Tuesday, June 27, 2017

World News Briefs -- June 27, 2017



Reuters: Iraqi forces set sight on Old City riverside, PM sees Mosul victory soon

Iraqi forces on Tuesday pushed towards the river side of Mosul's Old City, their key target in the eight-month campaign to capture Islamic State's de-facto capital, and Iraq's prime minister predicted victory very soon.

Iraqi forces, battling up to 350 militants dug in among civilians in the Old City, said federal police had dislodged IS insurgents from the Ziwani mosque and were only a few days away from ousting militants completely from the Old City.

"The victory announcement will come in a very short time," Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on his website on Monday evening.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iraq army: ISIL will fall in Mosul 'in a few days'.

US warns Syria over 'potential' plan for chemical attack. Syria: Assad preparing chemical weapons attack, US claims.

Syria denies US allegations of coming chemical attack.

US airstrike on Syrian 'IS' prison kills dozens of civilians, claim activist groups. Syria war: Air strike on IS prison in Mayadin 'kills dozens'. 57 dead in US-led strikes on IS Syria prison: monitor.

US wants to steer clear of Syrian civil war: Mattis.

Saudi demolition of historic Shiite homes stokes violence.

Qatari foreign minister to meet Tillerson in Washington.

Yemen cholera outbreak shows signs of slowing: UN.

Israel strikes Hamas bases in Gaza after rocket: officials. Israel bombs Gaza after rocket fire.

ASIA

China 'asks India to withdraw troops' from Nathu La pass. China protests alleged Indian border incursion.

At least 10 injured in clashes in India-held Kashmir on Eid.

Hostages in Philippines siege forced to fight, loot, become sex slaves: army. Militants used water route to beat Philippine offensive: army.

Mongolia: Battulga to face Enkhbold in first presidential runoff.

North Korea a top priority for Sino-US ties, says new US ambassador to China.

South Korean President Moon to embark on 'emotional' four-day visit to U.S..

U.S. to name China one of worst countries for human trafficking.

Indonesia is blowing illegal fishing boats out of the water.

Pirates rob Thai oil tanker of 1.5 million litres of diesel in Malaysian waters.

AFRICA

Libya, Sudan, Somalia hard hit as US top court partially lifts Trump's travel ban.

IS loses ground in Sinai, searches for other foothold in Egypt.

Explosion heard from ship off the coast of Somalia, official says.

Niger migrants: 52 die during desert crossing.

Somali refugees regret returning home from Kenya.

South Africa government blamed as millions live in shacks.

'Soros wanted to topple E.Guinea leader,' UK mercenary tells Paris court.

EUROPE

Germany and France to lead post-Brexit EU in further integration.

Cyprus talks are best, but not last, chance to end dispute: U.N..

Ukrainian military intelligence officer killed by car bomb in Kiev.

Russia denies Sergey Kislyak is leaving US even as plans are made for send-off.

French parliament opens in test for Macron's many novice lawmakers.

Dutch government partially liable in 300 Srebrenica deaths. Court: Dutch partially liable for Srebrenica deaths.

With a year to go, Russia’s World Cup faces challenges.

AMERICAS

House bill threatens Russia with nuclear treaty suspension.

US President Donald Trump, PM Narendra Modi praise India-US relations.

Judge suspends all Iraqi deportations in US for 2 week.

Brazil's President Michel Temer charged with corruption. Corruption charge increases pressure on Brazil’s president.

British Columbia's NDP introduces motion to topple provincial government.

Reporter's body found in Mexico, marking seventh journalist murder this year.

Colombia's FARC disarmament confirmed by United Nations.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Taliban promotes 4 previously unidentified training camps in Afghanistan.

AQIS emphasizes allegiance to Ayman al Zawahiri, Taliban in new ‘code of conduct’.

Pakistan rejects U.S. sanctions against Kashmir militant.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

EU slaps Google with record fine. Google fined record €2.4bn by EU over search engine results.

Google will stop scanning content of personal emails.

World food security risks growing, Chatham House says.

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