Friday, April 7, 2017

World News Briefs -- April 7, 2017



Daily Mail: First images appear of airbase devastated by Trump's cruise missile strike as tearful Syrians cheer US action... while foreign leaders beg Putin not to escalate tensions amid fears of WWIII

* The US military fired more than 50 tomahawk missiles at al-Shayrat military airfield at 8.45pm EDT Thursday
* Moves comes just hours after Trump said 'something should happen' following Tuesday's gas-attack atrocity
* Trump took action after more than 80 were killed and many more were injured in the sarin poison gas attack
* 'Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack,' he said after launching the strike
* Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a furious response calling airstrike an 'illegal act of aggression'
* US says airfield was used to store toxic weapons and was the base for the aircraft involved in the sarin attack
* Claims that nine were killed, and more were injured, in the strike which has severely damaged the airbase
* US told Moscow it was launching an airstrike about 30 minutes in advance - but did not ask for permission

Vladimir Putin has vowed to bolster Assad's air defences following a deadly US airstrike on an airbase in Syria leading to fears the conflict will spiral into all-out war between Russia and the West.

Russian warship the Admiral Grigorovich - armed with cruise missiles and a self-defence system - is docking in Syria today after it was immediately diverted from the Black Sea following Donald Trump's airstrike on al-Shayrat military airfield near Homs.

The US military fired 59 tomahawk missiles at 1.40am today after the US President blamed Bashar al-Assad's regime for a horrific nerve gas attack which killed more than 80 of the dictator's own citizens. Footage showing burnt out shelters and hangars and a damaged runway was cheered by tearful Syrians hoping that Trump's intervention would lead to Assad being overthrown.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

US strike on Syria is widely hailed, but angers Russia.

ISIS used US missile strike to launch new offensive near Palmyra, Homs governor tells RT. Russian Defense Ministry: Militants launch massive attack on Syrian troops after US missile strike.

Syria calls U.S. a partner of terrorism, says 6 dead in airfield strikes.

US-backed fighters lay siege to Islamic State-held town.

UN Syria envoy tells AP his office is in 'crisis mode' after US strike, calls emergency meeting in Geneva.

Pride and pain as Mosul doctors treat their own.

Israel backs 'strong message' sent by US Syria strike.

ASIA

Donald Trump hails friendship with China's Xi as missiles head to Syria. Trump welcomes 'friend' China's Xi for talks.

China warns of deterioration in Syria with Xi in US.

U.S. Vice president Pence to make trip to Asia-Pacific amid Korean tensions.

Philippines to upgrade facilities, not occupy new areas in disputed sea: military. Philippine military to upgrade island facilities.

Avalanches kill three Indian soldiers in Kashmir.

Maldives arrests key opposition figure in crackdown.

Wave of attacks strike restive Thai south.

Myanmar govt staff sentenced to jail for criticising army.

AFRICA

Al-Shabab dismisses Somali president war declaration.

Boko Haram kills Nigerian troops after deadly raid on farmers.

UN blocked from South Sudan town amid reports of killings.

Large street protests in South Africa against Zuma. South Africans protest against Zuma; violence hits Johannesburg.

UN summons South Africa to defend itself at the ICC. S.Africa denies breaking rules by not arresting Sudan's Bashir.

Fitch cuts South Africa's credit rating to 'junk'.

Gambia's long-time opposition UDP wins absolute majority.

EUROPE

Syria war: Russia condemns US missile strike on 'chemical weapons' base.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven says everything indicates truck crashing into department store is "a terror attack".

Greece secures second bailout tranche.

Kosovo bows to U.S., NATO pressure, puts off plan to create army.

Eta: Basque separatists plan to unilaterally disarm on Saturday.

Germany investigating 20 alleged Turkish spies.

Fifth Westminster attack victim dies from fall into Thames.

Police, demonstrators prepare for G20 summit in Hamburg.

AMERICAS

Gorsuch heads for confirmation as Senate tears up own rules. Senate goes 'nuclear,' ends Democrats' blockade of Trump court pick.

CIA knew in summer of Russian effort to back Trump: report.

Exclusive: Trump eyes new chief of staff; House Leader on short list.

US unemployment rate falls to 10-year low.

Protesters clash with security forces in Caracas.

Uruguay to become first country to fully legalize marijuana.

More Americans 50 years and over are cohabiting, research shows.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Yemen officials: US strike kills 3 al-Qaida fighters.

US cites progress against Islamic State in Afghanistan.

Stockholm terror attack: Truck plows into Swedish shopping center killing at least 2.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Markets nervous, but not hectic after airstrike.

Oil price jumps after US strike on Syria.

UN: Record amount of renewable energy capacity added in 2016.

YouTube will no longer allow creators to make money until they reach 10,000 views.

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