1. Tony Blair Slammed for Catalogue of Failures Over Iraq War
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s justification, planning and handling of the Iraq war involved a catalogue of failures, a seven-year inquiry concludes in a scathing verdict on Britain’s role in the conflict.
2. Syrian Army, Rebels Agree to 72-Hour Eid Truce, But Fighting Continues
A Syrian rebel alliance agreed to a three-day nationwide ceasefire announced by the Syrian army and the United States. Though the hope was that a more significant truce could be achieved, fighting and air attacks continue despite the agreement.
3. Obama to Keep 8,400 US Troops in Afghanistan Until 2017
President Barack Obama shelves plans to cut the US force in Afghanistan nearly in half by the year’s end, opting to keep 8,400 troops there through the close of his presidency in January.
4. US Attorney General Closes Clinton Email Case, Says No Charges
The investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of private email while Secretary of State is over, US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said, removing a legal cloud that threatened the presumptive Democratic nominee’s presidential bid.
5. China Warns US On Sovereignty Ahead of South China Sea Ruling
Ahead of a key arbitration court hearing in The Hague in the Netherlands on China’s South China Sea claims, China’s Foreign Minister told US Secretary of State John Kerry that the US should do nothing to harm China’s sovereignty and security in the disputed sea.
6. Australian PM Turnbull Scrambles for Independent Votes as Race Tightens
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull scrambles to gain support from a small handful of independent lawmakers whose backing he will likely need to form a workable government and end a political vacuum after an unexpectedly close election.
7. Chef at Bangladesh Cafe Probably Worked With Attackers: Police
A pizza chef at Holey Artisan Bakery, killed during the terror attack last week was probably in league with the assailants, Bangladesh police said.
8. Al-Qaeda Claims Attack on South Yemen Army Base Near Aden
Eight Yemeni troops and six militants were killed in an assault, claimed by Al-Qaeda, on a military base near the international airport of Yemen’s southern city of Aden, the Yemeni military says.
9. Surprise as Pistorius Jailed for Six Years Over Girlfriend’s Murder
South African Paralympic gold medalist Oscar Pistorius has been sent back to jail for six years for murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The sentence is less than half the 15-year minimum term sought by prosecutors.
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