Reuters: Trump weighs Syria options, Russia envoy says 'cannot exclude' war
President Donald Trump and his national security aides on Thursday discussed U.S. options on Syria, where he has threatened missile strikes in response to a suspected poison gas attack, as a Russian envoy voiced fears of wider conflict between Washington and Moscow.
Worries about a confrontation between Russia, Syria’s big ally, and the West have been running high since Trump said on Wednesday missiles “will be coming” in response to the attack in the Syrian town of Douma on April 7, and lambasted Moscow for standing by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Trump tempered those remarks on Thursday.
Read more ....
MIDDLE EAST
Inspectors head to site of suspected gas attack in Syria.
Macron says France has evidence to prove Damascus’s use of chemical weapons. Macron: Assad regime used chemical weapons on Syria's Douma.
Syria 'chemical attack': US weighs up military response.
Russia and Iran rebuke US for missile threat against Syria amid standoff over attack.
Last rebel fighters pushed out of Syria's Douma.
Lebanese president: Israeli airspace breach an 'attack on our sovereignty'.
Air Force hits Gaza gunmen after they shoot at plane, trigger rocket sirens.
Israel comes to standstill to remember Holocaust victims.
ASIA
No reward for North Korea without irreversible denuclearization: Pompeo.
Sri Lanka's president suspends parliament until May 8.
At least four killed after rebel-army gun battle in Kashmir.
Taliban seize ‘safe’ Afghan district weeks after Pentagon hailed progress under new Trump strategy.
Afghan civilians increasingly targeted by militants: UN.
North Korea skips mention of nuclear weapons at Supreme People's Assembly.
Six ministers quit Sri Lanka's troubled government.
China's anti-corruption campaign snags ex-Politburo member.
New Zealand bans all new offshore oil exploration as part of 'carbon-neutral future'.
AFRICA
Civilians killed in Central African Republic were 'manipulated': U.N..
Ethiopia’s new leader makes rare outreach to opposition.
U.N. peacekeeper killed in clashes in Central African Republic.
UN to expand sanctions blacklist in Mali amid growing violence.
Deadly Yemen ambush stirs calls to withdraw Sudan troops.
Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar 'in a coma' at Paris hospital.
German aid worker kidnapped in Niger.
Four years after the Chibok kidnapping Boko Haram still a threat.
Somalia disbands UAE programme to pay and train soldiers.
White South African farmers say they're living in fear, but blacks say they're the ones being victimised.
Algeria declares three days of mourning over deadly plane crash.
EUROPE
Italian parties pledge backing for NATO amid Syrian uncertainties.
Czech ANO party wants new shot at center-left coalition to avoid far-right.
Chemical watchdog backs UK: Nerve agent poisoned spy Skripal. Russian spy poisoning: Nerve agent inspectors back UK.
EU extends rights sanctions on Iran, at odds over new measures.
Kremlin to Trump: We don't engage in Twitter diplomacy.
Yulia Skripal rejects Russian help as she recovers from poison attack.
Azeri president's supporters heckle as observers declare election unfair.
Pope Francis admits 'grave error' in discrediting Chilean church sexual abuse victims.
Germany's foreign population reaches record 10.6 million.
AMERICAS
Pompeo vows to confront Russia, dodges Mueller questions.
U.S. VP Pence to meet with Venezuelan opposition leaders in Lima: White House.
Coast Guard chief: 'Shortsighted' to think border wall will end illegal immigration.
Trump denies report he tried to fire special counsel Mueller.
Anti-extremism efforts falter 5 years after Boston bombing.
As Pompeo signals hard Russia line, lawmakers want him to stand on his own.
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau rules out airstrikes in Syria.
Former Mexican President Fox calls for opium poppy legalization.
Colombia targets Gulf Clan after deadly blast in Urabá.
U.S. weekly jobless claims hold below 300,000 for longest streak on record.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Britain reveals it launched cyberattack on Islamic State.
ICC prosecutes Islamist militant on groundbreaking gender-based charges.
US military opens annual counterterrorism training in Niger.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Wall Street gains on earnings optimism, waning Syria jitters.
Trump to explore entering Pacific trade pact he once called 'a disaster'.
China denies backing down under pressure from Trump after promising to open markets, slash auto import tariffs.
OPEC sees oil markets tighten further even as U.S. shale booms.
IMF's Lagarde warns China on 'Silk Road' debt.
WTO warns over US-China trade war. WTO warns over tit-for-tat trade wars.
