World News Briefs -- August 5, 2019

Daily Mail: Donald Trump blames mental illness, the internet, social media and computer games for 'radicalizing' mass murderers in El Paso and Dayton and barely mentions guns - but DOES condemn 'white supremacy' and says nothing about tying gun control to immigration

* Donald Trump on Monday called for 'strong background checks' in the wake of two mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton in a tweet
* He suggested pairing such legislation with immigration reform after the El Paso suspect left a manifesto raging about 'Hispanic invasion of Texas'
* He inexplicably dropped the demand in a national address later in the morning
* Trump dedicated his remarks to denouncing 'white supremacy' and 'racist hate' online that he said is driving people to commit sick acts
* Blamed the Internet and social media for breeding racist hate and directed his Justice Department to develop new monitoring measures
* Democrats had invoked Nazi Germany to describe his earlier proposal
* And they claimed his rhetoric emboldened the weekend shooters
* On Friday 20 were killed in a shooting in El Paso, Texas, and in the early hours of Sunday morning, another shooter in Dayton, Ohio killed nine
* The alleged shooter in El Paso was a 21-year-old white man, and in Dayton a 24-year-old white man

Donald Trump denounced 'white supremacy' and 'racist hate' on Monday that he says is breeding online and driving 'mentally-disturbed' people to commit sick acts, as he shifted away from the inflamed rhetoric his critics claim was an inspiration for two shooters who committed gruesome mass murders over the weekend.

He had linked mass murder prevention to illegal immigration in an early-morning tweet that a call for stricter background checks. The proposal had Democrats comparing Trump's ideology to pre-war Nazism.

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MIDDLE EAST

Turkey to launch offensive in Kurdish-controlled area in northern Syria: Erdogan. Turkey to launch offensive in Kurdish-controlled area in Syria.

Syrian army resumes operations in rebel-held Idlib. Syria regime, Russia resume Idlib air strikes after scrapping ceasefire.

Yemen: Houthis launch drone attacks on Saudi airports, airbase.

Iran says it will further breach nuclear deal in one month unless Europeans act.

Iran seizes 'foreign' vessel in Persian Gulf.

Iranian oil tankers unloading in Chinese ports despite U.S. sanctions.

Iran announces joint military drills with Russia.

UK joins US in mission to protect oil tankers in Gulf.

ASIA

India abolishes Kashmir's autonomous status.

U.N. urges sanctions on Myanmar army businesses, says foreign partners could be complicit. UN urges sanctions on Myanmar army-linked businesses.

China, Japan and South Korea ‘likely to hold summit in December’, despite trade rift.

China's yuan slips to 11-year low amid trade war.

Mike Pompeo’s visit to Micronesia highlights US anxiety about rising Chinese influence in Pacific.

Australian politician calls for end to Chinese lease at Darwin Port.

Beijing again gives ‘unflagging support’ to Carrie Lam, warns Hong Kong is entering ‘most dangerous phase’.

Hong Kong official says there is no need to deploy China's army as protests continue.

Hundreds of flights cancelled leaving travellers facing chaos as citywide strike action hits Hong Kong International Airport.

Cambodia's Khmer Rouge chief ideologist Nuon Chea, 'Brother Number Two', dies aged 93.

Jakarta comes back online after power blackout hits 10 million people for nine hours.

AFRICA

Libya airstrike kills dozens in southern town. Drone attack kills dozens at wedding in Libya: Reports.

Libya's counterterrorism force condemns U.N. envoy's 'terrorist' statements.

Egypt calls deadly Cairo car blast 'terrorist attack'. Cairo car bomb kills at least 20 outside hospital.

Sudan's military, protest leaders sign constitutional declaration.

Ebola: Half of cases going undetected.

Zimbabwe hikes fuel prices by 26 percent.

Nigerian Shiite leader granted bail for medical care abroad.

EUROPE

Boris Johnson has no intention of renegotiating Brexit deal, EU told.

Brexit: Parliament can't stop no deal, says minister.

Scots favor independence from United Kingdom, Ashcroft poll shows.

EU criticises 'militarisation' of South China Sea.

Russia's Putin urges new arms talks with US to avoid 'chaos'.

Mass evacuation after fire triggers explosions at Siberian base.

Owner of house where Hitler was born in Austria will get £745,000 in compensation after it was seized by the government to stop it becoming a Nazi shrine.

AMERICAS

El Paso shooting death toll rises to 22.

Trump condemns white supremacy, racism after shootings.

FBI to investigate 'hate crimes and domestic terrorism' after series of mass shootings, Trump says.

Texas prosecutors to seek death penalty for El Paso shooter.

Mexico vows to take legal action against U.S. after El Paso massacre.

Puerto Rico protests: New governor faces confirmation vote.

Venezuela hyperinflation hits 10 million percent. ‘Shock therapy’ may be only chance to undo the economic damage.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Egypt: Cairo hit by deadly 'terrorist' explosion.

Lone wolf attackers inspire each other, NATO chief says.

Exclusive: FBI document warns conspiracy theories are a new domestic terrorism threat.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Analysts warn of global recession; Dow sinks in early trading.

Global stock markets crash as US trade war with China escalates.

Oil drops as demand fears overshadow Iranian tanker seizure.