Wednesday, June 14, 2017

World News Briefs -- June 14, 2017 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: Syrians say militants shoot escapees, air strikes kill civilians as Raqqa battle intensifies

Islamic State militants in Raqqa are passing themselves off as civilians to try to avoid intensifying air strikes and shooting anyone caught trying to escape their Syrian bastion as U.S.-backed coalition forces close in, witnesses said.

At a camp for the displaced in the village of Ain Issa north of the city, people who arrived on Wednesday also said the air strikes supporting an assault by U.S.-backed forces had inflicted widespread destruction as the battle intensified.

United Nations war crimes investigators said the air campaign had killed at least 300 civilians in the city, captured by Islamic State in 2014 in the chaos of Syria's civil war.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syria peace talks may resume in July: UN envoy.

US deploys mobile missile system to eastern Syria.

U.S.-backed forces battle ISIS around the edges of Raqqa’s Old City.

U.N. says 300 civilians killed U.S.-led air strikes in Raqqa since March. 'Staggering' loss of civilian life from US-led airstrikes in Raqqa, says UN.

Syrian doctors plead for help, fearing the world is 'bored' with their conflict.

Iraqis advance on last ISIL district outside Mosul old city.

More than 100 IS fighters attack Iraqi forces in Mosul.

UN’s Zeid: Gulf states must respect rights in Qatar row.

Lebanon’s government approves new elections law.

Israeli and international groups warn of looming Gaza disaster.

Less than 30% of pledged Yemen aid delivered: UN.

Red Cross warns of 'unprecedented' cholera cases in Yemen.

ASIA

Trump hands to Pentagon troop level decisions on Afghanistan.

US blames North Korea for series of cyberattacks.

Marawi battle: Security forces accused of misconduct as many civilians trapped.

In a first, China seeks to mediate between Pakistan, Afghanistan.

No military solution in Afghanistan, U.N. chief says on Kabul visit.

Suicide bomber kills 9 rival insurgents in Afghanistan.

US considers sanctions on North Korea trade allies.

Japan warns Russia not to conduct survey in EEZ without permission.

Landslides, flooding kill 147 people in Bangladesh and northeast India.

US student in coma for a year in North Korea arrives home.

AFRICA

At least 20 people being held hostage in Somali capital after suicide attack: police. Hostages held, 9 killed in attack at Somalia restaurant.

Qatar pulls all its troops from Djibouti-Eritrea border.

Zambia opposition MPs suspended after missing president's speech.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi case: ICC calls for arrest of ex-Libya leader's son.


Rwanda: Fresh start for former FDLR fighters?.

Egypt parliament approves island transfer to Saudi: state TV.

Tunisian smoker jailed for not fasting during Ramadan.

2 polio outbreaks in Congo, World Health Organization says.

EUROPE

Macron in Morocco to discuss Libya, Qatar crisis.

London residents demands answers in deadly high-rise blaze.

'Nobody on the top three floors survived: Six dead and dozens missing as massive blaze 'sparked by faulty fridge' engulfs 27-storey tower block in just 15 minutes: Residents hurl themselves from windows while others make ropes from sheets.

May inches toward deal to stay in power as battle rages over Brexit.

Merkel ally Manfred Weber says Brexit talks cannot be extended.

Emmanuel Macron says door to remain in EU is open to Britain.

Russian courts sentence protesters arrested at anti-corruption rallies.

Ireland's first gay prime minister Leo Varadkar formally elected.

Romanian ruling party's pulls backing for cabinet, PM refuses to go.

Lawmakers back Spanish PM Rajoy in no-confidence vote.

AMERICAS

Senate votes overwhelmingly to impose new sanctions on Russia over U.S. election hacking – and stop Trump from relaxing the existing ones.

Rifle-wielding gunman wounds lawmaker, then killed by police. Top Republican among wounded as gunman fires on U.S. lawmakers.

Democratic lawmakers sue Trump over foreign state payments to businesses.

White House torn over Mueller’s role as pressure grows.

Comey associate says he turned over memos to the FBI.

Colombia: FARC hands over most of its weapons in peace deal.

Venezuelan general quits over constituent assembly plan.

Cuba kicks off electoral process leading to Castro handover.

Exclusive: U.S., Mexico, Slim charity to work on Central America crime, migration.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

ISIS captures Tora Bora, once bin Laden's Afghan fortress.

Taliban continues to deny involvement in deadly Kabul attack.

Drone strike kills Haqqani network commander in Hangu.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dow edges to record, dollar dips as Fed lifts rates.

Fed raises key rate and unveils plan to reduce bond holdings.

Oil falls to five-week low on unexpected U.S. gasoline stock build.

Weak U.S. retail sales, consumer prices put spotlight on Fed.

Billionaires are stockpiling land that could be used in the apocalypse — here's where they're going.

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