UPDATE 1-Europe trade channel with Iran close to 1st deal in days - France

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Thursday he hoped a special trade channel set up with Iran would complete a first, limited transaction in the coming days. Set up by France, Britain and Germany, Instex is a barter trade mechanism that aims to avoid direct financial transfers by offsetting balances between importers and exporters on the European side. The mechanism is aimed at making it possible for trade between European Union members and Iran to continue in the face of stiff U.S sanctions since Washington quit a 2015 nuclear accord between Tehran and world powers last year.

China says existing U.S. tariffs must be removed for a trade deal

Existing U.S. tariffs will have to be removed if there is to be a trade deal between Beijing and Washington, China's commerce ministry said on Thursday. The leaders of the two countries agreed last weekend to relaunch trade talks that had stalled in May after U.S. officials accused China of pulling back from commitments made in the text of a pact negotiators had said was nearly finished. Trade teams from both countries are in contact, commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng told a regular media briefing.

Driver charged in 7 motorcycle deaths has arrest records in 6 states

The man charged with seven counts of vehicular homicide after he collided with motorcyclists in Randolph, N.H. has arrest records in six states.

Islamic State claims June attack that killed four on patrol in Lebanon's Tripoli

Islamic State claimed responsibility on Thursday for an attack that killed two police officers and two soldiers on patrol in patrol in Lebanon's Tripoli last month, the group’s Al-Nabaa newspaper said.

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Sudan military council, opposition reach power-sharing agreement: sources

Sudan's ruling transitional military council and a coalition of opposition and protest groups reached an agreement to share power during a transition period leading to elections, sources said on Friday.

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Australia government warns released student not to return to North Korea

Australia's government warned a student on Friday not to return to North Korea a day after he was released from detention by Pyongyang under mysterious circumstances.

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'Under siege': Fear and defiance mark life for Pakistan's minority Hazaras

High walls around the neighborhoods of Pakistan's embattled Hazara community in the southwestern city of Quetta are designed to protect them from extremist militants, but also serve as a constant reminder of the threat they face.

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