Beijing / AFP China warned on Thursday of a “decisive response” to provocations in the South China Sea, as it faced mounting pressure to accept an international tribunal’s ruling against its claims to most of the strategically vital waters. The Philippines, which launched the legal challenge, called for China to respect the decision and defied Chinese objections by saying …

  Baghdad / AFP Iraqi security forces paraded through Baghdad on Thursday to celebrate victories over the IS extremist group, but an unannounced rehearsal two days earlier put a damper on the festivities. PM Haider al-Abadi reviewed the forces from a pavilion as they passed through central Tahrir Square, and military jets and helicopters overflew the city. The parade was …

  Bloomberg Global stocks climbed as commodities gained and better-than-estimated earnings pointed to resilience in the economy. The yen slumped on speculation Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is contemplating so-called helicopter money to revive Japan. Financial shares led the S&P 500 Index higher, as the equity benchmark extended its record for a fourth day. Emerging-market equities advanced for a sixth day. …