>
Article snippet: (Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.) Good morning. Here’s what you need to know: • One of Iraq’s most famous landmarks, Al Nuri Grand Mosque in Mosul, was blown up by the Islamic State. The mosque, above, is where the militants’ leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, ascended a pulpit in 2014 and declared a caliphate. Mosul is under assault from Iraqi and U.S. forces, and the Islamic State (which blamed the destruction of the mosque on a U.S. airstrike) apparently wanted to ensure the mosque did not fall into their hands. Even as the Islamic State is under siege in Iraq and Syria, episodes like the failed bombing in Brussels this week underline the threat its followers pose in Europe. _____ • European Union leaders gather today in Brussels for their first summit meeting since Emmanuel Macron was elected president of France, and since Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain lost her majority in Parliament. Mrs. May will address her E.U. counterparts tonight on Britain’s departure from the union. The other European leaders will then confer separately. Also on the agenda are terrorism, migration and free trade. Check back for updates. Meanwhile, you can follow James Kanter, our correspondent in Brussels, on Twitter. _____ • In Britain, Queen Elizabeth II read out Mrs. May’s slimmed-down agenda, which focused on “Brexit,” at the ceremonial state opening of Parliament. The monarch’s hat became an unexpected talking point, as many noted striking similarities ... Link to the full article to read more