Sunday, July 2, 2017

World News Briefs -- July 2, 2017



Reuters: Gulf deadline to resolve Qatar rift approaches

Qatar faces possible further sanctions by Arab states that have severed ties with Doha over allegations of links to terrorism, as a deadline to accept their demands is expected to expire on Sunday night.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said the demands were made to be rejected, adding that the Arab ultimatum was aimed not at tackling terrorism but at curtailing his country's sovereignty.

But he told reporters in Rome that Doha remained ready to sit down and discuss the grievances raised by its Arab neighbors.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iraq gains ground in Mosul's Old City as it presses assault on IS.

In final stages of Mosul fight, US plays larger role.

Damascus bomber kills 18 after car chase. Syria conflict: Damascus bomber strikes after car chase. Several dead after suicide bomb rocks central Damascus.

Rebels accuse Syrian army of chlorine attack, army calls it fabrication.

Lebanese military rejects claims of abusing Syrian refugees.

Large fire in Lebanon's Syrian refugee camp, casualties reported.

Qatar rejects Saudi demands as deadline nears. Saudi Arabia pushes on with steep Qatar demands.

Iran to sign gas deal with France's Total and China's CNPC.

Egypt to provide Hamas with barb wires, surveillance cameras.

Israel's hawk-turned-dove ex-PM Ehud Olmert freed from jail.

ASIA

Pentagon weighs more aggressive role in Afghanistan.

Political storm brews in Afghanistan as officials from ethnic minorities break with president, call for reforms and protests.

Indonesia, Philippines jointly patrol Celebes Sea to cut off militants.

Trump to speak with Xi, Abe as North Korea, steel issues loom.

Five North Koreans sail across tense border to South Korea.

Beijing warns Hong Kong marchers not to challenge mainland rule. China's Xi says there's no tolerance for subversion in Hong Kong.

Abe’s party on track for big defeat in Tokyo election: Exit polls.

Electoral fraud claims disrupt Papua New Guinea elections.

India's Modi says canceled registration of 100,000 companies.

Thailand cracks down on criticism of the royal family.

AFRICA

Roadside bomb kills two near Somalia's capital Mogadishu.

Somalia Islamist insurgency splits as loyalty of key commander wavers.

44 Libya soldiers dead in month of fighting jihadists.

Boko Haram fighters found posing as refugees: Nigeria.

As South Sudan's civil war rages, cholera takes deadly toll. Aid workers warn of 'devastating' cholera outbreak in South Sudan.

Macron in Mali for talks with leaders of Africa's Sahel.

France and Africans must eradicate 'terrorists, thugs, murderers': Macron.

Egyptian court sentences 20 to death for killing policemen.

South Africa delays Zuma no-confidence vote as ANC ramps up support for its leader.

EUROPE

Hamburg braces for G20 summit, but leaves room for protest.

Thousands protest in German city of Hamburg before G20.

Putin extends Russian tit-for-tat sanctions against West until 2018.

May could walk out of Brexit talks over exit bill: Telegraph.

Britain’s Conservative govt under pressure to ease austerity.

UK to pull out of fishing deal that let others in its waters. Scottish government says UK is right to leave fishing deal.

Refugee crisis: UN urges EU help Italy with 'collective action'.

Refugees on Greek islands face untenable conditions.

Pope Francis ousts Gerhard Ludwig Mueller, Vatican's conservative cardinal in charge of sex abuse cases.

AMERICAS

'High demand' as Nevada becomes latest US state to legalize marijuana.

Trump upset states not fully cooperating with voting panel.

More Dems sign onto bill to impeach Trump.

Trump vows to stick with social media despite recent backlash. In tweet blitz, Trump defends his use of social media.

Venezuela confirms 4 more deaths in anti-government protests.

Brazil arrests notorious drug kingpin Luiz Carlos da Rocha.

Mexico: 19 gang members killed in overnight clashes. Mexico police kill 19 gunmen in big Sinaloa shootout.

Celebrations across Canada mark country's 150th birthday. Canada 150: Huge crowds celebrate nation's anniversary.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Two suspected al Qaeda militants killed in Yemen drone strike.

Hostages shown in al-Qaeda Mali video as Macron flies in.

US Senator Corker chides Saudi Arabia, UAE over terror ties amid Qatar row.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

All eyes on July for U.S. oil demand to drain glut.

Microsoft, Trump administration clash over email searches.

Russian anti-virus CEO offers up code for US govt scrutiny.


Dollar posts biggest quarterly drop in nearly seven years.

Exclusive: Dropbox seeks to hire IPO underwriters - sources.

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