Wednesday, October 18, 2017

World News Briefs -- October 18, 2017 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: China's Xi lays out vision for 'new era' led by 'still stronger' Communist Party

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday laid out a confident vision for a more prosperous nation and its role in the world, stressing the importance of wiping out corruption and curbing industrial overcapacity, income inequality and pollution.

Opening a critical Communist Party congress, Xi pledged to build a “modern socialist country” for a “new era” that will be proudly Chinese and steadfastly ruled by the party but open to the world.

Although his wide-ranging address made clear there were no plans for political reform, Xi said China’s development had entered a “new era”, using the phrase 36 times in a speech that ran nearly 3-1/2 hours.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

U.S., Russia set for likely U.N. row over Syria toxic gas inquiry.

Turkey says will not submit to 'impositions' from United States in visa crisis.

Iraq takes disputed areas as Kurds 'withdraw to 2014 lines'. Kurdish forces abandon long-held lands to Iraqi army and Shia fighters.

Iraq's military declares mission accomplished in Kirkuk. Iraq's military declares mission accomplished in Kirkuk.

Syria war: UN says it is ready to go into Raqqa.

Turkey Red Crescent alarmed by humanitarian 'drama' in Syria's Idlib.

Iran's Khamenei threatens to 'shred' nuclear deal, blasts 'foul-mouthed' Trump. Khamenei says Iran will 'shred' nuclear deal if U.S. quits it.

Qatar's leader denounces 'unjust siege'.

Israel raids Palestinian media firms for 'incitement' .

ASIA

U.N. says still determining if Myanmar crisis is genocide.

Tillerson chides China while calling for greater ties with India.

EU leaders to call for end to North Korea's weapons program: draft.

North Korea congratulates China ahead of Communist Party congress.

Report: North Korea hiding behind Hong Kong shell companies.

North Korea defector: Hundreds of 'reformers' killed after Jang Song Thaek purge.

'Many people will die' as North Korean sanctions bite, defector says.

US drones target Taliban commander in Pakistan’s tribal areas.

Rohingya crisis: Drone footage shows thousands fleeing.

Taliban overruns 2 districts in southern Afghanistan. Taliban kills scores in Afghanistan's Paktia and Ghazni.

AFRICA

UN chief to highlight world's 'forgotten crisis' in C. Africa.

Somalis defy police to protest against deadly truck bombings.

Farmajo blames al-Shabab for Mogadishu blast.

More than 300 people died in the worst terrorist attack ever to hit Somalia, and officials still aren't sure who caused it. Thousands march over ‘Somalia’s 9/11;’ attack details emerge.

UN, US failed to prevent ‘ethnic cleansing’ in South Sudan.

Senior Kenyan electoral official resigns ahead of poll. Kenyan election official flees to U.S. in fear for her life, saying new election will not be fair.

Uganda bans protests over presidential age limit bill.

Panama Papers: Africa's elite are plundering their countries.

Four Britons kidnapped in southern Nigeria: police.

Togo unrest: Opposition protesters demand presidential term limit.

Mugabe's wife sues over $1.35-mn diamond ring: report.

EUROPE

Socialite Ksenia Sobchak announces bid for Russian Presidency.

Talk of ‘no deal’ Brexit rises as divorce negotiations stall.

Catalonia to formally declare independence if Spain suspends regional autonomy: source.

Spanish PM warns Catalan leader to "act sensibly".

Spain warns Catalonia on self-rule as deadline looms. Spain says Catalonia's autonomy at risk as deadline looms.

Turkey-Europe locked in war of words as EU summit opens.

Portugal fires: Minister resigns as government faces challenge. Portuguese minister resigns over 106 wildfire deaths.

Ukraine anti-graft protesters clash with riot police.

Malta: Europe reels from murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Bosnian Serbs pass resolution against NATO membership.

AMERICAS

Gold Star mother says Trump did show DISRESPECT as he spoke to Green Beret's widow - as president insists congresswoman who claimed he said hero 'knew what he signed up for' is FABRICATING his words.

Grassley probes Clinton 'conflicts of interest' amid new questions in Russia uranium deal.

Jeff Sessions on Russia interference: 'I'm not part of a façade'.

Russian troll factory paid US activists to help fund protests during election.

Trump slams NFL for not forcing players to stand for US anthem.

Second US judge orders freeze on Trump travel ban.

Puerto Rico youth stranded with school still out from storm.

California drill preparing 9.3 million for ‘INEVITABLE’ magnitude 7 earthquake tomorrow.

Venezuela opposition refuses swearing in, small protest breaks out.

Canada passes US-style sanctions bill targeting ‘corrupt’ Russian officials.

Quebec lawmakers pass religious neutrality bill banning face coverings. Quebec bans niqab for public services with neutrality law.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

After IS collapse in Raqqa, US faces other extremism threats.

Experts: Islamic State 'death spiral' most dangerous part of fight for U.S. coalition.

MI5 intelligence chief Andrew Parker warns UK faces accelerating terror threat.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dow closes above 23,000 for first time; IBM soars.

US, Canada and Mexico talks on NAFTA trade stall on trade deficit issues.

'Future city' to be built in Canada by Alphabet company.

Rio Tinto charged with fraud by US authorities.

No comments: