Reuters: Ukraine forces, separatists fight first serious battles in months
Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian separatists on Wednesday fought their first serious battles in months and Ukraine's defense minister said an attempt by rebels to take the eastern town of Maryinka had been thwarted.
The Ukrainian military said the Russian-backed rebels had tried to advance using tanks and up to 1,000 fighters west of the main rebel stronghold of Donetsk, in the most significant escalation of the conflict in about three months and in defiance of a ceasefire deal.
Estimates of casualties varied.
MIDDLE EAST
Iraq, Iran fighters deployed to defend Damascus: security source.
Suicide bombs hit Saudi fault line as Islamic State widens war.
U.S., allies launch 18 air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq: military.
Dozens die in air strikes on ISIL in Iraq's Hawijah.
Islamic State fighters attack northeastern Syrian city. Syrian army battles Islamic State in northeast Syria.
Two regime barrel bombs kill at least 30 in Syria.
HRW: Syrian refugees stranded at Jordan border.
Air strikes kill 20 Houthi fighters in Yemen's Aden: militia.
Top Yemen Shiite rebel welcomes UN peace talks. Yemen Ambassador says U.N.-led talks to begin June 14.
Nuclear deal will reduce Iran enrichment capacity: US adviser.
Families of U.S. citizens held or missing in Iran testify on Capitol Hill.
ASIA
Iran’s cooperation with North Korea includes nuclear warhead technology.
China behaving like Nazi Germany in South China Sea, says Benigno Aquino.
Japan, Philippines huddle amid increasing China concerns.
Soldiers killed in attack in Thailand's south. Four soldiers shot dead in southern Thailand.
Divers comb capsized China ship, hopes fade for survivors. 420 people still missing in boat disaster in China.
Boatload of 700 refugees arrive in Myanmar.
In Tokyo, Philippine leader criticizes China over sea moves.
South Korea confirms five new MERS virus cases.
North Korea woos tourists, hopes for 2 million visitors by 2020.
AFRICA
Burundi delays parliamentary election amid political crisis.
Fear reigns in northern Mali's 'besieged' capital.
'No military solution' to Libya conflict: UN. Libyan unity talks resume as U.N. warns that time is running out.
Amnesty slams Nigeria army for abuses in Boko Haram battle. Nigeria military must be probed for war crimes, Amnesty says.
Amnesty: 8,000 killed in Anti-Boko Haram campaign.
Questions over fate of Boko Haram leader after he fails to appear new propaganda video.
Egypt's al-Sisi begins controversial Berlin visit.
US condemns South Sudan's expulsion of UN diplomat.
Logging companies plundering Congo's rainforest: report.
Fifa scandal: South Africa denies $10m World Cup bribe.
EUROPE
Fighting surges in Ukraine after Kiev says rebels launch assault.
Ukraine crisis: Violence flares up near Donetsk. Ukraine says government forces halt rebel attempt to advance on eastern town. Separatists say 15 people killed in clashes in east Ukraine: report.
NATO flexes muscles in Baltics, Poland.
European Parliament blacklists Russian diplomats. Foreign Ministry blasts EU’s anti-Russian ‘witch hunt’.
Kiev’s blockade of Transnistria fraught with new war.
Russian investigators point finger at Ukraine over downing of MH17.
US Army soldiers banned from German G7 zones amid fears of violent anti-globalisation protests.
Seeking compromise deal, Greece warns it might skip IMF payment. Greek PM Tsipras set for crunch debt talks in Brussels. Greek leader heads to Brussels to defend deal proposal.
Hammer-wielding raiders storm human rights group offices in Chechnya.
AMERICA
Obama's job approval suffers amid economic and ISIS worries (POLL).
Obama signs bill reforming surveillance program.
DEA eavesdropping tripled, bypassed federal courts.
US journalism courses rile Cuba amid effort to heal rift.
Activists across Venezuela go on hunger strikes demanding release of political prisoners.
Venezuela's currency isn't worth a penny.
No jail time for rebels: Colombia's FARC.
Push for Colombians to stop farming Coca falls short.
U.S. trade deficit shrinks; private jobs growth rebounds.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Al Qaeda's Syria wing sees no peace with Islamic State soon: TV.
U.S. envoy: Islamic State risks becoming global menace.
U.S. says 10,000 Islamic State militants killed in nine-month campaign.
US politicians call for release of secret 9/11 report.
Saudi names suspects in mosque bombings, offers $1 million bounty.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
OECD cuts 2015 global forecast.
Apple boss Tim Cook hits out at Facebook and Google.
2 FIFA ex-officials & 4 business execs put on Interpol wanted list on corruption charges.
WikiLeaks offers $100,000 bounty for Asian trade pact pushed by Obama.
U.S. plan to cede Internet domain control on track: ICANN head.
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