Wednesday, July 30, 2014

World News Briefs -- July 30, 2014



Israel Announces Brief Cease-fire After Shelling UN School -- Voice of America

GAZA CITY — Palestinian officials say Israel has announced a four-hour humanitarian cease-fire in some areas of the Gaza Strip, in the wake of an Israeli tank attack on a United Nations-run school in the Gaza Strip that killed at least 19 people.

The cease-fire began at 3:00 p.m. local time (1200) Wednesday. Israel authorized the pause in fighting against Hamas militants, saying it would be limited to parts of the densely populated coastal strip.

Hamas continued to fire rockets, saying it would fight on its own terms, not Israel’s, CNN reported from the scene.

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MIDDLE EAST

Gaza: at least 19 killed and 90 injured as another UN school is hit. Palestinians claim UN school hit, while Israel announces 4-hour cease-fire for parts of Gaza.

Israeli military offers four-hour humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

Peres: Israel has exhausted military option, Abbas's rule in Gaza must be restored.

Rights group: Syria using barrel bombs, defying UN.

U.S. close to sending largest ever Hellfire missile order to Iraq.

Iraqi Kurdish pipeline stopped; tanker in limbo off Texas.

Turkish women protest against politician who said they shouldn't laugh in public.

ASIA

Deadly clashes hit Xinjiang amid sweeping security crackdown. Chinese authorities tighten security in Xinjiang region after surge in violence.

Exclusive: China's Xi reached deal with former leaders to investigate ex-security chief: sources.

Thai junta to keep tight grip after transfer of power.

Satellite imagery suggests future large N. Korean rocket launch.

Scores trapped in India landslide.

India must decide its role in global trade order: Kerry.

Genocide trial begins for aging Khmer Rouge leaders.

AFRICA

Fourth female suicide bomber hits Nigeria's Kano, kills six.

Egyptian media: 3 militants die in car explosion.

At least 24 dead in Guinea rap concert stampede. Guinea concert stampede kills 33.

Temporary ceasefire near Tripoli blaze, more diplomats flee Libya chaos.

France evacuates nationals in Libya.

Ebola outbreak: pan-African airline halts flights to west African countries.

Nigeria tracking 30,000 people at risk of contracting Ebola.

EUROPE

Ukraine conflict: Army claims strategic town in Donetsk.

Observers turned back from MH17 crash site in Ukraine.

EU and US impose new round of sanctions on Russia over Ukraine.

Russia counts cost of new US, EU sanctions. Russia takes defiant stance in face of tough EU and US sanctions.

MH17: vast majority of Russians believe Ukraine downed plane, poll finds.

EU on high alert as Germany agrees to accept Ebola patients. Ebola virus may pose major threat to UK - reports.

Obama names new ambassador to Russia.

AMERICAS

US economic growth speeds up sharply. US economy grows by 4% after harsh winter weather.

Expert: ‘Conflict sharpening tensions’ between American Jews and Palestinians.

El Salvador becomes fifth Latin American country to recall Israel envoy.

Colombian peace talks will fail without government concessions, Farc warns.

Venezuelan officers linked to Colombian cocaine traffickers.

U.S. restricts travel by Venezuelan officials.

Argentine debt talks go down to the wire to avert default.

Fury in poverty-stricken Argentina as Cristina Kirchner is accused of spending £20,000 a day having newspapers delivered to her by Presidential jet.

Sao Paulo told to cut water or risk running out in 100 days.

Chinese cyberattack hits Canada's National Research Council. In rare move, Canada accuses Chinese of trying to hack govt network.

U.S. House votes to condemn Obama for Guantánamo Bergdahl swap.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

How European governments are bankrolling Al Qaeda: Terror organisation has made at least £73million in ransom money secretly paid to free hostages since 2008.

AQAP releases photos of attack on Yemen's military intelligence HQ.

The Islamic State is the newest petrostate.

Shock and terror: Islamic State boasts mass executions in Iraq (GRAPHIC).

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Yukos shareholders: Ready to discuss $50-billion compensation with Russia.

US judge says unable to seize Kurdish oil.

Russia wants Apple, SAP to cooperate against foreign spying.

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