* ISIS Leader: 'See You in New York' When Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi walked away from a U.S. detention camp in 2009, the future leader of ISIS issued some chilling final words to reservists from Long Island.
* Iraq unraveling as top Shiite cleric issues call to arms The likely breakup of Iraq into feuding ethnic and sectarian bastions accelerated Friday as Iraq's senior Shiite Muslim cleric broke years of support for the central government and decreed that every able-bodied Shiite man had a religious obligation to defend the sect's holy sites from rebellious Sunni Muslims led by fighters from the extremist Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
* Iraq conflict: Iran's Rouhani 'ready to help' Iran is ready to assist the Iraqi government in its battle against extremist Sunni insurgents, President Hassan Rouhani has said.
* Afghan election: Violence overshadows run-off vote At least 46 people have been killed as millions of Afghans cast their votes in a run-off to elect a new president.
* Is this the end of Iraq? Iraq is facing its most severe crisis in years, with the country on the brink of break-up amid lightning offensives by jihadist militants. How has it happened so quickly?
* "World's best gay city" shows off its pride with 16th-annual Gay Pride Parade Tens of thousands of people take streets of Israel's LGBT capital, marching under the banner of equality.
* Pope Condemns Religious Fundamentalism, Middle East Violence In wide-reaching interview Pope Francis says he's worried about sectarianism worldwide, will 'ask God' about retirement.
* Islamic Jihad: 'Kidnappings the only way to release prisoners' Senior official of terror organization calls on Palestinians to abduct Israeli citizens, target settlers in West Bank.
* Barroso agrees new Russia talks, as warfare escalates The EU is to mediate new talks between Moscow and Kiev, as fighting continues to escalate in east Ukraine.Ex-army chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has vowed to to tackle "terrorism" and bring security, after being sworn in as Egypt's new president.
* Invading jihadists capture U.S. equipment worth billions as Iraq Army collapses Iraq has acknowledged that its Army collapsed amid the Al Qaida offensive.