Thursday, February 7, 2019

World News Briefs -- February 7, 2019



The Guardian: France recalls Rome ambassador after worst verbal onslaught 'since the war'

Move comes after Italian deputy prime minister met with leaders of the anti-Macron gilets jaunes movement

Paris has taken the extraordinary step of recalling its ambassador from Rome in the worst crisis between the two neighbouring countries since the second world war.

France blamed what it called called baseless verbal attacks from Italy’s political leaders, which it said were “without precedent since world war two”.

Italy’s two deputy prime ministers, far-right Matteo Salvini and Luigi Di Maio of the populist, anti-establishment Five Star Movement, have in recent months criticised the French president, Emmanuel Macron, on a host of inflammatory issues, from immigration to the gilets jaunes (yellow vest) anti-government demonstrations.

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MIDDLE EAST

IS down to less than 1% of original 'caliphate': coalition.

Syria war: Families and fighters flee IS's last village.

Turkey's Cavusoglu says work on Manbij plan has sped up.

By law or force: Iraq's Shiite armed groups vow to oust US troops.

UN wants Yemen's Huthis to stop blocking access to grain warehouse.

Images suggest Iran launched satellite despite US criticism.

Iran decrees mass pardon in honor of revolution anniversary.

Netanyahu channeling Trump in Israel’s election campaign.

ASIA

Afghan Taliban: no date yet for U.S. troops drawdown.

U.N. report blames Taliban for landmine deaths, injuries in Afghanistan.

N. Korea stays silent on second summit with U.S..

Wariness and hope in S. Korea over second Trump-Kim summit.

US trade deficit with China narrows, as effects of trade war-induced export front-loading begin to fade.

Foreign aid groups accuse Indian government of impeding work.

Sri Lanka to resume executions of drug convicts: Sirisena.

India man to sue parents for giving birth to him.

AFRICA

Shabaab assassinates more high-ranking Somali military personnel.

France attacks convoy in Chad. Chad president says rebel convoy 'destroyed'.

US cuts military aid to Cameroon over human rights concerns.

West stirring up unrest in Zimbabwe to 'force regime change' – briefing.

Sudan's Omar al-Bashir vows to release detained reporters.

Senegal currency tops agenda for presidential election debate.

Central African peace deal still not fully signed: minister.

EUROPE

Russian official: Another nuclear pact with US in trouble.

Diplomat promises tit-for-tat response if US ramps up containment of Russia.

Further EU-UK Brexit negotiations to take place.

EU slashes 2019 growth forecast.

Ukrainian Parliament passes constitutional amendment to reflect EU, NATO aspirations.

France recalling ambassador from Rome after Italy's deputy PM meets Yellow Vest leaders.

Spanish PM travels to Strasbourg to 'defend' country's judiciary.

AMERICAS

Trump lashes out as Democrats open probes into his taxes, Russia ties.

Trump to make last-ditch wall pitch on U.S.-Mexico border.

Venezuelan troops blockade bridge to stop aid from Colombia.

Maduro’s evacuation from Venezuela not on Kremlin’s agenda, says Putin's spokesman.

Mexico's disappeared: 40,000 missing.

Brazil court hands ex-President Lula second jail term.

Diplomats sue Canada over 'Havana Syndrome' from sonic attacks.

Canada opens doors to some 750 ex-slaves from Libya.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

New Saudi study: Millennial jihadis educated, not outcasts.

Pentagon officials: Syria withdrawal heightens ISIS risks.

US says it won’t cede leadership of ISIS fight despite Syria withdrawal.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Trump, Xi unlikely to meet before March 1 trade deadline: U.S. officials.

Facebook ordered by Germany to gather and mix less data.

Gucci withdraws $890 jumper after blackface backlash.

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