Reuters: Iraqi forces advance on town where Islamic State accused of executions
U.S.-backed Iraqi forces moved closer on Wednesday to a town south of Mosul where aid groups and regional officials say Islamic State has executed dozens of prisoners.
A military statement said security forces advanced to the edge of Hammam al-Alil, a thermal water resort, after an elite unit breached the eastern limits of Mosul, the ultra-hardline group's last major city stronghold in Iraq.
The battle that started on Oct. 17 with air and ground support from a U.S.-led coalition is shaping up as the largest in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003.
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MIDDLE EAST
Reaching Mosul caps turnaround for Iraq forces.
ISIS human shields tell of escape from forced march.
Bad weather holds up Iraqi coalition's advance into Mosul. Iraqi's Mosul advance pauses in east, inches on in the south.
Iraqi troops push on Mosul as Turkey slams PM. Iraq-Turkey tension rises amid battle for Mosul. Iraqi forces advance on town where Islamic State accused of executions.
Russia tells rebels to leave Syria's Aleppo by Friday evening. Battle for Aleppo: Russia offers humanitarian pause. Putin offers new pause, exits for Syrian's besieged Aleppo.
Turkish army chief holds 'constructive' talks with Russia on Syria: statement.
US call for end to airstrikes in Yemen faces backlash from advocacy groups.
Saudi prince flogged by police after court ruling – report.
Iranians shocked as Koran reciter faces child sex abuse claims. Iran's former prosecutor sentenced to 135 lashes for corruption.
Iran leader slams 'catastrophic' US election.
Iraq just published rare details on oil production.
ASIA
Seoul monitoring North Korea for possible future missile tests.
South Korea fired on Chinese boats illegally in its waters. S. Korea coastguard fires machine guns at Chinese trawlers.
South Korea President Park reshuffles cabinet as crisis deepens.
His war on drugs well underway, Philippines' Duterte now tackles labor reform.
Duterte lashes US 'monkeys' for halting sale of weapons.
India police under fire over prisoner killings.
China's Xi condemns 'cliques' and 'conspiracies' within party.
China, Japan have much to do to get relations back to normal: premier.
Asian MPs urge probe of reported abuses, envoys visit Myanmar's Rakhine.
Flight MH370 'made rapid descent'.
European watchdog to observe Uzbekistan election.
Pakistan denies bail to National Geographic's 'Afghan Girl'.
AFRICA
Kenya says withdrawing from S. Sudan after Kenyan head of UN force is fired. Kenya angry at UN, will pull its peacekeepers from South Sudan.
Mali Islamists say still waging war, dismiss ceasefire report.
18 killed, 43 injured as farmers, herders clash in Niger. Niger arrests 38 after deadly herder clashes.
Angola seeks smooth exit for Kabila in DRCongo.
At least 12 migrants die in stormy seas off Libya - Italian coastguard.
U.N. peacekeepers failed to respond to South Sudan hotel attack: inquiry.
S Africa: Corruption report increases pressure on Zuma. Report raises pressure on Jacob Zuma as thousands protest in Pretoria.
Gambia President Yahya Jammeh 'silencing critics'.
Thirteen port officials charged in Kenyan corruption clampdown.
EU hopes Libyan coast guard training will end attacks on boats.
EUROPE
Spain ambassador to Afghanistan probed over embassy attack.
France moves Calais child migrants, says Britain to take hundreds more.
Swiss take hard line on EU immigration before Merkel talks.
Ukraine rebuilds navy, with U.S. help, to counter Russian build-up in Crimea.
Lavrov calls not to speculate about US’ position on Syria after presidential election.
Russian authorities seal Amnesty International Moscow office.
Moldova: pro-Russian candidate leads ahead of runoff.
Irish PM warns Brexit talks between UK and EU could turn vicious.
Best outcome of Brexit talks is to avert it: German experts.
German unemployment hits 25-year low.
AMERICAS
Clinton, Trump begin final pitch for American votes. The race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton is tightening significantly.
Clinton and Trump push closing arguments as markets fret over tight race.
Race tightening, Clinton revives Trump-women issue.
Obama on FBI procedures: 'We don't operate on innuendo'.
Argentina looks to tame Peronist opposition with election reform.
Venezuela rivals' 'truce' crumbles amid name calling.
Colombia making 'substantial progress' with peace deal: President.
Waiting for peace, Colombia youths set up camp in main square.
Nicaragua president's running mate: his wife.
Police: 2 Iowa officers killed in 2 ambush-style attacks. Iowa police killing: Suspect held after two officers shot.
Obama says US mulling alternate routes for North Dakota pipeline.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Blacklisted Yemen firm denies helping Qaeda.
'There will be terrorist attacks in Britain,' says MI5 chief. Warning as hundreds of jailed terrorists back on UK streets.
ISIS child soldiers are latest casualties of brutal terrorist army.
Yemeni money exchange, owners sanctioned for aiding Al Qaeda: U.S. Treasury.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
As US Fed meets, eyes on December rate hike.
Oil prices slide 3 percent on record U.S. crude stock build.
Oil continues to fall as US stockpiles unexpectedly grow.
Fed is widely expected to leave key interest rate unchanged.
US election uncertainty weighs on global markets and dollar.