World News Briefs -- June 25, 2017

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (3rd R) attends prayers on the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, inside a mosque in Hama, in this handout picture provided by SANA on June 25, 2017, Syria. SANA/Handout via REUTERS

Reuters: Syria's more confident Assad gives Eid prayers in Hama

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad delivered prayers for Islam's Eid al-Fitr holiday in Hama on Sunday, the furthest he has traveled inside Syria in years, showing his growing confidence.

State television broadcast footage of Assad standing to pray in a large mosque in Hama behind its imam, with other clerics standing alongside and a large crowd of worshippers.

State news agency SANA quoted the preacher as saying that Assad's presence in the city for Eid showed that victory and the return of security were only "a few steps" away.

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MIDDLE EAST

Hundreds of civilians flee Mosul as IS loses grip on city.

Car bomb in Syria's Idlib province kills 10: war monitor. Deadly car bombing kills Syrian civilians in Idlib.

Syria frees almost 700 prisoners ahead of Eid festival, thousands held for political reasons.

Israel strikes Syrian military near Golan Heights. Israeli Air Forces attacked al-Nusra Front on Saturday in Golan Heights - source.

Iran foils 'plot to bomb religious centres'.

Yemen army makes more gains in Marib.

UN: Yemen faces world's worst cholera outbreak.

Turkey's Erdogan says Arab demands on Qatar unlawful.

Saudi Arabia, other Gulf countries declare Sunday start of Eid al-Fitr.

ASIA

Pakistan oil tanker fire kills at least 148 as onlookers rush to gather leaking fuel.

Death toll from triple terrorist attacks in Pakistan rises to 85.

Fighting resumes in Marawi after Eid ceasefire.

More blood but no victory as Philippine drug war marks its first year.

Indian soldiers, suspected rebels, clash at Kashmir school.

India's Modi seeks personal rapport with Donald Trump on US visit.

PNG election: Corruption and economy are Peter O'Neill's biggest worries as polls open. Papua New Guinea: Corruption allegations highlighted in general elections.

US and China agree to denuclearize North Korea and say efforts to rid Kim of nuclear weapons should be 'complete, verifiable and irreversible'.

Thousands take to the streets of Pyongyang for mass rally marking North Korea's 'Day of Struggle' and 67 years since the start of the Korean War.

China urges Afghans, Pakistan to form crisis-management mechanism.

Reporter seeks justice for ‘white van’ torture in Sri Lanka.

China's Xi to attend Hong Kong handover anniversary.

AFRICA

Crisis in DR Congo worsens as death toll rises and refugees flee.

Haftar forces make gains in Libya's Benghazi.

With Qatari forces gone, tension rises between Djibouti and Eritrea.

South Sudan cancels independence day events.

Mali relaunches beleaguered peace process.

Mourners return to Mali resort hit by jihadists.

Egypt's president ratifies islands deal with Saudi Arabia.

EUROPE

Ukrainian Army units shell Donetsk Republic in first hours of new ceasefire.

‘Unique people’: Putin recalls KGB times, wishes deep-cover agents good fortune.

UKParliament hit by cyber attack as hackers attempt to access MPs' email accounts.

Albanians go to the polls with focus on EU accession talks.

Merkel's conservatives widen lead three months before German vote.

Merkel challenger Schulz to outline German election strategy.

Woman driver is arrested after 'car ploughs into families gathering for Eid prayers near Newcastle mosque' leaving six people injured and sparking panic just a week at Finsbury Park attack.

AMERICAS

Number of refugees entering US drops by half under Trump.

Trump breaks with tradition, forgoes Ramadan dinner.

Bernie and Jane Sanders, under FBI investigation for bank fraud, hire lawyers.

Venezuelan protesters, security forces clash at air base. Venezuela crisis: Anti-Maduro protests overshadow Armed Forces Day.

Argentina's former president Kirchner attempts political comeback.

At least 11 killed in Mexico's latest drug violence. Venezuelan president's opponents lay siege to air base.

Eight detained over Colombia shopping mall blast.

Hawaii named 'worst state to make a living' ... again.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Commando raids on ISIS yield vital data in shadowy war.

Analysis: 2 US cases provide unique window into Iran’s global terror network.

US forces say they’ve killed ISIS financier.

ISIS group urges fanatics to carry out more lone-wolf and vehicle attacks 'without mercy' in the West in twisted posters showing a car crushing skulls.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

BIS warns of geopolitical events and four other risks that could undermine global upswing.

OPEC looks totally bewildered by the oil market.

There’s a surprising new champion of the stock market.