World News Briefs -- September 25, 2019 (Evening Edition)

Washington Post: Senate Republicans split over Trump urging Ukrainian leader to investigate Biden

Several Senate Republicans were stunned Wednesday and questioned the White House’s judgment after it released a rough transcript of President Trump’s call with the Ukraine president that showed Trump offering the help of the U.S. attorney general to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.

One Senate Republican, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly, said the transcript’s release was a “huge mistake” that the GOP now has to confront, even as they argue that House Democrats are overreaching with their impeachment effort.

A top Senate GOP aide said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is expecting Wednesday’s closed-door lunch to be eventful and possibly tense as Republicans react to the transcript and debate their next step.

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MIDDLE EAST

Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu to form new government.

Iran president warns of a region ‘on the edge of collapse’.

Iran demands U.S. 'pay more' for a wider nuclear deal.

Former rebel stronghold in Syria begins to rebuild.

US patience with Iran not inexhaustible, warns Saudi Arabia.

Iranian president says he's open to changes to Iran deal if sanctions removed.

Iran’s president says Israel ‘undoubtedly’ backing Islamic State in Syria.

Stena Impero: Iran 'still investigating' seized British tanker.

Yemen 'peace initiative' still stands despite air strikes: rebels.

UNICEF says two million children out of school in Yemen.

Netanyahu's party gains Knesset seat in Israeli election count.

ASIA

Pakistan PM warns of war as Trump, India’s leader buddy up.

China rejects Trump criticism on trade.

Chinese official says Hong Kong can handle its protests.

Vote rigging, fraud overshadow Afghan election. Deadly violence rocks Afghanistan as campaign season ends.

Indonesian cities rocked by third day of student demonstrations.

Shinzo Abe seeks to normalize relations with North Korea.

South Korea says 'good chance' of Kim Jong Un visit in November.

Seoul opens China trade offices near North Korea.

China's 'horrific' treatment of Uyghurs condemned by US and more than 30 countries at UN.

Beijing deploys new deepwater drilling rig in South China Sea.

Beijing's huge new Daxing airport opened by Xi Jinping.

AFRICA

Police: Dozens trapped as building collapses in Sierra Leone.

Egypt arrests over 1,000 people after el-Sissi protests.

Cameroon's anglophone region on tenterhooks ahead of peace talks.

'Climate of fear' worsens in Burundi .

Rwanda opposition leader says ally's killing was act of intimidation.

Algeria army chief criticizes protesters for rejecting election.

Algeria: Bouteflika's brother sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Alarmed African churches demand end to xenophobic attacks.

EUROPE

Entangled in US scandal, Ukraine’s president speaks at UN.

UK PM Boris Johnson dares opposition to vote no-confidence.

UK Parliament resumes after Boris Johnson's prorogue ruled unlawful.

Parliament suspension: Angry Commons exchanges as MPs return to work.

Brexit: UK told it must table proposals for Irish backstop by next week.

Macron and other European leaders urge Iran, US to restart negotiations.

Macron tightens migration stance: 'We can't host everyone'.

Sandra Muller, France's #MeToo creator, found guilty of defamation.

Mont Blanc glacier in danger of collapse, experts warn.

AMERICAS

Lawmakers to review whistleblower complaint on Wednesday: official.

Memo: Trump prodded Ukraine leader to investigate Bidens. White House memo shows Trump pressed Ukraine leader to look into Biden.

READ: Transcript of Trump's call with Ukrainian president.

Trump slams impeachment inquiry as another 'Witch Hunt!'. 'It is a political war!' Donald Trump lashes out at Democrats minutes after transcript of his Ukraine call is published saying they 'built it up as the call from hell - it was a friendly call'.

Senate GOP vows to quash impeachment articles.

Warren surges past Biden in new 2020 US election poll.

Trump meets with opposition Venezuela delegation at UN.

Coast Guard stops self-propelled vessel holding more than $165M in cocaine.

Maduro meets with Putin while other leaders gather at United Nations.

Brazil's Bolsonaro at UN: Defiant about fires burning in Amazon.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Jihadists kill abducted aid worker in Nigeria.

Afghan officials identify AQIS members killed in controversial Musa Qala raid.

Islamic State trains in Somalia’s Puntland.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US stocks rebound on housing data, Trump trade deal remark.

Trump: US, Japan agree on 1st stage of new trade agreement.

US sanctions Chinese companies for Iran oil imports: Pompeo.

Trump says trade deal with China could happen sooner than people think.

Facebook exempts politicians' posts from fact-checking.