Former Soviet Bloc Nations Sign EU Agreements
Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova signed sweeping trade and political agreements with the European Union, risking a widening rift with Russia who strongly opposed any deal.
World News
Obama Seeks $500 Million to Arm Syrian Rebels
President Barack Obama is seeking $500 million from Congress to train and equip “vetted” Syrian rebels as the White House seeks ways to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) in the region.
Separatists Break Ceasefire; Attack Ukrainian Forces at Airport
Hours before Ukraine signs a trade agreement with the European Union, Pro-Russian separatists defied a government ceasefire and attacked Ukrainian government forces at an airport in east Ukraine.
ISIS ‘Brainwash’ Kidnapped Boys to Become Suicide Bombers
Last month, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) kidnapped more than 140 Kurdish schoolboys to use for terrorist operations including suicide bombings, according to Human Rights Watch.
Full Coverage: ISIS Takes Supply Routes into Baghdad; Threatens Iraq’s 2nd Largest Dam
The Shiite-Sunni sectarian war breaking out in Iraq is threatening a widespread regional war. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) is on the move as it threatens to cut off ‘supply routes to Baghdad.’ ISIS forces are within miles of the Haditha Dam, Iraq’s second largest dam, located on the Euphrates River. Meanwhile, Syria bombed ISIS targets inside of Iraq. The NY Times reported Iran is sending military aid including drones to Iraq. Those are just a few of the headlines we cover in today’s Full Coverage Report.
Ukraine Set to Sign EU Trade Agreement
An economic trade agreement between Ukraine and the European Union that served as a catalyst for months of protests, the exile of former Ukrainian president, and the death of scores of Ukrainians, is set to be signed on Friday.
String of Bombings Hit Egypt’s Metro Stations
Four bombs exploded at three metro stations in Cairo during Wednesday’s morning rush hour. The explosions wounded at least five people, Egyptian officials said.
Full Coverage: ISIS Targets Former U.S. Base As U.S. Troops Arrive in Iraq
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) surrounded a former U.S. base known as Camp Anaconda, striking it with mortars, just 54 miles north of Baghdad. Meanwhile, nearly half of the promised 300 special operations troops arrived in Iraq, the Pentagon said.
Vatican Partners with Islamic Museum in Historic First
In a historic first, the Vatican partnered with the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization to present “so that you may know each other.” The “exhibition is one-of-a-kind — not only because it presents excellent artwork, but also because it furthers dialogue between Christians and Muslims,” Deutsche Welle reported.
Congressional Report: ISIL’s Islamic State will be ‘Launch Pad’ for Attacking U.S.
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) ultimately wants its emerging Islamic state to be a launch pad for attacking the U.S. homeland, according to a new congressional report.
Canada: City of Nanaimo Bans Christians from Public Facilities (Video)
Last month, the Nanaimo City Council voted to ban Christians from using public funded facilities.
Iran Protected and Sponsored ISIS Founder
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’s (ISIS) founder and former commander Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was given protection and resources by Iran, according to the Washington Free Beacon.
Iran, Russia to Finalize Deal for Two More Nuclear Plants
Russia plans to build two more nuclear power plants in Iran. After months of negotiations, the deal is expected to be signed this week.
Kerry Meets Iraq’s PM; New Iraq Gov’t by July 1
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for nearly two hours on Monday. Kerry received commitments from Maliki to begin the process of forming a new national government in Baghdad by July 1, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Removal of Chemical Weapons from Syria Completed
Syria has dismantled its chemical weapons program, roughly 1,290 metric tons, and is to be destroyed on board a U.S. ship, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Italy to Push for ‘United States of Europe’
Matteo Renzi, the Italian Prime Minister, said that Italy will push for a “United States of Europe” during its six-month EU presidency, the Telegraph reported.
Pro-Russian Militias Seize Tank Base in Ukraine
Pro-Russian Militas took control of a tank base in Ukraine seizing 221 tanks, 288 armored vehicles, 12 self-propelled guns, 18 Grad volley fire systems, 183 infantry vehicles, and 12 mortars, Interfax reported.
Secret U.S. Plan to Aid Iraq Ended Because of Mutual Distrust
President Barack Obama authorized a secret plan to aid Iraq by sharing intelligence on Sunni jihadist’s camps. However, only a handful of U.S. specialists were tasked to the operation, and it provided limited information to Iraq, due to U.S. concerns that the Iraqi government would share sensitive information to its Shiite counterpart, Iran, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Khamenei says Tehran and U.S. Not Aligned in Iraq
Any military cooperation between the United States and Iran in Iraq was dismissed by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameni. On Sunday, Khamenei stated, “We don’t support any foreign interference in Iraq and we’re strongly opposed to U.S. interference there.”
Cashless Experiment Takes Place in Great Britian
In a social experiment, all vendors along a street in Manchester will only accept cards as payment for a day. Within 20 years, some experts predict transactions with physical currency will cease to exist.