Obama tries to promote Iran deal...House ponders highway funding...Greek Parliament debates bailout

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama continues his effort to convince skeptical lawmakers today that the nuclear deal with Iran is an effective agreement to head off development of nuclear weapons by Tehran. He'll hold and afternoon news conference to promote the plan while Vice President Joe Biden meets with Democratic lawmakers.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House gets to work today on an effort to prevent, at least temporarily, a shutdown in highway and transit aid to states. The House bill would gather some $8 billion to keep the aid flowing until mid-December. That doesn't quite square with Senate Republican leaders, who want to shore up funding through next year's election, though they haven't decided how to pay for it.

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's Parliament is debating the latest bailout deal, which has sparked outrage over more austerity but is needed to avoid the country's financial collapse. Passage is expected, with help from opposition lawmakers. Dissent from members of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' (TSEE'-prah-sez) own Syriza (SEER'-ih-zah) party raises questions of his government's survival in its current form.

DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) — The past 24 hours in eastern Ukraine have seen an uptick in fighting. A Ukrainian military spokesman says eight troops have been killed and 16 wounded. An armistice signed in Minsk in February requires both sides to pull back heavy weapons from the front line, but international observers vetting that process regularly note violations.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepal's government is trying to get the word out that it's open again for business from tourists following a devastating earthquake in April that killed thousands of people. Nepal is urging other countries to lift travel advisories that discourage their citizens from visiting the Himalayan nation, saying most parts of the country are safe.

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