Tuesday, March 13, 2018

World News Briefs -- March 13, 2018



Reuters: Britain gives Putin until midnight to explain nerve attack on former spy

Britain gave President Vladimir Putin until midnight on Tuesday to explain how a nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union was used to strike down a former Russian double agent who passed secrets to British intelligence.

Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, have been in hospital in a critical condition since March 4 when they were found unconscious on a bench outside a shopping center in the English cathedral city of Salisbury.

Prime Minister Theresa May said it was“highly likely” that Russia was to blame after Britain identified the substance as part of the highly-lethal Novichok group of nerve agents developed by the Soviet military in the 1970s and 1980s.

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MIDDLE EAST

Turkish military says has encircled Syria's Afrin town.

Syria's war enters its eighth year.

Civilians evacuated in Eastern Ghouta, say reports.

Russia says U.S. plans to strike Damascus, pledges military response.

Iraq: No border demarcation with Kurdish region.

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah survives assassination attempt in Gaza. Explosion hits as Palestinian PM Rami Hamdallah enters Gaza.

Turkish lawmakers brawl after passage of electoral law.

ASIA

U.S. detecting some Taliban interest in Afghan peace talks: Mattis.

Afghan troops push back Taliban fighters in Farah province.

Protests after Indian troops kill three rebels in Kashmir.

In Sri Lanka, hate speech and impunity fuel anti-Muslim violence.

China launches mega aid agency in big shift from recipient to donor.

China's National People's Congress: Eye rolls and tame questions.


Philippines' first female chief justice defiant, will not resign.

Kathmandu plane crash: investigators recover data recorder. 'Miscommunication' blamed for deadly Kathmandu plane crash.

AFRICA

Dozens killed in troubled eastern DR Congo province. Dozens killed in fresh DR Congo violence.

Three Niger police killed in suspected jihadist attack.

Ethiopians flee to Kenya after Army ‘mistakenly’ kills nine.

South Sudan refugees return to devastated town.

Burundi ruling party titles Nkurunziza 'visionary' ahead of referendum.

Violent protests in Guinea, disrupt some bauxite shipments.

Drought in South Africa declared state of disaster.

EUROPE

‘Say something’: May 'under incredible pressure’ from colleagues to blame Russia in ex-spy poisoning.

EU promises solidarity with Britain over Russian spy poisoning.

Russian spy: Russia demands nerve agent sample from UK.

Sergei Skripal poisoning claims get the cold shoulder in Red Square.

Kurdish youth in Germany call for violent protest in Europe.

Agriculture makes much more money for Russia than arms exports – Putin .

Serbia blasts top NATO general over Russia.

Germany's Merkel to press Ukraine peace talks after Russian election.

France reportedly seizes Bashar Assad's uncle's property worth 691 million Euros.

AMERICAS

Trump fires Tillerson: president swings axe after series of policy clashes. Trump fires Rex Tillerson as secretary of state.

Tillerson 'unaware' of reason sacked by Trump.

Trump to inspect border wall prototypes on California trip.

Trump claims border wall could pay for itself in welfare savings – but Mexican border-jumpers warn they'll learn to climb over ANYTHING he builds.

Colombia calls ELN rebels back to peace talks.

Venezuela: UN agency warns of humanitarian 'catastrophe'.

Mexico missing students: Key suspect arrested.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

ISIS tries to take back Iraq as U.S. allies switch sides in Syria.

Iran accuses US of supporting IS in Afghanistan; Washington denies allegation.

Suicide bombing claimed by IS kills six in Yemen's Aden.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

OECD urges world to play by trade rules as tariff row rages.

US orders compliance overhaul at Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

Donald Trump blocks $150b Qualcomm takeover by Broadcom on national security grounds. Trump blocks Broadcom's bid for Qualcomm on security grounds.

Sri Lanka demands tougher action from Facebook to lift ban.

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