Wednesday, June 1, 2016

World News Briefs -- June 1, 2016



Reuters: Iraq stalls Falluja assault 'to protect civilians'

Iraq has delayed its assault on the city of Falluja because of fears for the safety of civilians, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Wednesday, as his forces halted at the city's edge in the face of ferocious resistance from Islamic State fighters.

Abadi's decision to halt, two days after elite Iraqi troops poured into the city's rural southern outskirts, postpones what was expected to be one of the biggest battles ever fought against Islamic State.

The government, backed by world powers including the United States and Iran, has vowed to win back the first major Iraqi city that fell to the group in 2014.

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MIDDLE EAST

UN warns 20,000 children are trapped in Iraq's Fallujah.

Syria conflict: US-backed fighters 'advance on IS-held Manbij'. Kurdish-led Syrian forces advance on Islamic State bastion. U.S.-backed forces open major front in Syria war.

Syria conflict: First aid for Darayya since 2012. Syria civil war: Aid convoy reaches besieged Daraya.

Jordan king swears in new government to prepare for elections.

Iran plans June oilfield tenders for international companies.

Tehran vs. Tech Terrorism: Iran blames Saudi hackers for cyber-attacks.

Saudi court orders 14 Shiites executed for crimes in east.

ASIA

Ten killed as Taliban militants storm Afghan court.

After failed missile test, China calls for Korean calm.

Torkham restrictions stir Pakistan-Afghanistan tension.

As Beijing flexes muscles in South China Sea, Malaysia eyes harder response.

Ousted Maldives president forms opposition-in-exile group.

Philippines won't be 'lackey' to anyone: incoming foreign minister.

Japan PM delays sales tax hike, puts fiscal reform on back burner.

AFRICA

China says U.N. peacekeeper killed in attack in Mali.

Deadly attacks target UN peacekeepers in Mali's Gao.

Somalia's al Shabaab says attacked hotel in capital using car bomb, three dead.

Distribution of new banknotes raises fears for Libyan unity.

EgyptAir crash: Black box signals heard by search teams. Egypt says signals picked up from doomed plane's black box.

UN renews South Sudan sanctions.

Western Sahara: Polisario Front leader Abdelaziz dies.

EUROPE

103 boats seized in first year of EU anti-migrant mission.

OECD warns of Brexit 'negative shock'.

Merkel sees no reason to roll back Russia sanctions: spokeswoman.

Poland gets official warning from EU over constitutional court changes.

Turkish Cypriot leader expects reunification talks to resume soon.

France industrial unrest: Open-ended strike brings rail misery.

Gotthard tunnel: World's longest and deepest rail tunnel opens in Switzerland.

AMERICAS

Trump details donations to veterans amid scrutiny.

Two points separate Clinton and Trump.

Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro roots for ‘revolutionary friend’ Bernie Sanders.

Venezuela's Maduro lambasts OAS chief Almagro.

Brazil, after Europe attacks, raises guard against Olympic terror.

Brazil's economy shrinks for fifth consecutive quarter.

Along the U.S.-Canada border, an invisible but hardening wall rises.

American death rate rises for first time in a decade.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Report: ISIL losing in Iraq, Syria; gaining in Libya.

September 11 suspect asks that U.S. judge step down, cites evidence destruction.

Testimony from families of 9/11 victims sought at Guantanamo.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

From $4.5 billion to nothing: Forbes revises estimated net worth of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes.

OECD worries governments are caught in a 'low-growth trap' but their solution is wrong.

Amazon's Jeff Bezos: 'Golden era' of technology is coming.

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