Daily Mail: 'It's historic, its epic, but I tell you Texas can handle anything': Trump and Melania lift spirits with visit to Corpus Christi as worst rainfall in American history brings Lone Star State to its knees
* The president and first lady were in Corpus Christi, Texas and then headed to Austin before a return to DC
* Trump told a crowd of Texans who'd lined up outside a Corpus Christi firehouse he was visiting before he left that the recovery effort is 'going well' and his administration is 'here to take care of you'
* President lauded state and federal officials for their response to Harvey this afternoon during his first of several stops in storm-stricken Texas, a firehouse in Corpus Christi
* 'We want to do it better than ever before. We want to be looked at in five years, in ten years from now as, this is the way to do it,' Trump told Texas Gov. Greg Abbott during a Corpus Christi briefing
* Trump said: 'This was of epic proportion. Nobody's ever seen anything like this'
* The president and first lady left the White House this morning just after 8:30 am for Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, he in a windbreaker sporting the presidential seal, khaki pants and brown boots
* She wore classic black stilettos from the White House to Air Force One during the trip to Texas' flood zone
* By the time the president's plane landed in Texas she was wearing white tennis shoes instead
President Donald Trump told a crowd of Texans who'd lined up outside a Corpus Christi firehouse he was visiting that the recovery effort is 'going well' and his administration is 'here to take care of you.'
'We love you. You are special,' the president said to cheers from onlookers. 'This is historic, it's epic, what happened, but you know what, it happened in Texas. Texas can handle anything.'
The president held up the Texas flag as he delivered the impromptu remarks to the throng of cheering Corpus Christi residents after a briefing on relief efforts from emergency responders.
Read more ....
MIDDLE EAST
Jordan border crossing with Iraq to reopen in major boost to ties.
U.S. coalition exchanged fire with rebels in Syria: spokesman.
Kirkuk votes to take part in Kurdish independence poll.
Lebanon frees hundreds of ISIS fighters in exchange for soldiers’ bodies.
Rights groups demand UN probe into Yemen abuses.
Netanyahu: Iran building missile sites in Syria.
Tehran shuns US call for UN inspection of military sites. Iran dismisses idea of military site inspections.
Iran's Rouhani says Saudi Arabia should stop backing terrorists in Yemen: TV.
Israeli MP prays at flashpoint Jerusalem holy site.
Hajj pilgrimage entangled in web of Saudi politics.
ASIA
Afghan officials said to talk nearly every day with Taliban.
Suicide bomber kills five at bank in Afghan capital.
All options on table after North Korea fires missile over Japan: Trump. Trump issues warning to North Korea over missile launch.
Japan's Shinzo Abe consults with Trump after North Korea missile launch. Japan's Abe, Trump hold 40-minute long call on North Korea missile.
Japanese react furiously to North Korean missile launch.
North Korea says US war games driving towards 'extreme level of explosion' after firing ballistic missile over Japan. N. Korea: US pushing region to 'extreme level of explosion'.
South Korea conducts bombing drill as US, Seoul discuss tougher sanctions on North.
Dynasty grows: Kim Jong-un has reportedly fathered a secret, third child.
Pakistan and China discuss Afghanistan after US official snubbed by Islamabad.
'No way in, no way out': Philippine military contains Marawi battle within 500 sqm.
Rohingya fleeing Myanmar violence face expulsion despite U.N. appeal. Rohingya men answer call to arms against Myanmar's forces.
AFRICA
Kenya’s opposition, election commission argue over access.
As Sudan seeks sanctions relief, U.S. presses religious freedom.
African and European leaders agree action plan on migration crisis.
Backed by Italy, Libya enlists militias to stop migrants.
War-ravaged South Sudan passes budget, but funding will be 'difficult'.
Tonga's speaker says power grab behind parliament sacking.
Qatar-Gulf crisis spreads to Africa.
Nigeria seizes $21m linked to Diezani Alison-Madueke.
South African minister Motsoaledi blasts African leaders' 'health tourism'.
EUROPE
Germany keen to avoid new 'ice age' in ties between Russia, West.
Juncker blasts Britain for 'huge' unanswered Brexit questions.
Russia seeks to reassure over war games, denies invasion plans.
US ‘should & will’ get along with Russia – Trump.
Germany's Merkel rules out coalition with far left, far right.
Merkel calls for extension of EU border controls.
Merkel: Lifting anti-Russian sanctions would benefit both Russia and Germany.
Romania’s ruling party says no euro decision has been made.
Macron calls fight on 'Islamist terrorism' a priority of French foreign policy.
Majority of French don't trust Macron: poll.
European Security Organization urges Trump to stop attacks on the press.
Italy drought: Rome forced to cut water pressure at night.
AMERICAS
Houston to open more mega-shelters to house flooded families.
Harvey floodwaters overflow Houston reservoir, separate levee breach reported. Houston says bridges, roads starting to fail under stress of flooding.
Dramatic nighttime rescues in flooded Houston suburbs as Harvey rolls on.
Two more days of 'catastrophic' rains forecast from Harvey.
Mexico dusts-off 'Plan B' as Trump revs up threats to kill NAFTA.
Colombia protests what it says was Venezuelan military incursion over border.
US sanctions to pile misery on moribund Venezuelan economy.
Russia: US setting stage for Venezuela invasion.
Crisis flares in Guatemala over corruption and organised crime.
Bolivians divided over plan to build road through national park.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Barcelona attackers' suspected supplier arrested in Morocco: source.
U.S., Iraq blacklist Islamic State finance official: U.S. Treasury.
The problem is al-Qaeda not ISIS (Commentary).
The threat of small-dollar terrorism.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Stocks, dollar recover as North Korea jitters abate.
Global stocks in retreat after North Korean missile test.
Euro rises to 18-month high against dollar.
Despite new U.S. sanctions, Russian oil traders say it's business as usual.
Burger King launches WhopperCoin crypto-cash in Russia.
