DC Roundup: North Korea Warnings, Venezuela, White House Visit

Developments in Washington, D.C., on Friday include President Donald Trump continuing the heated rhetoric against North Korea, warning of a possible U.S. military option in Venezuela, as well as a discussion of whether his tweets, and their use of rhetoric, keep the world on edge. Trump Says He Is Considering Military Action in Venezuela — …

Trump Says He Is Considering Military Action in Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump says a military option against Venezuela is on the table, describing the situation there as a “dangerous mess.” “We have many options for Venezuela, including a possible military option, if necessary,” Trump told reporters at his golf resort in New Jersey. Trump said he’s “not going to rule out” a military …

Earthquake Shakes Northern Philippines; No Damage

A deep earthquake of 6.3 magnitude struck off Luzon island in the northern Philippines and was felt in metropolitan Manila.   Office workers in the capital left their buildings, but no damage was apparent after the quake struck about midday Friday. And there was no tsunami.   The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said …

Doubts About Reliability Plague N. Korea’s Small Nuclear Warheads

While a leaked U.S. intelligence report suggests North Korea now can build warheads small and light enough to fit inside its intercontinental ballistic missiles, nuclear weapons experts doubt that Pyongyang can develop an operational ICBM with a reliable warhead capable of hitting the U.S. mainland. Reports about the intelligence community’s consensus on North Korea’s weapons …

Controversial Film About Russian Czar Cleared for Release

A historical film about the last Russian czar’s affair with a ballerina has been cleared for release, the Culture Ministry said Thursday, despite passionate calls for its ban. “Matilda,” which describes Nicholas II’s relationship with Matilda Kshesinskaya has drawn virulent criticism from some Orthodox believers and hard-line nationalists, who see it as blasphemy against the …

Kenyan Officials Say Attempted Hack of Election System Failed

The chairman of Kenya’s election commission said Thursday its voting system was attacked one week before Tuesday’s presidential election but was not compromised. “Hacking was attempted but did not succeed,” Commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati told reporters at a news conference in the capital of Nairobi. Chebukati did not provide details. Kenyans, meanwhile, continue to anxiously …

91-year-old Thai Women Earns Bachelor’s Degree

A 91-year old woman in Thailand has earned a college degree after spending more than 10 years studying for it and has received her diploma from the country’s king.   Public television broadcaster ThaiPBS says Kimlan Jinakul was granted the Bachelor of Arts degree in human and family development Wednesday at the government-run Sukhothai Thammathirat …

Harsh Rhetoric Between North Korea and Trump Worries Investors

The exchange of threats and harsh rhetoric between North Korea and Donald Trump has rattled many investors. Stock prices fell in Asia, Europe and the United States, while demand rose for safe-haven investments like gold. Key stock indexes in Hong Kong, Germany, and France were down by one percent or more. U.S. stocks were down …

Transgender Military Personnel Sue Trump Over Service Ban

Five transgender members of the U.S. military, including Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, sued President Donald Trump on Wednesday, challenging his ban on transgender people serving in the armed forces. Trump said on Twitter on July 26 that the U.S. government “will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity” in the …

Islamic State Still a Threat as Mosul Residents Return to City in Ruins

Abu Ghazi stood smoking a cigarette outside what used to be his home in Mosul’s Old City, where only the sound of the footsteps of a few soldiers on patrol and twisted pieces of metal and fabric flapping in the wind disturb the eerie silence. “They should just bulldoze the whole thing and start over,” …

Cambodia’s Strongman, 65, Displays Warm, Vital Images on Facebook

Hun Sen shopping. Hun Sen working out. Hun Sen, family guy. For the 65-year-old prime minister of Cambodia, a onetime Khmer Rouge commander, his recent about-face to show a warm and fuzzy side is a startling development. The man who now has 8.5 million Facebook followers oversaw Cambodia’s emergence from civil war and has dominated …

US Marines Eye Plan to Put Women in West Coast Combat Training

The U.S. Marine Corps for the first time is eyeing a plan to let women attend what has been male-only combat training in Southern California, as officials work to quash recurring problems with sexism and other bad behavior among Marines, according to Marine Corps officials. If approved by senior Marine leaders, the change could happen …