Friday, June 16, 2017

World News Briefs -- June 16, 2017 (Evening Edition)

U.S. President Donald Trump holds a document he signed after announcing his Cuba policy at the Manuel Artime Theater in the Little Havana neighborhood in Miami, Florida, U.S. June 16, 2017. REUTERS/Joe Skipper

Reuters: Trump rolls back parts of what he calls 'terrible' Obama Cuba policy

President Donald Trump on Friday ordered tighter restrictions on Americans traveling to Cuba and a clampdown on U.S. business dealings with the Caribbean island’s military, saying he was canceling former President Barack Obama's "terrible and misguided deal" with Havana.

Laying out his new Cuba policy in a speech in Miami, Trump signed a presidential directive rolling back parts of Obama’s historic opening to the Communist-ruled country after a 2014 diplomatic breakthrough between the two former Cold War foes. But Trump left in place many of Obama’s changes, including the reopened U.S. embassy in Havana, even as he sought to show he was making good on a campaign promise to take a tougher line against Cuba, especially over its human rights record.

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MIDDLE EAST

Uncertainty over Islamic State leader’s fate after airstrike. Russia's military says it may have killed IS leader; West, Iraq skeptical.

UN believes up to 150,000 civilians are trapped in Mosul. IS has 100,000 civilians as 'human shields' in Mosul's Old City: UN.

US and coalition forces blitz Raqqa with 187 airstrikes in first week of operations.

Messy fight awaits Islamic State's next Syrian capital at Mayadeen.

UN won't play any role in Iraqi Kurds' independence vote.

Saudi foreign minister says working on list of Qatar 'grievances'.

Tillerson skips OAS meeting to focus on Gulf crisis.

U.S. Senate's Iran sanctions are breach of nuclear deal: senior Iranian official.

Turkey summons US envoy over bodyguards arrest warrants.

Naval coalition seizing narcotics at unprecedented rate in the Middle East.

Palestinian attackers killed after killing Israeli officer.

ASIA

Pentagon pushes back on Afghanistan report.

Philippines claims control of 90 percent of Marawi.

Philippines says some militants may have slipped out of embattled city.

United States, China to meet on North Korea on Wednesday.

Banning Flippers? North Korea lashes out at trade sanctions.

Mumbai blasts 1993: Six men found guilty.

US takes Malcolm Turnbull's impression of Donald Trump 'with good humour', embassy says.

Malaysian PM's wife linked to jewellery purchases in 1MDB case.

China kindergarten blast suspect 'had neurological disorder': officials.

AFRICA

Mali urges UN to support anti-jihadist force for the Sahel.

ICC to rule on South Africa's failure to arrest Bashir.

Djibouti accuses Eritrea of occupying disputed territory after Qatar withdrew peacekeepers.

African leaders say election delays spell "grave danger" for Congo.

South Sudan rebels deny receiving support from Sudan.

Egypt arrests dozens ahead of proposed island protests.

UN agency fears for Africans held by gang in Libya.

Protesters agree to end blockade of Tunisia oil plant.

Lesotho's new PM sworn-in after estranged wife's murder.

EUROPE

Anger erupts over possible flaws at burned London tower.

Helmut Kohl, chancellor who reunited Germany, dies at 87.

Britain says no EU exit deal unless future relationship taken into account.

New US Russia sanctions bill riles Germany and Austria. Germany's Angela Merkel slams planned US sanctions on Russia.

US repeatedly interfered in Russian elections – Putin.

Alexis Tsipras and Wolfgang Schäuble praise new Greece austerity deal. Eurogroup approves $9.5bn bailout for Greece.

Serbia gets first openly gay woman to be prime minister.

London tower fire death toll rises to 30 as police work to recover, identify victims.

Armed police fire stun gun at knife-wielding man near British parliament.

Muslim groups in Germany at odds over planned anti-terrorism march.

AMERICAS

Trump reports hundreds of millions in income.

Trump thrusts US, Cuba back toward hostile relations. Trump keeps much of Obama’s Cuba policy.

Trump recasts Cuba policy, takes harder line than Obama on military, travel.

Trump acknowledges for first time he’s under investigation.

Trump says in tweet no proof of his 'collusion with the Russians'.

Shot US congressman still 'critical' but improving: doctor.

U.S. Senate votes near unanimously for Russia, Iran sanctions.

Scalise has more surgery as authorities track shooter’s path.

On buses and trains, Venezuela opposition leaders protest Maduro.

Venezuela crisis: Thousands cross into Colombia for food and medicine.

Colombia peace process weathers the storm as Farc hands in weapons.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US drone strikes ‘against spirit of ongoing cooperation,’ Pakistani Army chief says.

Jihadi arrests in EU nearly double in 2 years: Europol.

Terrorism is on the rise in southeast Asia.

US adds 3 Islamic State group leaders to terrorism blacklist.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Amazon-Whole Foods deal roils Wall St.; energy shares gain.

Amazon deal for Whole Foods could bring retail experiments.

Global overcapacity drags oil prices down to six-month lows.

Takata shares suspended ahead of expected bankruptcy.

Global lenders support Qatari banks hit by Gulf rift.

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