World News Briefs -- July 2, 2019

Reuters: China condemns violent Hong Kong protests as 'undisguised challenge' to its rule

BEIJING/HONG KONG (Reuters) - China on Tuesday condemned violent protests in Hong Kong as an “undisguised challenge” to the formula under which the city is ruled, hours after police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters who stormed and trashed the legislature.

A representative of China’s Hong Kong affairs office denounced the demonstrators, who are furious about proposed legislation allowing extraditions to China, and said Beijing supports holding criminals responsible, state media said.

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MIDDLE EAST

Trump: Iran 'playing with fire' by exceeding uranium stockpile limit.

Iranian oil minister: Iran is not ready to talk to the US until sanctions are lifted.

Former IRGC commander says Iran should negotiate with The US.

Syria accuses Israel of 'heinous aggression' after airstrikes.

Iraqi PM orders Iran-backed militias into army command.

Yemen's Houthis attack Saudi's Abha airport, injuring civilians.

Turkey orders arrest of 122 military personnel over suspected Gulen links.

Turkey, China seek to expand economic ties despite political differences.

ASIA

Taliban, Afghan rivals 'set to meet' in fresh bid for peace.

Xi urged Trump to ease North Korea sanctions in 'timely' fashion.

China slams Trump's 'gross interference' in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong protest: China says violent demonstrations 'totally intolerable'. Beijing authorities call on Hong Kong government to restore social order as soon as possible and condemn protesters who stormed legislature.

Kabul students pick through debris after deadly blast.

Suicide attacks emerge in Philippines under IS influence.

Jakarta residents to sue government over severe air pollution.

Japanese ships to kill hundreds of whales as ban ends.

AFRICA

Niger gunman kill 16 soldiers in Inates military camp attack.

Haftar's forces step up air raids after loss of strategic city.

Sudan protesters announce day of 'civil disobedience' in mid-July.

Sudanese refugees in South Sudan yearning for home.

Illegal drugs turning West Africa into a 'cauldron'.

US imprisons Rwandan linked to 1994 genocide for immigration fraud.

Dozens feared dead after petrol tanker crashes in Nigeria and explodes as locals try to gather fuel.

EUROPE

EU leaders reconvene to resolve top jobs impasse.

Anti-Europe MEPs turn backs on Europe anthem at opening session.

Ready or not, Spain's Sanchez to face July 23 confirmation vote for PM.

Moldova's new PM 'completely determined' to clean up government.

Labour's Corbyn, 70, calls for independent probe into report he is 'too frail' to be UK PM.

Russia proposes prisoner swap with U.S. - Ifax.

Russia's Siberia hit by worst flooding in a century.

AMERICAS

Tanks, warplanes to join Trump's July 4 event.

Rich get richer, everyone else not so much in record U.S. expansion.

US border crossing shut down after 'large and unruly group' forms in Mexico.

US Border Patrol investigate ‘disturbing’ secret Facebook group.

Top US official to meet Salvadoran, Honduran leaders on migration.

Venezuela lawmaker Juan Requesens charged over drone attack.

Venezuela charges two intelligence officials over death of detained officer.

Total solar eclipse to cast a shadow on South America.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

'Domestic' terrorists could target July 4 holiday events, but no known plots: US Feds.

Australia police raid homes, arrest 2 to foil terror plot.

Indonesia arrests alleged Jemaah Islamiah terrorist network leader Para Wijayanto.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

France casts doubt on giant Mercosur trade deal.

US threatens EU with $4 billion worth of additional tariffs.

Facebook evacuates several buildings after possible sarin exposure.