Boasts won't reduce tension, says US
The United States has cautioned Pakistan about its brandishing of nuclear status in the wake of the cancelled National Security Advisor-level talks with India on Friday. This will not help reduce tensions between the two countries, Washington said, and asked India and Pakistan to resolve their long-standing problems through constructive dialogue. "Secretary of State Kerry has said repeatedly that he wants the two nations to continue to work together, with constructive dialogue, to resolve their issues, and we understand that there are issues that are longstanding," State Department Spokesman John Kirby said.
Greece's new prime minister names caretaker cabinet
Greece's new prime minister Vassiliki Thanou, a top judge and the country's first female premier, named the members of her caretaker government on Friday. She was appointed after outgoing prime minister Alexis Tsipras resigned last week, barely seven months into his four-year mandate, following a rebellion by members of his radical-left Syriza party who objected to his agreement with the conditions of Greece's third international bailout. The finance ministry post went to Giorgos Houliarakis, an academic who had been on Greece's negotiating team during talks with creditors. Elections are expected to be set for September 20.
Islamic State struggles in Afghanistan
The Islamic State of Syria and Levant had ambitious plans for Afghanistan, but Taliban resistance and US drone strikes have so far prevented its breakthrough, top US military officer General Martin Dempsey said. The jihadist group, which controls large areas of Syria and Iraq, has been trying for months to establish itself in Afghanistan’s eastern province and challenging the Taliban. Its franchise in the war-torn country has managed to recruit Taliban fighters, as the fractious Afghan militant movement wrestles with a bitter power transition, the general said.
U.S, allies conduct 20 air strikes in Syria, Iraq
An international coalition led by the United States has conducted seven air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria and 13 in Iraq on Thursday. In Syria, the coalition focused attacks near Washiyah, where three air strikes hit tactical units and destroyed an Islamic State vehicle, the Combined Joint Task Forces said. Strikes against the militant group in Iraq were spread across the country and included two near Baiji, two near Mosul and one near Ramadi.
Trump blames mental health for shootings
U.S. Presidential candidate Donald Trump on Friday announced his opposition to tightening gun laws but supported addressing mental health to prevent shootings. He made these statements against the backdrop of a man killing two journalists on live television on Thursday. '"So many things that can be done and the Virginia shooter, who killed himself Wednesday after killing two others, should have been institutionalised," he said.
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The United States has cautioned Pakistan about its brandishing of nuclear status in the wake of the cancelled National Security Advisor-level talks with India on Friday. This will not help reduce tensions between the two countries, Washington said, and asked India and Pakistan to resolve their long-standing problems through constructive dialogue. "Secretary of State Kerry has said repeatedly that he wants the two nations to continue to work together, with constructive dialogue, to resolve their issues, and we understand that there are issues that are longstanding," State Department Spokesman John Kirby said.
Greece's new prime minister names caretaker cabinet
Greece's new prime minister Vassiliki Thanou, a top judge and the country's first female premier, named the members of her caretaker government on Friday. She was appointed after outgoing prime minister Alexis Tsipras resigned last week, barely seven months into his four-year mandate, following a rebellion by members of his radical-left Syriza party who objected to his agreement with the conditions of Greece's third international bailout. The finance ministry post went to Giorgos Houliarakis, an academic who had been on Greece's negotiating team during talks with creditors. Elections are expected to be set for September 20.
Islamic State struggles in Afghanistan
The Islamic State of Syria and Levant had ambitious plans for Afghanistan, but Taliban resistance and US drone strikes have so far prevented its breakthrough, top US military officer General Martin Dempsey said. The jihadist group, which controls large areas of Syria and Iraq, has been trying for months to establish itself in Afghanistan’s eastern province and challenging the Taliban. Its franchise in the war-torn country has managed to recruit Taliban fighters, as the fractious Afghan militant movement wrestles with a bitter power transition, the general said.
U.S, allies conduct 20 air strikes in Syria, Iraq
An international coalition led by the United States has conducted seven air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria and 13 in Iraq on Thursday. In Syria, the coalition focused attacks near Washiyah, where three air strikes hit tactical units and destroyed an Islamic State vehicle, the Combined Joint Task Forces said. Strikes against the militant group in Iraq were spread across the country and included two near Baiji, two near Mosul and one near Ramadi.
Trump blames mental health for shootings
U.S. Presidential candidate Donald Trump on Friday announced his opposition to tightening gun laws but supported addressing mental health to prevent shootings. He made these statements against the backdrop of a man killing two journalists on live television on Thursday. '"So many things that can be done and the Virginia shooter, who killed himself Wednesday after killing two others, should have been institutionalised," he said.