Thursday, December 5, 2019

World News Briefs -- December 5, 2019



Reuters: Pelosi pursues articles of impeachment against Trump, says democracy at stake

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Warning that American democracy is at stake, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday she has asked a House committee to draft articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, a historic step that sets up a fight over whether to oust him from office.

Speaking in somber tones in a televised statement, Pelosi accused the Republican president of abusing his power and alluded to Britain’s King George III, the monarch against whom the American colonies rebelled in forming the United States in 1776, saying in the United States “the people are the king.”

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MIDDLE EAST

Exclusive: U.S. military completes pullback from northeast Syria, Esper says.

US says Iran protest death toll may surpass 1,000.

Iran says its ballistic missile & space launch program is in line with UN resolution.

Iran to continue ballistic missile program despite EU warning.

Pro-paramilitary demonstrators stream into Iraqi protest camp.

US says seized Iranian weapons bound for Yemen.

Israel: Netanyahu cousin and associates to be charged with corruption.

ASIA

US peace envoy to Afghanistan launches ‘accelerated effort’ in surprise stop in Kabul.

South Korean president hears reassurances from senior Chinese diplomat.

Kim Jong Un was 'displeased' by Trump's Rocket Man remarks at Nato summit and repeating them would be the ‘dangerous actions of a dotard’ North Korea warns.

Report: China, North Korea officials meet ahead of sanctions deadline.

Major Hong Kong anti-government rally and march get police permission.

China maintains tariffs must be reduced for phase one trade deal with U.S..

China’s economic clout welcomed by most of the world, but Asian neighbours remain wary: Pew survey.

AFRICA

Armed attack in Burundi aggravates tensions with Rwanda.

UN appeals for aid to help millions of Zimbabweans buy food.

Boko Haram kidnaps 17 youths in north Cameroon: officials.

Pirates kidnap 19 crew members of Greek tanker off Nigeria.

At least 58 die as migrant boat sinks off Mauritania.

Botswana poll result 'to be challenged in court'.

Ethiopian PM's new party labelled 'illegitimate'.

EUROPE

More than 800,000 people march against Macron as strikes grip France.

Russia ready to extend New START arms control treaty without conditions and further discussions – Putin .

Little wiggle room as Ukraine, Russia leaders meet for crunch Paris talks.

Boris Johnson vows to ban all-out strikes on public transport.

3 British members of European Parliament quit Brexit Party.

Prince Philip 'ordered Andrew to step down for the sake of the monarchy' at Sandringham showdown with Charles amid worsening Jeffrey Epstein crisis.

Trump lawyer meets Ukraine MP who called for Biden probe.

AMERICAS

Pelosi says Trump to be impeached, Trump says ‘do it fast, but I’ll win’.

Trump likely to face at least three articles of impeachment.

At Iowa event, Biden gets into spat over Ukraine.

Joe Biden says he will REFUSE to testify voluntarily if impeachment trial reaches the Senate because he doesn't want to 'divert' attention from Donald Trump's 'crimes'.

Joe Biden: John Kerry endorses presidential bid.

US trade deficit falls in October to lowest since May 2018: report.

Bolivia: 'Overwhelming' evidence of vote rigging.

Colombia protests resume after talks flounder. Third general strike in Colombia keeps pressure on Duque government.

US indicts 'Evil Corp' hackers with alleged Russian intelligence ties.


TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Syrian farmer says his arm was blown off and his two friends were killed in raid that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi despite US claims that troops 'protected all non-combatants'.

ISIS is taking a beating in Afghanistan setting the stage for potential US troop withdrawal.

Morocco and Spain arrest 4 suspected ISIS supporters in joint raids.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

OPEC, allies agree to deepen oil output cuts.

Saudi Aramco to be world's most valuable firm after IPO next week.

Outcry as Google bans political advertising in Singapore as election looms.

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