milestone in the effort to reclaim the city that heralds a fierce urban battle in the weeks ahead.
Baghdad said its elite troops had breached the eastern suburbs of Islamic State’s last major urban stronghold in Iraq, creating a toe-hold in the Jdeidet al-Mufti neighbourhood after two weeks of combat.
Special forces units also entered the neighbourhood of Gogjali inside the city’s limits and took control of the local state television building.
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MIDDLE EAST
Iraqi troops battle Islamic State inside Mosul.
Russia says Syria peace talks halted indefinitely.
Syria ‘much better off’ than before war, an unrepentant Bashar al-Assad says.
YPG's involvement in Raqqa offensive to exacerbate tensions between US, Turkey.
Turkish military deploy tanks, military vehicles to Iraqi border area: sources. Turkey reportedly amasses tanks, troops near border to Iraq, vows to tackle ‘threat’. Turkey deploys tanks, artillery near Iraq border: military sources.
Turkey's PM rejects EU criticism on media freedom. Turkey rejects Europe's 'red line' criticism on press freedom, suggests it may bring back death penalty.
Yemen: 10,000 children dead from preventable diseases as food crisis worsens, UN says.
Fatah to hold first congress since 2009 this month.
ASIA
U.S. officials say North Korea preparing missile launch: report.
Woes mount for beleaguered Afghan security forces.
At least 19 killed in latest India-Pakistan border firing. India's Kashmir death toll hits 8.
Xi insists on 'One China' policy in meeting with Taiwan's opposition.
Church protests drug war killings as Philippines honours the dead.
Pakistan's Imran Khan backs off from threat to shut down capital.
Top diplomats to visit Myanmar's troubled northern Rakhine: sources.
Australia and China agree to share financial crime intelligence.
AFRICA
Blast kills 8 suspected Boko Haram Islamists in Nigeria: army.
Niger Delta leaders want army out and oil firms to relocate to region.
Libya on brink of economic collapse - World Bank.
UN failed to protect civilians in South Sudan, report finds.
UN commander sacked in S. Sudan for failure to protect.
Spate of politician killings in Mozambique.
Moroccan authorities, facing protests, charge 11 over fishmonger's death.
Rwanda accuses 22 French officers over 1994 genocide.
Ivory Coast votes in favor of new constitution: elections commission.
Nigeria oil output nearly back to normal: minister.
After days of heavy rain, Egypt's Nile turns murky brown.
EUROPE
Deal on Cyprus reunification closer than ever: U.N. envoy.
Nato-Russia tensions move to Balkans with military drills.
Ukraine to investigate officials with over $100,000 in cash.
Refugees languish in Greek limbo as alarm grows in Brussels.
France to begin moving migrant minors from Calais on Wednesday: officials.
Sweden on the brink? Police force pushed to breaking point by violence amid migrant influx.
Russia security official: U.S.-Russia ties will improve - RIA.
Kremlin pours cold water on MI5 chief's claims of Russian threat.
Russian lawmaker says no talks being held on island handover to Japan.
Pope Francis says women will never be Roman Catholic priests.
AMERICAS
Dems anxious over tightening race.
Venezuela's Maduro and opponents to continue talk. Venezuela government and opposition leaders in Vatican-sponsored talks joined by US envoy. Venezuela opposition scraps Maduro trial but presses demands.
US companies see grim outlook in Cuba despite Obama opening.
Nicaragua's Ortega seen easily winning third straight term: poll.
Brazil spending cap debated in Senate, left seeks referendum.
Mexican officials appear to be telling a misleading story about crime rates in their country.
More people from far-flung corners of world sneaking into US.
Chicago soars past 600 homicides after bloody October.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Cities, towns and territory retaken from IS.
Documents show Islamic State obsessions: beards and concubines.
U.S. issues travel advisory for India amid fears of Islamic State attacks.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
China's Alibaba in 'flying pig' controversy.
US merger wave surges ahead of presidential election.
Oil poised to fall to $40 without OPEC agreement to freeze production – Goldman.
