Iraq launches operation to retake city of Fallujah

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the beginning of military operations to retake the Islamic State-held city of Fallujah in a televised address late Sunday night.

The city was the scene of the bloodiest fighting for U.S. Marines in the Iraq War.

An Iraqi military statement earlier Sunday said the operation would involve counterterrorism forces, police, tribal fighters and popular mobilization units, which include an array of Shiite militias. U.S.-supplied F-16s had already begun bombing targets in the city, the statement said. Civilians were urged to stay away from Islamic State headquarters.

Few expect an easy fight. Islamic State militants have dug in and built defenses in the city since capturing it more than two years ago.

It's not an order of battle that correlates to U.S. military policy, which had focused on an offensive targeting Mosul, the Islamic State-held city farther north. President Barack Obama has said he expects the recapture of Mosul to be close to complete by year-end. But a drawn-out battle for Fallujah could delay the already stuttering buildup to that offensive.

There has, however, been a growing push within the Iraqi military to recapture Fallujah first. Some of the pressure comes from Shiite militia forces besieging the city 40 miles west of Baghdad.

The heavy presence of Shiite militia fighters, who view much of the Sunni population as sympathetic to the Islamic State militants, has raised fears of sectarian reprisal killings during any operation, though military commanders said militias would stay at the city's outskirts.

Rebels kill 5 Indian troops near Myanmar border

Heavily armed rebels ambushed and killed five Indian paramilitary soldiers on Sunday in the latest attack in India's insurgency-wracked northeastern region bordering Myanmar.

The soldiers were on their way for rescue work after a rain-triggered mudslide hit Chandel district in Manipur state, a police officer said.

The region is filled with active militant groups that operate from both sides of the border. The attack occurred on the Indian side, about 10 miles from the border.

Suspect in Mass. cop's death dies in shootout

AUBURN, Mass. — The suspect in the fatal shooting of a Massachusetts police officer Sunday was fatally wounded in an exchange of gunfire as authorities closed in on him, officials said.

A manhunt began after Auburn police Officer Ronald Tarentino, 42, was fatally shot during a traffic stop about 12:30 a.m. Sunday. Tarentino stopped the vehicle on a residential road, and the vehicle's occupant shot the officer then fled, authorities said. The suspect, was identified as 35-year-old Jorge Zambrano.

In Sri Lanka, death toll from landslides at 92

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The death toll from landslides and floods in Sri Lanka as a result of weeklong heavy storms has risen to 92, officials said Sunday.

Soldiers searching for victims of landslides that buried three villages in the central district of Kegalle pulled out eight bodies from the rubble, the Disaster Management Center said, adding that 109 people were still missing. The rain had stopped in many parts of the island nation on Sunday, and waters were fast receding.

Thousands in Brazil protest acting president

RIO DE JANEIRO — Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Brazil's two biggest cities Sunday to protest acting President Michel Temer, pressuring his interim administration only 10 days after he was sworn in.

A march in Sao Paulo headed toward Temer's residence, but police blocked roads near the house and the interim president left for the capital of Brasilia hours earlier.

Some protesters want suspended President Dilma Rousseff back.

The Newsmaker

Philippines' Duterte scorns Catholic Church

Rodrigo Duterte, the presumptive Philippine president-elect, blasted the Roman Catholic Church as “the most hypocritical institution” and questioned the relevance of Catholic bishops, citing his victory despite their efforts to persuade Filipinos not to vote for him.

Afghanistan confirms death of Taliban chief

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Afghan intelligence agency confirmed Sunday that the leader of the Taliban, Mullah Mansour, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan.

It was the first government confirmation of statements by U.S. officials that Mansour had been killed Saturday in the attack, which was authorized by President Barack Obama. The Taliban leader was traveling with another man in a car along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, U.S. officials said.

Erdogan asks long ally to form new government

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has formally asked his trusted ally, Transport and Communications Minister Binali Yildirim, to form Turkey's next government.

Erdogan tapped Yildirim on Sunday to replace Ahmet Davutoglu who stepped down amid growing differences with the Turkish leader, including Erdogan's wish to overhaul of the constitution to give the largely ceremonial presidency executive powers. Davutoglu remains caretaker premier until Yildirim forms a Cabinet.

Ex-Megadeth drummer collapses on stage, dies

LOS ANGELES — Nick Menza, former drummer for metal band Megadeth, died after collapsing during a performance of his progressive jazz trio OHM at a Los Angeles-area club Saturday night, a family spokesman said Sunday.

Friends and audience members rendered aid while paramedics were called, J. Marshall Craig said. Menza, 51, died at the club of a suspected heart attack.

Menza played on five Megadeth records over nine years, including 1990's thrash metal landmark, “Rust In Peace.”