Thursday, October 26, 2017

World News Briefs -- October 26, 2017 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: Catalonia's leader rules out snap election, crisis deepens

MADRID/BARCELONA (Reuters) - Catalonia’s leader Carles Puigdemont on Thursday said he would not hold a new regional election to break the deadlock between Madrid and separatists wanting to split from Spain, sharpening a political crisis that could turn into direct confrontation.

Puigdemont had been expected to announce an election to head off moves by Madrid to take direct control of the autonomous region in the next few days.

But, speaking in the courtyard of the regional government headquarters in Barcelona, Puigdemont said the central government had not provided sufficient guarantees that holding an election would prevent the imposition of direct rule.

“I was ready to call an election if guarantees were given. There is no guarantee that justifies calling an election today,” Puigdemont said.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syrian government to blame for April sarin attack: U.N. report.

Peshmerga respond to, push back Iraqi militia attack near Zummar.

Iraqi PM Abadi demands Kurds cancel secession bid as price for talks. Iraq rejects Kurdish offer to 'freeze' independence.

ISIS under fresh assault in its last bastion in Iraq. Iraqi forces launch assault on last IS bastion of al-Qaim.

Abadi: Iraq is not the place for U.S. and Iran to fight out their rivalry.

Rex Tillerson reaffirms US commitment to Syrian peace, rules out Assad in future government.

Israel willing to resort to military action to stop Iran acquiring nuclear weapons: minister.

UN urges Iran to stop harassing BBC Persian staff.

ASIA

U.S. sanctions North Koreans for 'flagrant' rights abuse.

Chinese President Xi Jinping takes absolute control of armed forces in military shake-up.

Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un congratulate Xi Jinping on second five-year term.

North Korea ramps up threat to test hydrogen bomb over Pacific.

Malaysia footage shows second North Korean man behind assassination.

Australia uses monthly faxes to communicate with Kim Jong-un's regime.

Alphabet soup as Kazakh leader orders switch from Cyrillic to Latin letters.

Thailand ends year of mourning King Bhumibol with cremation.

Dozens die in explosions at Indonesia fireworks factory.

Scott Brown: more complaints surface over behaviour of US ambassador to New Zealand.

AFRICA

Second US team operated near site of Niger ambush: Pentagon.

2,000 refugees have fled Cameroon to Nigeria in past two weeks: U.N. agency.

In Nairobi slum, rock-throwers, police keep voters at bay.

Polls close as violence mars Kenya election rerun. Kenya election: Police clash with opposition supporters, 1 killed. Kenya election: Voting marred by boycott.

French army kills 15 Mali jihadists. Three UN peacekeepers killed, two hurt in Mali landmine.

Eight feared killed as Boko Haram attacks military base.

Number of homeless tops record in CAR: UN.

African anti-jihad force makes first steps in troubled Sahel.

Nikki Haley in Congo after protest at South Sudan refugee camp.

Italy is paying Libya to intercept migrants on the Mediterranean.

EUROPE

German coalition talks stumble on migration, climate.

Strike brings Athens Metro to a standstill, streets gridlocked.

Confusion as Catalan president cancels, reschedules address.

Catalonia's Carles Puigdemont: No snap regional election to be held.

Catalan crisis: Regional MPs to debate Spain takeover bid.

Spain looks to seize Catalonia radio and TV as crisis mounts.

Ukraine MP injured in 'assassination attempt'.

Netherlands: Dutch PM Mark Rutte and government sworn in after record coalition talks.

Italy passes controversial electoral law against populist objections.

AMERICAS

Further isolation of Venezuela may be needed: Latin American group.

Venezuelan anti-Maduro governor sacked, opposition in chaos.

House narrowly passes 2018 budget bill, moves to speed up tax reform.

White House: Trump to declare opioid crisis a public health emergency. Trump to declare opioid crisis a 'public health emergency'.

More than 73,000 Puerto Ricans flee for Florida after Hurricane Maria.

Venezuela opposition wins EU's top human rights prize.

Three Canadians tortured in Syria receive $31-million settlement from Ottawa.

Brazil's President Temer avoids corruption trial.

One in five Canadians is immigrant, highest in 95 years.

More than 50 years of theories: JFK file release imminent. Trump holding back some JFK files, releasing others.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Islamic State claims responsibility for attack in Nigeria.

Russia's Putin urges tough action against online extremism.

GCC, US slap sanctions on Yemen 'terror' financiers.

Islamist militants 'taken out of action' in Mali - French military.

Virtually no 'dangerous' German Islamists wearing electronic ankle bracelets.

New US flight security measures take effect.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dow, S&P gain but Nasdaq dips as healthcare lags.

Twitter is banning all ads from Russian news agencies RT and Sputnik effective immediately.

WhatsApp and Facebook to face EU data taskforce.

Twitter says it could turn first-ever profit, shares surge.

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