The announcement came after a weeklong offensive by the Lebanese army to oust the Sunni Muslim extremists from their last bastion in the wildlands near Ras Baalbek, a Lebanese border village. At the same time, the Syrian army, backed by irregulars from the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, launched its own campaign against Islamic State on the other side of the border. They were among about 30 soldiers and policemen snatched by a number of militant groups when they overran the Lebanese border town of Arsal. The Syrian army also declared a cease-fire Sunday and gave the militants safe passage to the eastern Syrian province of Dair Alzour, which is largely under the control of Islamic State. Twitter: @nabihbulosWith the battle for Mosul finished, Islamic State families present a conundrumAccused of funding terrorism and being too cozy with Iran, Qatar says it has done no wrongFinding a life partner is hard enough.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 27, 2017 22:30 UTC