World News Roundup: May sticks to Brexit deal; Berlin imposes travel ban, arms freeze over Khashoggi killing

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Polish Church asks for forgiveness for pedophilia cases

Poland's Catholic Church on Monday asked victims of sexual abuse by the clergy for forgiveness, a month after an appeal court upheld a ruling stating the Church was responsible for the crimes of one if its priests. The Catholic Church worldwide is reeling from crises involving sexual abuse of minors, damaging confidence in the Church in Chile, the United States, Australia and Ireland and other countries.

Putin says Russia will retaliate if U.S. quits nuclear missile treaty: agencies

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday the Kremlin would retaliate if the United States withdrew from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty, Russian news agencies reported. Putin discussed possible Russian retaliation with top Russian Defence Ministry officials and added that the Kremlin was ready to discuss the INF treaty with Washington.

UK PM May sticks to Brexit deal as opponents seek formal challenge

British Prime Minister Theresa May vowed on Monday to stick to her draft European Union divorce deal as dissenting lawmakers in her own party tried to trigger a leadership challenge. Since striking a deal with the EU on Tuesday, May has faced the most perilous crisis of her premiership with several cabinet ministers resigning, including her Brexit minister.

British government relents to lawmakers' pressure with pledge to publish Brexit forecasts

The British government on Monday pledged to publish economic forecasts that compare Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal with remaining in the European Union, relenting to pressure from lawmakers who sought to force the government to do so. A junior minister said that the government would publish an economic impact assessment which will compare the impact of May's proposed deal with both the status quo of current EU membership and a "no-deal" scenario.

Clashes resume in Yemen's Hodeidah after Houthis say open to truce

Intense fighting broke out in Yemen's port city of Hodeidah late on Monday, shattering a lull in violence that had raised hopes for a ceasefire between a Saudi-led coalition and Houthi insurgents as the United Nations tried to resume peace talks. Coalition warplanes conducted more than 10 air strikes on Houthi positions and battles could be heard in the "July 7" district, four km (2.5 miles) away from the port, residents said. One resident said a medium-range missile had been fired from the city center toward the district in the suburbs.

Saudi king to open mine project, crown prince to attend G20

Saudi Arabia's King Salman will inaugurate the Waad Al-Shamaal mining project on Thursday, Alarabiya TV said on Twitter, quoting energy minister Khalid al-Falih. The project will cost 85 billion riyals ($22.7 billion) and will create 10,000 jobs, according to Falih. It is part of an industrial scheme aimed at opening up Saudi's north to development that will boost job creation.

Exclusive: After Khashoggi murder, some Saudi royals turn against king's favorite son

Amid an international uproar over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, some members of Saudi Arabia's ruling family are agitating to prevent Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman from becoming king, three sources close to the royal court said. Dozens of princes and cousins from powerful branches of the Al Saud family want to see a change in the line of succession but would not act while King Salman - the crown prince's 82-year-old father - is still alive, the sources said. They recognize that the king is unlikely to turn against his favorite son, known in the West as MbS.

Airbnb to remove listings in Israel's West Bank settlements

Home-renting company Airbnb Inc said on Monday it would remove listings in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move Israel called a "wretched capitulation" to boycotters and Palestinians hailed as a step towards peace. The decision, affecting some 200 listings, would take effect in the coming days, Airbnb said.

Berlin imposes travel ban, arms freeze over Khashoggi killing

Germany banned 18 Saudis suspected of involvement in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi from much of Europe on Monday and moved to halt all arms sales to Saudi Arabia. The bans bind all members of the European Union's passport-free Schengen zone, suggesting Germany is willing to use its influence as the EU's largest country to push for a tougher line.

U.S. briefly shutters border crossing to brace for migrants

U.S. officials briefly closed the busiest border crossing from Mexico early on Monday to add concrete barricades and razor wire amid concerns that some of the thousands of Central American migrants at the border could try to rush the crossing. Northbound lanes at the San Ysidro crossing from Tijuana to San Diego, California, were closed "to position additional port hardening materials," a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said.

(With inputs from Reuters)