In Brief:  Trump meets with Asian leaders on 12-day trip; Massive earthquake kills many near Iraq/Iran border; Lebanon in crisis as PM remains in Saudi Arabia; Syria declares victory against ISIS; NATO sends more troops to Afghanistan; Israeli PM questioned by police for 5th time; Famine continues in South Sudan and Yemen; Macron visits Saudi Arabia amid crackdown; Slovenian President re-elected in narrow victory.

United States of America

• U.S. to end temporary residency program for Nicaraguans
• Trump not invited to Paris climate summit next month
• U.S. calls for U.N. action against Iran over Yemen missiles
• Trump administration tightens sanctions on Cuba 
• In fiery speech in South Korea, Trump warns North Korea ‘do not underestimate us, and do not try us”

Yemen

• Saudi-led military coalition opens Yemen border crossing as aid agencies warn of deadly famine

Iran

• At least 407 dead, 6,700 injured in earthquake near Iraqi border
• Iranian political activist murdered in Netherlands 

Lebanon

• Lebanese fear PM’s resignation was Saudi power-play
• Hariri visits UAE
• Iranian president accuses Saudis of meddling in Lebanon
• Hezbollah leader says Saudi Arabia declared war on Lebanon
• Hariri says he will return to Lebanon soon, hints he make take back resignation 

South Korea

• Hundreds protest against Trump in Seoul

Sri Lanka

• Dozens of men describe rape, torture by Sri Lanka government 

Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Crown Prince blames Iran for ballistic missile launched by Yemen rebels 
• Anti-corruption claims detainees will face trial
• Saudi Arabia bars Yemeni president from going home 
• Saudi banks freeze more than 1,200 accounts in anti-corruption purge 
• Saudi king appoints 30 judges, promotes 26 amid anti-corruption purge

Nigeria

• Police kill 1, arrest two suspects in British kidnapping 

Egypt

• President Sissi announces support for term limits 
• At least 9 killed as militants target transport convoy
• Egypt and IMF reach agreement on $2 billion loan disbursement 

United Kingdom

• Foreign Minister Boris Johnson calls Iranian official over detained woman
• Former Welsh government minister found dead
• British aid minister resigns over undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials
• London mayor calls on British foreign minister Johnson to resign 

Syria

• Syrian government indicates it will sign Paris climate accord
• Syria declares victory over ISIS 
• ISIS militants regain control of Albu Kamal city after Iranian-backed militants forced to retreat

Thailand

• Senior Thai royal official dismissed in latest shake-up

Afghanistan

• At least 2 killed as ISIS suicide bomber hits local TV station in Kabul
• NATO to send 3,000 more troops to Afghanistan after U.S. shift
• U.N. claims at least 10 civilians may have been killed in U.S. air-strike despite U.S. investigation claiming none 

Israel

• Police questions Netanyahu’s closest associate over country’s purchase of German submarines
• Netanyahu pledges $57 million to build roads for West Bank settlers in further encroachment on Palestinian land 
• Police question Netanyahu for 5th time in corruption case

Kenya

• Petitions filed in Supreme Court challenging Kenyatta’s election win

South Sudan

• U.N. claims 1.25 million people face starvation in South Sudan
• Commander defects to rebels amid showdown with ex-army chief

Myanmar

• U.N. condemns violence in Myanmar forcing Rohingya’s to flee

Liberia

• Supreme Court halts presidential runoff elections as it investigates allegations of fraud 

France

• French Prosecutor opens investigation into new Charlie Hebdo threats 
• French arrest 9 in anti-terrorism investigation
• Macron visits French naval base in Abu Dhabi, promises to defeat ISIS
• French President visits Saudi Crown Prince in Riyadh
• Man deliberately rams car into students near Toulouse

Zimbabwe

• President Mugabe fires his Vice President, opening way for his wife to gain power

Argentina

• Investigation concludes that Prosecutor Nisman was murdered after accusing President of cover-up

Turkey

• Turkish court upholds 25-year jail term for opposition lawmaker
• Prosecutor issues detention orders for 53 soldiers over Gulen links 
• Explosion in textile factory kills 5, injures 16 in the Gursu district 
• Police detains 165 suspected ISIS militants in Ankara
• Turkey completes purchase of Russian missile defense system 

Philippines

• Philippines start construction near China’s man-made islands in the disputed South China Sea
• Philippine troops rescue 3 Vietnamese sailors abducted by ISIS militants for 9 months 
• ISIS militants kill 6 soldiers in southern Philippine island
• Trump offers to mediate feud in South China Sea

India

• Indian forces kill militant leaders nephew in Kashmir 
• Toxic air in New Delhi causes massive health concern
• At least 16 dead after tourist boat capsizes in South India

Greece

• Two gunmen fire shots at socialist headquarters in Athens 

Pakistan

• Pakistani diplomat shot near his residence in eastern Afghanistan
• Suicide bomber attacks vehicle carrying senior police officer, kills 4

Cambodia

• PM Hun Sen claims the U.S. is plotting his downfall

Spain

• Catalonia’s leader granted freedom to campaign for independence 
• Constitutional court annuls Catalonia’s declaration of independence 
• Spain rescues 276 migrants crossing Mediterranean Sea
• 750,000 people rally in Barcelona to support independence bid 

Vietnam

• Death toll from Vietnam’s Typhoon reaches 61, reservoirs close to bursting 
• TPP countries agree to move ahead with trade pact without U.S.

Italy

• Berlusconi’s center-right coalition narrowly wins regional vote in Sicily

Venezuela

• E.U. to impose arms embargo on Venezuela 

China

• U.S. and Chinese companies agree to $253 billion in business deals during Trump’s visit 

Palestine

• Abbas’ administration resumes security coordination with Israel, eyes control of Gaza strip 

Cameroon

• Separatist attacks kill 4 security forces as Anglophone dispute escalates 

Australia

• 2 children killed as car crashes into classroom in Sydney 
• Member of Parliament resigns over dual nationality

Russia

• Putin suggests Russian doping scandals could be an attempt by the U.S. to interfere in Russian presidential election

Burundi

• International Criminal Court opens investigation into Burundi’s state-sponsored deadly violence

Brazil

• Congressional committee votes to ban all abortions 
• U.S. military joins Brazil army exercises 

Colombia

• At least 4 dead, 18 missing in landslides in Southwest Colombia

Somalia

• U.S. drone kills several Al Shabaab militants west of Mogadishu

United Arab Emirates

• France sells 2 military ships to UAE

Iraq

• Mass grave found near Hawija could contain up to 400 bodies
• Military helicopter crashes, 3 crew members killed

Slovenia

• President Pahor re-elected for 2nd term with 53% of the vote

Central African Republic

• 7 killed in grenade attack on peace concert in Bangui

Libya

• 28 bodies with bullet wounds and torture marks found west of Tripoli 

Guatemala

• Telecommunications firm shuts down service after 3 employees killed

Costa Rica

• Magnitude 6.5 earthquake hits near San Jose

Poland

• 60,000 white nationalists march through the streets of Warsaw

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