Tuesday, July 18, 2017

World News Briefs -- July 18, 2017 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: U.S. prepares to sanction Venezuela officials, Maduro defies threat

WASHINGTON/CARACAS (Reuters) - The Trump administration is preparing sanctions against several senior Venezuelan officials, U.S. officials said on Tuesday, to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to abort plans for a controversial congress foes say would cement dictatorship.

Maduro's leftist government vowed to proceed with the July 30 vote for the new Constituent Assembly despite what it called a "brutal interventionist" threat from its ideological foe.

President Donald Trump said on Monday he would take "strong and swift economic actions" if Maduro went ahead with the new body that would have power to rewrite Venezuela's constitution and supersede other institutions.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

US and Iran in tit-for-tat sanctions over missiles.

US hits Iran with new economic sanctions. US sanctions more Iranians, but nuclear deal stands for now. US slaps new Iran sanctions over ballistic missiles, terrorism.

Cost of making western Mosul ‘liveable’ double previous estimates, UN warns.

UN envoy for Iraq warns against 'collective punishment' for IS families.

Lebanon army to act against militants near Syria border: PM.

Turkish and Kurdish forces clash in northern Syria, tensions rise.

Turkey extends state of emergency by three months.

Turkish court orders human rights activists held on terror charges.

Muslims again boycott holy site over Israeli security measures.

ASIA

China says it’s ready for ‘all-out confrontation’, not afraid to go to war with India.

NKorea 'clearly' has range to hit US: general.

Celebrity defector returns to North Korea, stars in propaganda video.

New South Korea government proposes military talks with North. South Korea proposes rare military talks with North Korea.

White House: conditions for North Korea talks 'far away'.

Two Chinese coast guard vessels intrude into Japanese waters off Aomori Prefecture.

UN: Civilian deaths in Afghanistan hit new record high.

Two suspected rebels, Indian soldier killed in Kashmir.

Five more injured along LoC as Pakistani Army issues stern warning to India over July 16 attack.

Duterte seeks to extend martial law amid ISIL threat.

Myanmar: UN probe 'can only aggravate' Rakhine tension.

Second Australian senator resigns after learning she's also Canadian.

AFRICA

Egypt police trap and kill top militants: govt.

Spike in violence in CAR causing thousands to flee.

U.N. urges east Libya army to probe executions, suspend commander.

Call for Boko Haram peace talks masks ethnic tensions.

Egypt vows to maintain blockade on Qatar.

South Sudan's president declares state of emergency in home state.

Facing multiple security crises, Congo's Kabila reshuffles police.

EU to restrict rubber boat sales to Libya to curb migrant smuggling.

Somalia internet returns after three-week blackout.

EUROPE

Trump, Putin held a second, undisclosed meeting at G20 summit in Germany - White House official.

Hungary's Orban hosts Netanyahu, vows to squelch anti-Semitism.

Little Russia: Ukraine separatists proclaim new state.

Chechnya becoming major player in rebuilding war-torn Syria.

Brexit talks begin in earnest with citizens’ rights in focus.

France moves above US and Britain to become the world's top 'soft power' with more non-military global influence than any other country following Macron election win.

Germany delays Israel submarine deal over graft probe: source.

Italy considers emergency visas to ease migrant strain.

Vatican court rejects motions to dismiss in hospital case.

AMERICAS

Trump, Putin held a second, undisclosed meeting at G20 summit in Germany - White House official.

Six months into Presidency, Trump battles weak polls, fading expectations.

‘Let Obamacare fail,’ Trump declares as GOP plan collapses.

Trump blasts Congress over failure of GOP health care bill.

Trump threatens sanctions if Venezuela creates Constituent Assembly.

Venezuela opposition calls for general strike over Maduro plans.

Nearly 40,000 flee Canada forest fires.

California extends tough climate policy measures to 2030.

Large majority in new U.S. poll worries of major war.

Trump must release Mar-a-Lago visitor records, judge rules.

More than 100 MILLION Americans have diabetes or its precursor, staggering CDC report reveals.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Five 'Islamic State' German women found in tunnel in Mosul.

New reports indicate ISIS leader still alive.

US, British volunteers battle IS in Syria’s Raqqa.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Global stocks pressured by Trump health care reform setback.

Lockheed Martin tops estimates on F-35 sales, raises outlook

Netflix now has 104 million subscribers worldwide.

US calls for smaller deficits in new NAFTA talks.

No comments: