News in Brief - Fri, July, 31, 2015 - 04:30 GMT

1. Turkey has stepped up its airstrikes against the positions of the Kurdistan Workers Party in northern Iraq. Reports say thirty F-16 jets hit shelters, storage points, caves, and depots of PKK. The Turkish military says the strikes were in response to a deadly ambush that killed three Turkish troops on Thursday.

2. The IMF says it will not join a new bailout plan for crisis-hit Greece, until debt sustainability conditions are ensured. An IMF official says both Athens and its European partners need to make serious decisions. Bailout talks are underway as Athens faces an August 20 deadline for a debt repayment.

3. The White House says a possible Congress no vote to the nuclear conclusion reached with Iran would isolate the United States. Congress has threatened to reject the conclusion. The US lawmakers have until September 17 to review the conclusion. US president Barack Obama says he will veto a Congressional no vote.

4. US police have launched an investigation to identify two white men for placing four controversial Confederate flags on the grounds of a black church in Atlanta. It’s the latest provocative act involving the flags since nine black church members were killed in a terrorist attack in South Carolina.

5. The US has updated sanctions on dozens of Russian individuals and entities over Moscow's alleged role in the Ukraine crisis. US officials say the move aims to maintain the effectiveness of the existing sanctions rather than expanding the penalties.

6. The humanitarian situation in two besieged villages in Idlib province is reportedly deteriorating. Officials say dozens of civilians have been killed by mortar attacks since the terrorists besieged the villages over two months ago. Syrian authorities say they are stepping up efforts to rescue the trapped civilians.

7. Chadian MPs are prepared to vote on a controversial anti-terror bill aimed at boosting security in the African state. The bill's vague definition of "terrorism" has raised concerns among the country's opposition and activists. They say the bill would open civil groups to repression under the cover of fighting terrorism.

8. Nigerian military officials say the country needs more money and military hardware to battle Boko Haram takfiri terrorists. They accuse the government of neglecting the army. Nigeria is trying to head off Boko Haram's rising militancy. Many people have been killed in attacks by the group in recent months.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk