Mosul Assault: Iraq Troops Make Headway Against IS

Iraqi government forces have advanced into a handful of villages on the opening day of an offensive to recapture the western half of the city of Mosul from the Islamic State group. Thousands of troops are involved in the assault, backed by artillery and helicopter gunships.

The Vice President of the United States Mike Pence is in Brussels for a meeting with European Union leaders and the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Scientists say an attempt to send a research vessel which will be completely trapped in ice across the North Pole could lead to more accurate weather and climate forecasts. The ship, the RV Polarstern will be carried by slowly flowing ice as the Arctic winter closes in.