World News Briefs -- January 23. 2019

Barricades set alight during protests in Harare last week. Sporadic security operations continued in the capital. Photograph: Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters

The Guardian: Zimbabwe clampdown continues despite Mnangagwa pledge

Reports of arrests, abductions and beatings as security forces carry out fresh raids

A brutal crackdown on protesters and opposition activists in Zimbabwe has continued despite president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s pledge earlier this week to stop excesses by the security forces.

Soldiers in the southern city of Bulawayo launched a new wave of raids on Tuesday night, while more sporadic security operations continued in the capital, Harare.

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MIDDLE EAST

'Rapid military escalation' occurring between Iran and Israel.

Netanyahu warns of 'lethal' reaction to any Gaza escalation.

Jordan officials hold talks in Syria on resuming flights.

Erdogan visits Moscow with looming Turkish military op in Syria. Syria on agenda, Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets Vladimir Putin.

About 19 million lack access to clean water in Yemen.

US backtracks on Iran-focused conference in Poland after objections.

Gulf Arab economies to grow more slowly through 2020: economists.

ASIA

US confirms its envoy held talks with Taliban in Qatar.

Afghan spy agency says it kills Taliban mastermind of deadly attack.

China on track for more growth, Vice-President Wang Qishan tells worried world elite in Davos.

Beijing says China and US are 'mutually indispensable'.

China deletes 7 million pieces of online information, thousands of apps.

Seoul accuses Japanese patrol plane of threatening flight.

Thailand sets March 24 as date of first election since Shinawatra coup.

Tonga facing 'absolute disaster' after internet cable blackout.

AFRICA

Zimbabwe soldiers 'beating' protesters as crackdown continues.

Omar al-Bashir launches media crackdown as Sudan protests continue.

Sudan's leader visits Qatar amid protests.

US warns Sudan to free protesters, probe deaths.

US recognizes Tshisekedi after controversial DR Congo vote.

DR Congo presidential inauguration set for Thursday.

Nigeria finds more than 20,000 kidnapped girls in Mali.

EUROPE

At Davos, battle lines are drawn over trade and cooperation.

Angela Merkel tells Davos end of multilateralism means 'misery'.

IMF tells Ukraine to speed up reforms.

Sanctions on Moscow hurt the US long term, Russia's wealth fund head says.

Momentum gathers behind British MPs' bid to stop no-deal Brexit.

Germany seeks extension of EU's migrant deterrent sea operation.

EU urges crackdown on 'golden passports' for big investors.

AMERICAS

Trump wants to deliver State of Union next week as planned. Trump said he still plans to deliver State of the Union address on Jan. 29.

Congress agitates to end relentless shutdown.

Venezuela protests: 'Four dead' as thousands rally against Maduro.

Venezuela street clashes and military unrest pile pressure on Maduro.

Venezuela opposition leader swears himself in as interim president.

Across Mexico border from safe El Paso, violence surges in Juárez.

Bolsonaro's Davos debut overshadowed by growing scandal around son.

Pope visits Panama for first World Youth Day in Central America.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Global terror deaths lowest since 2009: report.

Kurd-led forces overrun last IS-held village in Syria: monitor.

S.African 'jihad suspect' dies in Mozambique hospital.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

White House adviser Hassett confident U.S., China can reach trade deal by March.

China to pass US in retail sales this year: forecast.

Dyson to move head office to Singapore.

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