Sunday, April 8, 2018

World News Briefs -- April 8, 2018



Daily Mail: 'Instruments of extermination': Pope joins Britain and US in CONDEMNING Syrian 'nerve agent' bomb that killed more than 70 people and left dozens of children foaming at the mouth - but Russia and Assad DENY it was a chemical attack

* WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
* Syrian activists and rescuers say a poison gas attack on a rebel-held town killed at least 70 people yesterday
* The alleged attack in the town of Douma in Eastern Ghouta came amid a resumed offensive after a truce failed
* Syria said Russia would hold fresh negotiations with rebels today despite airstrikes resuming this morning
* The US has hit out at the Russian government for its backing of the Assad regime after the alleged attack
* The UK's Foreign Office also called on Russia and Iran to stop the attacks but Moscow denied it had happened
* President Donald Trump warned of a 'big price to pay' for Russia and Iran for their backing of 'Animal Assad'
* The Pope joined in the condemnation saying nothing could justify the use of 'instruments of extermination'

Britain and the US have hit out at Russia for its support of the Syrian government after activists and rescuers said a poison gas attack on a rebel-held town near Damascus killed at least 70 people on Saturday.

The alleged attack in the town of Douma occurred on Saturday night amid a new offensive by Syrian government forces after the collapse of a truce, while government airstrikes resumed today on the last rebel stronghold in Eastern Ghouta.

A joint statement by the medical relief organisation Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) and the civil defence, which operates in rebel-held areas, said dozens of people had died in the chemical attack with many others killed in government airstrikes.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Dozens killed in suspected chemical attack on Syrian rebel enclave.

Trump: 'big price to pay' for suspected Syria chemical weapons attack.

Moscow denies claims Syrian regime used chemical weapons in Douma. Moscow warns against foreign attack in Syrian areas where Russian troops located.

New air strikes hit rebel-held areas of Syria's Ghouta: monitor. Violence claims more lives in Syrian capital and suburbs.

SAS soldiers 'kill 12 jihadis in revenge attack' following the death of a British sniper specialist in an ISIS roadside bomb blast in Syria.

Four killed in suicide attack on Iraq party headquarters.

Baghdad's infrastructure in ruins 15 years after Saddam fell.

'France is abetting terrorism' – Erdogan blasts French support for Syrian Kurds.

Syrians in Raqqa afraid, angry, frustrated as they rebuild.

‘No innocent people in Gaza’: Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman defends soldiers after clashes left 30 Palestinians dead. Israel defence minister says 'no naive people' in Gaza.

Gaza hospitals declare state of emergency.

France hosts reformist Saudi crown prince on global tour.

Saudi prosecutor begins investigations into corruption cases. Saudi detainees may face terrorism-focused courts: newspaper.

ASIA

U.S., Afghan forces expand air strikes on Taliban drug labs.

Seoul optimistic about "secret, direct contact" between U.S. and North Korea.

Pyongyang marathon: Fewer foreigners compete in North Korea's annual race.

Attention on whether South Korean ex-President Park will continue trial boycott.

Myanmar not ready for return of Rohingya refugees - UN official.

Cambodia's former opposition leader calls for election boycott.

Hong Kong cardinal seeks conservative help to block a Vatican-China deal.

Russell Crowe 'divorce auction': Memorabilia sold in Sydney.

AFRICA

Rebels kill dozens of Sudanese troops in Yemen: military sources.

Egypt army says it killed 4 jihadists in Sinai.

Despite millions of refugees, Congo rejects UN aid effort.

Work on Kenya-Somalia border wall suspended.

South Sudan denies support to Sudanese armed groups.

UN strongly condemns latest deadly attack on peacekeepers in northern Mali.

Nigeria rejects West Africa-EU free trade agreement.

Algeria ruling party asks ailing president to run for fifth term.

EUROPE

Hungary expected to grant third term to fiercely nationalistic Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Germany still clueless about motive for fatal van attack in Münster. German van attack: 'Suspect had mental health problems'.

Russia's embassy seeks meeting with Johnson on poisoning.

U.K. aims to resettle poisoned Russian ex-spy in U.S., Sunday Times reports.

Kremlin taunts Britain with a picture of England's 1938 football team doing the Nazi salute after Boris Johnson likened Russia's World Cup to Hitler's Olympics amid row over spy poisoning.

Russia mulls payments for oil in national currencies with Turkey and Iran.

Putin, Medvedev attend Easter service in Christ the Savior Cathedral.

Still dissatisfied, Slovak protesters keep up pressure over corruption.

Germany: World War II bomb removal forces mass evacuation in western city.

AMERICAS

Lula begins prison sentence in Brazil after giving himself up to police.

Trump: Washington Post report on John Kelly 'just another hit job'.

Trump's Republicans face headwinds as mid-terms loom.

U.S. Embassy in Cuba: Diplomatic population 10.

Saudi crown prince round off US tour with ex-presidents meeting.

Canada in 'shock and mourning' after 15 die in junior hockey team bus crash.

Trump Tower fire: Man dies in blaze at New York property.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US-led coalition says ‘much work remains to defeat’ to ISIS.

ISIS ‘Caliphate’ defeat is near, top Pentagon officials say.

US continues to disrupt Shabaab in Jilib, Somalia.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Fed's Evans says he's optimistic on inflation, wants rate hikes.

Fresh blow for Airbus as Boeing wins $12bn jet order from American Airlines.

Richest 1% on target to own two-thirds of all wealth by 2030.

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