World News Briefs -- February 1, 2019

Oil facilities are seen on Lake Maracaibo in Cabimas, Venezuela January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Isaac Urrutia

Reuters: U.S. sets deadline for foreigners dealing in Venezuela oil

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Non-U.S. entities buying oil or petroleum products from Venezuela’s state-owned PDVSA in deals that involve the U.S. financial system, brokers or people must be wound down by April 28, the U.S. Treasury Department said in a notice posted early on Friday.

The notice clarifies some of the confusion that has surrounded U.S. sanctions imposed on Venezuela earlier in the week. Besides the United States, Venezuela sells its oil to buyers around the world, including India and Europe, and the country has been seeking buyers elsewhere to replace the roughly 500,000 barrels a day it sells to the United States.

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MIDDLE EAST

UN demands humanitarian access to eastern Syria.

US court finds Assad regime liable for Marie Colvin's death in Syria.

Israeli attorney general says he can rule on Netanyahu indictment before election.

Sanction-hit Iran ready to launch state cryptocurrency.

Forty years since revolution, Iran taunts 'declining' America.

U.N. raises 'serious doubts' whether Bahrain opposition leaders got fair trial.

Saudi investigation recovers $107B linked to corruption cases.

ASIA

US North Korea envoy says Trump is ready to 'end this war'.

US envoy Stephen Biegun 'reveals' North Korea nuclear pledge.

Trump 'serious' about Afghan withdrawal, Taliban says.

Myanmar using 'oppressive laws' against peaceful critics: HRW.

India's jobs crisis casts shadow over Modi's re-election hopes.

Japan and China promise to work to deepen trust amid territorial row.

Attacks undermine peace hopes in Philippines after historic vote.

Radioactive uranium traded online in Japan, police say.

Australia records 'hottest month ever'.

AFRICA

Boko Haram killed at least 60 in Monday's attack in Nigeria: Amnesty.

Insecurity throws Nigeria's election preparations into disarray.

Sudan police fire tear gas on protest after Muslim prayers.

Four die in first clash of Libyan force's southward push.

Mnangagwa accuses West of 'backing violence' in Zimbabwe.

Cameroon: Maurice Kamto charged with sedition, insurrection.

US imposes visa restrictions on Ghana over deportee row.

ICC prosecutors back bail for Ivory Coast's Gbagbo.

EUROPE

Germany: World will be less secure without INF weapons treaty.

EU states move to recognize Venezuela's Guaido: diplomats.

UK objects to description of Gibraltar as 'British colony' in EU law.

Brexit: visa-free travel plans spark Gibraltar 'colony' row.

France puts up food and drink prices under new law.

French police officers convicted and imprisoned for gang rape of Canadian woman in Paris.

Catalan separatist leaders moved to Madrid for trial on rebellion charges.

AMERICAS

Trump says Rosenstein assured him he is not a Mueller target.

'¡Sí se puede!' shouts rapturous crowd at Juan Guaidó rally.

Venezuela: Juan Guaido accuses Maduro of threatening his family.

Venezuela releases foreign journalists after pressure from governments.

Anti-graft candidate poised to win El Salvador presidency.

Guatemalans protest against bill that would free war criminals.

US charges 20 in Chinese 'birth tourism' scheme to help pregnant women secure birthright citizenship for kids.

Death toll in Brazil dam disaster rises to 110.

Polar vortex death toll rises to 21 as US cold snap continues.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Analysis: US military downplays district control as Taliban gains ground in Afghanistan.

US airstrike kills 24 Shabaab fighters at an ‘encampment’.

Americans who thwarted train attack become French citizens.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

EU and Japan create world's biggest free trade zone.

US and China may seek to extend trade war truce before Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet to finalise deal.

Facebook at 15: a titan with grown-up woes.

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