World News Briefs -- June 30, 2016 (Evening Edition)

Civilians inspect a site hit by an airstrike in the rebel-controlled city of Idlib, Syria June 29, 2016. REUTERS/AMMAR ABDULLAH

Reuters: U.S., Russia discuss Syria cooperation if Assad halts some strikes

The Obama administration is considering a plan to coordinate air strikes on Nusra Front and Islamic State militants in Syria if Syria'a government stops bombing moderate rebels, U.S. officials said on Thursday.

The U.S. backs the moderate rebels, who are under pressure from Islamic State and government forces, but the plan depends in part on whether Russia is willing to press Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, its ally, to stop bombing them, Many U.S. officials and outside experts doubt Moscow is willing to do that.It also would require moderate opposition forces to disentangle themselves from Nusra and move into identifiable areas where they would be vulnerable to government and Russian air attacks.

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MIDDLE EAST

Istanbul terror attack: Erdogan says Turkey will not be divided.

Turkish authorities identify suicide bombers; death toll 43. Media: Istanbul airport bombers were Russian, Kyrgyz, Uzbek.

Istanbul airport attack: Turkey blames Isis as new details emerge of assault.

Turkey: 13 held over Istanbul Ataturk Airport attack.

Iraq airstrikes kill scores of IS fighters fleeing Fallujah.

After Fallujah, Iraq gears up to rid Mosul of Islamic State.

At least 70 killed in north of Syria's Aleppo: monitor.

West cooperating secretly with Damascus against militants: Assad.

Syria conflict: Fears for refugees stranded on Jordanian border.

Lebanon foils planned IS attacks.

Turkey makes small step toward EU membership.

Mideast Quartet gives Israel, Palestinians 'wakeup call'.

ASIA

US human trafficking report blacklists Myanmar.

Official: suicide attack on Afghan police convoy kills 37. Dozens of Afghan police recruits dead in Taliban attack.

Afghan Ministry of Interior admits 9 districts under Taliban control.

Pakistan plans talks with Afghanistan, U.N. agency over refugees' return.

Mongolia opposition takes parliament in landslide vote. Mongolia vote landslide stinging rejection of government policy.

Hope and fear as combative president takes over Philippines.

North Korea leader Kim Jong-un gets new 'top post' as head of State Affairs Commission.

China says Arbitral Tribunal has no jurisdiction over South China Sea case.

AFRICA

Egypt marks new holiday amid violence in Sinai, near Libya.

Ten held in Burkina over West Africa jihadist attacks.

Police: 15 killed as roadside bomb hits minibus in Somalia.

Boko Haram suicide bomber kills 11 in Cameroon.

UN reinforces Mali mission with 2,500 more troops.

South Sudan ceasefire monitors warn of violence.

UN: Famine looms in war-ravaged South Sudan, with millions at risk.

UN extends Darfur mission despite Sudan opposition.


EgyptAir crash: Flight MS804 black box 'confirms smoke'.

EUROPE

S&P cuts EU credit rating after Brexit.

World Bank president expresses concern over Brexit.

Boris Johnson won't run for leadership of Conservative Party.

Brexit: President Francois Hollande rules out holding European Union referendum in France.

Putin expects long traumatic consequences of Brexit.

Bosnia braces for release of much-delayed census data.

Armed police to patrol French beaches amid terrorism fears.

Belgium transfers Paris attacks suspect to France.

Netherlands, Italy to share UN Security Council seat.

Italy lowers toll from 2015 migrant wreck after ship raised.

AMERICAS

Brazil's impeachment trial will end after Rio Olympics.

Argentina corruption cops search properties of ex-leader Fernandez.

Lynch meeting with Bill Clinton creates firestorm for email case.

North America leaders urge against Trump's isolationism.

Brexit: Obama warns on global growth after UK vote.

Majority of Democrats want third term for Obama.

Aide: Clinton opposed private emails accessible to 'anybody'.

Puerto Rico says it will default even with Congressional aid. Amid crisis, support grows for Puerto Rico statehood.

Italy, Colombia, U.S. seize 11 tonnes of cocaine, arrest 33 people.

Congress faults Obama for not being tough with UN over Haiti's cholera crisis.

As refugee crisis grows, U.S. strains under asylum backlog, report says.

Smugglers use Uber-registered drivers to move migrants to U.S. border.

Canada just took a ‘crucial step’ toward legalizing recreational marijuana.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US adds Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, leader to terrorism list.

CIA chief Brennan looks at Turkish attack and sees a warning for Americans.

ISIS on the march: Turkey and France among countries where terror group has 'covert units', fanatics claim hours after 42 are massacred in Istanbul.

Islamic State and the threat of WMDs.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Hershey rejects $23 billion Mondelez takeover offer.

Life at Facebook exposed in new book.

'Hunger Games' studio Lionsgate to buy Starz for $4.4 bn.

Deutsche Bank, Santander fail US stress test.

Oil market sees best quarterly results since 2009.

Biggest diamond in more than century fails to sell in London.