World News Briefs -- July 29, 2015

Reuters: Turkey launches heaviest air strikes yet on Kurdish group

Turkish jets launched their heaviest assault on Kurdish militants in northern Iraq overnight since air strikes began last week, hours after President Tayyip Erdogan said a peace process had become impossible.

The strikes hit Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) targets including shelters, depots and caves in six areas, a statement from Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's office said. A senior official told Reuters it was the biggest assault since the campaign started.

Iraq condemned the air strikes as a "dangerous escalation and an assault on Iraqi sovereignty", saying it was committed to ensuring militant attacks on Turkey were not carried out from within its territory.

MIDDLE EAST

Turkey steps up bombing of Kurdish targets in Iraq.

Kurd leader attacks Turkey's 'safe zone' plan for Syria.

Gulf Arab power UAE chides EU over opening to Iran.

Syrian army says Israeli planes strike pro-Syrian Palestinian militia.

Islamic State claims car bomb in Yemen capital, four dead.

Saudi-led warplanes bomb Houthi bastion in north Yemen.

Saudi policeman killed in attack in Eastern Province.

ASIA

Afghanistan says Taliban leader dead, urges peace talks.

Taliban advance in north Afghanistan seizing district, villages.

Experts worry China may soon establish South China Sea ADIZ.

US lawmakers fear Iran copying ‘North Korea’s playbook’.

North Korea hints at ballistic missile launch.

Critics: China’s President using law to tighten grip on power.

India set to become world's most populous country by 2022: U.N..

23 missing in Laos military helicopter accident.

AFRICA

Burundi parliament opens after disputed poll, opposition takes seats.

Kenya auditor uncovers massive government misspending.

Anti-Boko Haram force 'to cross borders to fight'.

Nigeria President visits Cameroon to discuss militant threat.

Authorities in Egypt 'killing independent journalism'.

U.N. human rights office deeply disturbed' by Libya death sentences.

Zimbaweans in lion hunt in court; Kill was "unethical".

EUROPE

Greece PM threatens Syriza rebels with snap elections.

Greek debt restructuring is inevitable, says IMF chief.

Russia's Putin says opposes MH17 tribunal ahead of U.N. vote.

Russian official: NATO eastward expansion would be 'catastrophic'.

Guns and underpants: Ukrainian army hobbled by bureaucratic woes.

Calais migrant crisis: France sends extra police to Channel Tunnel.

Rome's hot summer: Corruption, breakdowns run city to ground.

AMERICAS

Senior US officials seek to calm concerns over Iran nuclear deal.

U.N. urges Dominican Republic to prevent deportations of Haitians.

Peru rescues 39 'slave workers' from Shining Path farm.

Surge of Syrian refugees into US stirs security concerns.

120 deaths a day: US heroin & prescription drugs epidemic spinning out of control.

California drought could wipe cities off map if their water runs out.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Spy head: ‘Lone wolves’ bigger threat than al Qaeda.

Florida man accused of supporting ISIS, plotting 'backpack bombing'.

Bigger threat - al-Qaeda or ISIS?

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Windows 10 launch is a 'new era', says Microsoft boss.

Global population set to hit 9.7 billion people by 2050 despite fall in fertility.

IMF's Lagarde: World economy fragile, faces downside risks.