Iraqi government forces and local tribal fighters drive on the highway between the city of Ramadi and the town of Rutba as they take part in an operation to retake Rutba from the Daesh terrorists on May 16, 2016. AFP
Here is a round-up of global news developments:
- New documents reveal the U-S National Security Agency worked with other intelligence agencies to brutally torture inmates at notorious U-S-run prisons in Guantanamo and Iraq. The documents were released by former NSA contractor and whistleblower Edward Snowden. Washington’s overseas prisons have been criticized for inhumane practices against prisoners.
- Iran’s Foreign Minister says a military solution to the crisis in Syria is nothing but an illusion. Mohammad Javad Zarif reaffirmed the need for a political solution to end the Syrian war. Zarif made the remarks upon his arrival in the Austrian capital to attend talks on Syria.
- Iraqi forces have retaken more land from ISIL terrorists in Anbar province. They have moved toward the far western city of Rutbah. The city has been under the control of the terrorists since 20-14. Iraqi forces are also trying to close in on the terrorist-held northern city of Mosul.
- World powers are considering an exemption for the UN arms embargo against Libya to militarily equip the African nation in its fight against terrorists. The joint decision was announced by US Secretary of State John Kerry. He also ruled out military intervention in Libya to defeat Daesh terrorists.
- Libyan coastguards have rescued more than 110 refugees stranded in the Mediterranean Sea after their boat engine broke down. The refugees said they fled their homes amid ongoing fighting in their countries. Over 37-hundred refugees died trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea in 2015.
- The UN’s Special Rapporteur on human rights has strongly slammed the recently-signed refugee agreement between the E-U and Turkey. Francois Crepeaus says the E-U approach to the refugee crisis has legal ambiguity and promotes the detention of newly arrived refugees in Greece.
- More than 300 business leaders have urged Britons to vote to exit the European Union in June's referendum. They say staying in the 28-nation bloc impedes the growth of the country’s economy. Britons are holding a referendum on June 23 on the future of the country's E-U membership.
- Hundreds of Italian activists have rallied in Sicily to protest the installation of a NATO military communication system. The protest was held after a court ruled that the system isn’t harmful to humans. The system has caused anger among local residents who are concerned about its health hazards.
Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:
www.presstv.co.uk