Baghdad / AFP Iraqi forces advanced on Thursday after declaring a new phase in their offensive on eastern Mosul, stepping up efforts to reclaim the IS group’s last major stronghold in the country. Elite forces have reconquered several parts of eastern Mosul since beginning the massive operation to recapture the northern city from the extremists on October 17, but …

  Kiev / AFP Ukraine on Thursday reported the first death of a soldier since Kiev agreed a new “indefinite” ceasefire deal with pro-Russian insurgents in the separatist east last week. The military said the death occurred on Wednesday in the village of Kurti Blaka, some 15 kilometres (nine miles) north of the militias’ de facto capital of Donetsk. The rebels …

  Manila / AFP At least 39 people have been injured in two separate bomb attacks in the Philippines, authorities said on Thursday. In the first incident, two bombs exploded late Wednesday in the central island of Leyte, wounding 33 people who were watching a boxing match in Hilongos, government officials said. Another unexploded bomb was also found in the town, …