Friday, June 23, 2017

World News Briefs -- June 23, 2017 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: Arab states issue ultimatum to Qatar: close Jazeera, curb ties with Iran

Four Arab states that imposed a boycott on Qatar have issued an ultimatum to Doha to close Al Jazeera television, curb ties with Iran, shut a Turkish base and pay reparations, demands so far reaching it would appear to be hard for Doha to comply.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have sent a 13-point list of demands apparently aimed at dismantling their tiny but wealthy neighbor's two decade-old interventionist foreign policy which has incensed them.

Qatar did not immediately comment, but Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani had said on Monday Qatar would not negotiate with the four states until economic, diplomatic and travel ties cut this month were restored.

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MIDDLE EAST

Hezbollah says future Israel war could draw fighters from Iran, Iraq, elsewhere.

Iraq PM: Mosul liberation to be announced in few days.

Bomber sows death among civilians fleeing Mosul.

Syria hotline for US and Russia still in use: US.

Damascus-allied militia advances into Deir al-Zor province: Syrian Observatory.

Raqqa: The desperate fight for Islamic State group's 'capital'.

Russian warships fire Kalibr cruise missiles, destroy IS arms depots in Syria. Russian warships & sub launch cruise missile attack on ISIS targets in Syria (VIDEO).

Gulf crisis: Qatar's neighbors issue ultimatum, call for Al-Jazeera shutdown.

UAE says will not back down in dispute if Qatar declines to cooperate.

Turkey dismisses demand to close Qatar military base.

White House dubs Gulf crisis 'a family issue'.

Iran nuclear chief urges West to save historic deal.

Yemen cholera cases could jump to 300,000 by September: UN.

ASIA

Separate blasts kill 40 in Pakistan: police. 40 people killed in bomb, gun attacks in 3 Pakistani cities. Twin blasts kill dozens in Parachinar market. Pakistan bombings kill several in Quetta and Parachinar.

Afghanistan: Taliban leader wants US and NATO troops out.

Australia to send spy planes to help Philippines fight militants.

Philippine army struggles to dislodge Maute fighters from Marawi.

North Korea says U.S. student's death a 'mystery to us as well'.

Moon: South Korea must be able to 'dominate' Pyongyang.

Poll: Most South Koreans support inter-Korean dialogue.

North Korea to discuss co-hosting 2018 Olympic Games.

Japan politician: North Koreans should be 'starved to death' for threats.

Key lawmaker wants US to defriend Pakistan.

Otto Warmbier: North Korea denies mistreating US student.

Former Khmer Rouge leader denies role in Cambodian genocide.

AFRICA

Nigeria sends in troops, police after ethnic clashes.

U.N. begins investigation of Congo killings.

EU states slammed for lack of support to Africa fund.

EU leaders boost support for Libya to halt migrant exodus.

South Sudan forces purged villages in oil region, group says.


Somali pirates target ships in the Indian Ocean.

Congo peacekeepers exit CAR mission after sex abuse charges.

Chagos legal status sent to international court by UN.

Zimbabwe VP pledges 'free and fair' election in 2018.

Food aid dwindling in world’s fastest-growing refugee crisis.

EUROPE

EU will restrict visas for states not taking back migrants.

France's Macron, eastern Europeans try to mend fences.

German police brace for violent protests at G20 summit.

Brexit: EU leaders says UK offer could 'worsen situation'. Skepticism in Brussels over Britain's post-Brexit promise for EU citizens.

EU moves to boost military cooperation.

Alexei Navalny barred from Russia presidential poll.

Ukrainian president leaves Washington buoyed by Trump's support.

France's Macron puts national security at heart of foreign policy.

London police consider manslaughter over Grenfell Tower fire.

Sicily's cornered Mafia primed for reversal of fortune.

AMERICAS

White House spokesman does not rule out Trump-Putin July meeting in Germany.

Trump casts doubt on Russia investigator Mueller.

Trump suggests he was trying to keep FBI director honest.

US Senate healthcare bill suffers swift blow as four GOP senators voice opposition.

Supreme Court could reveal action on travel ban at any time.

Slain Venezuelan protester's father appeals to 'friend' Maduro.

One killed as Venezuelan troops fire on protesters.

May was Mexico's deadliest month on record with 2,186 homicides.

Mexican president denies spying on journalists, lawyers and activists.

Peru's PM to double as finance minister after no-confidence vote.

Peru's president eyes pardon for Fujimori after political blow.

United States suspends all Brazilian meat imports.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

U.S.-led coalition unsure if Islamic State's Baghdadi dead or alive.

Islamic State: Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia pledge to thwart penetration of South-East Asia.

If Baghdadi death confirmed, next IS leader likely to be Saddam-era officer.

Hamza bin Laden, Osama's son, is helping Al-Qaeda stage a deadly comeback.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Tech, energy shares lift Wall Street.

Airbus sells 73 planes to two Iranian carriers.

Troubled Toshiba flags deeper losses.

EU promises tough line on U.S., China while pushing for free trade.

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