World News Briefs -- September 13, 2018 (Evening Edition)

Daily Mail: Florence begins dumping heavy rain on North Carolina as forecasters predict 10 TRILLION gallons will lash the state as the 'monster' Category 2 hurricane takes aim at the U.S. threatening 10 million people and sparking tornado fears

* Outer bands of wind and rain from Hurricane Florence started lashing North Carolina on Thursday morning
* The huge storm weakened to a Category 2 hurricane overnight with 110 mph winds
* The center of Florence is expected to hit North Carolina's southern coast Friday, then drift southwest before moving inland on Saturday
* It is forecast to dump up to 40 inches of rain in some areas after it makes landfall in North and South Carolina
* Life-threatening storm surges of up to 13 feet are also forecast along with tornadoes in North Carolina
* More than 1.7 million people were warned to evacuate and get out of the way of the 'life-threatening' storm
* An estimated 10 million people live in areas expected to be placed under a hurricane or storm advisory
* A FEMA official described the hurricane as 'a Mike Tyson punch to the Carolina coast'
* North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Georgia governors declared a state of emergency
* Florence is estimated to cause roughly $50 billion to $60 billion in economic damages
* About 1,200 flights scheduled for Thursday or Friday have been canceled and some airports shut down

Hurricane Florence's leading edge started lashing the Carolina coast on Thursday with huge waves crashing in and at least 12,000 people already without power.

The monster Category 2 storm closed in with 105mph winds as forecasters warned that the widening storm - and its likelihood of lingering around the coast for days - would bring life-threatening storm surge and torrential rains.

Forecasters said conditions will only get more lethal as the storm pushes ashore early Friday near the North Carolina-South Carolina line and makes its way slowly inland.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syria war: Turkey 'reinforces military posts in Idlib'.

France warns against chemical attacks in last Syria rebel stronghold.

Syrian rebels preventing refugees from leaving Idlib as Russian forces prepare final offensive.

‘Don’t test us’: Haley threatens US strikes over any attack on Syria’s Idlib.

US says Saudi Arabia, UAE protecting civilians in Yemen war.

UN warns of 'incalculable human cost' in Yemen's Hodeidah.

Iran says strike on Kurd rebels warning to 'foreign powers'.

Israelis and Palestinians lament Oslo Accord deadlock, 25 years on.

Turkey bans use of foreign currency in property market.

Turkey raises interest rates to 24% in new bid to boost lira.

ASIA

Afghanistan: Millions risk running out of water in severe drought.

Taliban overruns military base in Zabul.

Taliban set for new talks with US.

U.S. imposes North Korea-related sanctions on Russian, Chinese tech firms.

South Korean business leaders to attend inter-Korean summit.

Japan favors signing peace treaty with Russia after resolving islands issue.

Jailing of Reuters journalists 'nothing to do with freedom of expression', says Aung San Suu Kyi.

Philippines typhoon: Millions in the path of the year's strongest storm. Evacuation begins as Typhoon Mangkhut approaches the Philippines.

Cambodia's Hun Sen tells world: Leave Indochina alone.

AFRICA

U.S. sanctions to remain until Zimbabwe demonstrates reforms: official.

Nigeria troops repel fresh Boko Haram base attack.

South Sudan president signs peace deal with rebel leader.

Juncker unveils EU's Africa plan to counter China.

New law that bars violence against women takes effect in Morocco.

Public assembly banned in Zimbabwe capital amid cholera outbreak. Zimbabwe cholera deaths at 24, drugs resistant: WHO.

Text messages urge Zambians to report online child abuse.

France admits it used torture during Algeria war.

Former UN chief Kofi Annan laid to rest in Ghana.

EUROPE

Brexit: UK ramps up provision for no-deal 'sledgehammer'.

Germany ready to sign migrant return deal with Italy.

‘We’re not agents’: UK’s suspects in Skripal case talk exclusively with RT’s editor-in-chief (VIDEO). Skripal poisoning suspects say they were tourists in UK.

Putin: Russia will continue to strengthen armed forces so that they can defend sovereignty.

EU prolongs sanctions against Russia for six months.

UK mass surveillance violates right to privacy, rules European court. GCHQ data collection regime violated human rights, court rules.

German spy chief passed info to AfD: report.

Italy government passes motorway decree, delays appointing commissioner.

Spain to sell laser-guided bombs to Saudi Arabia.

Pussy Riot member who invaded pitch during World Cup has been hospitalised: Russian reports.

Pope orders inquiry into bishop as U.S. Church leaders discuss abuse crisis.

AMERICAS

Wind, flooded roads herald approach of Hurricane Florence in North Carolina.

Democrats ask FBI to investigate Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh over mysterious last-minute accusation dating back to high school by woman who has hired top #MeToo attorney.

Trump disputes Puerto Rico hurricane death toll.

Canada PM says he wants a good NAFTA deal soon, hazy on deadline.

California shootings: Six dead in Bakersfield.

EL Salvador's ex-leader Antonio Saca gets 10 years in jail.

Venezuela's Maduro travels to China in search of fresh funds.

Canada's Venezuelans battle a hunger crisis the Maduro regime claims doesn't exist.

Venezuelan ex-officials charged in Andorra over $2.3bn graft scheme.

Popularity of Brazilian Presidential candidate Bolsonaro rises after stabbing attack.

Lula: Jailed ex-leader pulls out of Brazil election.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al Qaeda leader: America is the main enemy in a ‘single war with different fronts’.

Turkish intelligence 'captures bombing suspect in Syria'.

US backed forces begin Syria battle for ISIS' last redoubt.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street rises with Apple, easing trade fears.

Leaked video shows Google execs troubled by Trump election.

OPEC ups production as prices rise, supply declines.

US plans crackdown on e-cigarette firms citing 'epidemic' teen use.

Restaurant loses $190m in value after dead rat found in soup.