World News Briefs -- September 5, 2018 (Evening Edition)

Reuters: Shells hit Syria's Idlib as rebels brace for assault

BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Syrian military shelled the last stronghold of active rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday as a war monitor said insurgents blew up another bridge in anticipation of a government offensive.

Damascus, backed by allies Russia and Iran, has been preparing an assault to recover Idlib and adjacent areas of the northwest, and resumed air strikes along with Russia on Tuesday after weeks of lull.

Idlib’s fate now appears likely to rest on the results of Friday’s Tehran summit between the leaders of Russia, Turkey and Iran - a meeting that Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov on Wednesday said would make the situation “clearer”.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Trump says he did not discuss assassinating Syria's Assad.

Israel says it launched 200 strikes in Syria since 2017.

Erdoğan raises fears of a massacre in Syria as major assault looms.

Trump warns Syria not to 'recklessly attack' Idlib province.

Trump to host UN Security Council meeting on Iran, Haley says.

Trump not concerned with meeting Rouhani, says Iran in 'turmoil'.

Yemen rebels 'stranded' on eve of Geneva talks.

Deadly protests in Basra, Iraq, spark curfew, probe.

Israel court allows demolition of Bedouin village in West Bank.

Ankara aims to defuse tensions with European allies.

New influx of Afghans seeks refuge in Turkey.

Paraguay moves Israel embassy back out of Jerusalem.

ASIA

Twin attacks in Afghan capital kill 20, wound 70.

New US adviser to Afghanistan raises hackles in region.

Pompeo 'hopeful' after meeting with Pakistan's Imran Khan. Pompeo in Pakistan to break stalemate, push end for Afghan war. Pompeo in Pakistan for 'reset' talks with PM Khan.

South Korean envoys leave for Pyongyang for summit preparation.

Report: North Korea trade heavily depends on China.

China ‘relieved’ Philippine warship towed from shoal in disputed South China Sea, analysts say.

Pakistan says India military kills 1 in disputed Kashmir.

Pacific islands forum overshadowed by Nauru refugee crisis.

Chinese envoy walks out of meeting after row with Nauru president amid 'bullying' claims.

Japan slowly cleans up Typhoon Jebi damage.

AFRICA

Ugandan lawmakers appeal law allowing Museveni re-election bid.

Two opposition lawmakers elected in Rwanda for the first time.

Burundi president hate speech fuelling 'crimes against humanity': UN.

Libya violence: UN says ceasefire agreed.

Millions of people need urgent help to stave off famine in Lake Chad basin.

Hundreds of African migrants rescued from Niger desert.

African headquarters of state-owned Chinese TV network raided by Kenyan police.

Ebola fear empties DR Congo village schools.

Huge fees for Nigerian election hopefuls under fire.

Africa Live: Firefighters die in blaze in South Africa.

EUROPE

Macron seeks progressive coalition for EU parliament by end 2018.

Salisbury Novichok poisoning: Russian nationals named as suspects. Salisbury poisonings: police name two Russian suspects.

Britain to present poison evidence to U.N. on Thursday: May's spokesman.

EU approves decision to extend individual sanctions against Russia — source.

Merkel rebuffs conservative ally over far-right protests.

France threatens to deploy navy in dispute over scallops. Scallop row: London talks to find 'amicable' solution.

Dutch foreign minister survives no confidence vote over race remarks.

Bosnian police clash with war veterans protesting for increased benefits.

AMERICAS

Trump says of possible shutdown: ‘If it happens, it happens’.

Woodward book rocks Trump White House.

Trump rips NFL, Nike in wake of Kaepernick ad.

US trade deficit surges in July on record imports.

African migrants surge at U.S.-Mexico border; Rio Grande drownings up.

Latin American states to accept Venezuela expired papers.

UN Security Council to discuss Nicaragua crisis.

Argentina begins talks with IMF to speed up $50bn loan.

Lula's likely heir charged with corruption ahead of Brazil polls.

Brazil National Museum: as much as 90% of collection destroyed in fire.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Trump to attend 9/11 anniversary ceremony in Pennsylvania.

Al Qaeda trying to regain primacy as Islamic State loses ground: NATO.

Premature detonation foils attack on U.S. Embassy in Cairo.

US Congress votes to let foreign governments screen terrorist suspects against US databases.

Afghan security forces arrest 11 Haqqani militants in Kabul.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Nasdaq falls as U.S. lawmakers grill Facebook, Twitter executives.

Facebook, Twitter grilled on election meddling.

Fresh wave of shares and currency sell-offs hits emerging markets.

Toyota recalls more than 1M Prius hybrids worldwide due to fire risk.