Wednesday, September 20, 2017

World News Briefs -- September 20, 2017 (Evening Edition)



Washington Post: Puerto Rico entirely without power as Hurricane Maria hammers island with force not seen in ‘modern history’

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Hurricane Maria raked across Puerto Rico on Wednesday as the most powerful storm to strike the island in more than 80 years, ripping roofs off buildings, filling homes with water and knocking out power to the entire population.

"Definitely Puerto Rico — when we can get outside — we will find our island destroyed," Puerto Rico's emergency management director, Abner Gomez, said at a midday news conference, adding that 100 percent of the island is without electricity. "The information we have received is not encouraging. It's a system that has destroyed everything it has had in its path."

The storm first slammed into the coast near Yabucoa at 6:15 a.m. with 155 mph winds — the first Category 4 hurricane to directly strike the island since 1932. By midmorning, Maria had fully engulfed the 100-mile-long island as winds snapped palm trees, peeled off rooftops and sent debris skidding across beaches and roads. By afternoon, the intense gusts had become less frequent and the lashing rains eased, giving residents their first glimpse of the storm's wake.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iran says it does not expect U.S. to leave nuclear deal. Iran defends nuclear deal, warns Trump to respect it.

Mines hold up Iraqi advance against IS in western desert.

Russia's air force killed 850 militants in Syria in last 24 hours: Interfax.

Syria war: Assault on IS-held Raqqa in 'final stages'. US-backed force seizes 90% of Syria's Raqa from IS.

US confirms Syrian Army crossed deconfliction zone in Deir el-Zour.

Curfew imposed in Iraqi city before Kurdish independence vote.

Kurdish referendum: Turkey's Erdogan demands vote be called off.

Suffering grips Yemen three years after rebel takeover.

Palestinians submit Israel 'war crime' evidence to ICC.

Israel shoots down Iranian-made drone over Syrian frontier: military.

Israeli leader vows to keep Iran from establishing military bases in Syria.

Saudi Arabia to lift ban on internet calls.

ASIA

Trump urges 'strong and swift' U.N. action to end Rohingya crisis.

Japan PM says time for North Korea dialogue is over.

Kyrgyzstan accuses Kazakhstan of election 'influence'.

UN demands access to Myanmar's Rakhine amid Rohingya crisis.

Rohingya refugees take little heart from speech by Myanmar's Suu Kyi.

Rohingya crisis: Suu Kyi speech criticised by global leaders.

Nine communist rebels dead in Philippine clash: military.

Donald Trump applauded by Japan, South Korea for brazenness on North Korea in UN speech.

China calls for 'six-party' diplomacy on North Korea.

Japan's Abe using North Korea's threats to boost election chances.

Afghanistan arms civilians to protect mosques during holy month.

Bali volcano: Locals urged to stay calm as Mount Agung threatens to erupt.

AFRICA

Sudan's Bashir pushes for Darfur arms collection.

US, EU slam DR Congo army for using 'excessive force'.

Congo leader opens peace conference in bloody Kasai region.

12 dead, 92 missing as floods hit eastern DR Congo.

Rival protests in Togo as government blasts street 'coup d'etat'.

Riek Machar's men blamed for deadly South Sudan raid.

Unveiling new Libya plan, U.N. sees opportunity for peace.

Kenya court blames electoral commission over annulled election. Kenya court blames polls commission for botched vote.

Cameroon using 'anti-terror' law to silence media: CPJ.

Zimbabwe renames airport after President Mugabe.

EUROPE

Spanish police arrest Catalan officials in attempt to halt illegal independence referendum. Catalonia referendum: Spain steps up raids to halt vote.

Theresa May ‘will offer Brussels £20bn for a transition deal’ in crucial speech after Boris Johnson BACKS DOWN on resignation threat.

Merkel dismisses hecklers as polls point to fourth term.

Dutch government seeks to overturn court ruling on Srebrenica.

Beslan siege: Russia 'will comply' with critical ruling.

Grenfell Tower death toll may fall as fraudsters may have invented missing relatives.

Melania Trump lawsuit threat forces Zagreb language school to remove billboards.

AMERICAS

Hurricane Maria cuts electricity, triggers flooding across Puerto Rico.

Scramble for survivors as quake flattens Mexico City buildings.

Brazil Supreme Court sends new Temer graft charges to Congress.

Trump made decision on Iran nuclear deal but does not reveal it.

Trump pressing GOP senators to act on new health proposal.

California to file lawsuit over Trump border wall.

Maduro calls Trump 'new Hitler' after his remarks about Venezuela in UN speech.

New surge in migrants crossing US-Canada border.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

UK's May urges internet firms to remove extremist content quicker.

Al-Qaida propaganda outlet posts ‘wanted dead or alive’ poster of Trump.

London Underground blast: UK police arrest two more in tube attack investigation.

IS-aligned militant jailed over plot to bomb Indonesian presidential palace.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall St. closes slightly higher after Fed policy decisions.

US Federal Reserve keeps interest rates unchanged.

IMF's Lagarde warns US won't meet growth targets amid slow reforms.

Ryanair provides update on flight cancellations.

Report: 40 million live in slavery, 125 million in child labor.

1 comment:

James said...

Jake "The Raging Bull" LaMotta is dead.