World News Briefs -- July 22, 2020

Reuters: U.S. gives China 72 hours to shut Houston consulate as spying charges mount

BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States gave China 72 hours to close its consulate in Houston amid accusations of spying, marking a dramatic deterioration in relations between the world’s two biggest economies.

Communist Party rulers in Beijing were considering shutting the U.S. consulate in its central city of Wuhan in retaliation, a source with knowledge of the matter said.

China’s foreign ministry called the move an “unprecedented escalation” and threatened unspecified retaliation.

The State Department said the move was made “to protect American intellectual property and Americans’ private information”.

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MIDDLE EAST

Israel strikes Syria, warns Russia over Iranian missiles.

Yemen's children starve amid rising fears of famine. 'Open your eyes': Yemen on brink of famine again, UN agencies warn.

Kuwait emir to travel to US for medical treatment.

Kuwait's looming expat bill could force huge numbers to leave.

Turkey shifts fight against Kurdish militants deeper into Iraq.

Protests in Turkey over brutal murder of young woman.

Cut off from world, and virus, Gaza prepares for Eid like nowhere else.

Israel: Anger over Netanyahu's virus response, corruption charges.

ASIA

Hong Kong national security law: Taiwan’s foreign minister urges countries to speak out against Beijing.

South China Sea: ‘no sense’ in pushing Philippines’ case at UN General Assembly, Locsin says.

China, North Korea trade plummeted, report says.

India, US ‘almost there’ on trade deal, says Indian commerce minister.

Hundreds of Chinese boats fishing illegally off North Korea, study finds.

Jacinda Ardern sacks minister as sex scandals rock New Zealand's major parties.

China prepares to launch orbiter, lander, rover to Mars.

AFRICA

Turkey says any Libya ceasefire deal requires Haftar withdrawal.

Intel: Trump, Sisi address Nile dam dispute and Libya war.

Ethiopia says it has reached first-year target for filling divisive mega-dam.

Nile dam dispute: Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan agree to resume talks.

Ivory Coast: Former foreign minister to run for president.

Reggae star Bobi Wine launches new political party in Uganda .

Pressure mounts on Zimbabwe to release investigative journalist.

Lawyers protest as Zimbabwean journalist's bail decision postponed.

Ethiopian Airlines cargo plane bursts into flames at Shanghai airport.

EUROPE

Russia report: UK considers tougher security laws after criticism by MPs.

US sanctions on Nord Stream 2 companies would break law, German minister says.

Greece says Turkish plans to map sea encroach on its territory.

Turkey-Greece tensions escalate over Turkish Med drilling plans.

Britain, U.S. end 'anomaly' that shielded diplomat's wife after traffic death.

Belarus election: Snatched from the streets in Europe's 'last dictatorship'.

Russian court sentences Gulag historian to 3.5 years in prison.

Restoration of France's fire-damaged Nantes cathedral to take at least 3 years.

AMERICAS

US orders China to close Houston consulate, Beijing vows retalitation.

Trump made clear he's unhappy with China - White House adviser on consulate closure.

US Republicans and Democrats differ on new coronavirus aid bill.

14 US mayors ask feds to stop deploying officers to cities in response to protests.

U.S. agrees to pay Pfizer and BioNTech $2 billion for 100 million doses of coronavirus vaccine.

US House-approved defense bill would ban TikTok from government devices.

Canadian federal court rules asylum pact with US violates human rights .

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US military strikes ISIS in Somalia.

Egyptian armys says it killed 18 Islamist militants in North Sinai.

Turkish intelligence tried to pass off al-Qaeda, ISIS fighters as moderates in CIA/Pentagon vetting.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Oil prices slip as U.S. inventories and virus fears grow.

Facebook to investigate claims its algorithms are discriminatory.

Fiat offices raided over diesel emissions fraud claims.