World News Briefs -- September 11, 2018



Daily Mail/AP: America marks 17 years since the 9/11 attacks as President Trump prepares to travel to the Flight 93 crash site in Pennsylvania while Vice President Pence will attend ceremony at Pentagon

* Thousands of survivors and victims' relatives will read names of those who perished at World Trade Center
* Almost 3,000 Americans died when 19 Islamists hijacked four airplanes and crashed them into the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and rural Pennsylvania
* After ceremony in downtown Manhattan, two powerful beams will shine in Tribute in Light

Americans are commemorating 9/11 with somber tributes, volunteer projects and a new monument to victims, after a year when two attacks demonstrated the enduring threat of terrorism in the nation's biggest city.

Thousands of 9/11 victims' relatives, survivors, rescuers and others are expected at Tuesday's anniversary ceremony at the World Trade Center, while President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence will head to the two other places where hijacked planes crashed on Sept. 11, 2001, in the deadliest terror attack on American soil.

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MIDDLE EAST

US-backed force attacks last IS pocket in eastern Syria.

Rebels, Turkey prepared for battle, but assault could be delayed.

Erdogan and UN warn of human catastrophe in Idlib.

Iran seeks to avert disaster in Syria's Idlib: Iranian senior official.

Moscow slams as blackmail US threats to use force against Syria.

U.S. holds talks with U.K., France on possible Syria strikes.

Reopened Baghdad-Fallujah railway a tentative sign of progress in Iraq.

Iran's nuclear chief vows to accelerate atomic program if JCPOA collapses.

Dissent in Riyadh: Saudi Royals bicker over Yemen war.

ASIA

Afghan Taliban prepare for new peace talks with U.S.: sources.

White House planning second Trump-Kim summit.

South Korean president calls for 'bold decision' by U.S., North Korea.

North and South Korea to joint excavate ancient palace site.

Unpredictable geopolitical climate makes Russia-China ties more important – Xi Jinping.

China takes center stage at opening of Russia’s Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.

China scraps three family planning offices amid push to boost birthrate.

Kulsoom Nawaz Sharif, wife of Pakistan's jailed ex-PM Nawaz Sharif, dies in London.

AFRICA

Ethiopia and Eritrea reopen their border for the first time in 20 years.

Libya: Italian foreign minister meets Haftar in Benghazi.

MSF: Over 100 migrants killed in shipwreck off Libyan coast.

S.Africa 'close to war zone' with 57 murders a day: minister.

Tanzania's John Magufuli advises against birth control.

Zimbabwe declares health emergency after cholera deaths.

Nigeria gas tanker explosion kills dozens.

Russia's scramble for influence in Africa catches western officials off-guard.

EUROPE

Xi, Putin meet as Russia kicks off biggest ever war games.

Russia and China place great importance on regional cooperation, says Putin.

Russia's Vladimir Putin late again to summit with Shinzo Abe.

EU future at stake in make-or-break election, Greek PM Alex Tsipras says.

Pro-independence Catalans renew calls for republic at rally in Barcelona.

European Parliament to debate disciplining Hungary.

Death of German fuels fears of far-right violence in Köthen.

German security chief called to explain claims about far-right videos.

Ukrainian minister calls for severing railway service with Russia.

Greenland picks Denmark as airport project partner over Beijing.

AMERICAS

Trump to mark anniversary of September 11 attacks.

Trump tweets about 9/11, Russia investigation as he heads to Flight 93 memorial event.

Trump administration orders closure of Palestinian office, threatens ICC with sanctions.

Senate intel won’t have Russia report by midterms, top Democrat says.

Hurricane Florence strengthens to category 4 forcing mass evacuations along low-lying areas of US east coast.

US accuses Venezuela's leader of operating 'a kleptocracy'.

Brazil candidate Jair Bolsonaro to undergo 'major surgery'.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Defence lawyers in 9/11 case seek dismissal of new judge.

9/11, 17 years on: Timeline of events in worst terrorist attack on US soil.

Debunking the myths about the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Massive global debt looms as major risk 10 years after GFC, Canada Pension Plan chief warns.

Trade turnover between Russia and China to grow to $100 bln in 2018 — Putin.

'The next billion users': Google targets India's lucrative mobile market.

orld trade body to hear China appeal for sanctions vs US.

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