Wednesday, April 28, 2021

World News Briefs -- April 28, 2021 (Night Edition)

President Joe Biden will reference the Jan. 6th Capitol riot and will call it 'the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War' when he speaks to Congress Wednesday night  

Daily Mail: 'I will turn peril into possibility': Biden will attack Trump with his speech to Congress by saying he 'inherited a nation in crisis' after the 'worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War' 

* President Joe Biden will invoke the Jan. 6th attacks 

* He will speak in the House chamber occupied by rioters that day * Also will say he inherited an economic crisis along with the pandemic 

 * Says he 'inherited a nation in crisis' 

* 200 lawmakers will be in the audience amid the pandemic 

* Biden will tout his own efforts to accelerate vaccine distribution 

* 'We’re vaccinating the nation. 

We’re creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. We’re delivering real results people can see and feel in their own lives' President Joe Biden will mention the January 6th Capitol riot in his speech to Congress during prime time tonight – while saying he assumed his office in a time of 'crisis. 

Advance excerpts of Biden's speech to lawmakers – in a more socially distant Capitol than usual amid the pandemic – will explicitly reference the MAGA riot on the day Congress met to count the electoral votes. 

He will call it 'the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.'  

Read more .... 

MIDDLE EAST 

US Navy fires warning shots in new tense encounter with Iran. 

US eyes major rollback in Iran sanctions to revive nuke deal. 

Senior US envoys head to Middle East amid concerns over Iran deal.  

In talks with Houthis, Zarif backs intra-Yemeni talks, ceasefire. 

Top Iran diplomat offers regret over leak of frank comments. 

Saudi Arabia's crown prince seeks good relations with Iran

First batch of vaccines arrives in opposition-held Syria. 

Lebanon's vaccination drive slowed by limited supply, hesitancy. 

Lebanese forced to cut back on Ramadan Iftar meal as prices soar. 

‘There’s no rain’: Climate change threatens Iraq’s Bedouins. 

ASIA 

India tops 200,000 dead amid coronavirus surge.  

Millions in India rush to register for COVID vaccination, amid soaring death toll. 

US envoy doesn't foresee 'imminent collapse' of Afghan government after withdrawal. 

China tells Australia to abandon its 'Cold War mentality' while criticising our politicians

74% in Japan support engagement in Taiwan Strait: Nikkei poll. 

China addresses 'foreign infiltration' with surveillance of domestic entities. 

Diplomacy with North Korea worked to reduce tensions, Seoul says

North Korea sunk Cheonan warship, Seoul says after suspended reinvestigation. 

Hong Kong immigration bill could target people leaving city, activists say. 

AFRICA 

Burkina Faso: Spanish and Irish nationals killed in ambush. 

At least 7 killed in suicide bombing in Somalia’s capital

Somali president in poll U-turn to stop Mogadishu clashes. 

Somali president calls for elections amid unrest. 

Thousands demonstrate in Chad against military transition. 

Refugees in Mozambique recount attack by Islamist insurgents. 

"Nation is on fire": Nigerian lawmakers demand action on security crisis. 

S Africa’s Ramaphosa admits ANC ‘mistakes’ before graft panel. 

EUROPE 

EU accuses Russia, China of COVID vaccine disinformation. 

Europe to set a global vaccine passport standard. 

Tourism to EU countries this summer may require multiple Covid certificates. 

Russia expels 7 EU diplomats over 'solidarity' with Czechs

European Parliament approves post-Brexit trade deal with UK. 

Northern Ireland's first minister resigns amid tensions. 

UK's Johnson faces formal probe into funding of apartment renovation. 

Moldova’s President Maia Sandu calls early election for July 11. 

Ex-generals face sanctions after they warn of 'civil war' in France. 

AMERICAS 

Biden to make first address to Congress ahead of 100th day in office

Biden to sell child care and free university in speech to Congress. 

In first speech to Congress, Biden to push $4 trillion spending plans

Republican rebuttal to Biden to warn against ‘socialist dreams’. 

Rudy Giuliani’s apartment searched as part of Ukraine investigation. 

Furious Andrew Giuliani slams DOJ's 'political' raids on his father Rudy's NYC home and office and says FBI took electronic devices but LEFT 'incriminating' Hunter Biden evidence. 

Uruguay's ex-president 'Pepe' Mujica home after fish bone scare. 

Covid: Brazil's Bolsonaro defiant as Congress launches inquiry. 

Canada: hummingbirds succeed in halting controversial pipeline construction. 

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

 Islamic State degraded in Afghanistan, but still poses threat, experts say. 

Second ‘most prominent’ Taliban commander killed in Kandahar: Saraj. 

France arrests seven Italians convicted of far-left terrorism. 

The ‘dancing embers’ of terrorism in West Africa. 

BUSINESS/ECONOMY/FINANCE 

Wall Street ends lower after Fed holds steady on rates

US Fed's Powell stomps on inflation fears, pledges continued stimulus

Facebook’s quarterly revenue jumps 48% on strong ad demand. 

Apple profits double as it squares up to Facebook. 

Google Argentina's domain name bought by man for £2.