Sunday, April 15, 2018

World News Briefs -- April 15, 2018



Daily Mail: Putin warns of 'consequences' as photos show Assad's chemical weapons factories obliterated by Trump, May and Macron's 105 missile barrage despite Russia's threat to shoot down Tomahawks

* Satellite imagery taken before and after the airstrikes on Saturday show buildings in Syria reduced to rubble
* The three sites included a bunker and storage facility outside Homs, the Shinshar Chemical Weapons Facility
* The third and main target was the Barzah research facility in northern Damascus, which was hit by 76 missiles
* Pentagon officials said the airstrikes were 'precise, overwhelming and effective' at a briefing on Saturday
* Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of 'consequences' and said said there was no evidence of the attack
* President Donald Trump has vowed to carry out further strikes if Assad crosses the chemical 'red line' again
* UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson defended Britain's decision to join the strikes and stand up to 'barbarism'
* Labour's Jeremy Corbyn questioned their legality but the UK government said it was a humanitarian action

New satellite imagery shows extensive damage to targets hit by Saturday's US-led airstrikes in Syria, where three sites were reduced to rubble as Donald Trump, Theresa May and Emmanuel Macron responded to a chemical attack by the Assad regime which killed 75 people.

The images taken on Saturday show extensive missile damage to the facilities believed to be involved with Syria's chemical weapons program, with two facilities decimated in Homs and the Bazrah Research Center, a scientific research center on the outskirts of Damascus, also hit by a barrage of missiles.

It comes as Vladimir Putin warned of 'consequences' after the US, UK and France co-ordinated the military action, condemning Saturday's strikes as an 'act of aggression' that will worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria and have a 'destructive influence on the entire system of international relations.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syria: western allies launch diplomatic offensive in wake of strikes.

Britain, France and US to demand fresh UN investigation into use of chemical weapons in Syria.

U.S. troops not leaving Syria until goals accomplished: Haley.

Syria conflict: Britain says no more Syria strikes planned as Assad condemns 'act of aggression'.

Syria's Assad said to be in 'good' mood, scorns US weaponry after airstrikes.

US warned Israel of Syrian strikes in advance: report.

Defiant Assad praises Moscow as Putin criticises west's strikes.

Russian politicians meet with al-Assad in Syria as OPCW probe gets set to start.

About $400 bln required to restore Syria’s economy, Assad says.

Israel destroys 'longest and deepest' Gaza tunnel.

Iran bans foreign social media networks in schools.

ASIA

At least two killed in Afghanistan-Pakistan cross-border gunfight.

Power outage hits Kabul after militants attack pylon.

Chinese official meets Kim Jong Un, ahead of inter-Korean summit.

N. Korea's Kim greets Chinese official, calls for stronger ties.

North Korea commemorates birth of its founder.

China, Japan ministers pave way for rare summits.

Thousands rally against Japan's PM Shinzo Abe.

First Rohingya refugees repatriated to Myanmar despite UN safety fears. Myanmar's first Rohingya repatriation 'staged', rights groups say.

Australia bushfire threatens Sydney suburbs homes.

AFRICA

Egyptian security forces in deadly clash with jihadis as state of emergency is extended.

15 militants killed in Timbuktu attack: France.

Mali militants attack bases disguised as UN peacekeepers.

UNICEF: Boko Haram has abducted over 1,000 kids in Nigeria.

Fears grow Zambia hiding debt like Mozambique.

South Sudan rebels say they have freed seven aid workers.

Horror and fear grip survivors of Congo's hidden war.

Winnie Mandela: Soweto send-off for anti-apartheid fighter.

EUROPE

Russia's Putin predicts global 'chaos' if West hits Syria again.

US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian chemical attack. More sanctions against Russia to be announced on Monday - Haley.

Theresa May faces anger over Syria raids as Trump declares ‘mission accomplished’.

Cyprus government criticised after use of RAF base in Syria strikes.

Polls open in Montenegro presidential election. Montenegro votes in first presidential election since joining Nato.

Thousands rally against Viktor Orbán's election victory in Budapest.

Catalans rally for freedom and return of independence leaders. More than 300,000 protesters march on Barcelona to demand the release of Catalan leaders jailed after failed independence coup.

French police hurt in clashes with anti-government protesters.

AMERICAS

Trump rejects 'mission accomplished' criticism: It's a great military term that should be brought back. Syria air strikes: Trump defends claiming 'mission accomplished'.

GOP senator uncomfortable with ground troops in Syria.

Trump bashes Comey as 'slippery' ahead of book release.

The Summit of the Americas warns Venezuela about upcoming election.

Voter support for jailed Lula drops in wide open Brazil presidential race: poll.

Canada talking to pipeline company about aid to solve crisis.

Guatemala votes on sending Belize territory dispute to International Court of Justice.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Haley: Chemical attack could happen in US 'if we're not smart'.

Two Christians killed in SW Pakistan: officials.

Libya hosts conference on "reality and challenges" in fighting terrorism.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Oil, gold to gain on Syrian strikes, Russian retaliation in focus.

US-China trade tensions ease, but markets could open weaker on Syria missile strikes.

Facebook fuels broad privacy debate by tracking non-users.

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