U.S. sanctions Chinese firm tied to North Korea's nuclear program

WASHINGTON The U.S. Treasury on Monday said it had sanctioned a Chinese industrial machinery and equipment wholesaler, a step in tightening the financial noose around North Korea's nuclear program.

In a statement on its website, the Treasury said it was sanctioning Dandong Hongxiang Industrial Development Co and four officials of the firm under U.S. regulations targeting proliferators of weapons of mass destruction.




Air strikes pound rebel-held Aleppo districts


BEIRUT Dozens of air strikes hit rebel-held areas of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo overnight, a monitor and defense worker said, continuing a fierce air campaign by Syrian government and allied forces since a ceasefire broke down almost a week ago.




U.S. network of Turkish cleric facing pressure as those at home seek help


WASHINGTON A network of more than 150 U.S. charter schools linked to followers of Fethullah Gulen, the Pennsylvania-based Muslim cleric the Turkish government blames for instigating July’s failed coup, has come under growing financial and legal strain, according to school officials, current and former members of Gulen’s movement, and public records reviewed by Reuters.




Knives out for young pretender Macron in French presidential race


PARIS Inside the election war rooms of Paris, French politicians on both left and right are waking up to the threat Emmanuel Macron poses ahead of next year's presidential election and stepping up attacks on the fresh-faced former economy minister.