World News Briefs -- July 23, 2014 (Evening Edition)

Hamas Says Gaza Blockade Must End Before Ceasefire -- BBC

The leader of Islamic militant group Hamas has said there can be no ceasefire to ease the conflict in Gaza without an end to Israel's blockade.

Khaled Meshaal said Hamas would continue to reject a lasting ceasefire until its conditions were met.

It follows further Israeli air strikes and ground operations in Gaza, as Hamas continues to fire rockets into Israel.

Israel launched its military offensive on 8 July with the declared objective of stopping rocket fire from Gaza.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iran leader urges Palestinians to keep fighting Israel.

Kerry defies FAA ban, flies into Tel Aviv to push for Gaza cease-fire. Kerry pushes for Gaza truce as fighting continues.

Gaza rocket cache found by UN next to school it was using.

UN's Navi Pillay warns of Israel Gaza 'war crimes'.

Lufthansa, Delta, US Airways extend flight bans to Israel.

Israel opens alternate airport after wave of flight cancellations. Israel scrambles to restore foreign flights to Tel Aviv.

Iraq: al-Maliki rejects Iran's urging to step down.

Iraq defence minister heads to Moscow with wish list.

Iraq violence: Suicide car bombs kills 21 in Baghdad. Islamic State says carried out Baghdad suicide bombing.

Iraq postpones vote for president, delaying power-sharing deal.

Islamic scholars condemn expulsion of Iraq's 'Christian brothers'.

Yemen president says Houthis agree to return town to state control.

ASIA

Pakistan, India diplomats to meet for first time since Modi win.

North Korea furious over Kim Jong Un parody dance video.

Transasia Airways plane crashes on landing in Taiwan.

Typhoon Matmo slams into China after pummeling Taiwan.

Experts: China-India relationship will need more than economic bliss.

Indonesia’s president elect Joko Widodo calls for unity. Subianto to challenge Widodo victory in Indonesian election.

India MPs 'force-fed' fasting Muslim worker.

Philippine army warned against "meddling" as coup rumors swirl.

Thai junta unveils temporary constitution.

Search for MH370 will not be affected by MH17 disaster, says Australia.

AFRICA

CAR armed factions sign ceasefire pact.

Bombs in north Nigeria's Kaduna kill at least 82. Nigeria bomb attack in Kaduna 'leaves 25 dead'.

Fuel tanks hit in clashes near Libyan airport.

Congo repels attack on military base in capital.

Egypt: 20 'terrorists' carried out border attack.

Somali singer, parliament member killed in Mogadishu.

Sexual slavery rife in Democratic Republic of the Congo, says MSF.

Sierra Leone's chief ebola doctor contracts virus.

South Africa to block foreigners from buying land.

EUROPE

US: Downed fighter jets part of pattern in Ukraine.

Ukraine rebel commander acknowledges fighters had BUK missile.

Dutch declare Wednesday official day of mourning for MH17 dead.

Russia still sends military gear to rebels after MH17 downing, U.S. says.

MH17: Dutch mayor wants Vladimir Putin's daughter Maria deported.

Paris braced for new pro-Palestinian rally after clashes.

Bulgaria's technocrat prime minister resigns amid banking crisis.

Kosovo court suspends vote on parliament speaker, crisis deepens.

Costa Concordia is towed away to Genoa for scrap.

AMERICAS

Exclusive: Obama sends team to Texas to assess need for National Guard deployment.

POLL: 67% of voters say America more divided than four years ago.

U.S. proposes new rules for moving crude oil by rail.

Jailed Venezuelan opposition leader goes on trial.

Escalating denunciations of purported coup plots instill fear in Venezuela's opposition.

Argentina debt: Judge orders non-stop negotiations.

Last missing victim of US mudslide found.

Brooklyn Bridge mystery: Police hunt for vandals who swapped American flags for white ones.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Canadian man faces terror charge.

Global terrorist death toll soars as attacks become deadlier.

ISS ‘making millions’ out of stolen oil revenues in Iraq.

Jihadi cleric calls for Muslim fighters to join the fighting in Gaza.

Arrest linked to gun used after Boston bombings.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Facebook beats Wall Street targets, stock hits record high.

US subjects the world to the most spam of any country.

Exxon oil rig enters uncharted waters of Russian political storm.

NY Fed found serious problems at Deutsche Bank's U.S. arms: source.

Watch what markets don't do as world politics turns nasty.