World News Briefs -- July 24, 2017 (Evening Edition)

CNN: 29 dead in Kabul car bomb attack claimed by Taliban

Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN)The Taliban have claimed responsibility for a car bombing in Kabul that left at least 29 people dead, as the Islamist fundamentalist group ratchets up an offensive across Afghanistan.

The blast happened at around 6:40 a.m. Monday (10:10 p.m. ET Sunday) when a Toyota Corolla exploded in the city's west, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish told CNN.

It is the latest in a string of attacks in recent days by the Taliban, which said it had captured two districts in northern and central Afghanistan at the weekend.

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MIDDLE EAST

Israeli embassy staff in Jordan returned to Israel.

Israeli embassy compound in Jordan hit by deadly attack. 2 Jordanian men killed, Israeli hurt at Israel's embassy in Amman. Two killed in shooting at Israeli embassy in Jordan.

Israel, Jordan deal with diplomatic crisis after embassy attack. Israel and Jordan in diplomatic standoff after embassy deaths. Jordan seeks to question Israel guard over embassy shooting.

Pan-Islamic body to meet over Jerusalem crisis. ‘Israel is playing with fire’: Arab League chief warns amid Jerusalem tensions.

Israel says Jerusalem mosque metal detectors to stay.

Israel strikes Gaza after missile across border: army.

After Mosul victory, Iraq mulls future of Shiite militias.

Lebanon's Hezbollah says Syria border assault 'nearing end'.

Hay'et Tahrir al-Sham take control of Syria's Idlib.

Erdogan in Qatar for talks on Gulf crisis.

Red Cross: Yemen cholera cases could exceed 600,000.

Saudi crown prince in charge as king heads on holiday.

Turkish journalists go on trial accused of supporting terrorism.

ASIA

Dengue outbreak kills 300 in Sri Lanka, hospitals at limit.

Taliban suicide car bomber kills dozens in Afghan capital.

Deadly explosion rocks Pakistani city of Lahore.

At least 35 killed in Taliban attack on central Afghan hospital.

Pakistan Army captures strategic mountain top in Rajgal.

China demands India pulls back troops in border dispute. China to 'step up' troop deployment in India border row.

China's state media warns of further warship deployment to Western waters.

Philippines' Duterte vows unrelenting drug war.

South China Sea: Vietnam halts drilling after 'China threats'.

Philippines pokes China with intent to drill for oOil in disputed Sea.

AFRICA

Kenyan president fails to show up for election debate.

IDP camps in Nigeria 'hit by suicide bombers'.

Nigeria's President Buhari seen in London.

Sudan clashes kill up to 10 in Darfur: tribal chiefs.

UN-backed Libya PM to meet eastern strongman near Paris.

ISIL fighters executed by Haftar's forces in Libya.

UN: Moroccan peacekeeper killed, three wounded in CAR.

114 Somali prisoners released from Ethiopia arrive in Mogadishu.

Maldives parliament shut down to stop speaker's removal.

EUROPE

NATO offers to broker compromise in Turkish-German stand-off.

Just as German election heats up, Merkel takes holiday break.

Poland's President Duda vetoes judicial reforms after protests. Polish leader Duda vetoes pair of judiciary reform laws.

Poll shows France no longer so sweet on Emmanuel Macron.

Greek PM Alexis Tsipras: 'The worst is clearly behind us'.

Catalan independence movement hurts Spanish economy, companies claim.

Germany: Turkey withdraws request for info on 700 firms.

Russians protest state censorship of the internet.

Eurozone growth projections revised up by the IMF.

Man with chainsaw wounds 5 in Swiss city; manhunt on for him.

AMERICAS

Trump: ‘Obamacare is Death’. Trump pleads with Republicans to keep their promise, roll back Obamacare.

U.S. judge allows Trump election commission to seek voting data.

Trump son-in-law Kushner denies collusion with Russia. Jared Kushner details contacts with Russians, denies collusion.

Trump open to signing Russia sanctions legislation: official.

Venezuela opposition calls 48-hour general strike this week.

Defense minister issues threat before protests in Venezuela.

Mexico's bloody drug war is killing more people than ever.

Rio de Janeiro: Police protest over rising Brazil violence.

IMF raises outlook for economic growth in Canada, expected to be tops for G7.

Flow of asylum seekers crossing into Canada from U.S. rises in June.

ICE chief lists worst sanctuary cities: Chicago, NYC, San Francisco, Philadelphia.

Nearing 400, homicides in Chicago continue to outpace last year.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

ISIS sets its sights on Europe after Iraq, Syria losses.

New al-Shabab video calls Trump ‘brainless billionaire’.

German jihadi schoolgirl found in Iraq 'just wants to come home'.

First Al Qaeda suspect extradited to the US under the Trump administration.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Nasdaq, tech shine as earnings pick up; Dow, S&P lag.

Russia calls for tighter compliance with oil output cuts.

Uber rival Grab to raise $2.5bn in fresh investments.

IMF: 'Economic recovery on firmer footing'. IMF downgrades UK and US growth forecasts.