DW: 'Islamic State' suffers major losses in Syria and Iraq
The Syrian army retook the city of Deir el-Zour from the "Islamic State," on a day the militants also lost al-Qaim in Iraq. The twin blow means the jihadis have lost almost all their urban strongholds in Syria and Iraq.
Syrian government forces have taken full control of the city of Deir el-Zour from the "Islamic State" (IS) militant group, Syrian state television said on Friday, confirming a report a day earlier by the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
"The city is completely liberated from terrorism," the television report said.
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MIDDLE EAST
Islamic State on verge of defeat after fresh losses in Syria, Iraq.
Iraq forces retake town of Al-Qaim from IS jihadists: PM. Iraqi security forces retake al-Qaim from Islamic State: PM. Iraqi forces enter al-Qaim in final offensive on Islamic State-held territory.
Syrian army takes full control of Deir el-Zour from 'Islamic State'. Syria says its troops liberated eastern city of IS militants.
US, Russia offer rival measures to pursue Syria violations.
American foreign fighter says he can't cross Iraqi border to come home due to Iranian-backed militias.
Israeli army pledges help to embattled Syrian Golan village.
Iran denounces CIA 'fake news' in Bin Laden files.
Iran threat forcing Mideast-Israel alliances: Netanyahu.
Death toll rises to 12 in Gaza tunnel Israel blew up: Islamic Jihad.
ASIA
North Korea calls for a halt to 'brutal' sanctions.
Trump warns China Japan could take action on N. Korea.
US bomber drills anger North Korea as Donald Trump heads to Asia.
Malnutrition soaring among Rohingya children in Bangladesh: UN.
Myanmar sees 'bad consequences' if U.S. imposes sanctions on military.
Intl court seeks probe into possible Afghanistan war crimes.
India ordered to probe 2,080 mass graves in Kashmir.
China disputes Trump’s claim of ‘flood’ of fentanyl into US.
France plans New Caledonia self-rule referendum in 2018.
Kim Dotcom: 2012 raid near Auckland ends in settlement.
AFRICA
Nigeria's 'Delta Avengers' militants end oil hub ceasefire.
Zambian president warns judges of chaos if they block his re-election.
'It's a scary, terrible disease and has caused more human deaths than anything else': World Bank releases $5M in aid as deadly plague epidemic in Madagascar reaches 'crisis' point.
Election dramas exhaust Kenya, where democracy is challenged.
Landmines threaten civilians in South Sudan.
Revealed: male rape used systematically in Libya as instrument of war.
S.Africa spy agency threatens to seek Zuma book ban.
Oscar Pistorius: Prosecutors want longer sentence.
American woman arrested in Zimbabwe over alleged Mugabe goblin tweet .
Red Cross apologies for losing $5m of Ebola funds to fraud.
EUROPE
Austria's prospective ruling parties agree on budget discipline, cutbacks for migrants.
Spain issues arrest warrant for Catalan leader.
Barcelona politicians demand release of Catalans. Catalonia: Spanish court jails ex-ministers as prosecutors seek arrest of Carles Puigdemont.
Merkel still optimistic on forming new German coalition.
Ukraine wants to question Manafort, but says requests to U.S. have gone unanswered.
Italy seizes 50 million euros worth of IS 'fighter drug'.
Cyprus delays hijacker's extradition after ECHR intervenes.
Fire at Moscow’s art museum causes no damage to collections.
Daphne Caruana Galizia: Malta leaders to stay away from funeral.
AMERICAS
Venezuela opposition coalition split ahead of new vote.
Trump pushes DOJ on Clinton, won’t rule out firing Sessions.
Exclusive: Carter Page testifies he told Sessions about Russia trip. US Attorney General Jeff Sessions faces perjury claims.
Puerto Rico governor knocks US Army Corps response after hurricane.
US rate for gun deaths is up for the second straight year.
Venezuela seeks to restructure debt as economy teeters on insolvency.
Cuba accuses US of lying about alleged attacks on diplomats.
Brazil: Divided over wanting ex-leader in office or jail.
11 journalists killed in Mexico this year.
Canada approves plan to build ski resort on land held sacred by indigenous people.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
US general freed from confinement at Guantanamo.
U.S. carries out strikes against Islamic State in Somalia.
'Islamic State' claims New York attack.
Paris trial of jihadi’s brother: prosecutors appeal sentence.
Five jailed over terror plot in Sydney, Australia.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Apple juices Wall St. as indexes climb for another week.
Twitter employee 'deactivated' Trump account on last day.
Bear market in oil may last another decade, with US crude stuck between $30 and $60 a barrel, Wells Fargo says.
Old scams, new tricks as fraudsters adapt.