Thursday, January 4, 2018

World News Briefs -- January 4, 2018 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: Suspected Russian jets kill 30 near Damascus

At least 30 civilians were killed early on Thursday when jets dropped bombs on a residential area in a besieged rebel enclave east of Syria’s capital, a war monitor said, identifying the planes as Russian.

At least four bombs flattened two buildings in the Eastern Ghouta town of Misraba, in an attack that killed around 20 and wounded more than 40 people, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and civil defence sources said.

Elsewhere in Eastern Ghouta, the last major rebel enclave near Damascus, at least ten people were killed in aerial strikes in other nearby towns, the Observatory, rescuers and residents said.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

US imposes sanctions on Iranian missile firms.

US warns Iran to be held to account for protest deaths.

Iran prosecutor blames CIA, Israel, Saudi for protests.

Iran deploys Revolutionary Guards to quash anti-government 'sedition' as protests continue. Iran's Revolutionary Guard declares 'end of sedition'.

Iran army ready to help quell unrest if needed: commander.

Iranian diplomat charges US with inciting protests.

Israelis watch closely as Iran protests.

Dozens killed as violence spikes near Damascus in Syria. Civilians die in air raids on Syria's Eastern Ghouta.

Thousands displaced by fighting in Syria's Idlib.

At least seven Russian planes destroyed by shelling at Syrian air base: Kommersant.

More than half of Iraq's displaced have returned home: IOM.

Trump threat to cut Palestine aid could 'unravel Oslo'.

Qataris 'barred' from pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

ASIA

Xi Jinping tells Chinese army to fear 'neither hardship nor death' as he consolidates power base.

11 killed, 25 wounded in Kabul suicide attack.

U.S. places Pakistan on watch list for religious freedom violations.

Pakistani military talks of 'response' to any US action.

Japan says North Korea poses biggest threat since World War II. North Korea the greatest threat to Japan since WWII, Shinzo Abe says.

Chinese and Japanese media: N. Korea aims to weaken S.Korea-U.S. alliance.

'Anything to report?': Korean hotline reopens with little to say between foes.

S. Korea: No sign of imminent North Korean provocation.

Trump takes credit for talks between two Koreas.

S. Korea's ex-President took bribes from spy agency for personal bills.

South Korean president apologizes to Japan's sexual slavery victims over 2015 deal.

Myanmar president calls for reform of nation's military-drafted constitution.

AFRICA

Sudan recalls its ambassador from Egypt amid tensions.

Equatorial Guinea says attempted 'coup' thwarted.

Sudan extends ceasefire with rebels through end-March - SUNA agency.

Algerian police violently disperse doctors' protest.

Ethiopia says it will free all political prisoners.

South Africa train crash: Multiple fatalities reported.

'Twice as many die' in Africa after surgery.

EUROPE

Top EU diplomat upbeat as she ends Cuba visit.

Iran protests: EU treads carefully as Trump lashes out.

Germany insists UN peacekeeping mission should be deployed across Donbass.

Norway suspends arms exports to UAE amid Yemen conflict.

Iceland equal pay law comes into effect in bid to close gender gap.

Emmanuel Macron promises ban on fake news during elections.

Council leader calls for beggars to be removed before UK royal wedding.

Deadly storm blasts across Europe, killing three.

AMERICAS

Poll: Trump weekly job approval up to 39 percent, highest in months.

'Bomb cyclone': Explosive winter storm hits US.

Trump blasts Bannon over book, says ex-aide 'lost his mind'.

Mark Warner says Steve Bannon should testify.

Donald Trump-Steve Bannon spat: President's lawyers issue legal threat.

Donald Trump disbands his own voter fraud commission.

Mexico's presidential race chaotic as independents join the race.

Chile: Pinochet-era secret police jailed over activist murder.

Canadian veterans demand accountability over medication.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

State Department designates 3 al Qaeda figures as global terrorists.

2017: A record year for U.S. counterterrorism strikes.

Pentagon: Two militants dead in Somali airstrike.

US Commandos raid ‘Red Unit’ in ongoing campaign against Taliban financial network.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dow hits 25,000 points for 1st time on US hiring data.

Trump administration seeks to open most US waters to offshore oil drilling.

Natural disasters cause record costs for insurers in 2017.

The world's biggest YouTube stars are seeing a massive slowdown.

Bitcoin: Bank of America division bans investments.

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