President Barack Obama's nominee to lead the U.S. military in Africa on June 21 backed the idea of gaining greater power to strike Islamic State, including in Libya, which he described as the group's Plan B as it loses territory in Iraq and Syria.

More than 20 people were killed in separate bomb attacks in Afghanistan on June 20, including at least 14 who died when a suicide bomber struck a minibus carrying Nepali security guards working at the Canadian embassy in Kabul, officials said.

European Council President Donald Tusk issued a direct appeal to British voters on June 20, urging them to stay in the EU at a referendum on June 23 and saying Brexit would weaken not just Europe but the Western world.

US-backed Iraqi forces fighting Islamic State militants in Falluja are advancing toward jihadist strongholds in western districts where they expect the final push to recapture the city will take place, the Iraqi commander said on June 20.

Pakistan and Afghanistan failed to reach an agreement on border management in talks on June 20, after days of clashes at the border last week left four dead and thousands stranded.

Investigators have begun analyzing the two severely damaged black boxes from EgyptAir flight MS804 as they seek to explain why the plane plunged into the sea, killing all 66 people on board.

A violent clash between members of a dissident teachers' union and police in southern Mexico on June 19 has left three dead and 45 injured, as law enforcement attempts to dislodge the protesters from blocking a local highway.

US-backed Syrian forces edged closer to an Islamic State stronghold on the border with Turkey on June 18 while Russia's defense minister visited President Bashar al Assad to discuss military operations.

Funerals for two of the 49 victims killed in the shooting at a nightclub in Florida were marked by tense scenes on June 18, as an impatient driver was accused of injuring two law enforcement officers and another took place under the watch of anti-gay protesters.

Belgian prosecutors charged three men with terrorism offences on June 18 following overnight raids that took place amid heightened security in Belgium and France due to the Euro 2016 soccer tournament.