World News Briefs -- June 17, 2015

Al Jazeera: Yemen peace talks remain deadlocked

UN special envoy begins shuttle diplomacy in Geneva to bridge differences, while rival sides trade blame for sabotage.

The United Nations is scrambling to get Yemen peace talks in Geneva moving with both the exiled government and the Iran-backed Yemeni rebels accusing each other of trying to sabotage the process.

The UN special envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, began shuttle diplomacy in Geneva trying to bridge differences between warring parties, but both sides still refuse to sit at the same table and spell out clashing agendas.

MIDDLE EAST

'Elephant rockets' kill dozens in Damascus suburb.

Syria conflict: Rebels launch Quneitra offensive. Syrian rebels say launch offensive in southern Syria.

Kerry 'absolutely certain' Assad using chlorine attacks on his people.

Iraq: Ramadi military operations halted.

Yemeni forces launch barrages of rockets on Saudi military base in Dhahran Asir.

Four car bombs rock Yemeni capital, dozens of casualties.

Israel briefly declares closed military zone in Golan Heights.

As Iran deal takes shape, Israel plays up regional common ground.

ASIA

Bangladesh and Myanmar patrols exchange fire along river border.

China gives more details on South China Sea facilities.

North Korea says hit by worst drought in 100 years.

Kashmir killings raise fears of new bloodletting.

Debate begins over Hong Kong's electoral reform.

China, again, bans Muslims from fasting during Ramadan, say Uighur community.

Asia needs better data, more funding to stamp out modern day slavery.

AFRICA

Boko Haram bombs kill scores in northeast Nigeria.

South Sudan accuses Sudan of dropping bombs across the border; 1 killed.

Report alleges torture rampant in prisons of Libya's internationally recognized government.

Corruption rife in sub-Saharan Africa, DR Congo tops graft list.

Kenyan president says troops will stay in Somalia.

Ethiopian opposition party: Candidate's murder was politically motivated.

EUROPE

Greek central bank warns of 'painful' euro and EU exit. Greek central bank governor warns of 'uncontrollable crisis'. 'It’s going to be bad, whatever happens': Greece on edge as eurozone exit looms.

Russia, Germany call for swift end to fighting in east Ukraine: Moscow.

Russia warns of 'new military confrontation' in Europe.

Russia, Germany trade Cold War accusations.

Almost one third of Ukrainians want corrupt officials to be executed.

Kosovo ex-PM arrested in Slovenia on Serbian warrant.

Hungary says to fence off border with Serbia to stop migrants.

U.S.-Spain sign deal giving Marines permanent use of air base.

AMERICAS

Exclusive: FBI in midst of broad campaign to disrupt ISIS, sources say.

US House to vote on withdrawing troops from Iraq, Syria.

US Senate blocks direct aid to Kurdish forces.

Venezuela students join opposition leader's hunger-strike protest.

Attack by Colombian FARC rebels kills 2 police officers, civilian.

Omar Gonzalez, White House fence jumper, sentenced to 17 months in prison.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pentagon: Islamic State to continue looking for ways to expand in Afghanistan.

Yemen’s new al-Qaida leader emerges.

Al Qaeda kills two Saudis accused of spying for America: residents.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Swiss investigating 53 cases of possible money laundering at Fifa.

Global conflicts 'cost 13% of world GDP'.

Report: Wal-Mart has $76 billion in overseas tax havens.