Baghdad / AFP Iraq announced on Thursday that its forces have recaptured a northern town from the IS group in an operation launched ahead of a push for the city of Mosul. Security forces began the operation on Tuesday to oust the IS group from Sharqat, a town near supply lines needed for the battle to retake second city …

  Baghdad / AFP Iraq has promised to recapture Mosul by year’s end and US top brass have hinted an operation could start next month, but the offensive to retake the extremist bastion faces serious challenges. Mosul, Iraq’s second city, is the ultimate prize in the country’s war against the IS group, which seized it and swathes of other territory …

  Dubai / WAM The UAE and the Republic of Slovenia are witnessing an evolving economic landscape and have an extraordinary opportunity to take their bilateral relationship to the next level and help each other make a more positive and profound impact on the global economy, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, said on Thursday. “In recognition of Slovenia’s …