Monday, August 21, 2017

World News Briefs -- August 21, 2017 (Evening Edition)

U.S. President Donald Trump watched the solar eclipse with first Lady Melania Trump and son Barron from the Truman Balcony at the White House

Daily Mail: Trumps on the White House balcony join the millions watching eclipse as totality sweeps eastwards across the US in celestial event-of-a-lifetime

* Eclipse has finished its trajectory, traveling from Oregon to South Carolin some 90 minutes later
* The deepest part of the shadow, or umbra, cast by the moon fell over a 70-mile-wide, 2,500-mile-long 'path of totality' traversing 14 states
* First Family gathered on the White House balcony to watch the first total solar eclipse to sweep across America from coast to coast in 99 years
* Dozen of celebrities including the Kardashian clan, Ellen DeGeneres and Serena Williams also watched
* Experts advised people to wear proper protective eyewear or risk lasting blind spots during the eclipse
* Many in the Midwest missed the eclipse as rain, cloud and even fog is predicted over several states

The First Family gathered on the White House balcony to watch the first total solar eclipse to sweep across America in 99 years.

President Donald Trump was joined on the terrace by wife Melania, his children Barron and Ivanka, and cabinet members including Jeff Sessions, for the once-in-a-lifetime event. At one point he even risked blindness by peeking at the sun without eclipse viewer glasses before an aide instructed him to put them on.

Darkness swept across the US on Monday as the eclipse traveled from coast to coast, ending just before 3pm EDT in South Carolina.

The celestial event began in Oregon at just after 9am PDT, and by 10.20am, the sun was completely blocked out except for a halo-like solar corona plunging the area into twilight. Over the next 90 minutes, the total eclipse traveled through 14 different states until ending in South Carolina. The other 36 states were all treated to a partial solar eclipse, where the moon covers only a part of the sun.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iraqi forces advance on Isis-held city of Tal Afar. Iraq: Islamic State militants warned 'surrender or die' as battle to take back Tal Afar begins. IS conflict: Iraq army makes advances on Tal Afar.

US-led strikes killed 27 civilians Sunday in Syria's Raqa: monitor.

Russia hails progress in Syria conflict, ups bombing runs.

Syria war: Russian jets 'destroy IS convoy near Deir al-Zour'. Russian air force destroys 200+ ISIS terrorists heading for Deir ez-Zor, Syria – MoD.

Analysis: The Syrian regime’s offensive towards Deir Ezzor.

Turkey, Iran step up coordination in Syria.

Suleimani: Iran has 'upper hand' in region but is not a source of crisis.

3 Lebanese soldiers killed during offensive against IS.

Qatar criticizes Saudi over haj planes offer.

ASIA

Trump likely to approve modest troop increase for Afghanistan.

Ten sailors missing after U.S. warship, tanker collide near Singapore.

Pyongyang calls U.S.-South Korean war games a step to nuclear war.

South Korea and US launch Ulchi Freedom Guardian drills.

Joint US-South Korea military exercises not meant to raise tensions, says Moon.

South Koreans split over US missile shield.

China's top diplomat issued stern warning to North Korea, Seoul says.

North Korea warns Australia over joint military exercises with US and South Korea.

War with India won’t give China any clear gain, only cause casualties, assesses govt. India says China stand-off will end 'soon'.

Nine killed in Philippines militant attack: police.

Bangladesh sentences 10 Islamists to death over plot to kill PM Sheikh Hasina.

China-Taiwan tensions show at Universiade sports event.

Philippines' Duterte says there could have been abuses in war on drugs.


AFRICA

Exclusive: Armed group stopping migrant boats leaving Libya.

Thirteen dead in fresh C. Africa clashes.

Aid workers face unique crisis in South Sudan war, says ICRC.

Death toll in DR Congo landslide climbs to 140.

Hospital officals: Nearly 500 dead in Sierra Leone mudslides.

Somalia forces capture key al-Shabab town of Bariire.

President Buhari in plea for Nigerian unity. Muhammadu Buhari addresses nation on return from UK.

Grace Mugabe gets diplomatic immunity, returns home to Zimbabwe pursued by assault allegation.

EUROPE

Serbia recalls embassy staff from Macedonia.

Spanish police shoot dead suspected Barcelona attacker.

Police extend hunt for Barcelona attack suspect across Europe. Barcelona search for van attack suspect intensifies, widens.

Spanish town struggles to reconcile locals as extremist cell.

US Embassy in Russia suspends issuing nonimmigrant visas.

Moscow to further examine US decision to limit issuing visas to Russians.

Marseille crash: one dead after car driven into bus shelters.

Moroccan suspect named over Finland stabbings in Turku.

German nationalists try reviving migration as election topic.

Migrants in Rome evicted from office block as UN voices concern.

Britain's Big Ben falls silent for four years of renovation work.

AMERICAS

Americans cheer as rare total solar eclipse marches across country.

Trump will address path forward on Afghanistan.

Most Americans oppose threatening North Korea with military action: CBS News Poll.

British spy behind Trump-Russia dossier could be forced to talk after US court ruling.

Venezuela prepares world summit to defend new legislative body.

President Maduro strips Venezuela’s parliament of power.

NAFTA partners wrap up first round of renegotiation talks.

Leo Varadkar and Justin Trudeau take part in Montreal Pride Parade.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pakistani army says it has acted against militants including Haqqani network.

Lebanon says it helped foil plot to down plane in Australia.

Suspect raising money for IS granted bail in Pakistan.

Soft targets and tourist terrorism.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street flat as North Korea worries remain; energy a drag.

US business economists fret over Trump policy agenda.

France’s Total buying Maersk Oil for $7.45 billion.

Most expensive British car ever sold goes for $22.5 million.