Iraqi troops retake Fallujah from ISIS

FALLUJAH (Iraq) • Iraqi forces took the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group's last positions in the city of Fallujah yesterday, establishing full control over one of the militants' most emblematic bastions after a month-long operation.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had already declared victory on June 17 after ISIS defences collapsed, with Iraqi forces facing only limited resistance in subsequent clearing operations.

The offensive saw tens of thousands of civilians risk death to flee their homes, leaving Iraq to grapple with a humanitarian crisis as its forces prepare to attack the country's last remaining major ISIS hub of Mosul.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Mafia boss nabbed after decades on run

ROME • One of Italy's most wanted mafia bosses was arrested yesterday after two decades on the run, fleeing a life sentence for murder, the authorities announced.

Ernesto Fazzalari, 46, was captured in the early hours of the morning in an appartment in a remote part of the southern region of Calabria, home to the notorious 'Ndrangheta organised crime syndicate.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Israel, Turkey 'set for reconciliation'

JERUSALEM • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is ready to announce in Rome his country's reconciliation with Turkey after confidential negotiations, an Israeli official said yesterday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A deal would pave the way for multibillion-dollar natural gas contracts as Israel seeks to export fuel from its largest field, and Turkey looks to reduce its reliance on Russian gas.

Energy talks are to open immediately after reconciliation is announced, the official said.

BLOOMBERG