Friday, April 20, 2018

World News Briefs -- April 20, 2018

Smoke billows from Yarmouk Palestinian camp in southern Damascus after the attack. Photograph: Ali Hashisho/Reuters

The Guardian: Last Damascus rebels bombarded as Assad presses advantage in Syria

Airstrikes and shelling target rebel enclave, as chemical weapons inspectors wait to enter Douma two weeks after attack

The Syrian army has bombarded jihadis and other rebels in the last area outside government control near Damascus, as President Bashar al-Assad moved to strengthen his position around the capital after the defeat of rebels in eastern Ghouta earlier this month.

The bombing came as inspectors from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) remained stranded in Damascus almost two weeks after a chemical attack on a town in Ghouta that precipitated the rebel collapse.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Insurgents south of Syrian capital surrender, says state TV.

Pentagon: No civilians killed in Syria attack.

At least 25 killed in battle for southwest Yemeni province.

Iranians sue US government over 'mass denials' of refugee status.

Two killed as more protests, clashes erupt on Gaza border.

The Latest: Gaza ministry says 445 protesters wounded.

Portman’s snub of ‘Jewish Nobel’ triggers Israel backlash.

ASIA

North Korea: Historic phone line opened with South Korea.

North Korea to bring mobile phones, radio car to DMZ summit.

Scene set at Joint Security Area as hopes rise for North and South Korea to strike reconciliatory note.

North Korea undergoes an image change ahead of summits.

Taliban forces hundreds of schools in Kunduz to close.

Brawl in Taiwan parliament as MPs turn militant in debate over military pension cuts.

Indian government considering death penalty for child rapists.

China's rejection of world's trash puts other countries on edge.

AFRICA

S.Africa riots force new president to leave London summit.

Survivors of DRC violence tell stories of horror.

Libyan strongman's illness stokes fears of a succession feud.

Protests in Senegal against proposed electoral law changes.

Liberia warlord 'Jungle Jabbah' jailed for 30 years in the US.

The King of Swaziland renames the country 'the Kingdom of eSwatini'.

Mugabe summoned to parliament to explain diamond looting comment.

EUROPE

EXCLUSIVE: Putin, Trump will never allow US-Russia armed conflict, Russian FM Lavrov says.

Russia: Trump promised to make reciprocal visit to Moscow.

EU rejects Irish border proposals and says Brexit talks could still fail.

EU presents (nearly) united front against China’s ‘unfair’ Belt and Road Initiative.

Armenia: Opposition activists block streets in downtown Yerevan.

Basque group ETA apologizes to victims of decades-long violence.

Romania to move Israel embassy to Jerusalem, says government.

Algerian woman denied French citizenship over handshake.

Central Berlin evacuated for World War II bomb removal.

AMERICAS

First clues emerge about Cuba’s future under new president.

AP-NORC Poll: Americans expect Russia tension will get worse.

Fired FBI deputy chief Andrew McCabe faces criminal referral.

U.S. House Democrats want war authorization repeal, but path is unclear.

Trump targets Opec over high oil prices.

National School Walkout: US students mark Columbine anniversary.

Argentinians protest rising utility prices.

Brazil: 2017 one of 'bloodiest years' for land conflicts.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

slamic State group to give up last pocket in Syrian capital.

Iraq launches 'deadly strikes' against ISIL inside Syria.

Mohammed Zammar: German jihadist 'detained by Syrian Kurds'.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wells Fargo hit by record $1bn penalty.

Escalating trade dispute could derail recovery, put 'many jobs at risk': WTO chief.

IMF warns of economic downturn.

Beijing will retaliate if US sparks trade war, China envoy warns.

Oops! Deutsche Bank wires €28 billion in error.

No comments: