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BAGHDAD (AP) — A fourth Iraqi town in western Anbar province has fallen to Sunni militants in what appears to be a major offensive in one of Iraq's most restive regions. Officials say militants captured Rutba, about 90 miles east of the Jordanian border and residents are negotiating with the militants to leave. An Iraqi army unit on the town's outskirts has threatened to start shelling.
CAIRO (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Egypt to meet with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi (AHB'-del fat-AH' el-SEE'-see) amid a chill in relations between Washington and Cairo. The U.S. is concerned that Egypt has conducted sham trials, imprisoned journalists and issued a violent crackdown on its political enemies. U.S. officials are hoping Egypt's weak economy and shaky security will prompt el-Sissi to embrace more moderate policies.
JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli official says Israel is considering expelling the U.N. envoy to the Middle East peace process over allegations in the media that he offered to aid the Palestinian Hamas militant group. Robert Serry says he was asked to help transfer Qatari funds to pay the salaries of former Hamas employees who lost their jobs in the new Palestinian unity government. He says he notified Israeli authorities.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean military authorities say they are trying to convince a rogue soldier to surrender. A defense official says the soldier fled his outpost near the North Korean border after killing five comrades. Officials say the soldier is surrounded.
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, Wash. (AP) — Mount Rainier National Park spokeswoman Patti Wold says the body of a "deceased female" has been found off the trail in rough, steep terrain that's difficult to access and not commonly traveled. It's roughly the same area where searchers have been looking for missing, prominent outdoors writer Karen Sykes. The search has been suspended but the body hasn't been identified.
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