Authorities insist they have all problems firmly in hand as they gear up for a test-run with the Confederations Cup tournament.

The troops being sent as reinforcements are considered to be the Syrian army's elite division, which has the best training and equipment.

After arriving at the White House Melania tweeted a picture from a window looking on to the South Lawn and the Washington Monument.

A website for the non-binding referendum, Puerto Rico's fifth such plebiscite since 1967, showed 97 percent supported statehood.

The western approach to the city was littered with mangled motorcycles and unexploded mortar rounds fired by IS.