World News Briefs -- July 2, 2015 (Evening Edition)

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (centre L) meets Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (2nd R) at a hotel in Vienna, Austria July 1, 2015. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Reuters: No breakthrough at Iran nuclear talks, ministers push for deal soon

Tehran and world powers were still shy of a breakthrough at nuclear talks on Thursday as foreign ministers flew in to help push for a swift deal and resolve disputes over how sanctions could be lifted and how Iran's compliance would be monitored.

Iran is in talks with the United States and five other powers - Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia - on an agreement under which it would curtail its nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.

MIDDLE EAST

Iran takes hard line on inspections, sanctions at nuke talks.

Kerry consults US partners before further talks with Iran. Ministers convene at Iran talks but breakthrough not yet seen.

IAEA Chief, Iranian officials work to resolve nuclear issues.

Isis militants destroy 2,000-year-old statue of lion at Palmyra.

Iraqi forces say most of Baiji town recaptured from Islamic State.

U.S., allies target Islamic State with 28 air strikes in Syria, Iraq.

Syria refugee child labor a 'growing, dangerous problem'.

Iran wages media onslaught against Saudis over Yemen war.

Middle East peace process deadlocked — Russian FM Lavrov.

Gulf states tighten security for frightened Shi'ites after mosque blasts.

ASIA

China: The Indian Ocean can’t be India’s backyard.

Fears raised as 'one third' of China's Great Wall disappears.

Afghan court overturns death sentences in mob killing of woman. Afghan court quashes Farkhunda mob killing death sentences.

12 die in Pakistan as train carrying soldiers falls into canal.

Ferry capsizes in Philippines; 35 dead, 20 missing.

North Korean defector lifts lid on world's most secret state.

Japan’s population decline the steepest on record.

AFRICA

Attack on UN convoy in Mali kills 6 peacekeepers, wounds 5.

Boko Haram guns down 97 people praying in mosques in Nigeria. Boko Haram attack on Nigerian village leaves nearly 100 people dead.

Scores reported dead in Islamist attacks in Egypt.

Egypt's warplanes strike back at militants in troubled Sinai. Egyptian air strikes kill 23 militants in North Sinai: sources.

Egypt's Brotherhood calls for uprising after killings.

UN: Rebels in South Sudan attack civilian refugee camp.

Somalia reached 'tipping point,' can secure peace, U.N. official says.

Tunisia detains 12 in connection with hotel attack. Tunisia terror attack: 30 of 38 people killed are British, UK says.

Tunisia hunts for Libya-trained suspects after hotel attack.

EUROPE

IMF warns of huge financial hole as Greek vote looms.

Greece crisis: Berlin accuses Tsipras of seeking scapegoats outside own ranks.

Greek vote campaign begins amid grinding cash crisis.

Greece crisis: Eurozone rules out talks until after referendum.

The Latest: IMF: Greece needs debt relief and $56 billion. IMF warns Greece needs debt extension, may require writedown.

Russia, Ukraine trade barbs over politics, gas as hostility deepens.

Russia examines 1991 recognition of Baltic independence. Russia’s Prosecutor General to review legality of Baltics independence. Russian prosecutors scoff at Baltics independence probe.

In Armenia, the government waits out protests. Russia warns against 'color revolution' in Armenia.

Merkel's office invites US envoy to discuss latest spy claim.

Anti-migrant fence in Hungary to go up within months.

Dutch ban public gatherings in district hit by rioting over arrest death.

Vatican 'may' consider divestment from fossil fuels, despite pope's call to arms.

AMERICAS

Documents: Mexican army ordered troops to 'kill criminals'.

Solid hiring, lower US unemployment rate, but wages flat. Record 93,626,000 Americans not in labor force; Participation rate declines to 62.6%.

6 killed and 8 injured in 3 days of conflict-related violence across Colombia.

Coca production in Colombia jumped 44 percent, UN survey finds.

Brazil’s congress reduces age of criminal responsibility to 16.

Pope to tour 3 South American countries.

Nerves rattled by false reports of U.S. Navy Yard shooter in Washington.

Obama administration likely to block new Redskins stadium.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Senior Islamic State leader killed in U.S.-led coalition strike.

ISIS is installing surveillance cameras in its de facto capital.

Morocco breaks up militant cell linked to Islamic State.

Here's the manual that Al Qaeda and now ISIS use to brainwash people online.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall St. edged down on Greece worries, tepid U.S. data.

US asks Switzerland to extradite seven Fifa officials.

What crisis? Stronger banks, economies ease fear over Greece.

BP to pay record $18.7bn over 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. BP settles 2010 U.S. oil spill claims for $18.7 billion.