World News Briefs -- July 31, 2017 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: U.S. targets Venezuelan President Maduro for sanctions

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government slapped sanctions on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday, the Trump's administration's toughest move so far against his government in response to Sunday's election of a legislative superbody Washington denounced as a "sham" vote.

No oil-related measures were included in the announcement, but such measures remain under consideration, according to congressional sources and a person familiar with the White House's deliberations on the matter.

Under the sanctions, all of Maduro's assets subject to U.S. jurisdiction were frozen, and Americans are barred from doing business with him, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control said.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iraqis say they foiled IS plan to attack revered shrines.

Iraqi general sees easy victory over exhausted IS fighters in Tal Afar.

Food access in Syria's Raqa at 'critical turning point': NGOs.

Hezbollah announces ceasefire with Sunni jihadists near Arsal. Thousands to be evacuated from Lebanon-Syria border. Hezbollah seizing territory along Lebanon's northeastern border.

Saudi Arabia reports shooting down Houthi missile near Mecca.

Iraq's Muqtada al-Sadr makes rare Saudi visit.

‘Declaration of war:’ Hajj controversy widens row between Saudi Arabia & Qatar.

Exclusive: Qatar launches wide-ranging WTO complaint against trade boycott.

ASIA

Russia rebuffs U.S. on North Korea, says Moscow, Beijing not to blame. Up to U.S., North Korea to ease tensions, not China: China U.N. envoy.

Kabul attack: Islamic State group claims responsibility for deadly Iraqi embassy attack.

Trump, Abe discuss ‘grave and growing’ threat from N. Korea. Trump vows 'all necessary measures' to protect allies from North Korea, says Abe.

Donald Trump says China does ‘nothing’ to thwart North Korea’s nuclear quest.

Donald Trump: China defends itself against US President criticism over North Korea.

North Korea accuses U.S. of preparing for nuclear war.

North Korea drought threatens famine and instability.

Glimmer of hope over border row as envoys from China and India meet.

Pakistan's Parliament meeting Tuesday to elect interim PM.

India seizes record heroin haul off merchant ship on Gujarat coast.

AFRICA

Somalia says kills senior al Shabaab commander in raid.

Rwanda's Kagame predicts clean sweep to third presidential term.

Algerian army kills six armed militants: defense ministry.

Congo police arrest over 100 as anti-Kabila protests dispersed.

US military: Drone strike kills al-Shabab fighter in Somalia.

Troops surround Maldives parliament to protect president.

Kenyan election official 'tortured and murdered' days before national vote.

Senegal ruling party coalition claim election landslide.

Libya committee votes in favor of constitutional draft.

Nigeria to continue oil exploration in Lake Chad Basin despite kidnapping.

Niger Delta leaders threaten to pull out of peace talks if demands not met by November 1.

EUROPE

Spanish court halts bid to fast-track Catalan referendum preparations.

U.S. embassy in Moscow says locked out of diplomatic property.

Ukraine finance minister denies tax evasion after probe launched.

US VP Mike Pence in Estonia raises prospect of deploying Patriot missiles. Mike Pence reassures Baltic states over Russia 'threat'.

Russia defends slashing US mission as hope fades of better ties. US-Russia diplomatic row: Kremlin says local staff can be included in diplomatic staff cuts.

Berlin calls for retaliation against 'illegal' US sanctions on Russia.

Russia warns Poland not to touch Soviet WW2 memorials.

Eurozone unemployment rate falls to 9.1%.

WikiLeaks releases 21,000 ‘verified’ Macron campaign emails.

Battle of Passchendaele remembered in Ypres, Belgium.

AMERICAS

Scaramucci out of White House job as John Kelly takes charge.

Venezuela defiant as US moves to sanction president.

Venezuela's Maduro cheers election, opposition barricades streets.

Venezuela election: Deadly protests mar ballot as voters snub Maduro constituent assembly. Venezuelan gov't praises controversial election condemned by opposition. Venezuela defiant as US moves to sanction oil industry.

Venezuela poll: EU condemns violence as turnout figure disputed.

Venezuela heading for dictatorship after 'sham' election, warns US amid clashes. US set to hit Venezuela with new sanctions after election.

Trump swears in new chief of staff, says no White House 'chaos'.

White House: Trump to decide soon on ending health payments.

Trump to award first Medal of Honor to Vietnam Army medic.

Trump threatens to axe Congress members' sweetheart health care deal and threatens insurance companies with pain following Obamacare repeal disaster.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Islamic State’s Khorasan ‘province’ assaults Iraqi embassy in Kabul.

Britain strips more than 100 Islamic State fighters of citizenship.

Australia ramps up airport security after alleged plane bomb plot.

Australian police prevent a terrorist attack. Sydney terror plot: device may have been hidden in meat grinder.

'Islamic State' claims attack on Iraqi embassy in Afghanistan.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dow hits record high while tech retreats.

Brexit: Race to host EU agencies relocated from London.

China orders Anbang to sell Waldorf Astoria, other foreign assets: report.

U.S. companies post profit growth not seen in six years.

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