World News Briefs -- July 30, 2017



Daily Mail: BREAKING NEWS: Putin orders 755 US diplomats to leave Russia as he keeps his promise to retaliate against Trump's 'weird and unacceptable' sanctions bill

* Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday that 775 US diplomats must leave
* Massive ejection of diplomatic personnel retaliation for US sanctions bill
* Bill passed Congress on Thursday and President Trump says he will sign into law
* Moscow responded by seizing two diplomatic properties and booting US staffers
* Move will reduce US diplomat mission to Russia by over half in one fell swoop
* Russian deputy foreign minister calls sanctions bill 'weird and unacceptable'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the ejection of 775 US diplomats in retaliation for a new US sanctions bill.

Putin announced the move on Sunday, effectively cutting the US diplomatic mission of roughly 1,200 in Russia by more than half.

The order from Moscow, reported by AFP, comes in response to a sanctions bill that passed the US Congress on Thursday, which US President Donald Trump has said he will sign into law.

The Kremlin had on Friday seized two diplomatic properties and ordered the US to cut its mission to 445, the same size as Russia's in the US, but the new order from Putin is the first revelation of a headcount of expulsions.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iraqis in Mosul markets both fear and hope for the future.

The Latest: Al-Qaida in Syria nabs 3 Hezbollah fighters.

Journalist working with RT Arabic killed in Homs province of Syria during ISIS shelling.

Clashes near Yemen's Mokha kill more than 40 troops, rebels.

Saudi Arabia says calls for internationalization of holy sites 'a declaration of war'.

Saudi-led bloc 'cannot shrink list of demands on Qatar'. Qatar crisis: Saudi-led allies stand firm.

Iranian pilgrims return to haj in Saudi Arabia after boycott last year.

Israeli soldier who killed wounded Palestinian attacker loses appeal.

ASIA

US flies bombers over Korean peninsula after missile launch, Trump 'disappointed' with China.

Donald Trump says China does ‘nothing’ to thwart North Korea’s nuclear quest.

Missile test 'warning' against US sanctions push: N. Korea.

White House looks at scaling back U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.

Pakistani parliament to elect new prime minister on Tuesday. Pakistan parliament to elect new PM after Sharif ouster. Ousted Pakistani PM nominates brother to take over after interim leader.

Vietnam arrests more dissidents.

India's Muslims 'in constant fear' as vigilante murders increase.

Philippines mayor among 15 killed in drug raids.

Sri Lanka signs deal on Hambantota port with China.

AFRICA

Somalia militants claim 39 AU troops killed in ambush. Twenty-four killed in fighting between Somali, AU troops and al Shabaab, official says.

Somali capital Mogadishu rocked by huge blast. Car bomb explodes near police station in Mogadishu.

Nigeria suicide bombing kills 14 in housing shelter: Aid agency.

Fighting between South Sudan rival rebel groups wounds two.

Kenya's police end deadly siege at home of deputy president.

Egyptian army seizes truckload of explosives before smuggled to Sinai.

Libya jihadists kill 5 in attack on strongman's forces.

Libya committee votes in favor of constitutional draft.

Senegal parliamentary elections marred by voting problems.

Zambia arrests 3 Chinese for rhino horn trafficking.

EUROPE

US and Georgia hold military drills, as Russia shows off naval strength.

US VP Mike Pence embarks on European reassurance mission. US vice president Pence starts Baltic tour in Estonia.

Russia warns of further retaliation after US sanctions.

Putin bans VPNs to stop Russians accessing prohibited websites.

22,000 evacuated after fire on festival stage near Barcelona.

Beleaguered Rome faces transport meltdown, puts 5-Star in difficulty.

Scotland to Britain: Protect Scotch whisky after Brexit.

AMERICAS

Venezuelans appear to abstain from government vote.

Venezuelan officials killed as voting starts.

Venezuela votes in election that opposition says will end democracy.

Republicans call on new Trump chief of staff to fix White House chaos.

Trump to sign bill imposing fresh sanctions on Russia.

Rio de Janeiro begins deploying 10,000 troops to fight crime surge.

Nearly 150 smuggled Central American migrants rescued in Mexico.

Canada probes possible Saudi use of its equipment in crackdown.

Canada's First Nations already feel failed by inquiry into missing and murdered women.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Saudi Arabia, UAE welcome creation of UN Counter-Terrorism Office.

Australia 'foils terrorist attack' involving an airplane.

Gulf states say they will negotiate with Qatar if it stops 'funding terrorism'.

Amazon is under federal investigation for selling goods to someone on the terrorism list and possible US sanctions violations.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Europe battles Google News over 'snippet tax' proposal.

Amazon profits fall sharply as it invests overseas.

Tesla Model 3: Elon Musk rolls out mass market model.

Apple removes foreign VPN apps from Chinese app store.

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