Monday, July 3, 2017

World News Briefs -- July 3, 2017(Evening edition)

A rebel fighter walks past damaged buildings in a rebel-held part of the southern city of Deraa, Syria June 22, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Faqir/File Photo

Reuters: Syrian army announces ceasefire in south ahead of Astana talks

The Syrian army said on Monday it would suspend combat operations in southern Syria until Thursday to help a new round of peace talks in the Kazakh capital Astana.

The army general command said in a statement carried on state television the ceasefire began at midday (0900 GMT) on Sunday and was to support "reconciliation efforts", in the second such unilateral ceasefire in the last two weeks.

Russian-sponsored talks are planned in Astana on Tuesday. The last round of Astana talks in May led to the signing of an agreement between Iran, Russia and Turkey to create four de-escalation zones in Syria, one of which is in the south.

But fighting has continued in frontline areas, including in Deraa city in southern Syria, with hostilities expanding to the border province of Quneitra along the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

With fight for Mosul in final stage, militants strike back.

Islamic State cornered in Mosul as Iraq prepares victory celebrations.

Iraq battles last jihadists in Old Mosul. Mosul: Iraqis prepare to celebrate victory over Islamic State as final battles rage blocks away.

IS women suicide bombers hit back in Mosul; 15 die in Iraq.

Iraqis mark first anniversary of devastating Baghdad blast.

U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces reinforce front lines in Raqqa. US-backed force enters Syria's Raqa from south: monitor.

Qatar given more time to respond to Gulf neighbours' demands. Qatar deadline extended by 48 hours: Saudi. Qatar defiant as Saudi extends deadline to resolve Gulf rift.

Qatar hands over response to Saudi-led demands to Kuwait.

Trump speaks to Gulf leaders, urges unity.

ASIA

China, Russia share opposition to U.S. THAAD in South Korea: Xi.

Snipers, bombs, mortars - Philippine troops battle against Islamists.

Militants cling on to hundreds of buildings in besieged Philippine city.

Rodrigo Duterte threatens to jail martial law critics.

'Serious military provocation': China angered by US presence in South China Sea. US warship near S. China Sea island 'provocation': China.

Taliban kill 13 pro-government fighters in north Afghanistan.

Two rebels killed in Indian Kashmir firefight.

Obama slams North Korea's nuclear weapon pursuit and warns they 'must face consequences' as he speaks in Seoul after wrapping up his ten-day family vacation in Indonesia.

PNG election: Voting delay an 'embarrassment, humiliation', former NZ governor-general says.

Japan PM Abe set for huge loss in Tokyo assembly vote: exit polls.

Modi set to become first Indian PM to visit Israel.

Xi Jinping to meet Putin in Moscow for 3rd time this year to strike $10bn worth of deals.

Thailand: 60,000 workers flee over new labour laws.

AFRICA

U.S. conducts air strike in Somalia against al Shabaab militants.

Raids on Uganda show South Sudan's war spilling across its borders.

Djibouti asks AU to deploy observers along its disputed border with Eritrea.

Angolan leader back in Spain a month after medical trip.

West African and French leaders launch Sahel force.

Suspected Boko Haram militants kill nine, abduct dozens in Niger.

At least 15 killed in fresh C. Africa clashes: source.

Sudan extends ceasefire in 3 conflict zones. Sudan extends ceasefire ahead of expected lifting of U.S. trade embargo.

Aid workers warn of 'devastating' cholera outbreak in South Sudan.

Somaliland's children dying as drought and border dispute create fatal mix.

Europeans vow more help to stem Libya-Italy migrant flow.

Algeria to grant legal status to African migrants amid worker shortages, racism.

EUROPE

Details of first Putin-Trump meeting not yet settled: Kremlin.

Trump to speak with European officials ahead of summit this week.

Turkey condemns Greek coastguard for firing on freighter.

'Radical new path': Macron proposes cutting French parliament by third. In Sun King's palace, Macron threatens to ram through parliament reform.

London to step in if Northern Ireland power-sharing talks fail.

Avignon shooting: Eight injured near French mosque.

Nationalist charged for plotting to attack Macron on Bastille Day.

Tension remains high between EU-NATO and Russia.

Putin plans series of meetings during G20 summit. Putin to discuss Ukraine with Merkel and Macron at G20 summit.

Trump, Merkel plan to meet Thursday ahead of G20: Berlin.

Portuguese president speaks out over stolen weapons arsenal.

Poll shows most Swedes oppose NATO membership.

German bus accident: 'Numerous' fatalities.

AMERICAS

Protesters rally in dozens of cities to call for Trump’s impeachment. House Democrat speaks at Trump impeachment march in Los Angeles.

GOP leaders have few sure votes on debt ceiling.

GOP voters blame Congress, not Trump, for lack of progress.

Trump tweets mock video of him beating CNN, sparks criticism.

Venezuelan opposition seeks unofficial July 16 vote on Maduro plan.

Venezuelan government accused of illegal detentions.

Poll shows Fernandez bloc tied in Argentina congressional elections.

Colombian rebel leader in intensive care after stroke. Colombia: Farc leader Timochenko recovering from stroke.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Germany urges end to terror financing in Gulf.

Foreign jihadist media group rallies against West in video.

Daesh executes top preacher for alluding to Baghdadi’s death.

Nikki Haley worries Iran will give nuclear weapons to terrorists.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dow, S&P advance but tech weighs on Nasdaq.

Oil rises more than 2 percent as U.S. crude output slows.

France's Total to sign Iran gas deal delayed by sanctions.

China's $9tn bond market opens up to foreign investors.

Tesla says its Model 3 car will go on sale on Friday.

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